Skilled Trades Manager

The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. The Henry Ford provides unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories, and lives from America's traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. Our purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. We want you to be part of this legacy and take it forward and that aligns with our core values of being Welcoming, Curious, Authentic, and Passionate.

The Skilled Trades Manager provides leadership, direction, and operational oversight for the Skilled Trades team within Facilities Management. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising the maintenance, repair, and operation of buildings, infrastructure, utilities, and building systems across The Henry Ford. The role leads union and non-union staff, including electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, utility maintenance personnel, and other skilled trades employees, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with institutional standards.

This role is responsible for delivering reliable, cost-effective facilities services throughout Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Giant Screen Experience, Henry Ford Academy, and administrative facilities, ensuring guests, students, volunteers, contractors, and staff experience clean, well-maintained, comfortable, and safe environments. The Manager oversees preventive and corrective maintenance programs, supports capital improvement and renovation projects, manages departmental budgets and resources, promotes sustainable operational practices, and partners across the institution to support the mission and strategic priorities of The Henry Ford.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop union and non-union Skilled Trades employees through hiring, onboarding, scheduling, training, performance management, and employee development
• Plan and oversee daily facilities operations, including preventive maintenance, repairs, renovations, capital projects, work order priorities, staffing, and resource deployment to ensure safe, timely, and efficient operations
• Manage the Facilities work order management system, ensuring work requests are appropriately prioritized, assigned, tracked, and completed in a timely manner while monitoring workload, response times, and departmental performance metrics
• Ensure facilities, infrastructure, utilities, and building systems remain operationally ready to support daily operations, institutional programming, special events, and emergency response across The Henry Ford
• Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs while monitoring the condition and performance of facilities, infrastructure, utilities, and equipment to maximize asset reliability and minimize operational downtime
• Develop, administer, and monitor departmental operating and capital budgets while managing labor, materials, equipment, and contracted services in a fiscally responsible manner
• Manage construction projects, contractor performance, vendor relationships, and service agreements while collaborating with institutional partners to deliver operational improvements and capital initiatives
• Lead departmental safety initiatives, ensure compliance with OSHA, MIOSHA, NFPA, applicable codes, and institutional policies, and promote a culture of workplace safety
• Provide operational leadership during facility emergencies, severe weather events, utility disruptions, and other after-hours incidents as necessary
• Monitor operational performance, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and implement strategies that enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and asset management
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, regulatory documentation, operational reports, and departmental performance metrics
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and exceptional customer service throughout Facilities Operations
• Perform additional responsibilities in support of the operational objectives and strategic priorities of Facilities Management and The Henry Ford
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Eight (8) years of progressive relevant facilities management or building operations experience
• Five (5) years of leadership experience supervising maintenance or skilled trades personnel, preferably in a union environment
• Experience managing maintenance budgets, capital projects, contractor relationships, and operational resources
• Valid Michigan driver's license with an acceptable driving record
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of OSHA, MIOSHA, NFPA, and applicable building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire/life safety codes and regulations
• Working knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, boilers, electrical distribution, plumbing, building automation systems (BAS), and life safety systems
• Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance principles, asset management, contractor oversight, and facilities operations best practices
• Strong project management, budgeting, organizational, and time management skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in a complex operational environment
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships and effectively communicate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, including contractors and external partners
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, conflict resolution, negotiation, and employee development skills within union and non-union work environments
• Ability to develop, implement, and continuously improve operational processes, procedures, and service delivery standards
• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems, Microsoft Office, and other business software
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to maintain confidentiality
  
  

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in both office and field environments throughout The Henry Ford campus
• Regular exposure to construction sites, mechanical rooms, equipment, dust, dirt, loud noise, chemicals, moving machinery, and temperature extremes
• Frequent work outdoors in all seasons and varying weather conditions
• Frequent standing, walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, reaching, and navigating uneven terrain, ladders, stairs, and mechanical spaces
• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of materials and equipment up to 100 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must be available to respond to operational emergencies, severe weather events, utility disruptions, and other facility-related incidents, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary
• Requires travel throughout The Henry Ford campus to support maintenance operations, projects, inspections, and institutional events