Director of Fleet & Facilities

About Aardvark StudiosAardvark Studios is a design, build, and technology studio serving the experiential marketing, location-based entertainment, and museum industries. We create complex, custom physical experiences-and that requires serious operational infrastructure behind the scenes.Role SummaryWe are seeking a Director of Fleet & Facilities to own, elevate, and protect the physical infrastructure of the business.This is a high-accountability, hands-on leadership role for someone who takes pride in operating clean, safe, high-functioning environments. You will build systems, lead execution, and ensure our facilities and fleet run reliably so the rest of the business can move fast without friction.This is not a coordination role. This is ownership.Our Operating Beliefs* Anticipate. Act. Communicate. * Safety always wins. * Clean, organized environments enable better work. * Infrastructure serves the business-not the other way around. * Problems don't age here. * Ownership builds trust.What You'll OwnFacilitiesYou are accountable for the condition, safety, and performance of our office, shop, warehouse, and exterior environments.This includes:* Cleanliness, organization, and safety standards at all times * Oversight of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire systems, roofing, landscaping, and snow removal * Preventative maintenance planning and inspections * Vendor selection, performance management, and replacement when needed * Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly standards execution * Storage discipline and inventory organization * Responsible disposal, liquidation, or repurposing of unused assetsFleet OversightYou will ensure fleet readiness and uptime.This includes:* Maintenance scheduling and compliance tracking * Coordination with mechanical, detailing, and inspection vendors * Judgment calls on internal repair versus subcontracting * Early identification and escalation of issues before operational impactThis role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a valid DOT Medical Card (not required on day one but must be obtained within a reasonable timeframe after hire).You are not required to be a mechanic, but you must be comfortable operating in industrial environments and capable of stepping in when needed. Also, we do not have our own shop and our vehicles travel throughout the United States mostly. Some don't come back for long periods of time so coordination in the field will be necessary.How You'll Work* Operate as a player-coach: build systems and execute within them * Proactive rather than reactive * Hands-on when needed; strategic when appropriate * Comfortable responding to occasional off-hours needs during emergencies or critical events * Final escalation point for infrastructure-related issues * Trusted to make decisions in the best interest of the businessSystems & ScaleYou will:* Build and maintain practical SOPs and checklists that drive consistency * Improve and optimize tools such as Sortly * Audit execution-not just design processes * Eliminate recurring issues through structure * Reduce dependency on any one individual, including yourselfWho This Role Is ForThis role is ideal for someone who:* Operates with an owner's mindset * Has strong attention to detail and is always seeing things others may not * Takes pride in high standards and is not afraid to roll up their sleeves * Is assertive, mature, solutions-oriented and likes to be in the office * Communicates directly and clearly * Thrives in accountability and has never met a problem they couldn't solve * Enjoys improving systems and solving operational problemsWho This Role May Not Be ForThis role will likely not be a fit if you:* Prefer narrowly defined responsibilities * Avoid direct conversations * Require constant direction * Prefer theory over execution * Expect strictly predictable hoursAuthorityYou will have authority to:* Hire and manage direct reports * Select and replace vendors * Operate within approved budgets * Make real-time decisions to protect safety, uptime, and standardsSuccess in This Role* Facilities are clean, safe and organized. Fleet is being managed and maintained * Infrastructure issues are anticipated rather than discovered * Vendors perform consistently-or are replaced * Systems operate reliably without daily intervention * Leadership trusts that everything is handled * You make the entire organization more effectiveWhat we offer:Highly competitive Base salary* Paid time off * Medical/dental/vision benefits * Short & long-term disability options * Retirement matching after 1 year * On-site private-use gym * Free Tesla charging * Dog-friendly workspaceCheck us out on social here and here