Director, Saban Center Facility Operations

This listing closes on 12 / 3 / 2025 at 5 : 00 PM Central Time (US & Canada).

Employer

City of Tuscaloosa

Salary

$97,540.23 - $129,431.04 Annually

Location

Tuscaloosa, AL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

80010001

Department

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Division

A&E-SABAN CENTER

Opening Date

11 / 12 / 2025

Closing Date

12 / 3 / 2025 at 5 : 00 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

• Description
• Benefits

Summary

The purpose of this classification is to perform managerial and administrative work functions associated with the operational oversight of the Saban Center. This position is responsible for ensuring the facility operates at the highest standards of efficiency, safety, accessibility, and guest experience. Duties include managing building systems, safety protocols, shared spaces, and daily operations, while fostering a welcoming and engaging environment for children, families, school groups, anchor tenants and community visitors.

Work is performed with wide latitude for independent judgment and action and is reviewed by the Executive Director. The Director, Facilities Operations coordinates with all City departments; liaises with anchor tenants and campus stakeholders; and oversees day-to-day operations of shared event spaces, exhibit and educational areas, offices, parking areas, and all building safety and security systems.

In the pre-opening phase, the Facility Operations Director, with support from the Executive Director and project consultants, will lead the development of operational policies, risk mitigation strategies, and training programs to ensure the facility is fully prepared for a successful launch.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this classification. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Develop and implement comprehensive operational policies, safety procedures, and maintenance protocols for Saban Center staff and anchor tenants.

Create risk mitigation and emergency response plans, including child safety and lost-child reunification procedures.

Design and lead staff, volunteer and anchor tenant training schedules focused on safety, customer service, technical system uses and facility operations readiness.

Coordinate with Saban Center leadership, contractors, and project consultants on facility systems, technology, and project readiness milestones.

Establish internal City service agreements and scheduling protocols for maintenance, custodial, IT, security, landscaping, and other technical support.

Establish vendor service agreements and contracts for additional facility operations needs outside of those provided internally through City resources, including production and event needs.

Facility Operations Management

Direct daily operations, including full-time, part-time, volunteer, and vendor staffing to ensure safety, cleanliness, accessibility, and an exceptional visitor experience.

Maintain and monitor all building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, security, AV, and IT infrastructure), in coordination with City departments responsible for the system management.

Oversee preparation, client / anchor tenant set-up, and maintenance and up-keep of facility shared spaces, including the flexible event room, traveling exhibit galleries, lobby spaces, and parking facilities.

Coordinate with anchor tenant's exhibit teams on scheduling and access for installation, deinstallation, and operational needs for traveling exhibits.

Coordinate with anchor tenant's production teams on scheduling and access for performances, lectures, educational and rehearsal operational needs for flexible event room uses.

Implement preventative maintenance schedules for building systems, production equipment, and technology, including development of anchor tenant reporting system.

Lead energy efficiency initiatives, tracking and reporting progress as designated by City leadership.

Remain on call during scheduled events and / or works various shifts, weekends, and / or holidays as deemed necessary; notifies appropriate personnel when unavailable for duty or call out.

Serve as a facility representative during major facility and anchor tenant events.

Visitor Experience & Accessibility

Ensure ADA compliance and promote inclusive, family-friendly facility operations.

Oversee wayfinding, signage, and guest flow management during peak visitation times, in coordination with anchor tenants.

Support facility rental program and event operations, including setup, production and AV support, and facility turnaround.

Safety, Security & Compliance

Maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal safety regulations.

Coordinate regular safety inspections, drills, and emergency preparedness training for staff, volunteers and anchor tenants.

Liaise with local police, fire, and EMS to ensure readiness for emergency response.

Monitor and enforce safety standards for exhibits, play spaces, educational rooms, and event areas.

Compose, prepare, review, and / or approve a variety of forms, logs, requests, records, reports, correspondence, and various other documents associated with daily responsibilities of this position; maintain files and administrative records.

Maintain professional affiliations; attends meetings, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate.

Staff Leadership & Training

Recruit, hire, train, and supervise facility operations staff, including facility maintenance and event support teams.

Coordinate with City department leaders regarding assigned team members scheduling and performance, including support services from IT, security, landscaping, and maintenance.

Foster a culture of customer service, safety, and teamwork.

Conduct regular performance evaluations and ongoing staff development.

Collaboration & Communication

Serve as the primary liaison to City support team including IT, janitorial, landscaping, and other municipal departments.

Partner with Executive Director, Special Projects Coordinator, and anchor tenants to support events, programs, and community use of the facility.

Speak with graduate and undergraduate classes to gain interest from students, as needed; upholds all intern requirements from all programs; manages students in the work environment; forms and oversees partnerships with the University and local colleges for services such as audio visual through the telecommunications department.

Respond to city or state officials, employees, and / or other citizens or patrons' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner; communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of city operations and activities; may represent the city on related community matters and acts as liaison with community leaders.

Maintain strong vendor relationships and negotiate beneficial service contracts.

Financial & Business Operations

Manage operational budgets, track expenses, and approve invoices.

Contribute to annual budget forecasting and long-term capital planning.

Research the needs, cost effectiveness, and possible available resources for building system and technology enhancements and replacements.

Proficient in operational software, scheduling systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Must utilize strategic and hands-on operational management.

Must be committed to child and family safety.

Strong relationship-building skills with internal teams, partners, and the public.

Dedication to accessibility and outstanding guest experience

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations in a timely manner.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma / GED required. Bachelor's degree in Facility Management, Operations, Production Management, or related field preferred. Minimum 3 years of experience in facility operations management of a high-volume public venue to include experience in procedure development, risk management, and emergency planning.

Minimum Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions

The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : Must be able to operate a variety of automated office equipment including computer, calculator, photocopier, telephone, drafting instruments, measuring wheel, measuring tape, and maintenance / repair machinery, tools, and equipment such as jig saw, chain saw, skill saw, air compressor, pipe saw, pipe horn, metal detector, valve box locator, pump, shovel, ax, pipe fitting tools, masonry tools, carpenter tools, and two-way radio as applicable to assigned department. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for moderate to heavy work.

DATA COMPREHENSION : Requires the ability to compare and / or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include forms, reports, contracts, legal reference materials, plan description manuals, procedural and training manuals, and computer program manuals.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION : Requires the ability to speak with and / or signal people to convey or exchange administrative and educational information, including giving / receiving assignments and / or directions to / from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with elected officials and the general public.

LANGUAGE ABILITY : Requires ability to read a variety of educational, administrative, and legal documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice such as during public speaking situations.

INTELLIGENCE : Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE : Requires the ability to record and deliver information, such as in a public speaking situation, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE : Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals and percentages; interpret statistical data, interpret charts, and interpret graphs.

FORM / SPATIAL APTITUDE : Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment, which may include standard measuring and recording devices.

MOTOR COORDINATION : Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office and facility maintenance and production equipment.

MANUAL DEXTERITY : Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, automated office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have average levels of eye / hand / foot coordination.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION : May require the ability to discern color.

The City of Tuscaloosa offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time permanent employees that includes retirement, vacation and illness leave, paid holidays, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending account, life insurance, and other supplemental insurances and deferred retirement saving plans. For a more detailed overview of our benefits package, please visit the Employee Benefits Summary within our website or contact the Human Resource Department at (205) 248-5230.

Employer

City of Tuscaloosa

Address

2201 University Boulevard Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35401

Phone

205-248-5230

Website

http : / / www.tuscaloosa.com