Director of Operations

STERLING & FRANCINE CLARK ART INST; Williamstown (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA seeks a Director of Operations to lead daily museum operations and ensure policy standards are implemented across Facilities, Grounds, Security, and Sustainability. You will oversee maintenance, capital projects, and budgets while coordinating with department managers to deliver a safe, high-quality visitor experience.

The role requires strategic leadership, cross-department collaboration, and experience with large-scale properties in

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of senior management experience leading a full-service operations department
• Experience coordinating projects, managing schedules, resources, and ensuring timely completion
• Experience overseeing electrical and HVAC systems in a commercial environment
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record
• Experience in a cultural institution, museum, academic, or nonprofit environment (preferred)
• Strong knowledge of electrical systems, wiring, circuits, and safe troubleshooting practices (preferred)
• Strong knowledge of hvac systems operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting (preferred)
• Strong engineering problem-solving abilities with interpreting drawings or system designs (preferred)
• Active membership or leadership in professional organizations such as ASIS International, IFCPP, IFMA, IAMFA (preferred)
• Familiarity with NFPA codes and standards (preferred)
• Professional certification in security management (CPP) or facilities management (CFM) (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Works with Facilities, Grounds, Security, and Sustainability managers to ensure safe, secure, and well-maintained environments
• Oversees maintenance and capital project budgets and coordinates project schedules with vendors
• Plans and implements capital, building, and grounds projects; manages multiple large projects simultaneously
• Ensures professional policy standards for security, building management, and grounds across the Institute
• Provides leadership and oversight of security, life safety, emergency management, and business continuity programs
• Maintains facilities and mechanical systems to the highest standards with Facilities and Grounds teams
• Supports event logistics and ensures consistent management of Clark spaces and activities
• Develops and implements sustainability initiatives related to facilities, grounds, energy use, and waste reduction
• Leads day-to-day operations and serves as staff liaison to Board committees
• Keeps strong relationships with external stakeholders
• Drives the Clark’s strategic plan execution for buildings and grounds

Job description

The Director of Operations works collaboratively with all departments throughout the Institute. This individual will be responsible for ensuring that all professional policy standards and protocols are implemented and adhered to on an Institute wide basis as well as the Clark's day-to-day operations by overseeing the managers in the Facilities, Grounds, Security, and Sustainability departments. The Director of Operations develops, leads, manages and executes all building and ground related maintenance and capital projects, and serves as a member of the Institute's Directors Advisory Group.

Major Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Works closely with the Facilities Manager, Building and Projects Manager, Security Manager, and the Grounds Manager to ensure the facilities, security, and grounds operations create a physical environment that is maintained, improved, and enhanced providing a safe, secure, visually pleasant environment for visitors, staff, scholars, and students.
• Oversees all maintenance and capital project budgets. Coordinates construction project schedules, vendors, and activity around the museum's programmatic offerings to ensure the building is maintained at the highest of levels.
• Plans and implements all capital, building, and grounds projects. Able to manage multiple large projects simultaneously.
• Ensures that professional policy standards and protocols for security, building management, and the grounds are implemented on an Institute wide basis.
• Work closely with the Security manager to provide leadership, strategic direction and oversight of the Museum's comprehensive security, life safety, emergency management, and business continuity programs. Ensure the protection of visitors, staff, volunteers, collections, exhibitions, facilities, and organizational assets.
• Works with Facilities Projects Manager to ensure the building facilities and mechanical systems are maintained to the highest standard.
• Works with the Grounds Manager to amplify the beauty of the pastures, forests, and trails that comprise the Clark's 140-acre campus.
• Works with Facilities Manager and Grounds Manager plan and manage all necessary support for events. Works with all departments to maintain consistent management of all Clark spaces and provide appropriate support for their events and activities.
• Works with the Sustainability Projects Manager to develop and implement the Clark's sustainability plan and environmentally responsible practices and initiatives related to facilities, grounds, energy use, waste reduction, and institutional operations.
• Acts as a thoughtful, articulate, and inspiring leader while managing the Clark's day-to-day operations.
• Serves as a staff liaison for the Board of Trustees' Building and Grounds committee.
• Leads, develops, manages, and executes the buildings and grounds related aspects of the Clark's Strategic Plan.
• Maintains strong relationships with external stakeholders.
• Creates an atmosphere that rewards initiative, exceeds industry standards, and encourages productivity and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 7 years of senior management experience as manager for a full-service operations department.
• Project management experience - Experience coordinating projects, managing schedules, resources, and ensuring timely completion of tasks.
• Experience overseeing electrical and HVAC systems in a commercial environment.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a cultural institution, museum, academic, or nonprofit environment.
• Electrical skills - strong knowledge of electrical systems, wiring, circuits, and safe troubleshooting practices.
• HVAC skills - strong knowledge of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, including equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Engineering skills - Strong technical and problem-solving abilities with experience interpreting drawings, system designs, or equipment performance.
• Active membership or leadership in professional organizations such as ASIS International, the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection (IFCPP), International Facility Management Association (IFMA). International Association of Museum Facility Administrators (IAMFA).
• Familiarity with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards.
• Professional certification in security management (e.g., Certified Protection Professional - CPP) or facilities management (e.g., Certified Facility Manager - CFM).

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: This position requires sitting at a desk/workstation and using a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• Physical Demands: This position requires lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment and in museum spaces. Some work will be performed outside and on construction sites. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.