Director of Facilities and Operations
/Job Title:
Director of Facilities and Operations
Organization:
Vancouver Art Gallery
Deadline:
Apr. 30, 2026
Organization Description:
Founded in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery is recognized as one of North America’s most innovative visual arts institutions. The Gallery’s celebrated exhibitions, extensive public programs and emphasis on advancing scholarship all focus on historical and contemporary art from British Columbia and around the world. Special attention is given to the accomplishments of Indigenous artists, as well as to those of the Asia Pacific region through the Centre for Global Asias (formerly the Institute of Asian Art) founded in 2014. The Gallery’s exhibitions also explore the impact of images in the larger sphere of visual culture, design and architecture.
The Gallery’s new Art of Wellbeing Lab furthers its commitment to community by promoting the role of art in fostering health and wellbeing. Developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers and Indigenous Elders, the lab creates opportunities for individuals to engage with art in ways that support mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
The Vancouver Art Gallery is a charitable not-for-profit organization supported by its members, individual donors, corporate funders, foundations, the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Website:
Job Description:
The Vancouver Art Gallery is at an important moment. With a new purpose-built gallery on the horizon and a facilities function that touches every corner of the organization, this is not a role for someone who wants to manage from behind a desk.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Finance & Administration, the Director, Facilities & Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operation and long-term stewardship of the Gallery's physical plant, building systems, security operations, and the teams that keep everything running. You will work alongside a capable and experienced group of tradespeople and security professionals who know their work well and are looking for a leader who earns their trust, helps them make better decisions, and removes the obstacles in their way.
This role is ideal for someone who is equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves and thinking strategically, who sees process modernization as an opportunity rather than a burden, and who wants to grow into a role that will expand significantly as the Gallery's new building project advances.
Responsibilities:
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Facility Operations
Lead the daily operations of the Gallery's physical plant, ensuring building systems, maintenance, janitorial services, and HVAC operate to institutional and museum standards
Be present, visible, and hands-on with the team; this is not a purely administrative role
Identify inefficiencies, document processes, and implement practical improvements
Coordinate departmental work requests, prepare work orders and supporting documentation, and ensure follow-through
Develop and maintain preventative maintenance programs, lifecycle plans, and asset replacement schedules
Ensure compliance with WorkSafeBC, WHMIS, and all Occupational Health & Safety requirements, including active participation on the Joint OHS Committee
Maintain facility documentation including operating manuals, emergency and fire safety plans
Coordinate with external contractors, establish specifications, and hold vendors accountable to those standards
Support event set-up, strike, and coordination in a high-traffic, high-profile public environment
Monitor building trends and emerging practices; bring creative, well-reasoned recommendations to leadership
Security
Oversee Gallery security operations, ensuring the safety of the building, the collection, staff, and visitors
Support development and implementation of security policies, systems, and operational plans
Lead evaluation and modernization of security technology, including CCTV, access control, and monitoring systems
Coordinate with the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Police Department, and emergency services
People Leadership
Build genuine, trust-based relationships with a unionized team that is experienced and self-sufficient but needs a decision-making partner
Be the leader people come to when something is unclear, or needs escalating or judgment
Recruit, onboard, and develop staff in collaboration with People & Culture
Administer collective agreements and manage labour relations matters professionally
Provide coaching and feedback; address performance issues in a timely and respectful manner
Model respectful and inclusive workplace behaviour through a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, including Indigenous ways of being, ensuring these principles are embedded in all the work we do
Financial Management
Develop and manage the departmental budget in collaboration with the Senior Director of Finance & Administration
Track and report on expenditures against budget monthly; identify variances and recommend corrective action
Ensure GL codes and budget-to-actual reporting are current and accurate in the Gallery's financial system
Oversee procurement of supplies and services within established budgets
Manage vendor relationships proactively, including payment prioritization and issue escalation
Strategic Planning & New Gallery Development
Contribute to long-term facilities planning and capital project scoping as the Gallery prepares for a new building
Provide technical and operational input on new building design, equipment requirements, systems planning, and staffing models
Identify and implement sustainable, innovative practices across facilities and security operations
Support the Senior Director in preparing materials for leadership and board-level discussion on facilities strategy
Qualifications:
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE
You have at least seven (7) years of progressive experience in facilities, building operations, or a related field, including meaningful leadership experience in a complex, public-facing organization. You have worked in or alongside unionized environments and understand how to build credibility with trades and operational staff.
More than your credentials, we are looking for someone who is curious, practical, and relationship driven. You document what you find, communicate clearly with people at every level, and take pride in leaving things better than you found them.
Minimum three (3) years in a people management role, preferably with unionized staff
Demonstrated experience modernizing processes or systems in a facilities or operations context
Strong knowledge of building systems including HVAC, mechanical, electrical, and life safety
Comprehensive knowledge of WorkSafe BC, WHMIS, and OHS requirements; active JOHSC experience is a strong asset
Experience managing vendor relationships and holding contractors accountable to specifications
Financial literacy: ability to build, manage, and report on departmental budgets
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present ideas and recommendations clearly to non-technical audiences
University degree in business administration, engineering, facilities management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Facilities Management Professional (FMP) designation or Fifth Class Power Engineering Certification is a strong asset
Experience in a museum, heritage building, or cultural institution is an asset
Experience contributing to capital or new building projects is an asset
How to Apply:
Please submit your application through our career portal, located at the bottom of the ABOUT section of our website, by Apr. 30, 2026, at 11:59pm.
Please note that only applicants with Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or a valid work permit will be considered.
Remuneration:
$105,000 - $120,000 per year
