Director of Facilities Management & Safety

Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA), a private college of art and design, seeks a candidate to fill the full-time position of Director of Facilities Management & Safety. Reporting to the Vice President of Business Affairs and CFO, the Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all campus facilities, including academic, residential, and off-site locations. This role ensures a safe, compliant, and well-maintained environment that supports the College’s mission and enhances the campus experience for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

 

The Director is responsible for leading all aspects of facilities operations, including maintenance, custodial services, utilities, security, mail services, and environmental health and safety programs. The position oversees capital planning and project execution across multiple sites, manages vendor relationships, and administers departmental budgets with a focus on operational efficiency and cost control. The Director also ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to building operations, safety, and campus security.

 

Serving as the College’s primary facilities emergency response leader, this position coordinates institutional responses to emergencies, including utility disruptions, severe weather, safety incidents, and campus closures. The Director collaborates closely with senior leadership and cross-functional partners to support emergency preparedness, business continuity, and risk management initiatives. Additionally, this role supervises a multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

 

The successful candidate will bring seven or more years of progressively responsible facilities management experience, including supervisory responsibility. A bachelor’s degree in facilities management, construction management, engineering, business or public administration, or a related field is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.  Experience managing multiple facilities, including residence halls and leased spaces, is preferred. Relevant professional certifications are a plus.

 

CIA is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We value collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to creating a safe and welcoming campus environment.

 

Compensation
This is a full-time, exempt position. Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications. CIA offers a comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, holidays, health and dental insurance, retirement contributions, tuition remission, and more. 

 

 

CIA is committed to increasing diversity in our community and actively recruits individuals from all backgrounds. Additionally, CIA complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws and provides equal opportunity in all educational programs and activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender identity or national origin.

 

 

CIA is also a great place to work, and manifesting a positive culture and sense of belonging is a big part of who we are. We work hard and are proud of our employees’ collective contribution to our mission -- but we also play hard and like to have fun. We challenge and support one another, integrate our institutional values in our work in a meaningful way, celebrate our successes, embrace learning and continuous improvement in all that we do, and are driven by our students’ success and the creative environment that inspires us every day.

 

CIA is one of the nation's leading accredited independent colleges of art and design. Since 1882, the college has been an educational and cultural cornerstone in Cleveland, Ohio, producing graduates competitive as studio artists, designers, photographers, contemporary craftspeople, and educators. With approximately 600 students, CIA offers a personal educational experience with the benefits of a larger institution. CIA students can choose from 13 majors in fine and applied art, each leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Students live and work in Cleveland’s University Circle, one of the country’s most unique cultural centers – recently named by USA Today as one of the Top 10 Best Arts Districts in the country. 

 

The mission of CIA is to cultivate creative leaders who inspire people, strengthen communities, and contribute to a thriving and sustainable economy through an innovative education in art and design. For more information, visit www.cia.edu