Building Supervisor

Job Title: Building Supervisor  

Reports To: General Manager

Department: General Management

Location: On-Site

Position Type: Part-Time, Non-Exempt, Variable Hours Including Mornings and Weekends

Compensation: $20 - $23 per hour, based on experience

Anticipated Start Date: 08/17/2026

About the Arden:

Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is a professional regional theatre offering the highest quality theatrical productions and education programs to the artists, audiences, and students of Greater Philadelphia. Each year, the Arden produces a season of five Mainstage productions, encompassing classical and contemporary plays, musical theatre, and new work. As the city's first resident children's theatre, the Arden produces two Arden Children’s Theatre productions annually, crafted with the same artistic integrity and professional standards as the mainstage season. In addition to our core artistic programming, the Arden operates multiple arts education programs, fostering the next generation of theatre artists, professionals, and audiences. These programs include Arden Drama School, our on-site, tuition-based theatre classes for pre-K through 12th grade students; the Arden Professional Apprentice program, a nationally renowned comprehensive workforce development program; Arden for All, our in-school arts education residency and ticket access program; and Teen Arden, an enrichment program for passionate young theatre artists.  

The Arden has been an important force behind the vitality of the Old City neighborhood and in the Philadelphia cultural landscape. From our productions that reach upwards of 100,000 audience members each year, to our educational outreach programs that inspire and empower 6,000 students across our region, the Arden stands out as a haven for shared stories and a vital incubator for the creation of new plays.  

Mission
Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community.

Great stories on the stage: We produce a wide range of stories in a variety of styles: classic and contemporary, intimate and epic, fiction and nonfiction, musical and dramatic. Producing the great playwrights allows us to measure ourselves against the masters of our craft while sharing the voices of new writers gives us the opportunity to shape the future of American theatre. We embrace stories for audiences of all ages and bring the same artistic quality to all our work.

Great stories in the classroom: Kids are celebrated at the Arden. We nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence through our educational programming. We foster connections between theatre and reading and promote literacy for our young audiences. We reach thousands of students each year, introducing many of our region's kids to theatre for the first time.

Great stories in the community: We believe in the power of stories to bring people together. We work to build a vital community of artists who excel creatively through shared experiences and with whom our audiences identify. The Arden strives to be Philadelphia's hometown theatre; we seek community partnerships and collaborations, make our work affordable and accessible, and train the next generation of theatre leaders, contributing to the region's cultural landscape.

Position Summary:

The Arden Theatre Company’s Building Supervisor position is a part-time position responsible for supporting the use, maintenance, and management of all Arden’s facility systems and operations. The position will manage and maintain the facility systems at all three of Arden’s properties, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, structural, security, and others.  The position will support the General Management operations.  The position is estimated at approximately 25 hours weekly.

Key Responsibilities:

Support the Management of Arden Facility Systems

• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of all facility systems across Arden’s three properties, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, structural, security, and related systems.
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive maintenance schedules and standard operating procedures for all facility systems.
• Manage procurement of facility supplies and support Front of House supply ordering as needed.
• Administer HVAC system maintenance, including programming and adjusting occupancy schedules to optimize efficiency and comfort.
• Coordinate and oversee janitorial services and waste management operations with third-party vendors.
• Ensure facility safety and security by managing alarm systems, key control, first aid inventories, and related protocols.
• Provide training, guidance, and ongoing support to staff on facility systems and best practices.
• Conduct or supervise regular building inspections to ensure safety, functionality, and presentation standards are met.
• Coordinate vendor relationships, including scheduling work, monitoring performance, ensuring timely completion, and maintaining accurate service records.
• Support Company Management and Artist Housing logistics, responding to artist needs in collaboration with Artistic and Production departments.

Support General Management Operations

• Assist with departmental accounting processes, including maintaining supply inventories, ordering materials, and reconciling and processing invoices for goods and services.
• Support Company Management and Artist Housing logistics in collaboration with Artistic and Production departments, ensuring excellent artist experience.

Support Arden Front of House and Rental Operations

• Provide operational support for rentals and events, including facility setup, preparation, and coordination to ensure successful execution.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with special projects across General Management, Operations, and Production as assigned.
• Support the development and implementation of systems that enhance organization, efficiency, and operational clarity.
• Create, maintain, and organize documentation of institutional procedures, policies, and best practices.
• Participate in cross-departmental collaboration to support organizational goals and initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Have demonstrable experience in facilities management and maintenance.
• Be a successful collaborator with an ability to engage with a wide range of people.
• Have a broad-based knowledge of common facilities practices, equipment, and suppliers.
• Have ability to communicate with teams.
• Have creative judgment, excellent problem-solving skills, and be detail oriented.
• Be willing and able to work flexible hours/days reflective of the dynamic schedule of a theatre, which includes a variety of hours including evenings and weekends. 
• Be someone with initiative, creativity, and a collaborative spirit.  Must have the ability to work within a fast-paced, dedicated management team—rolling up your sleeves must be a favored tactic. 
• Express a passion for theatre and the Philadelphia cultural community with a genuine interest in becoming a driver of Arden’s mission and vision.

Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work productively and communicate effectively with others- both within the organization and with external stakeholders and supporters.
• Strong problem-solving skills: ability to think quickly, critically and strategically.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while effectively prioritizing responsibilities.
• Strong results-oriented mindset with a focus on achieving goals and driving outcomes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a high level of interpersonal effectiveness.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 50 pounds regularly/occasionally.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs regularly.
• Must be able to work while standing or sitting at a desk for extended periods.
• Must be able to ascend and descend ladders and work at height occasionally.
• Must be able to use and manipulate keys, hand tools, and other equipment

Arden Theatre Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing an environment of mutual respect. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  Applicants from historically underrepresented groups in the theatre industry are strongly encouraged to apply.