Operations Manager

Position: Operations Manager

Shopping Retail Property | Philadelphia, PA

Reports to: General Manager

Position Overview

A prominent urban retail destination is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee the daily performance, appearance, safety, and physical operations of the property.

This hands-on leadership role is responsible for facility management, operating and capital budgets, vendor performance, tenant construction, preventive maintenance, building systems, regulatory compliance, and emergency preparedness.

The Operations Manager will work closely with property leadership, tenants, contractors, municipal agencies, and shared-property stakeholders to maintain a safe, attractive, and highly functional environment for tenants and visitors.

Key Responsibilities:

Property and Facility Operations

• Direct the daily operation and maintenance of the property, ensuring that all interior and exterior areas consistently meet established standards.
• Oversee critical building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire and life safety, energy management, and related infrastructure.
• Conduct routine property inspections, document deficiencies, and ensure corrective work is completed promptly.
• Maintain and strengthen preventive maintenance, work-order, asset-management, and equipment-inventory programs.
• Supervise contracted engineering, maintenance, janitorial, waste-management, and related operational services.
• Coordinate loading, deliveries, dock activity, and other logistical requirements affecting property operations.
• Partner with adjoining or shared-property teams when operational responsibilities overlap.

Financial and Capital Management

• Help prepare annual operating and capital budgets and contribute to periodic forecasting.
• Monitor expenses, review financial performance, approve expenditures, and identify opportunities to reduce costs without compromising service.
• Manage the planning, approval, execution, tracking, and closeout of capital improvement projects.
• Analyze operating expenses, utility consumption, and service contracts to identify efficiencies and potential savings.
• Support energy-conservation initiatives involving electricity, water, gas, sewer, and other essential resources.

Vendor and Contract Oversight

• Lead competitive bidding, proposal evaluation, contract negotiation, renewal, administration, and performance monitoring.
• Ensure vendors and contractors meet service expectations, safety requirements, budget parameters, and contractual obligations.
• Manage union and non-union service providers as applicable.
• Maintain accurate operational information within work-order, budgeting, compliance, and property-management systems.

Tenant and Construction Coordination

• Oversee on-site tenant improvement and construction activity in partnership with contractors, tenant representatives, corporate teams, and municipal departments.
• Monitor project schedules and confirm that work is completed according to approved plans and property requirements.
• Maintain strong communication with tenants and respond promptly to operational concerns, service requests, and building-related issues.

Safety, Compliance, and Emergency Response

• Ensure fire and life safety systems are properly maintained and compliant with applicable codes.
• Serve as a key contact for local building, safety, and regulatory agencies.
• Review incident activity, identify trends, and implement measures to reduce property risk.
• Support emergency planning, preparedness, and response alongside the broader property management team.
• Ensure adherence to company safety programs, operational procedures, and training requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least 10 years of facilities or property operations experience, preferably within a complex retail, commercial, hospitality, or mixed-use environment.
• Strong knowledge of building systems, preventive maintenance, vendor management, construction coordination, and operational budgeting.
• Experience with central plant or sophisticated building infrastructure is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage service contracts, including RFP development, bid analysis, negotiations, and vendor accountability.
• Experience working with union service providers is highly desirable.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, blueprints, and lease plans.
• Familiarity with computerized work-order platforms, building automation systems, and energy-management technology.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication, organization, judgment, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to manage changing priorities, urgent situations, and firm deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Relevant professional designations through BOMA, IFMA, IREM, or a comparable organization are preferred.
• Must be available to respond to urgent property matters outside standard business hours. Residence within approximately 30 minutes of the property is strongly preferred.