Art Institute of Chicago · 2 weeks ago
Executive Director of Facilities Engineering & Construction
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$150K/yr - $180K/yr
10+ years expThe Art Institute of Chicago is a leading educational institution for artists, designers, and scholars. The Executive Director of Facilities Engineering & Construction will provide leadership for the construction and maintenance of the school’s physical environment, overseeing campus buildings, infrastructure, and utilities to ensure a safe and high-performing environment.
Museums & Institutions
Responsibilities
Oversee building maintenance, utilities, and infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations across campus
Direct engineering services, ensuring compliance with building codes, safety regulations, and best practices in energy efficiency
Maintain a current knowledge of emerging technologies through research and professional conferences
Manage and set expectations for a building engineering contractor and the associated team of 15 building engineers
Establish service levels, ensure user satisfaction, and maintain open communication to ensure goals are consistently met
Develop, manage, and update preventive maintenance requirements using CMMS and building automation system data to minimize downtime and unscheduled outages while maintaining critical operations
Direct, contract, and assess repairs and replacement of major systems and/or components
Implement systematic measures to enhance energy conservation
Aid in the utility purchasing process by providing historical usage trends and projections of changes
Review and approve utility billings for the school facilities
Develop and manage annual operating budgets for facilities, collaborating with the Executive Director of Facilities Services throughout the process
Implement data-driven performance metrics to monitor efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness
Conduct inspections of all buildings and systems, ensuring compliance with operating requirements, including PM schedules, water treatment testing, cleanliness, life safety, and work order status
Identify areas for improvement
Develop policies and procedures related to project management, asset management, processes, and financial reporting
Oversee the procurement, management, and tracking of service contracts for primary systems, including fire life safety testing, emergency generator PM, vertical transportation, HVAC, and water treatment
Work with the Chief Engineer to monitor and administer service contracts
Lead the group that manages capital project delivery, including bid solicitation of architects, engineering consultants, and general contractors
Manage contracts, project scheduling, budget preparation and reconciliation, progress reporting, and record keeping
Oversee selection, negotiation, and performance of design and construction professionals, ensuring fair, transparent, and competitive procurement processes
Provide leadership for all capital construction and renovation projects from feasibility and design through bidding, construction, and commissioning
Contribute to the School's multi-year capital improvement plan, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, academic priorities, and financial capacity
Ensure responsible financial management of all capital funds; monitor project budgets and expenditures; and implement cost-control measures and value-engineering practices
Track and manage project schedules, milestones, and deliverables; resolve conflicts and delays to maintain project momentum
Communicate project goals, timelines, and impacts clearly to campus stakeholders; foster trust and accountability throughout the project lifecycle
Establish and maintain institutional standards for design quality, sustainability, accessibility, and operational efficiency across all capital projects
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in a related discipline (e.g., Business Administration, Engineering, Architecture, or Public Administration) strongly preferred
Professional licensure (Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) or industry certification (e.g., LEED AP, PMP) is desirable
10–15 years of progressive experience in facilities management, engineering, and capital project delivery, including at least five years in leadership
A strong record of overseeing large-scale planning, design, and construction initiatives in complex academic or institutional environments, managing multimillion-dollar capital budgets, and leading multidisciplinary teams
Familiarity with higher-education governance and academic facility management
Key competencies include strategic leadership, strong communication skills, and deep technical knowledge of building systems and construction management
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to make data-informed decisions, manage competing priorities, build partnerships across diverse communities, and effectively address conflict
Core values include advancing the school's mission, fostering a culture of safety, inclusion, and professional growth, and leading with integrity and transparency
The role also emphasizes a strong commitment to sustainability, stewardship, innovation, and continuous improvement across all aspects of campus operations
Company
Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago collects, preserves, and interprets works of art, representing the world’s diverse artistic traditions.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Art Institute of Chicago has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (4)
2024 (3)
2022 (4)
2021 (3)
2020 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
M
Matthew W. Norris
Vice President of Enterprise Software & Analytics
Recent News
2025-10-01
2025-08-23
Company data provided by crunchbase