Senior Director of Facility Operations

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FACILITY OPERATIONS

Job Description

Department: Facilities

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Grade: 11

Salary Range: $105,000 - $115,000

Work Location: Onsite

FT/PT: Full Time

Last Revision Date: 02-19-26

How to apply: A cover letter is required for consideration of this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address:

• Your specific interest in the position and working at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• Outline your skills and experience that directly relate to the responsibilities of the role

The Organization: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is known internationally for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep commitment to serving our community. Making its home in historic Orchestra Hall at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO actively pursues its vision to be an inclusive and culturally relevant community where all people can experience their world through music.

The DSO is a complex organization. Operating 365 days per year in historic Orchestra Hall, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, we are a performing arts institution, an educational facility, and a community center. We are governed by an independent Board of Directors and employ both union and non-union employees as musicians, stage crew, and administrative staff. Creating a unified culture throughout the institution is an organizational imperative, and we are guided by our values of excellence, diversity, resilience, collaboration, and innovation. The DSO is also deeply invested in the city of Detroit; through our Detroit Strategy initiative, we are expanding the DSO’s participation in the growth and well-being of the city.

The DSO offers a unique, fast-paced working environment, an excellent overall compensation package, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information visit

Position Summary : Reporting to the Chief Artistic & Operating Officer, the Senior Director (SD) of Facility Operations, oversees building operations of historic Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center facility and the associated buildings, parking lots and decks of the greater Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) campus. This role is responsible for a wide range of venues, security and patron-facing services including building systems and upkeep, cleaning, security, public safety, parking, shuttle services, and maintenance that meets world-class standards while supporting the organization’s mission and financial objectives. Given the Music Center's high-volume usage with complex, overlapping events, the SD must be an operationally minded, detail-oriented leader who can utilize the workforce creatively to ensure ideal working conditions of DSO musicians, staff and guests, while maximizing efficiency and ensuring budget integrity. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for operational excellence and efficiency, strong organizational and team-building skills that work seamlessly with DSO staff to facilitate the vast array of programs and services the organization provides.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee the proactive and comprehensive management and preventive maintenance of Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, and all other buildings, parking lots and decks of the DSO campus ensuring all facilities meet excellent safety, functionality, and appearance standards.
• Provide solutions and prompt responses before, during, and after events and ensure venue needs are handled during all hours of operation. Ensure that performance conditions for all performance events meet the rigorous environmental standards for DSO musicians, students, and guest artists.
• Manage the facilities team and contracted staff, clearly communicating expectations and procedures, that ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness for complex operations in a large campus. Provide ongoing oversight to cleaning, security staff and others, in addition to regular staff.
• Facilitate the inspections, maintenance, and repair of the campus facilities, parking areas, hardscape, and landscaping, as well as contracting with service providers as required.
• Serve as the primary facilities liaison, collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure facilities services requests and building needs are met responsively, efficiently and accurately.
• Oversee budgets, contracts, scheduling and operational details with external partners, vendors, and contracted services. Conduct rigorous oversight to ensure contract requirements are met, and working hours are optimized and effective.
• Oversee DSO Security to ensure the safety and security of employees, guests, artists, students, and facilities.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of comprehensive security policies, emergency preparedness plans, and safety protocols. Work with DSO Security and other appropriate staff in the maintenance of DSO security systems.
• Ensure building systems are operating effectively, routine and preventive maintenance completed, and the team is responding to urgent building system needs in the moment.
• In collaboration with DSO’s Executive Team and other appropriate staff, develop and implement long-range facilities plan, building improvement projects into the planned budget.
• Collaborate with IT for security systems, communications, and network infrastructure.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in facilities management, business administration, engineering, related field or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible facilities management experience, including knowledge of and demonstrated experience with building systems and structure, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems. Knowledge of OSHA regulations and standards.
• 5+ years' experience managing a facility and building engineering team, including experience overseeing contractors and vendors.
• Financial reporting and budgeting experience.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, follow-up, and organizational skills; ability to interact with all levels with all levels in the organization.
• Demonstrated proficiency in a PC network environment and experience with Microsoft Office and Windows software.
• Ability to act independently, take initiative, and meet changing priorities.
• Successful experience working in, and contributing to, a collaborative, team environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressively responsible facilities management experience.
• Experience working in a 50+ year-old historic building.
• Experience working with union crew members.
• Experience working in a non-profit organization.
• Interest in the performing arts and/or classical music.

Additional Information:

• This is a salaried, non-union position.
• This position is eligible for the DSO’s exceptional benefits package, including $0 cost medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, 403b retirement account, and great ancillary benefits.
• Successful candidates must be available to work a varying schedule, including nights and weekends, to meet the needs of the DSO’s performance schedule.
• All positions at the DSO require the successful completion of a background check prior to beginning employment. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify candidates.

Physical Requirements:

Never

0%

Seldom

5% - 25%

Occasionally

26% - 50%

Periodically

51% - 75%

Frequently

76% - 100%

Standing

x

Walking

x

Prolonged Sitting

x

Lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs.

x

Lifting/carrying 10 - 25 lbs.

x

Lifting/carrying 26 - 50 lbs.

x

Lifting/carrying more than 50 lbs.

x

Pushing/Pulling

x

Climbing

x

Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/

Crawling

x

Reaching

x

Manual dexterity

x

Driving a Motorized Vehicle

x

Repetitive Motions

x

Position Reports to: Chief Artistic & Operating Officer

Direct Reports:

• Director of Safety & Security
• Chief Engineer
• Chief Maintenance Technician
• Manager of Environmental Services (EVS)

If accommodation is needed to ensure your successful participation in the

application or interview process, please reach out to [email protected] for assistance.