Director of Capital Projects
Title: Director of Capital Projects
Department: Operations and Facilities
Reports to: Chief Operations and Facilities Officer (COFO)
The Director of Capital Projects, working in close support of the Chief Operations and Facilities Officer provides project management oversight of a wide range of infrastructure and facility improvements, renovations, upgrades across the Kimmel Cultural Campus. The Director will participate in strategic planning of capital improvements and is responsible for the coordination of multiple simultaneous projects. As project manager the Director will be the Owner’s Representative for large scale projects ensuring the assigned projects meet objectives and timelines.
Leading with our bold vision to inspire and connect humanity through the arts, we at The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. are vital influencers and conveners, emblemizing our values of being exceptional, innovative, diverse and inclusive, and authentic. This role will contribute to the overall efficiency of the organization and will be responsible for creating a cooperative and inclusive environment to provide a high level of competence and internal customer service.
The Kimmel Cultural Campus includes three primary performance venues including the Academy of Music (AOM), the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (KCPA) and the Miller Theater (MT). The AOM, built in 1857, is a national historic landmark. This position will oversee the restoration and preservation of this national historic landmark building whose primary function is to serve as a very active venue for performing arts. The KCPA houses multiple venues, is the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, hosts hundreds of performances and social events as well as being open to the public as a place of gathering. A Philadelphia icon that opened in 2001, its key infrastructure systems are reaching end of life requiring detailed planning and replacement coordination. The MT, formerly a Shubert Brothers Broadway touring house, opened in 1918 and has provided continuous live performances for the past 100+ years. The MT requires significant restoration and updating to meet the changing needs of artists and audience for which a major renovation program is currently in development. The Director will be a key member of the project team.
The Director will oversee major restoration and construction contracts, including on-site supervision and will have knowledge of historic building techniques as well as current standards and best practices in dealing with historic and modern buildings. As some capital projects will be managed by others (e.g., security systems, IT or Theater Production Mgt), the Director will also be the focal point of coordination tracking progress against goals, budgets, timelines, and other related administrative functions.
The Director will work closely with many departments of POKC to ensure that project information and coordination is shared appropriately including with the Development Dept so that donors, grantors, government departments are informed timely and may participate in solicitation efforts.
- Serve as project manager for major improvements, restoration and preservation needs of all venues as assigned.
- Working directly with Chief Operations and Facilities develop and manage a long-term project needs and priorities database providing tracking and identification of projects for fundraising opportunities, long term strategic planning, and to anticipate emergent needs in advance.
- Develop an annual capital plan and coordinate capital projects and improvements, assuring they are compliant with all local and other codes and are planned and completed in a manner that conforms to standards.
- Provides coordination for multi-division projects involving or lead by specialty teams (IT, Theater Ops, Security etc.) Focal person for project schedules, information collection from various divisions as required.
- Manage all aspects of the annual capital project expense budget working with other project teams and the Finance Department providing regular reports
- Represents POKC on appropriate facility, governance and other committees and task forces related to capital projects and restoration of the buildings as determined by the Chief Operations and Facilities Officer
- Interfaces with fundraising team regarding the solicitation and stewardship of donors whose gifts are restricted for capital projects.
- In support of COFO, serves as owner’s representative on assigned projects including project team leader, assuring contracts are being carried out according to specifications.
- Ensures projects are being completed as bid, on budget and within the timelines and set deadlines.
- Prepare and present progress reports to various leadership groups, committees, and teams.
- Interface with Finance Department as appropriate to develop and control baseline project budgets; accumulate and analyze actual cost information while highlighting variances; review budget allocation and forecast spend (cashflow) for various projects by relevant resources.
Restoration and Preservation Oversight:
- Monitor maintenance and repairs to ensure the AOM is maintained according to national historic landmark standards and requirements of the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
- Responsible for historic preservation research and compliance.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required, in construction management, architecture, historic preservation, theater operations or a related field.
- A minimum of 10-12 years’ hands-on experience in project management, historic preservation, restoration, theater maintenance/operations or related experience.
- PMP certification desired.
- Strongly demonstrated success in capital project oversight working with a wide range of scope budgets, goals, and competing priorities.
- Able to work effectively under minimal supervision who understands, and addresses issues, then, develops solutions to resolve.
- A knowledge of principles of MEP, building structures, ADA, life safety, security, information technology and building codes and operations is required. Experience in arts and culture organizations with a general knowledge of theatrical systems and operations is desired.
- Experience in government permit regulations, requirements and application procedures is desired.
- Familiarity with Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) requirements/constraints is desirable.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Experience working with complex organizations.
- Self-starter with problem solving capability and initiative.
- Skill in the use of various Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Word.
- Ability to solve problems and negotiate problems with a wide variety of contractors and other project stakeholders.
- Ability to read construction drawings and contracts, budgets, and timelines.
- Ability to read, interpret, and manage project financial reports providing analysis to others.
- Ability to prepare and present progress reports.
- Must be able to manage and supervise people in a clear and professional manner and relay expectations concisely.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with staff and the public.
Environment, Physical Demands and Other Conditions:
Some work is performed in a hybrid office environment, and some is done in the field.
The employee will be required to attend meetings/events during evening and weekend hours.
A resume and cover letter are required when applying for this position.
The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Kimmel Center, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, or military service.
To apply for this position, send your cover letter and resume to Kimmel Center Human Resources:
Kimmel Center, Inc.
Human Resources
One South Broad Street, 14th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
email: careers@kimmelcenter.org