HARRIS RAND LUSK

The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden

Director of Operations

To Apply

The Noguchi Museum has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:

Anne McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer
Harris Rand Lusk
260 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor
New York, NY  10016

Email cover letter and resume to: sstoker@harrisrand.com

Please include “Noguchi DOO” in the subject line of the email

Background
Founded in 1985 by Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988), The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum (The Noguchi Museum), was the first museum in the United States to be established, designed, and installed by a living artist to show their own work. Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Long Island City, Queens, the Museum itself is widely viewed as one of the artist’s greatest achievements. Holding the world’s largest collection of his works, the Museum features open air and indoor galleries in a repurposed 1920s industrial building and a serene outdoor sculpture garden.

Since its founding, the Museum has served as an international hub for Noguchi research and appreciation. In addition to managing the artist’s archives and catalogue raisonné, the Museum exhibits a comprehensive selection of Noguchi’s material culture, from sculpture, models, and drawings to his personal collectibles. The Museum is also the North American distributor of Isamu Noguchi’s Akari light sculptures and manages the distribution of Akari worldwide.

Capital Project
In the next few years, the Museum will embark on a capital project, expanding the Museum’s campus. The plans will include a new nearly 20,000-square-foot facility on its properties across the street from the Museum and adjacent to Isamu Noguchi’s original 1960 studio building. The Museum will also preserve the studio building, which is in urgent need of stabilization. Noguchi’s workshop spaces will be renovated, and the living quarters Noguchi created will be restored, with regular tours for visitors. Once complete, the renovation will enable the Museum to secure this important historic property and open it to the public for the first time. The project is anticipated to cost around $30 million and has received commitments from the City of New York.

The Director of Operations will be part of the team overseeing the planning and execution of the renovation and construction projects to ensure that the facilities are safe, functional, and in alignment with the Museum’s mission, history, and aesthetic. In addition, they will manage the transition from construction and renovation into operational space, including overseeing final inspections and ensuring compliance with zoning laws, building codes, and goals for sustainability.

The Position
The Director of Operations reports to the Director and will be responsible for ensuring the efficient and safe day-to-day management of The Noguchi Museum’s 45,000 square-foot Museum campus. Supported by the Manager of Building Operations and the Manager of Visitor Services, this position will manage all buildings and building system operations, including security, visitor services, facilities requirements for event and exhibition preparation, and IT services. They will work collaboratively with the staff to maintain, protect, and enhance the physical spaces, cultivate a welcoming environment, protect the integrity and quality of the storage and retail space, and ensure that the Museum’s operations cohesively support its mission. The ideal candidate will be energetic, focused, and responsive to the needs of the Museum’s campus and buildings, its programs and activities, and to other employees.

The successful candidate must possess exceptional organizational and problem-solving abilities, as well as experience managing complex logistics and multiple priorities. They will have knowledge of best practices in museum operations, including safety and security, sustainability, engagement and management of contractors, and facilities and grounds maintenance and support. They should be adept at communicating with senior management and all staff, as well as with the facilities and visitor services teams, and the outside vendors that they manage.

Specific Responsibilities include:

Facilities and Visitor Services

  • Oversee the Museum’s operations and maintenance, focusing on the integrity of the physical space and its alignment with the mission and programming
  • Manage the facilities, security, and visitor services teams in a supportive and collaborative manner, providing training and professional development opportunities as needed
  • With the Building Manager, ensure that all systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, safety, security, transportation, emergency procedures, acclimatization controls, communications and technology, etc.) are functioning efficiently and in compliance with local, state, and federal codes and regulations as well as safety and industry standards
  • Proactively assess and improve maintenance practices, procedures, and planning to ensure sustainability in building systems, facilities, and equipment
  • Conduct safety audits to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards; provide regular safety training to staff
  • Oversee the negotiation and management of contracts for vendors and service providers across various operational areas, ensuring high-quality service and compliance with agreements
  • Collaborate with contractors and architects to ensure that construction and renovation projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with zoning laws and building codes
  • Optimize space usage across the Museum campus, ensuring that the facilities support and enhance the programming, retail operations, storage, exhibitions, and events

Financial

  • Oversee management of facilities budgets, ensuring that expenditures and maintenance are cost-effective and on-target with financial goals and planning
  • Communicate anticipated costs as well as any adjustments/alterations in the budget with senior management on a regular basis
  • In collaboration with senior management, evaluate and manage costs for the capital project and the transition into operational space
  • Assist in drafting quarterly reports on facilities department projects and updates for the Board of Trustees

Information Technology

  • Oversee IT consultant’s plans and maintenance for all computer, phone, and security systems, as well as equipment, software, and programs
  • Plan for and oversee purchase of new equipment and upgrade systems when needed and ensure technical support is provided upon request

Qualifications:

  • A bachelor’s degree in facilities management, engineering, business administration or related field, or equivalent work experience; advanced degree preferred
  • 10+ years of experience in a leadership role in facilities management, preferably in cultural institutions or other non-profit organizations
  • Proficiency with building management and communications systems
  • Experience working with outside vendors, including sourcing, contract negotiation, and budget oversight
  • Experience managing safety and security of all facilities including security systems, access controls
  • Experience in public safety protocols including emergency procedures and compliance with relevant safety standards
  • An understanding of blueprints, construction documents, and operations/maintenance manuals
  • Basic proficiency in IT and following computer software:  Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, Google Workspace including Gmail, Google Calendar
  • Experience in space planning and space optimization
  • Experience supervising large-scale construction and renovation projects
  • Understanding of work safety and OSHA rules and ensuring best practices for safety practices are maintained within the department through consistent compliance
  • Understanding of local, state, and federal building codes and regulations
  • LEED certification preferred
  • Ability to quickly identify problems, synthesize a variety of factors to make effective and practical decisions and develop an appropriate course of action
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal and organizational skills; must be able to build consensus internally and externally

Other Information:

The Director of Operations is a full-time, in-person position and is located in The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens. The position requires on-call availability to respond to emergencies at the Museum 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Work is performed inside and outside in all weather conditions and requires frequent and/or sustained movement within and between buildings, as well as in an office setting. The health and safety of our community is our first priority. As such, The Noguchi Museum strongly encourages all staff members to be fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccine.

The Noguchi Museum is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other criterion specified by federal, state or local laws, in the administration of its employment policy. The Museum considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply.

Compensation:
Salary range is $160,000–180,000 annually, and benefits include a generous health insurance program, including medical, dental, and vision, pre-tax commuter benefits, a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer contribution and match after a year of employment, and generous paid time off.

122 East 42nd Street, Suite 3605, New York, NY 10168