Job Description

At Pacific Science Center, our mission is to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Our colleagues are passionate lifelong learners who live our mission every day. Each of us commits to bring an inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) focus in every aspect of our work. Join our collaborative team and help steward our warm, welcoming, community-learning environment at PacSci.

As part of our ongoing commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we’re invested in building teams with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Data shows that women and BIPOC candidates more frequently do not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. If you have some of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed and you share PacSci's values and support our mission, we encourage you to apply.

Position Title: Director of Facilities
Department: Facilities
Reports to: Vice President of People, Culture & Facilities
Pay Class: Full-time Regular
FLSA Status: Salaried Exempt

The Director of Facilities is a key member of the PacSci leadership team and plays a strategic role in advancing the Science Center’s mission: to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. This position provides vision, leadership, and oversight for all aspects of facilities management and maintenance, ensuring a safe, sustainable, and exceptional environment for guests and staff.

The Director of Facilities is responsible for:
• Facilities Operations Management: Oversee day-to-day operations of Facilities, Custodial and Security teams to ensure safety, compliance, and efficient performance across the organization.
• Project & Technical Execution: Manage building maintenance, modernization, and repair projects, applying knowledge of historic building systems and regulatory requirements.
• Team Leadership & Development: Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Facilities, Custodial, and Security team that operates collaboratively and inclusively.
• Budget & Resource Management: Support fiscal stewardship by managing budgets, optimizing resources, and maintaining strong relationships with vendors and contractors.
• Strategic Support: Contribute to facilities planning, capital projects, and sustainability initiatives, providing recommendations to the VP of People, Culture and Facilities, to the Executive team and the CEO.
• Risk & Compliance: Ensure adherence to safety regulations, emergency preparedness plans, and organizational policies.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Technical Knowledge & Expertise
• Oversee modernization and preservation of mid-century building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) while maintaining architectural integrity.
• Ensure compliance with building, fire, seismic, ADA, and energy codes; navigate grandfathered conditions and variances.
• Implement sustainability measures aligned with LEED, WELL, or similar standards, including building envelope improvements and energy conservation including lighting retrofits and water efficiency measures.
• Utilize CMMS and building automation systems (BAS/BMS) to drive preventive maintenance and data-informed capital planning.

Leadership & Team Development
• Recruit, mentor, and retain a diverse, high-performing Facilities team (3+ people), Custodial team (7+ people), Security team (7+ people) and Project Management team (1+ person)
• Build and maintain a culture of transparency, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Implement succession planning and cross-training to ensure operational resilience.

Financial Management
• Develop and manage budgets for building maintenance and capital improvements
• Negotiate contracts and oversee vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective, high-quality services.
• Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities for savings and efficiency.
Project & Risk Management
• Provide oversight for capital improvement projects, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Manage project phasing to ensure operational continuity during renovations or construction.
• Lead emergency preparedness planning and risk mitigation strategies.
• Serve as a key liaison for insurance, compliance audits, and safety reviews.

Position Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
• Expertise in historic building systems, aging infrastructure, and modernization best practices.
• Commitment to cultural stewardship and maintaining architectural integrity.
• Knowledge of public procurement processes and ability to manage complex contract negotiations.
• Ability to lead change management initiatives to balancing modernization with preservation.
• Advanced knowledge of building codes, fire safety, ADA compliance, seismic standards, and energy regulations.
• Ability to implement sustainability initiatives aligned with LEED, WELL, or similar standards.
• Exceptional communication skills for engaging executives, boards, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead with integrity across multidisciplinary teams and build a culture of safety and accountability.
• Demonstrated success in managing large-scale capital projects in operational environments.
• High proficiency with MS Office Suite, SharePoint, and in CMMS and building automation systems.
• Exceptional prioritization and decision-making under resource constraints.

Qualifications
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in facilities, property, or building services management, including at least 5 years in a people management role.
• Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams within an inclusive, collaborative culture.
• Successful completion of post offer, pre-employment background check.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license.

Preferred
• Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., IFMA CFM).
• Experience managing historic or iconic facilities, including modernization and preservation projects.
• Experience ensuring operational continuity during major renovation or construction in public-facing environments.
• Experience collaborating with architects, city agencies, and preservation boards.
• Familiarity with green building standards (LEED, WELL), sustainability practices and the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation.
• Expertise in CMMS, Computerized Maintenance Management System and building automation systems.

Working Conditions
This position operates in a professional office environment with regular interaction across 150K square foot campus facility which includes areas that may only be accessible by stairs. Occasional presence in mechanical or construction areas may be required for inspections, vendor meetings, or project oversight. This role involves moving between multiple buildings and adhering to all safety protocols during site visits. Occasional evening or weekend presence may be required for major projects or emergency responses.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position, and the level of knowledge and skills typically required. It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change

Compensation
Pay is based on several factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and years of experience.
In addition to base salary, all employees receive:
• Employee PacSci Membership
Full-time regular employees (40 hrs/week) additionally recieve following benefits:
• Medical, Dental, Vision, basic life insurance, and disability insurance
• 4 weeks of vacation, 12 floating holidays, and sick pay
• 403(b) Retirement Savings
• Commuter benefits (regular employees working at least 20 hours/week)
• Employee Assistance Program
Pacific Science Center stands with those who are courageously fighting against hate, racism, and injustice. We recognize that not being racist is not sufficient. We must be actively anti-racist, and we commit to doing so. We prioritize inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in everything we do. Curiosity and critical thinking are essential to the dialogue and changes that need to happen.

Pacific Science Center complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at HRDepartment@pacsci.org.