The Senior Manager of Facilities Maintenance is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance, appearance, and operational readiness of the Center's 112,000-square-foot facility, including offices, public space, engineering, and archival storage.
This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for supervising the maintenance team while actively performing maintenance work alongside staff. The successful candidate is an experienced facilities professional who enjoys solving problems, coaching employees, maintaining high standards, and ensuring the building is always prepared to support visitors, exhibitions, partner organizations, and public events.
The Senior Manager of Facilities Maintenance will oversee preventive maintenance, repairs, inventory, event setup, contractor coordination, workplace safety, and daily building operations while fostering a culture of professionalism, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Salary: $65,000 – $75,000
Essential Responsibilities:
Leadership & Team Management
- Supervise, schedule, train, and evaluate the Center's maintenance staff.
- Lead by example by working alongside the maintenance team on daily assignments.
- Assign and prioritize work orders to ensure timely completion.
- Coach employees on proper maintenance techniques, safety practices, and customer service.
- Foster a collaborative, positive, and accountable work environment.
- Conduct regular team meetings and safety briefings.
Painting, Decorating & Basic Carpentry
- Perform and oversee general building maintenance including drywall repair, painting, carpentry, door and hardware repairs, ceiling tile replacement, furniture repairs, and general troubleshooting.
- Inspect the facility regularly to identify maintenance needs before they become larger issues.
- Coordinate preventive maintenance programs for building systems.
- Respond promptly to maintenance tickets and emergencies.
Event Operations
- Manage maintenance support for hundreds of annual public programs, exhibitions, conferences, and special events.
- Coordinate room setups, furniture moves, staging, and event logistics.
- Ensure spaces are prepared before events and restored afterward.
- Collaborate closely with Event Operations and Audio/Visual teams.
Facilities Operations
- Order maintenance supplies, tools, and equipment.
- Maintain inventory of maintenance materials.
- Coordinate outside contractors and service vendors.
- Assist engineering team with capital improvement projects and building upgrades.
- Monitor maintenance budgets and purchasing.
Safety & Compliance
- Promote a culture of workplace safety.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and Center safety policies.
- Conduct safety training for maintenance staff.
- Assist with emergency preparedness planning.
- Maintain maintenance documentation and inspection records.
Partner & Visitor Support
- Provide exceptional customer service to the Center's partner organizations, visitors, researchers, and staff.
- Respond professionally to maintenance requests.
- Work collaboratively across departments to ensure smooth daily operations.
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of facilities or building maintenance experience.
- Minimum 2 years of supervisory or team leadership experience.
- Demonstrated experience performing hands-on maintenance work.
- Strong working knowledge of drywall, painting, carpentry, and general building repair.
- Experience coordinating contractors and vendors.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Comfortable using work order systems and Microsoft Office applications.
Preferred
- OSHA 30 certification or equivalent safety training.
- Experience training or mentoring maintenance staff.
- Experience working in museums, universities, cultural institutions, hotels, or historic buildings.
- Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting event operations and room setups.
- Familiarity with preventive maintenance software or CMMS systems.
- Knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems.
Physical Requirements
The Senior Manager of Facilities Maintenance must be able to perform physically demanding work, including standing for extended periods, climbing ladders, lifting up to 50 pounds, moving furniture and equipment, using hand and power tools, and working throughout the Center's multi-floor campus.
The Center for Jewish History is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter jobs@cjh.org. No phone calls please.
