Director, Facilities

The Director of Facilities is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and reliability of all buildings, habitats, animal care facilities, infrastructure, utilities, and grounds at the Houston Zoo. This role ensures safe, compliant, efficient, and environmentally responsible environments that support animal care, guest experience, and organizational performance.   The Director leads a multi-disciplinary team across facilities operations, including the MEP and Fabrication Shops, Facilities Services, Pest Control, and Grounds & Housekeeping, and is accountable for building a professional, data-driven facilities program. This includes establishing strong maintenance practices, implementing effective asset management systems, and delivering consistent, high-quality service across the campus.   This role partners closely with Design & Engineering to support project delivery and long-term asset stewardship.   Our Mission: Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.   Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.     Job Duties and Responsibilities:   Facilities Operations & Maintenance Lead all maintenance and operations of buildings, infrastructure, utilities, and grounds Ensure reliable, efficient performance of critical systems and minimize operational disruptions Establish and enforce standards for the delivery of small projects and maintenance work, including clear expectations for scope, cost control, quality, and timely execution Develop clear, consistent processes for work intake, prioritization, and communication across departments Ensure facilities work is planned and executed in coordination with animal care and guest operations to minimize disruption and maintain safety and experience standards Maintenance Programs & CMMS Develop and enforce preventive and reactive maintenance programs Ensure all work is initiated, tracked, and closed through the CMMS Improve data quality, labor tracking, and system utilization across all teams Asset Management & Planning Maintain accurate asset inventories and facilities records Develop visibility into asset condition and lifecycle needs Support projection of capital reinvestment needs over a multi-year horizon Partner with the Sustainability team to support energy, water, and waste reduction initiatives through facilities operations and infrastructure improvements Team Leadership & Culture Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of managers, supervisors, and technical staff Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability across all functions Drive a culture of professionalism, ownership, and transparency Financial & Vendor Management Manage the Facilities operating budget across all functions Oversee procurement, contracting, and vendor performance Ensure financial discipline and alignment with organizational priorities Safety & Compliance Ensure all Facilities work is performed safely and in compliance with standards Partner with the Safety team to address risks and improve practices Capital Project Partnership Provide input on constructability, maintainability, and lifecycle considerations Support project execution, shutdown coordination, and turnover Contributes to saving animals in the wild through reduction of waste, water and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protecting actions. Performs other duties as assigned.   Education and Experience:   Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from a four-year college or university in related field, or one to two years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of ten (10) years of work experience including a minimum of five (5) years’ in management and leadership experience. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook); experience with SharePoint or similar document management systems preferred.   ABOUT HOUSTON ZOO The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.  Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities.  Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.