Department: Operations
Reports To: Vice President, Finance & Operations
Location: Massachusetts, USA | Hybrid, Onsite most of the time
Salary Range: $70,000 - $98,000
Employment Type:

Exempt
Full-Time (40 hours per week)
Permanent

About The Zeiterion
The Zeiterion (The Z) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to steward our historic theater as a gathering place for performing arts experiences where learning, connection, and creative expression thrive. Our work is guided by five core values: Imagination, Connection, Equity, Transparency, and Discovery. These values inform how we deliver on our mission and how we work together every day.

We are committed to cultivating a workplace where all individuals feel respected, valued, and empowered to contribute. As a team member, you’ll be part of a culture that supports creativity, collaboration, continuous learning, and inclusion. Learn more here: https://www.zeiterion.org

Position Summary
The Director of Building Operations is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for the management, maintenance, and long-term stewardship of The Z’s historic theater facility. The Z holds a 99-year ground lease of this city-owned facility. This role ensures the building is safe, fully operational, and welcoming to staff, artists, patrons, and community members. With a deep understanding of public assembly facility environments, the Director oversees all building systems—including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and life safety—while also leading capital planning, regulatory compliance, vendor management, and emergency preparedness. In collaboration with Theater Operations, Production, and administrative teams, the Director ensures the appropriate staffing and support for all programming and events in multiple spaces in and outside of the building, aligned with the organization’s commitment to accessibility, safety, and community service while preserving its long-term value.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic and Operational Leadership

Develop and lead the overall building operations strategy, goals and impact, aligned with organizational goals and mission impact
Manage operating and capital budgets, forecasting short- and long-term infrastructure needs
Oversee emergency preparedness plans, safety drills, and incident response readiness
Lead with a collaborative, mission-aligned approach that prioritizes service to artists, audiences, and community
Represent the facility’s operational priorities in organizational planning and cross-functional projects
Model transparency, communication, and shared decision-making across departments

Building Systems & Maintenance

Supervise daily maintenance of all areas of the building and grounds, ensuring cleanliness, safety, and functionality
Oversee the operation, repair, and replacement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire/life safety, and security systems as well as equipment such as dishwashers, ice machine, popcorn machine, beer draft refrigeration system, refrigerators, laundry facilities, lifts, etc
Lead and track preventative maintenance schedules using industry best practices and software tools

Vendor & Contract Management

Manage contracts for outsourced services (e.g., janitorial, HVAC, elevator, security, pest control)
Conduct vendor evaluations and performance reviews, ensuring quality, cost control, and SLA adherence
Negotiate and oversee service agreements within budgetary and strategic parameters

Compliance, Safety & Risk Mitigation

Ensure compliance with building codes, health, fire and life safety regulations, ADA, OSHA, and local permitting requirements
Act as the primary liaison with the City, fostering a cooperative relationship to ensure the building’s operations align with the terms of the ground lease, municipal regulations, and public safety standards. Coordinate regularly with municipal departments, inspectors and officials
Maintain documentation for all inspections, incidents, and certifications
Lead crowd safety planning and place-of-assembly compliance in collaboration with Production and Theater Operations

Supervision & Team Development

Recruit, train, and supervise a team of facilities staff and contractors/vendors to support a busy schedule of live performances and events in multiple spaces in and out of the building with a focus on inclusion, shared leadership, and growth making
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and excellence in service delivery
Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance management to build leadership capacity within the team

Cross-Department Collaboration

Partner with Theater Operations and Production teams to ensure seamless event execution and audience experience
Coordinate building readiness for performances, rentals, and special events
Align facility projects and scheduling with programming calendars and operational needs

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
Required Experience & Skills

Minimum 7–10 years of progressive facilities management experience, preferably in a performing arts, historic, or public assembly environment
Demonstrated expertise in managing complex building systems, capital improvement projects, and preventative maintenance programs
Strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements (building code, place-of-assembly, OSHA, fire/life safety, accessibility, inspections, licenses)
Proven ability to manage vendor contracts and lead negotiations
Experience developing and managing operating and capital budgets
Excellent project management and communication skills
Supervisory experience with a track record of fostering inclusive, high-performing teams
Proficiency in work order systems, building management systems (BMS), and Microsoft Office Suite
Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed

Preferred Qualifications

Facilities Management certification (e.g., IFMA CFM, BOMI)
Familiarity with historic preservation or adaptive reuse of performance spaces
Experience of liaising with municipal personnel and departments
Demonstrable knowledge of industry best practices and a commitment to lifelong learning

What We’re Looking For
In addition to relevant experience, we’re looking for a colleague who:

Brings a spirit of curiosity, creativity, and openness
Communicates with clarity, honesty, and care
Thrives in a collaborative, relationship-centered team
Shares our commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racism
Is excited to learn, grow, and imagine new ways forward

Our Workplace Culture
As part of your onboarding, you’ll be welcomed into a culture that reflects our values:

Imagination – We encourage creative problem-solving and fresh ideas from every level of the organization
Connection – We work with empathy and respect, building strong relationships across teams
Equity – We actively address inequities in our systems and strive for inclusive representation in all we do
Transparency – We communicate openly, share information proactively, and make decisions with integrity
Discovery – We support risk-taking and learning from mistakes as essential parts of growth

We create a workplace where you can bring your full self, feel supported, and know your contributions matter.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental & vision
Retirement plan with employer match
Employer-paid STD, LTD, Life
Generous paid time off
Professional development
Additional perks: Tickets to performances, wellness programs, and remote and schedule flexibility

Zeiterion

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