Facilities Manager, Shepherd School of Music

Rice University•Houston, TX

14d•Onsite

About The Position

The Facilities Manager is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of maintenance at the Shepherd School of Music (SSM), including facilities operations and physical maintenance of Alice Pratt Brown Hall (APBH) and the Brockman Hall for Opera (BHO), as well as project management and budget tracking for the facilities department. They supervise the day-to-day facilities maintenance and custodial staff to ensure efficient operations, serve as a primary contact for all service and facility requests, perform classroom AV support, and act as the departmental liaison to Rice OIT. The Facilities Manager provides onsite oversight of building operations during significant SSM performances and high-profile public events. This position reports to the Director of Facilities Operations. The ideal candidate is a project-management-minded, tech-savvy facilities professional who thrives in a public-facing academic setting. They are a proactive individual with situational awareness and the ability to prioritize tasks and responsibilities, respond quickly, and escalate issues appropriately under time-sensitive conditions while making cost-conscious decisions without serving as the budget owner. The candidate is an organized, responsible, and forward-thinking individual who is detail-oriented and has a problem-solving mindset that can address the daily needs of the Shepherd School. They will also advance the appropriate needs for future events and productions in a timely manner to ensure all events are supported at the highest level. They bring hands-on knowledge of managing maintenance and repairs, as well as the ability to perform basic and minor repairs to ensure smooth daily operations and keep the facilities of the Shepherd School at the highest presentational level. They can respond quickly to classroom AV issues and can triage and troubleshoot minor tech/AV issues.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
2 or more years of experience in a related field, such as, but not limited to: construction management, theatrical management, or property management
In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
Problem-solving skills and reasoning
Attention to detail, scheduling, and follow-through
Working knowledge of both PC and Mac-based platforms
Proficiency with Google Sheets, Docs, Calendar, Drive, Teams, and Zoom
Knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.).
Ability to respond and make decisions quickly during emergency situations is essential
Strong written and oral communication skills and comfort interacting with faculty, staff, and students
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks and assignments while managing multiple projects and tasks

Nice To Haves

3 or more years of related experience
Experience with Adobe Suite and AutoCAD
Familiarity with Desigo, Tririga, and CBord
Ability to perform basic maintenance repairs
Ability to operate aerial work platforms and comfort with heights
Familiarity with motor control systems and protocols
Familiarity with theatrical and orchestral practices, standards, and etiquette
Basic understanding of orchestra setup and stage plots
Project management experience

Responsibilities

Manage and submit daily work service requests for repairs and maintenance to maintain a safe, high-level function and appearance of SSM facilities. Follow up on assigned work tasks to ensure completion and resolution in a timely manner
Manage custodial responsibilities and overtime for events. Create weekly schedules for specialty cleaning, locking/unlocking of spaces, and follow-up to ensure work has been completed to the highest standards
Create custom schedules and manage the building access system for the electronic locking and unlocking of the SSM facilities based on performance needs each week
Perform first-line AV triage and user support, partnering with Rice OIT to resolve complex issues for seven classrooms and several performance halls throughout APBH and BHO
Manage key assignments, checkout, and return for all faculty, staff, and students
Assist the Director of Facilities Operations with writing purchase orders, procurement, budgeting, and record-keeping for all types of purchases and billable work orders
Manage HVAC schedules for events, daily requests, and maintenance
Assist the Director of Facilities Operations with capital projects, renovations, and specialty projects for SSM
Collaborate with all SSM faculty, staff, and students to understand their facility-related needs and work to address these concerns
Develop positive relationships with campus partners involved in all facilities and building management services
Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with all Production, Events, Opera, and Orchestra staff to ensure all facilities needs are met and executed at the highest level
Perform all other duties as assigned
Act as the IT liaison for the SSM and work closely with the Director of Facilities Operations to maintain current inventory and replacement schedules of faculty and staff computers, in addition to equipment in production spaces and classrooms
Assist the SSM AV specialist with faculty and student support throughout the facilities
Work with the Rice Parking Office to secure parking attendants for special SSM events
Provide on-site oversight of building operations during major Shepherd School performances and high-profile public events, as well as select rental and external events as needed (e.g., orchestra concerts, operas, galas, etc.)
Coordinate piano moves and maintain piano inventory
Manage equipment inventories and maintenance records
Assist with moving equipment and furniture as necessary