Director of Operations

This recruitment is opened as continuous. The first review date will occur on Friday, February 14th, 2025.  Please keep in mind that this recruitment can close at any time once the vacancy is  filled. If you're interested in this opportunity, please do not hesitate to apply.

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. 

Do you want to manage building operations in a way that is human-centered and solutions-oriented? Do you have the ability to innovate and lead change? Are you interested in working with others to ensure the show does go on? If this sounds like you, come join our team!

Portland’5 Centers for the Arts (Portland’5) is looking for a Director of Operations to oversee the daily operations of building maintenance and custodial services, and to manage the capital improvement program. This position directly oversees the Facility Manager and Operations Program Assistant, indirectly oversees approximately 60 full and part-time employees, and reports to the Executive Director.  

Portland'5 is a leader in venue management, overseeing the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Keller Auditorium and Antoinette Hatfield Hall, which includes the Brunish Theatre, the Newmark Theatre and the Dolores Winningstad Theatre. Each year the venues host approximately 800 performances with 800,000 attendees. We are home to five resident companies including the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Children’s Theatre and Portland Youth Philharmonic, and host other local arts groups, Broadway Across America, and event promoters such as AEG and Live Nation. 

Portland’5 is operated by Metro, a regional government that provides planning and coordination to manage growth, infrastructure and development issues that cross jurisdictional boundaries. Portland’5 is part of Metro’s visitor venue portfolio, along with the Oregon Convention Center and Portland Expo Center.  

As the Director of Operations, you will

• Lead the Operations department  
  • Develop, plan, and direct the work of the operations department, which consists of engineering, custodial, and capital improvements. 
  • Create a balanced, team-oriented working environment for the operations department founded on collective responsibility, creativity, and accountability to safely and effectively achieve success.
  • Develop short-term and long-term goals for the department. 
  • Develop, implement, and manage the department budget, including variable hour staff, contracted services, equipment, supplies, and maintenance projects. 
  • Develop and implement a department work plan and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of processes. 
  • Document policies and procedures of department programs, projects, and functions.
  • Build and maintain positive relationships and contribute to a positive team atmosphere, engage others in ways that foster respect and trust, and support, mentor, and guide individual development. 
  • Ensure building management complies with codes, ordinances, regulations, and other requirements, including permitting, safety, and fire. 
  • Oversee building maintenance contracts including procurement and contracting, project management, and closeout. 
  • Oversee all aspects of technical services, event set up, grounds maintenance, and custodial services.
  • Respond to various operational problems and determine appropriate action or resolution.

• Manage the capital project program
  • Lead development of the 5-year capital improvement plan, coordinating with the Facility Manager, Production Manager and Construction Project Manager on capital maintenance and improvement projects. 
  • Plan and manage capital projects, including procurement and contracting, project management, and closeout. 
  • Coordinate with Booking and Events/Production teams to manage capital proejects around event schedules. 
  • Oversee capital projects managed by other staff. 

• Be a leader on the Portland’5 Executive Team
  • Along with the Executive Director, Director of Programming, Booking and Marketing, Director of Event and Production Services, Director of Ticket Services, and Director of Culture and Community, lead and inspire the nearly 300-person team at Portland’5. 
  • Participate in developing and maintaining a positive, welcoming culture for all staff. 
  • Promote respect for diversity, equity and inclusion as a key organizational value through leadership and decision-making processes.
  • Participate in Portland’5 policy and procedure development. 
  • Actively participate in committees and/or attend meetings as assigned.
  • Practice continuous improvement through research of new possibilities and engagement with facility and venue management organizations.
  • Liaise with Metro central services (Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance, Capital Projects, Office of Metro Attorney) as needed, and implement Metro-wide policies.  
  • Perform other duties which may be necessary or desirable to support the agency's success.

Attributes for success

The Director of Operations needs to have a combination of technical knowledge and management skills. We are looking for someone with a commitment to public service and social equity in the management of our operations.  

Technical operations

• Knowledge of facilities operations, including building construction and maintenance, mechanical equipment repair, and grounds maintenance. 
• Knowledge of how to maintain buildings, related equipment and systems, and how to evaluate completion and efficacy of building maintenance.
• Knowledge of information technology systems, and ability to coordinate with Metro IT on infrastructure, systems, applications and hardware. 
• Ability to work in dynamic operations, managing multiple tasks and prioritizing work as needed. 
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to public assembly facilities.
• Ability to provide planning, leadership, and technical oversight in developing goals and objectives. 
• Ability to assess and update organizational and management practices as needed to meet operational and financial needs. 
• Ability to develop policy and project alternatives, criteria, and recommendations.
• Ability to provide direction, resolve problems, provide assistance, present findings and discuss issues. 
• Ability to seek innovative solutions and succeed in a client-oriented environment.
• Skills in contract procurement, management, and administration. 
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings and blueprints.

Leadership and management

• Skills in promoting a positive work environment that supports equity, where staff of all backgrounds can come to work and thrive in a safe and welcoming workplace.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to build teams and gain trust working in a dynamic and demanding environment. 
• Ability to collaborate within the Operations team, with other Portland’5 departments, and with central service departments at Metro. 
• Knowledge of financial oversight, including budget development, forecasting, labor modeling, monitoring, and reporting.
• Knowledge of requirements to administer union contracts/collective bargaining agreements.
• Skill in effective management and leadership, including team building, personnel supervision, mentoring, talent development, training, and performance evaluation.
• Ability to analyze information and use logic to resolve issues and problems.
• Ability to communicate successfully with Portland’5 and Metro executive staff and managers, the public, Portland’5 clients and various external stakeholders.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION                                              

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.   

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant. 

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, electrical, architectural or other related field, and 
• Five (5) years leading or supervising people, and 
• Two (2) years managing building operations, maintenance, construction projects or other related work; OR
• Any combination of experience, education and training which provides the equivalent 

Working Conditions 

• While primarily a management role, this position requires the ability to occasionally crawl in tight spaces, climb stairs, walk the grid, and work during inclement weather. It may also involve standing or walking for extended periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, performing minor repairs, and assisting with emergencies or evacuations, etc.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Limited Telework 

This position primarily works at our administrative offices at Antoinette Hatfield Hall. You will have the option to work away from the office at times, when conducive to the work and when your presence is not required on site. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. 

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Previous experience working at a performing arts center and/or local government. 
• Previous experience working in a union an environment. 

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A cover letter outlining why you are interested in this position and how you are qualified for it. 
• A completed Resume that includes the following details for each employer:
  1. Name of employer
  2. Working title   
  3. Dates of employment, including if the work was full-time or part-time
  4. Number of employees supervised 
  5. Summary of your responsibilities

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check 
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step # 1, $127,554.84 to step # 7, $162,795.64. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between Step 1, $127,554.84 to the equity range Step # 4, $147,661.15. 

This position is not eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as a Manager II.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Talent Acquisition Specialist:  Lamarkus Gilliard 

Email: lamarkus.gilliard@oregonmetro.gov

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.   

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

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