Job Description

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

Compensation & Benefits

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range: $150,000 - $180,000 annually.

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Full-time
• Grade Level: 11

About the Department: The Department of Instructional Resources and Facilities Management consists of five divisions: Campus Security, Media and Instructional Resources, Facilities Engineering and Construction, Facilities Services, and Instructional Fabrication. Our primary responsibilities include ensuring campus safety and security, managing facility operations, and overseeing key academic resources, including Media Centers, Instructional Shops, and specialized academic facilities. We are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the built environment of the campus. Collectively, these functions create a cohesive team focused on the effective planning, operation, and delivery of essential support services within our specialized educational institution. The Department employs approximately 100 full-time staff, 110 contracted staff, and 300 student employees. We serve a 1.3 million-square-foot campus across nine buildings.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Vice President for Facilities & Campus Operations, the Executive Director of Facilities Engineering & Construction provides leadership for the construction and maintenance of the school’s physical environment. The Executive Director oversees the ongoing maintenance and operations of campus buildings, infrastructure, grounds, and utilities, ensuring a safe, healthy, and high-performing environment for students, faculty, and staff. The position requires close collaboration with the Vice President for Facilities & Campus Operations and leadership within the Department of Instructional Resources and Facilities Management.

Responsibilities:

Facilities Engineering

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.
• Energy Conservation Program: 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.

Capital Program & Construction

In close collaboration with the Vice President for Facilities & Campus Operations, as well as departmental leadership. 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.
• In close coordination with the VP of Campus Operations, 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.

Qualifications:

• 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.

Reports To: Vice President for Facilities & Campus Operations

Supervises: 2 Junior Project Managers - Architect

Building engineering contractor and associated 15-person engineering team

Application Instructions:

Please include your resume and cover letter

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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