Facilities Lead

FAO Schwarz•New York, NY

3d•$35,880 - $45,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Facilities Lead is the hands-on leader of the facilities team and the on-site point of contact for cleaning, maintenance, and contractor partners. The role keeps the flagship clean, safe, and guest-ready from opening through closing, leads by example on the floor, identifies problems early, and handles minor repairs within safe, approved limits. The Facilities Lead owns cleanliness and presentation, safety practices, team coaching and onboarding, daily deployment, opening and closing routines, supplies and equipment, and coordination and inspection of external partner work. The role also tracks recurring facility issues and supply use, reports vendor performance, prepares for launches and events, and collaborates with Visual, Operations, Store Leadership, fellow Leads, building management, and external partners. It aligns with Level M3 in the Career Framework and provides a foundation for progression into Assistant Manager roles at Level M4.

Requirements

At least 2 years of leadership experience in facilities, cleaning, maintenance, retail, or hospitality environments.
Experience coaching and developing team members through feedback and hands-on daily leadership.
Practical handyperson skills and confidence completing light repairs safely and to a high finish.
Experience working with external vendors or contractors on-site, including briefing, inspecting, and reporting on their work.
Ability to handle cleaning products and equipment safely, with a strong commitment to health and safety.
Strong presence and confidence making real-time decisions in a busy guest environment.
Clear communication and a collaborative approach across teams and partners.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand, bend, and twist for extended periods.
Flexibility to work days, evenings, weekends, and peak retail periods.

Nice To Haves

Handyperson, construction, or repair experience.

Responsibilities

Maintain cleanliness and presentation across the sales floor, restrooms, offices, and team areas, ensuring the store is guest-ready before opening and throughout trading.
Control hazards, enforce safe working practices, follow waste-disposal rules, and report incidents accurately and promptly.
Walk the store to identify wear, damage, and risks, and resolve or escalate issues before they affect guests or team members.
Respond promptly to spills, breakages, and guest-facing incidents, prioritizing the guest experience.
Complete light maintenance and repairs within safe, approved limits, including patching, paint touch-ups, furniture assembly, and hanging displays and signage.
Coach and develop team members, provide regular observations and specific feedback, recognize strong performance, hold team members accountable, and escalate people concerns when needed.
Own onboarding and training on cleaning standards, safe equipment and chemical use, and store routines.
Ensure facilities team members engage with guests and provide assistance while working on the floor.
Work alongside the team during demanding periods and role-model expected pace, care, and ownership.
Manage the daily zone chart and team deployment to provide balanced coverage aligned with guest traffic.
Lead opening and closing routines, ensuring the store is clean, safe, fully set before opening, and secured at day's end.
Serve as the on-site contact for cleaning, maintenance, and contractor teams; brief them, manage access, and inspect completed work against standards and the schedule set by store leadership.
Keep supplies, cleaning equipment, and tools stocked, secure, and in working order.
Log maintenance issues with clear details and priorities, and escalate repairs outside the role's scope.
Track recurring issues, repair patterns, and supply usage, and recommend ways to prevent repeat repairs and guest-facing disruptions.
Report vendor performance with specific information so store leadership can assess service quality.
Prepare coverage and store readiness for sale launches, events, and floor moves.
Collaborate with Visual, Operations, Store Leadership, fellow Leads, building management, and external partners to maintain a safe, on-brand, well-coordinated store.
Surface safety concerns, facility trends, and team feedback to store leadership, and cascade relevant communications about events, schedules, and expectations to the team.