Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County

(Los Angeles, CA)

Title: Associate Vice President, Facilities, Operations, and Support Services

View Position Brochure Here

THE ORGANIZATION:

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC)—the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits in the mid-Wilshire/Miracle Mile, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall—occupy an unrivaled position in the exploration of L.A., and the world. As home to over 35 million specimens and artifacts, they have the largest natural and cultural history collection in the western United States, a range of indoor and outdoor experiences across three sites which serve 1.3 million visitors a year, and the only active urban paleontological excavation site in the world at the Tar Pits.

With the vision to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds, NHMLAC is a public-private partnership between the nonprofit Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Foundation and the County of Los Angeles.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County was the first museum in L.A. to open its doors 108 years ago and is poised for an exciting new era as it plans for the future. Having recently completed a new strategic framework, the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County are looking forward to new building projects and campaigns, exhibitions, community outreach, and innovative audience engagement. The strategic priorities re-imagine how the museums, through their research and unparalleled collections, interact with their communities—onsite and beyond their walls. By committing to principles of accessibility and engagement, NHMLAC will truly be a hub for discoveries and dialogue around critical issues of global significance and local impact.

For more information, please visit www.nhmlac.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY                                     

NHMLAC is seeking a strategic and collaborative professional with exceptional communication skills for the newly created role of Associate Vice President, Facilities, Operations, and Support Services (AVP). Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer (CFO/COO) of NHMLAC and working closely with colleagues across the organization, the AVP will have oversight of Facilities and Maintenance, Security and Support Services, General Services, and Horticulture of The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County family of museums, which includes the following areas: a) custodial, b) grounds, c) facilities operations, d) maintenance, e) renewal and replacement reserve program (i.e. deferred maintenance), f) facility sustainability efforts g) security, h) general services, and i) capital projects. Responsibilities are varied and involve supervision, budget planning and management. The AVP will partner with the COO/CFO to provide strategy and leadership to conceptualize, develop, and implement facilities and maintenance initiatives, in alignment with the Museum’s Strategic Vision.

The AVP will lead and provide oversight for planning and executing all small and medium capital building projects that include new construction, and renovation. Construction and renovation management may include selecting professional design staff; coordinating the activities of clients, design professionals (architects, engineers, etc.) contractors, inspectors and others associated with the project; monitoring project progress, cost and quality; resolving problems that arise in the project; working with city, state and federal agencies and officials to ensure compliance and safety; communicating with project stakeholders regarding program, budget, schedule and construction impact; and completing and warranting the project Museum’s specifications.

As the AVP will manage construction and renovation projects from concept through completion, this individual will interact with a broad array of constituencies including trustees, staff, county staff and officials, architects, engineers, contractors, facilities consultants and other community members.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

Under the guidance of the CFO/COO, additional responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

Department Administration

• Supervise the Assistant Vice President for Facilities, Maintenance, and Construction, who also directs facility sustainability initiatives, as well as the Director of Security and Support Services, Executive Administrative Associate for Operations, and Senior Manager of Horticulture.
• Lead the development of budgets, oversight, and approval of purchases for operating, project, and capital infrastructure reserve accounts.
• Oversee the management of outsourced contracts for custodial and security services, general and audio-visual services.
• Administer and review contracts/agreements in preparation for execution by the CFO/COO.
• Establish expectations, provide mentoring and coaching, identify opportunities for job and career development, and provide informal and formal feedback to department.

Communications

• As appropriate, serve as the museum liaison between government agencies, external legal counsel, and other consultants on projects.
• In coordination with the CFO/COO, interact with Museum Constituencies, which will include:

1. Coordinating all planning, design and construction activity with affected constituencies.
2. Assisting with or directly planning and delivering communications to various constituencies (e.g., staff, volunteers, trustees, Research Associates, and community members) regarding facility planning, construction and renovation activities and progress to keep them informed and to minimize disruption.
3. Collaborating inter-departmentally.

• Prepare and present materials to the executive team as well as the various committees of the Board of Trustees.
• Meet with current and prospective donors regarding capital projects for new construction and renovations and accompany them on facility tours.

 Capital Projects

• Participate in planning efforts, architectural design, engineering services and construction administration for capital projects (excluding large projects such as NHM Commons and Reimagining La Brea Tar Pits).
• Continually monitor and manage all stages of projects (from conceptual design through schematic design (SD), design development (DD), construction drawings (CD), and construction) to ensure the Museum’s objectives are met and report inconsistencies to those that can correct deficiencies.
• Manage all project budgets and schedules in order to maintain the project scope within the approved budget.
• Coordinate the construction bid process with the CFO/COO, evaluate bid submissions and make recommendations for selection.

