Director of Facilities

The Morton Arboretum, globally recognized for its century-long commitment to tree-focused science, conservation, and education, is seeking a Director of Facilities to plan and direct the maintenance and care of buildings, grounds, outdoor facilities, and equipment on a 1,700-acre property. As a key collaborator with internal teams and external partners, you will ensure buildings, grounds, and equipment are maintained to the highest standards, providing a safe, welcoming, and inspiring experience for our guests. Are you ready to bring your expertise in facilities management, leadership, and innovation to an organization dedicated to excellence and sustainability? Come join our Top Workplace and help create a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Position Summary: Plan and direct the maintenance and care of buildings, grounds, outdoor facilities, and equipment on a 1,700-acre property. In collaboration with colleagues in planning, finance, and other stakeholders, develop and implement long-range plans and capital outlay requirements for new and renovated facilities and equipment. Create and manage annual budgets for facilities labor and operations, capital equipment, and infrastructure. Purchase and systematize the maintenance of the equipment used in facilities maintenance, horticultural maintenance operations, and vehicle fleet. 

Essential Functions: 

• Lead all aspects of daily, 365-day-a-year building maintenance operations for 15 facilities, including building systems (electrical, plumbing, structural, and mechanical) inspection and repairs, custodial services, and meeting set-ups, as well as managing budgets for these areas. Assess and plan routine and non-routine maintenance of buildings.

• Develop and maintain service standards to guide the work of the Facilities team, support the work of internal and external partners, and promote a safe and attractive environment for Arboretum guests. Ensure responsiveness to all facilities and grounds issues and maintain a system for the timely and orderly prioritization and resolution of work requests.

• Monitor the condition of grounds-related facilities, e.g., bridges, benches, gates, fences, parking lots, and roads, and initiate their repair and replacement. Oversee installation and maintenance of exterior lighting for roadways and parking lots.

• Work in partnership with other departments to schedule and coordinate maintenance projects to minimize impact on guest-facing and guest revenue operations. 

• Oversee the Arboretum's rolling fleet and grounds maintenance equipment. Develop plans for the maintenance and replacement schedule consistent with budgeted resources, collaborating with end users to ensure their vehicle and equipment needs are met. 

• Collaborate with the Director of Sustainability to implement the Arboretum's sustainability strategy, which includes goals for energy and water conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement. Negotiate purchase contracts for utilities including electricity, natural gas, water, and waste-water. Promote continuity of these services and develop contingency plans for outages and redundancies where feasible.

• Work with the Senior Director of Guest Experience & Safety to proactively manage staff safety training programs and ensure compliance with OSHA training requirements.

• Collaborate with the Head of Site Planning and Design to develop long-range plans and designs for facilities and equipment, manage construction projects, and coordinate interior space utilization and design. Liaise with departments, designers, and contractors to ensure project alignment. 

• Oversee and coordinate the Arboretum’s regulatory compliance with ADA, county building codes, EPA, Department of Transportation, the fire department district, and DuPage County health department. Stay current on related laws and regulations, recommending and implementing changes as needed.

• Leverage and expand professional networks of garden, museum, and other relevant professionals to ensure operations, equipment, and best practices are leading edge. 

• Act as a liaison between the Arboretum and neighbors that border the property, fostering and promoting positive relations.

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.

• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Serve in a supervisory capacity of one or more employees, providing leadership guidance and communicating the organization's goals. This includes:

  • Hiring, training, coaching and developing team members, by providing recognition and feedback, and evaluating performance 

  • Ensuring that team members adhere to the Arboretum’s policies and procedures, and maintaining a safe and compliant work environment

  • Building and maintaining positive working relationships with team members, colleagues, and other stakeholders to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, or related field required. 7+ years experience with similar job functions, including demonstrated management experience required. Prior experience in a large-scale and complex operation such as a public garden, campus, or multi-building environment preferred. Current Professional Engineering (PE) license or nationally recognized facility management or engineering certification preferred. General working knowledge of electrical systems, mechanical systems, plumbing systems, structural, civil structures (roads, bridges, drainage), equipment systems, and environmental and safety codes (OSHA, ADA, EPA, and NFPA) required. Prior budget experience required, project management training and experience preferred. Must possess a valid driver’s license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. Proficiency with software used for facilities and project management and planning required, and experience with Google applications beneficial. 

Success Factors: Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to motivate a team and drive multiple initiatives simultaneously. Ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate problems and provide practical cost-effective solutions. Proactive, innovative professional with a collaborative style and a strong service mentality. Knowledge of sustainability practices and conservation. Ability to select and oversee the work of consultants, contractors, and vendors.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 20 lbs.), standing, walking and/or sitting for prolonged periods, and traveling by vehicles. 

• Work Environment: Work is performed primarily indoors, but requires moving between all Arboretum buildings and locations. 

• Equipment: General office equipment, two-way radio, Arboretum van or pick-up truck. 

The expected hiring range for this position is $130,000-$150,000 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer.  This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package.  

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. 

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.