Director of Engineering - Whitney Museum of American Art

New York, NY 10014

About the Job

The Whitney Museum of American Art seeks a Director of Engineering to lead and oversee the maintenance and operations of the museum’s physical infrastructure. They will report to Chief Facilities Officer and supervise the Engineering Manager, Chief Engineers, Engineers, and indirectly supervise the Facilities Managers, Admin Coordinator, and Porter Staff.

Responsibilities:

Provide technical oversight and leadership of Engineering department responsible for all HVAC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Provide guidance, clear communication (verbal and written) and coaching to a team of engineers responsible for maintaining building systems (HVAC, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, etc.).
Provide guidance in implementing preventive maintenance programs to ensure long-term efficiency.
Manage renovation projects and infrastructure upgrades as needed.
Ensure compliance with engineering-related safety standards. Review and recommend procedural changes; assign, direct and evaluate engineer work assignment, oversee the development and maintenance of engineers’ technical skills and assess their competence.
Oversee service contract budget and purchases, assist in preparing annual engineering operating budget, determining long term, short term and emergency capital expenditures in the best interest of the museum.
Provide technical support and advice to Department Heads and key Stakeholders and all on all Whitney initiatives as needed.
Ensure data is properly entered and maintained in BMS by the engineering team; coordinate the review of weekly/monthly/annual trending reports (as needed) to effectively manage building operations.
Perform other related duties as assigned by Chief Facilities Officer.
Support project consultants and subject matter experts whose job it is to design, bid, manage and advise no major repairs, capital improvement and minor construction as needed.
Work closely with Chief Facilities Officer in providing weekly/Monthly updates, quarterly reports and overall advice to senior leadership on engineering matters at all Whitney Locations.
Work closely with Chief Facilities Officer in responding to summonses/violations/City complaints when necessary and designing strategies/systems to reduce violations/summonses.

Requirements:

Ability to make independent judgment
Budgeting responsibilities: bid approval, contract approval, etc.
Signature approval level: Contractor and vendor invoices, payroll, time and attendance (PTO) approval
Exercise skills and expertise in analyzing technology resource, assess feasibility of change or upgrade, recommend necessary changes
BA in engineering field, or equivalent (Masters in Engineering a plus)
8 to 10 years’ experience in operational engineering, facilities management or equivalent.
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing skills
Strong management skill – ability to motivate, coach and develop others
Ability to exercise progress discipline within museum policy and union guidelines
Experience in Museum environment a plus
Strong communication skills: (written and oral), extensive knowledge in building operation, BMS system – HVAC - climate control
Exceptional interpersonal skills that will permit effective working relationship with all departments

Compensation & Benefits:

Estimated Salary Range of between $150,000 - $160,000.
Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(B) elections
Generous PTO benefits
Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit
Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally
Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citibike

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.

About the Whitney:
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.

EEO Statement:
The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.

Source : Whitney Museum of American Art