  Other Duties

• Provide support for analyzing space requests, resolving space conflicts, tracking space commitments, and providing advice and consultation for the effective assignment and reassignment of vacated space; and assist with maintaining a space inventory.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS DESIRED

The successful candidate will be an experienced leader with a track record of success in a complex, dynamic environment. The AVP should demonstrate a high level of initiative and results-oriented organizational and leadership abilities with a capacity to work independently and as part of a team. As such, the AVP must have excellent interpersonal skills and will be an open yet tactful and persuasive communicator, both verbally and in writing. Optimistic and realistic, the successful candidate will establish strong relationships and have confidence when working both with colleagues within the Museum as well as external partners. The AVP should be an inclusive leader as the Museum navigates towards an environment that fosters diversity, equity, and accessibility. Analytical with strong strategic planning skills as well as comfortable with day-to-day management, the AVP should be collaborative, good at setting priorities, and able to manage multiple tasks and functions simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. The AVP must also embody and uphold the four values of NHMLAC and be adventurous, authentic, inclusive, and intentional.

The following key attributes and competencies will also be valued:

• Effective supervisory skills and demonstrated ability to mentor, coach and develop staff.
• Ability to think strategically and tactically. Ability to “see around corners” and anticipate issues/problems early so that corrective action can be taken on a timely basis.
• Effectively use various software and manipulate complex database and spreadsheet applications in gathering information, conducting analyses and developing reports.
• Excellent organizational, administrative and project management skills, including the ability to diagnose critical areas for attention and stay focused, and then translate strategies into measurable action.
• Ability to manage many projects at once and meet deadlines/schedules and achieve goals under pressure.
• “Results oriented” personality, committed to delivering projects on budget and schedule to the established quality standard.
• Ability to conduct analysis and research, including gathering information from a variety of sources to formulate recommendations.
• Service oriented attitude, with the ability to achieve results while maintaining budgets.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and model ethical standards.
• Ability to function in a collaborative team environment and build and maintain effective relations with the Museum’s various constituencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility to work with the museum’s various constituencies.
• Ability to value, actively seek and respond to various internal and external constituencies in order build consensus among diverse groups and arrive at sound solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare coherent, effective and well-written and formatted presentation texts and graphics to the Museum’s various constituencies; make presentations to small and large groups; and explain complex planning concepts and solutions in a clear, concise manner. 
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills and the demonstrated ability to prepare original or revise existing reports, letters, memoranda and other materials.

CAREER TRACK LEADING TO THIS POSITION

Competitive candidates will have a track record of relevant industry experience in construction/renovation/building project management as well as experience in leading a facilities department/division/operation that includes supervision of large staff.

Progressively responsible industry experience in building projects, construction and renovation management and facilities management in a historical building setting or other setting with a shared governance environment would be strongly preferred.

The following skills and experiences will be valued:

• Experience managing renovation projects in an occupied building environment.
• Knowledge of engineering and construction terminology, theory, practices and principles, as well as the ability to direct and converse technically with engineers and architects regarding utility systems for electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, network cabling, and the maintenance, operation, design and construction of the various building types.
• Direct experience managing all stages of a capital project for new construction and renovation (conceptual design, SD, DD, CD and construction).
• Familiarity with county/municipal codes.
• Ability to manage and evaluate architects, contractors and supporting consultants as well as experience with contract negotiation.
• General knowledge of applicable building and fire codes.

A bachelor’s degree or comparable experience in engineering, construction management, project management, or a related field is preferred.

COMPENSATION & ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

The annual salary range for this position is $170,000 to $190,000 based on experience. A comprehensive and competitive benefits package will be provided. 

This is a full-time exempt position with the expectation of regular on-site work during the workweek and the ability to be in-person during emergency events outside traditional work hours.

NHMLAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to diversity in its workforce. NHMLAC values and endeavors to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within its organization and communities and is seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience and commitment to working with a diverse community. NHMLAC welcomes applicants of every identity, background, and community, and desires employees who are invested in contributing their abilities toward inspiring wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC), neurodiverse, a woman, a person with a disability, a veteran, and/or a part of the LGBTQAI+ community are welcome and encouraged to apply.