Sr. Manager/Director of Facilities

Des Moines Performing Arts; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Des Moines Performing Arts is seeking a Director of Facilities to lead asset management, safety, and operations across all venues in Des Moines. This role ensures spaces are safe, reliable, and ready for daily operations and major events while guiding long‑term planning and capital project execution.

The position requires experience in complex facilities management, budget oversight, and vendor coordination.

Qualifications

• Requires proven experience in facilities management, multi-site environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead capital projects and major system upgrades.
• Strong knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety).
• Experience managing operating and capital budgets and vendor contracts.
• Experience leading safety, security, and emergency preparedness efforts.

Responsibilities

• Shape long-term facilities strategy across all venues to support asset lifecycle and growth.
• Develop and manage multi-year capital improvement plans and major repairs.
• Oversee operating and capital budgets, forecasting and cost control.
• Build preventive maintenance programs and performance standards.
• Guide complex maintenance issues across HVAC, electrical, plumbing and specialty systems.
• Lead capital projects from planning through completion with contractors.
• Manage vendor strategy, selection, contracts and relationships.
• Ensure compliance with building codes, life safety, OSHA and environmental requirements.
• Lead facilities staff through hiring, onboarding, scheduling and coaching.
• Collaborate with Production, Guest Services and leadership for event readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Vendor management

Project management

Safety & security knowledge

Contract negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in facilities management, engineering, construction management, or related field

Tools

Project management software

Facilities management software

Job description

Summary Description

The Director of Facilities provides leadership for facility assets, systems, safety, and security across all venues. This role guides long-term planning, capital project execution, compliance, and overall facility performance, and remains actively involved in complex maintenance challenges and project delivery. In partnership with teams across the organization, the Director helps ensure spaces are safe, reliable, and ready for daily operations and major events, while leading ongoing efforts to care for and strengthen facilities over time.

Job Details

Description

Summary Description

The Director of Facilities provides leadership for facility assets, systems, safety, and security across all venues. This role guides long-term planning, capital project execution, compliance, and overall facility performance, and remains actively involved in complex maintenance challenges and project delivery. In partnership with teams across the organization, the Director helps ensure spaces are safe, reliable, and ready for daily operations and major events, while leading ongoing efforts to care for and strengthen facilities over time.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Help shape and lead a long-term facilities strategy that supports asset lifecycle, system reliability, safety, security, and organizational growth across all venues.
• Develop and manage multi-year capital improvement plans, including prioritizing and carrying out major repairs, replacements, and system upgrades.
• Oversee facilities operating and capital budgets, including forecasting, cost awareness, and regular review of spending and projects.
• Build and maintain preventive maintenance programs and performance standards; review results regularly and adjust as needed.
• Provide guidance and support for complex maintenance issues and system troubleshooting across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and specialty systems.
• Lead capital projects and major repairs from planning through completion, including defining scope, coordinating schedules, and working with contractors to ensure quality outcomes.
• Guide vendor strategy, including selection, contract coordination, and ongoing relationship management for key partners.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including building codes, life safety systems, OSHA standards, and environmental requirements.
• Help establish and maintain facility-related safety, security, and risk management practices across venues, including emergency preparedness planning.
• Oversee security systems such as access control and surveillance, ensuring they are maintained and used effectively.
• Serve as a point of contact with law enforcement, fire authorities, inspectors, and emergency management partners.
• Lead, support, and develop facilities staff, including hiring, onboarding, scheduling, coaching, performance feedback, and day-to-day team leadership.
• Partner with Production, Guest Services, and leadership to support event readiness and long-term planning; remain engaged in high-profile or complex events as needed.
• Review facility performance metrics (maintenance costs, downtime, energy use, safety incidents) and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide regular updates to leadership on facility conditions, risks, and capital and maintenance needs.
• Support sustainability and energy management efforts that improve efficiency and reduce long-term costs.
• Stay current on industry trends and best practices, applying practical improvements to operations and systems.
• Help prepare for major projects, renovations, and expansions through thoughtful planning and coordination.
• Maintain shared accountability for facility performance, safety, security, and long-term asset care.
• Be available to help respond to urgent facility needs, including occasional off-hours support when needed.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Proven experience in facilities management, construction management, business, engineering, trades, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in complex or multi-site environments.
• Proven experience leading capital projects, renovations, and major system upgrades.
• Strong knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety).
• Experience managing operating and capital budgets.
• Demonstrated success with vendor selection, contract negotiation, and oversight.
• Working knowledge of building codes, safety regulations, and compliance standards.
• Experience leading safety, security, and emergency preparedness efforts.
• Strong leadership, project management, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond to off-hours facility needs.
• Experience and aptitude with project management software.

Critical Success Competencies

• Diversity & Respect: Possesses universal respect for views, ideas, backgrounds, attributes, and appearances different from one’s own, fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace.
• Strategic Facilities Leadership: Sets a clear long-term vision aligning facilities, safety, and infrastructure with organizational growth.
• Financial & Capital Planning: Leads multi-year budgeting and capital planning with strong prioritization and long-term perspective.
• Operational Excellence: Establishes systems and standards that ensure consistent, efficient, and reliable operations.
• Project & Program Leadership: Oversees major projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment, accountability, and successful delivery.
• Safety, Security & Risk Management: Promotes a culture of safety and preparedness while ensuring compliance and risk mitigation.
• Team Leadership & Development: Builds and develops a high-performing team through clear expectations, coaching, and accountability.
• Vendor & Partner Management: Cultivates strong vendor relationships that deliver quality, value, and alignment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partners effectively across teams to support operations, events, and long-term planning.
• Continuous Improvement & Stewardship: Uses data and insight to improve systems, extend asset life, and strengthen performance.