Director of Facilities & Preservation

Overview The Director of Facilities & Preservation serves as the primary steward and operational leader of Chinati’s physical environment, where historic buildings, land, and art are inextricably linked and cared for as integral components of the collection. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the COO, this position balances daily, hands-on facilities management […]

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Overview

The Director of Facilities & Preservation serves as the primary steward and operational leader of Chinati’s physical environment, where historic buildings, land, and art are inextricably linked and cared for as integral components of the collection. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the COO, this position balances daily, hands-on facilities management with forward-looking site strategy and capital project execution.

This position oversees the full range of day-to-day functionality, safety, and physical integrity of the grounds and historic structures, actively dealing with maintenance, climate controls, and mechanical repairs, while also directing external architects, engineers, and contractors on major preservation and construction initiatives. The Director manages a small facilities and grounds team and is considered an essential employee, maintaining on-call availability for site emergencies and extreme weather events. In 2027–2029 a capital restoration project will be taking place and the Director will play a major role in the oversight of this project.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Day-to-Day Facilities & Operations

• Oversee and actively participate in the daily operation, maintenance, and repair of all buildings, utilities, physical infrastructure, and grounds alongside the facilities crew.
• Perform and oversee hands-on physical work, trade troubleshooting, and emergency repairs across carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and structural systems.
• Monitor and maintain building climate systems (HVAC, humidity, and temperature controls) to meet standards for both structural preservation and collections care within historic spaces where possible.
• Supervise, direct, and mentor the facilities and grounds team; establish daily priorities, schedule routine maintenance, and foster a safe, collaborative workplace; hold regular departmental meetings, provide constructive feedback, and remain accountable for the department’s work, including activities delegated to staff or consultants.
• Serve as an emergency response point person, maintaining 24/7 on-call availability for urgent site, security, or weather-related events.
• Assist with the development, testing, and execution of the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan.
• Ensure site compliance with safety standards, building codes, and ADA accessibility guidelines, adapting modern requirements sensitively to historic structures.
• Model collaborative leadership by stepping into operational or administrative duties when circumstances require.
• Perform other duties as necessary to ensure effective functioning of the organization.

Preservation & Capital Project Execution

• Serve as the internal lead for all building and site preservation initiatives, ensuring repairs and alterations adhere to institutional and professional museum standards for historic structures.
• Maintain physical maintenance logs, building condition reports, and records of structural alterations to preserve the archival history of the site.
• Direct capital projects, building restorations, and site improvements from initial scope development through RFP issuance, bid negotiation, budgeting, and construction management.
• Act as the primary institutional liaison with external professionals, including preservation architects, engineers, tradespeople, general contractors, municipal partners, and conservators.
• Review architectural plans, construction documents, and cost estimates to ensure high quality, historical sensitivity, cost control, and timely delivery.

Strategy, Budgeting & Administration

• Develop, monitor, and manage annual operating and capital budgets for facilities, maintenance, and capital projects in coordination with leadership and financial staff.
• Monitor adjacent site conditions, environmental factors, and viewsheds to protect the historic setting and surrounding landscape.
• Advise leadership on long-term physical site risks, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainable maintenance practices.
• Prepare reports and presentations for executive leadership and serve as the staff liaison to Board committees regarding facilities, physical assets, and site stewardship when necessary.

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Overview

The Director of Facilities & Preservation serves as the primary steward and operational leader of Chinati’s physical environment, where historic buildings, land, and art are inextricably linked and cared for as integral components of the collection. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the COO, this position balances daily, hands-on facilities management with forward-looking site strategy and capital project execution.

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General Duties and Responsibilities

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Day-to-Day Facilities & Operations

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• Oversee and actively participate in the daily operation, maintenance, and repair of all buildings, utilities, physical infrastructure, and grounds alongside the facilities crew.
• Perform and oversee hands-on physical work, trade troubleshooting, and emergency repairs across carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and structural systems.
• Monitor and maintain building climate systems (HVAC, humidity, and temperature controls) to meet standards for both structural preservation and collections care within historic spaces where possible.
• Supervise, direct, and mentor the facilities and grounds team; establish daily priorities, schedule routine maintenance, and foster a safe, collaborative workplace; hold regular departmental meetings, provide constructive feedback, and remain accountable for the department’s work, including activities delegated to staff or consultants.
• Serve as an emergency response point person, maintaining 24/7 on-call availability for urgent site, security, or weather-related events.
• Assist with the development, testing, and execution of the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan.
• Ensure site compliance with safety standards, building codes, and ADA accessibility guidelines, adapting modern requirements sensitively to historic structures.
• Model collaborative leadership by stepping into operational or administrative duties when circumstances require.
• Perform other duties as necessary to ensure effective functioning of the organization.

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• Serve as the internal lead for all building and site preservation initiatives, ensuring repairs and alterations adhere to institutional and professional museum standards for historic structures.