Director of Mural Operations

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

About Mural Arts Philadelphia Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For 40 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative and equitable process, creating nearly 4,000 artworks that have transformed public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts aims to empower people, stimulate dialogue, and build bridges of understanding with projects that attract artists from Philadelphia and around the world, and programs that focus on youth education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, and public art and its preservation, earning Philadelphia worldwide recognition as the “City of Murals.”

Job Description

Position Summary
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Mural Operations oversees the maintenance and quality of the Mural Arts collection (3,500+ works) and the lots, gardens, and parks they inhabit. This role is responsible for contract management, vendor relationships, and ensuring that each mural’s vision is executed and preserved. The Director manages the Mural Operations team, coordinates with internal and external partners, and implements best practices for long-term mural preservation and safety.

Essential Functions

•  Lead and manage the Mural Operations team, including hiring, training, and evaluating staff to ensure high-quality and safe mural production.
• Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of 3,500+ murals, ensuring the preservation of their artistic vision.
• Lead efforts in safety training and skill sharing for artist installers and project managers. Establish a schedule for themed training, including internal presentations of case studies, coordinating training with outside vendors as necessary, and additional skill-building and knowledge sharing as needed. 
• Develop, manage, and maintain vendor contracts and relationships for all mural maintenance needs, including cleaning, structural repairs, and landscape care.
• Assess potential mural sites, evaluate conditions, and support Project Managers in cost estimation for site preparation.
• Coordinate with internal teams and contractors to ensure the timely completion of public art projects.
• Research, test, and evaluate new materials, tools, and techniques to enhance mural longevity and train staff on new applications.
• Direct the on-site production of over 100 public art projects annually, ensuring adherence to operations policies and protocols.
• Oversee inventory management, including the maintenance of supplies and equipment valued at over $3,000,000, and manage an annual department budget of approximately $95,000.
• Manage a fleet of seven vehicles, including scheduling for maintenance and repairs.
• Serve as liaison between Mural Arts and the City of Philadelphia, facilitating relationships with community groups, local government, artists, and other stakeholders.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Communication

Clear, effective, and appropriate verbal and written communication with internal and external groups; ability to listen and understand others; makes a conscious effort to keep others informed; if applicable, completes reports on time, accurately, and grammatically correct.

Teamwork & Collaboration

Effectively works and collaborates with others toward a common goal; builds and maintains cooperative, respectful work relationships with internal and external contacts; takes initiative to support the work of the department/organization. 

Problem-Solving

Ability to respond appropriately in routine and complicated situations, think out implications of actions, independent functioning. Uses sound and reasonable judgment, following established protocols when making decisions.

Innovation

Seeks opportunities to identify and implement improvements to current processes, systems and methods through small changes or larger innovations.  Encourages others to adopt new ways to do things that promote quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Planning & Organization

Handles competing priorities in a timely fashion by identifying the most important activities or issues to work on; effectively manages own and others’ time; Maintains organized, comprehensive records, contracts and documentation required for departmental and program needs including grant and fiscal documentation.

Professional & Ethical Standards

Meets basic work expectations of honesty, cooperation, integrity, courtesy, and willingness to learn; Maintains confidentiality according to company policies; Demonstrates technical expertise in job tasks; displays understanding of how job relates to other jobs/departments; Punctual, follows through, can be relied upon to complete assignments and commitments made to others; Upholds company policies and procedures and demonstrates safe work habits.

Budget Management

Accurate monitoring and control of expenditures and utilization of resources; achieves cost effective results. Adheres to the budget boundaries and documents all expenditures.  Keeps the Finance department apprised of activities that could positively or negatively impact the budget.

*Employee Development

Motivates staff to improve, encourages suggestions and solutions; Appropriately and effectively provides feedback to work groups, both positive and negative; provides training and development opportunities as needed/requested. *For managers of people. 

*Departmental Direction

Planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of programs, projects, policies, and procedures that ensure efficient and consistent department or division operations; clearly establishes and refines goals and objectives for the work group. *For managers of people. 

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in public art, mural management, or a related field.
• Experience with contract management and vendor negotiations.
• Knowledge of mural-making materials, preservation techniques, and structural repair practices.
• Ability to operate aerial lifts, industrial vehicles, and high-powered landscaping equipment.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively, engaging with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Commitment to the mission of Mural Arts Philadelphia.

• Ability to perform duties listed above, including regular lifting and carrying of equipment, using ladders, and operating painting equipment.
• Must be able to work occasional weekends as needed.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and references.

Salary Range: $65,000-$80,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

Client-provided location(s): Philadelphia, PA

Job ID: eee2c268-94e6-4deb-b9fd-f1e4face931b

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-11-12T18:34:04