Director of Facilities

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer
Direct Reports: Building Engineer, Facilities Coordinator, Facilities Services Manager and Building & Security Staff (Temporary/Contracted Staff)

POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Facilities oversees building operations of Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center and grounds for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. This role is responsible for a wide range of venue and event services, including building systems and upkeep, cleaning, security, public safety, parking, shuttle services, and maintenance that meet world-class standards while supporting the organization’s mission and financial objectives.
Given the Music Center’s non-stop, high-volume usage with complex, overlapping events, the Director must be an operationally minded, detail-oriented leader who can utilize the workforce creatively to ensure maximum efficiency and budget integrity. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for operational excellence and efficiency, strong organizational and team building skills working seamlessly with both Back of House (BOH) and Front of House (FOH) staff to facilitate the vast array of programs and services the organization provides.

RESPONSIBILTIES:
• Oversee the proactive and comprehensive management and preventive maintenance of Powell Hall and the Jack C. Taylor Music Center buildings and grounds, ensuring all facilities meet excellent safety, functionality, and appearance standards. Provide solutions and prompt responses before, during, and after events and ensure venue needs are handled during all hours of operation.
• Manage the facilities team and contracted staff, clearly communicating expectations, procedures, and event-turnover strategies that ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness for complex, overlapping events in a large venue. Provide ongoing oversight to cleaning and security staff, outside officers, shuttle drivers, and others in addition to regular staff.
• Facilitate the inspections, maintenance, and repair of the building, parking lot, hardscape, and landscaping, as well as contracting with service providers as required.
• Serve as the primary facilities liaison, collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure facilities services requests and building needs are met responsively, efficiently and accurately.
• Oversee budgets, contracts, scheduling and operational details with external partners and contracted services. Conduct rigorous oversight to ensure contract requirements are met and working hours are optimized and effective.
• Ensure the safety and security of employees, guests, artists, and facilities. Train security staff to execute required responsibilities and set up security systems accurately and timely.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive security policies, emergency preparedness plans, and safety protocols. Collaborate with local law enforcement and emergency services to ensure coordinated responses to potential incidents.
• Lead and oversee the training of security staff and front-line employees in emergency procedures.
• Ensure building systems are operating effectively, routine and preventive maintenance completed, and the team is responding to HVAC and other urgent building system needs in the moment.
• Develop and implement long-range facilities plans, building any improvement projects into the planned budget.
• Maintain connections and relationships with other Grand Center Arts District organizations
• Collaborate with IT for security systems, communications, and network infrastructure.

REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, facilities management, business administration, related field or equivalent experience required.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible facilities management experience, including large venue and proven track record in a leadership/management role.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with architectural, electrical, and mechanical systems, as well as building automation systems
• Strong attention to detail, follow-up, and excellent organizational skills.
• Strong sense of urgency, adaptability, and resourcefulness.
• The ability to function professionally under pressure, while managing multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and file management. Experienced with building automation, work order, and video security software. Familiarity with ArtsVision or similar scheduling/asset management systems is a strong plus.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to effectively interact with all levels in the organization and external partners.
• Strong ability to motivate a team and achieve successful results through others.

About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Celebrated as one of today’s most innovative, exciting, and enduring orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 146th year with the 2025/26 season and its eighth with Stéphane Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director. Widely considered one of the leading American orchestras, the Grammy® Award-winning SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community engagement—all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music.
The 25/26 season marks the reopening of the orchestra’s historic home following a two-year transformational expansion and renovation designed by acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta. The Jack C. Taylor Music Center, with a renovated Powell Hall at its heart, builds on the institution’s momentum as a civic leader in convening individuals, creators, and ideas.
The core of the SLSO’s artistic foundation is its dynamic partnership with Denève, whose energetic musicianship, visionary storytelling, and collaborative spirit have facilitated strong connections with local and visiting artists, as well as advanced the SLSO’s role as a leader in music education. The SLSO musical family also includes two resident choruses: the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, founded in 1976, performs choral-orchestral music from the Baroque era to today; and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, founded in 1994, focuses on the performance and preservation of music from the African diaspora. The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, founded by Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin in 1970, is the region’s premier training orchestra for high school and college students.
An integral part of the vibrant St. Louis community, the SLSO enjoys a long history of robust and enduring collaborations with dozens of artists and organizations locally and around the world. Orchestra musicians regularly share music each year at schools, medical facilities, places of worship, and community spaces. In addition to dozens of orchestral performances held at Powell Hall each year, the orchestra presents chamber music in collaboration with The Sheldon and at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The SLSO has also served as the resident orchestra for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for nearly 50 years.
Beyond the St. Louis region, the SLSO’s impact is realized through concert broadcasts on St. Louis Public Radio and Classic 107.3, acclaimed recordings, regular touring activity, and a digital portfolio that includes a robust online education platform with interactive programs, activities, and learning opportunities for all ages.
Since the arrival of Marie-Hélène Bernard as President and CEO in 2015, the SLSO has aligned its mission to make music more accessible, fostering a culture welcoming to all.