Building Manager - Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library

nypl; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, part of The New York Public Library (NYPL), seeks a Building Manager to oversee daily operations, safety, and maintenance across a major public facility in Manhattan.

You will supervise a team, coordinate with contractors, manage space and service requests, and support events while upholding NYPL standards and policies for a welcoming environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations, maintenance, and cleanliness of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library to ensure a safe, functional, and welcoming environment.
• Conduct routine building inspections, identify deficiencies, and coordinate corrective actions.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs, ensuring building systems—including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life‑safety are serviced and functioning properly.
• Coordinate and monitor work performed by contractors and vendors, ensuring compliance with NYPL standards and contractual requirements.
• Manage building‑related requests, service tickets, and space‑use needs; prioritize tasks and ensure timely resolution.
• Support event operations by developing logistical plans, coordinating setup needs, and ensuring adequate facilities staffing.
• Maintain building inventory, equipment, supplies, and materials; ensure cost‑effective procurement and proper storage.
• Prepare and monitor schedules for maintenance and custodial staff to meet operational needs.
• Implement and enforce safety protocols and compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and NYPL policies.
• Lead emergency response efforts, including weather events, system failures, and other incidents requiring immediate action.
• Collaborate with other NYPL divisions and departments to support shared initiatives, capital projects, and operational improvements.

Job description

Overview

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for all New Yorkers for more than 100 years. NYPL’s neighborhood libraries in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island—many of which date to Andrew Carnegie’s visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century—are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service, and vital community hubs that provide far more than just free books and materials.

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) is part of The New York Public Library (NYPL), which consists of four major research libraries and 88 branch libraries located in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. The newly renovated, state‑of‑the‑art, LEED Silver certified, 180,000 square‑foot facility, is NYPL’s largest and busiest circulating library, with more than 1.7 million visits a year.

The Facilities department is tasked with keeping all NYPL locations safe, clean, comfortable and welcoming for our patrons and staff. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library Building Manager provides direction to a team of 24 staff members and coordinates the day‑to‑day operation and maintenance of the facility.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own

• All maintenance and cleaning operations at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, including building audits to ensure compliance with NYPL standards.
• The supervision of Facilities staff through scheduling, assigning duties, and inspecting work to ensure high‑quality results and timely completion of special projects.
• The management of emergency responses to weather events and system failures, coordinating snow removal, grounds work, and other site‑specific tasks.

Grow

• Staff skills and knowledge in cleaning methods, techniques, and the proper use of chemicals and machinery.
• Inventory management and cost controls to effectively oversee the resources and supplies required to operate the facility.

Learn

• How the Facilities Department collaborates with other divisions and departments.
• Ways to improve critical work functions and increase operational efficiency.
• Broaden your knowledge of building operations, including mechanical systems and life‑safety systems.

Improve

• The ability of NYPL to provide patrons and staff a safe and welcoming environment.

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month

• Understand NYPL’s organization and physical layout.
• Learn the Facilities Operations team’s goals, and its relationship with other departments and key contacts.
• Conduct daily building inspections.

3 months

• Serve as a primary point of contact for all building related matters.
• Participate in event planning meetings and develop logistical plans.
• Oversee implementation of schedules for daily and periodic services.

6 months and beyond

• Train direct reports, including Coordinators, Supervisors, LCs, ALC’s, JLC’s and Porters on proper techniques and procedures for Cleaning Operations and floor maintenance.
• Oversee the preventive maintenance program for the facility.
• Perform inspections and assessments independently.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations, maintenance, and cleanliness of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library to ensure a safe, functional, and welcoming environment.
• Conduct routine building inspections, identify deficiencies, and coordinate corrective actions.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs, ensuring building systems—including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life‑safety are serviced and functioning properly.
• Coordinate and monitor work performed by contractors and vendors, ensuring compliance with NYPL standards and contractual requirements.
• Manage building‑related requests, service tickets, and space‑use needs; prioritize tasks and ensure timely resolution.
• Support event operations by developing logistical plans, coordinating setup needs, and ensuring adequate facilities staffing.
• Maintain building inventory, equipment, supplies, and materials; ensure cost‑effective procurement and proper storage.
• Prepare and monitor schedules for maintenance and custodial staff to meet operational needs.
• Implement and enforce safety protocols and compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and NYPL policies.
• Lead emergency response efforts, including weather events, system failures, and other incidents requiring immediate action.
• Collaborate with other NYPL divisions and departments to support shared initiatives, capital projects, and operational improvements.