Gallery and Facilities Manager

Chicago Artists Coalition; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in Chicago seeks a Facilities Manager to oversee maintenance and art programming. The role includes managing building systems, coordinating exhibitions, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in art handling and strong organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in art handling.
• Knowledge of building systems including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.

Responsibilities

• Manage building maintenance and oversee contractors.
• Organize shipping and installation of art exhibitions.
• Develop safety training and policies.

Skills

Art Handling

Project Management

Organizational Skills

Attention to Detail

Tools

Mac

PC

Audiovisual Systems

Job description

Chicago Artists Coalition helps people connect with opportunities including calls for artists, jobs, and available studio space.

Oversee all aspects of the building and facility upkeep, contracts, and services. Manage, maintain, and install the permanent art collection of the club, as well as all temporary art exhibitions, garden installations, and Drawing Room artwork. Manage the registration of all loan agreements, condition reporting, insurance adjustments, shippers/transportation, and schedule management.

Manage the physical plant of the Club, including the structure, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, IT, and landscaping. Manage all contracts, contractors, and consultants in areas such as engineering, technology, security, phone service, extermination, art shipping and storage, conservation, framing, and other vendors.

Responsibilities

Building Maintenance

• Manage the Maintenance Person.
• Schedule and oversee regular and annual maintenance of the building. Develop the annual budget for maintenance costs and future needs.
• Oversee landscaping, including watering of the garden and plants.
• Maintain multiple servers and networks.
• Evaluate needs and solicit bids for building and facilities repairs and maintenance.
• Schedule inspections and tests of fire alarms, elevators, and sprinklers.
• Work with the Maintenance Person to organize storage, upkeep the building, and maintain high aesthetic standards of the grounds and physical plant.
• Ensure the facility complies with all building codes. Respond to code violations, obtain building permits, and coordinate with the alderman's office/city hall in a timely manner.
• Manage internal hardware, software, and servers. Oversee any outside technology consultants.
• Work with the Executive Director to develop safety training and policies regarding cyber attacks and emergency medical situations.

Art and Programming

• Maintain a database and regularly record the condition of the permanent collection.
• Organize shipping, receiving, storage, and insurance of works of art in the permanent collection and for temporary exhibitions.
• Conduct condition reports on incoming loans.
• Install exhibitions. Schedule and oversee seasonal gallery staff as needed.
• Generate loan forms, pro forma invoices, and checklists for exhibitions.
• Arrange for gallery painting and building details as needed.
• Monitor temperature and humidity controls in galleries.
• Maintain stock of light bulbs, A/V equipment, and cleaning and gallery supplies.
• Coordinate with outside appraisers, preparators, and other contractors as needed.
• Work with the House Committee, Arts Club members, and outside project managers to oversee major capital improvements.
• Plan House Committee meetings, including preparation and distribution of agendas and materials. Distribute meeting records and follow up on recommendations.

Skills/Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in art handling.
• Knowledge of Mac and PC laptops.
• Experience with automated audiovisual systems.
• Knowledge of building systems including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.
• Ability to interpret and comply with vendor proposals and contracts.
• Strong organizational skills, self-motivation, attention to detail, and project management capabilities.
• Willingness to attend evening and weekend events and be on call for emergencies.