Director, Building Maintenance

• Leads the development and ongoing refinement of long-term maintenance strategies for building infrastructure and building envelope systems across campus in alignment with the University’s long-term academic, research, and campus growth objectives.
• Contributes to the development of Facilities strategic planning and capital renewal planning related to building systems and infrastructure lifecycle management.
• Identifies priorities related to deferred maintenance, infrastructure risk, and asset lifecycle renewal to mitigate risks associated with aging buildings.
• Provides strategic advice to the Executive Director, Facilities and senior leadership on issues related to building conditions, maintenance priorities, and infrastructure risk management.
• Develops performance indicators and operational metrics to support efficient delivery of building maintenance services.
• Monitors industry trends related to building envelope systems, construction practices, building materials, and regulatory changes, and assesses their potential impact on campus building maintenance strategies and infrastructure stewardship.

• Provides leadership and oversight for building maintenance services including carpentry, masonry, roofing, painting, locksmith services, signage, and building operations at satellite campuses.
• Ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of building maintenance services supporting campus facilities.
• Oversees the coordination of maintenance activities to ensure minimal disruption to teaching, research, and administrative operations.
• Ensures that maintenance activities comply with relevant building codes, safety regulations, and University policies.
• Ensures effective response to building-related incidents including water infiltration, structural issues, vandalism, and other facility failures.
• Works collaboratively with other Facilities units to coordinate maintenance activities affecting building systems.

• Provides leadership in the identification and prioritization of building infrastructure renewal initiatives, including roof replacements, envelope repairs, structural improvements, and interior system upgrades.
• Directs the preparation of business cases and capital funding requests related to building maintenance and infrastructure renewal.
• Collaborates with the Design and Construction team to ensure maintenance considerations are integrated into renovation and capital projects.
• Oversees assessment of building condition risks and lifecycle planning to support long-term campus infrastructure sustainability.
• Ensures coordination between maintenance teams and capital projects to maximize operational efficiency.

• Provides oversight of maintenance-related projects delivered through internal trades staff and external contractors.
• Ensures that projects and contracted services follow University procurement policies and industry best practices.
• Supports the development of project scopes, contractor selection processes, and project oversight.
• Ensures projects adhere to safety protocols and regulatory requirements.

• Develops and manages the operating and capital budgets for the Building Maintenance division.
• Monitors operational expenditures including labour, materials, and contracted services.
• Identifies opportunities for operational efficiencies and cost optimization.
• Supports financial forecasting and reporting related to maintenance programs and infrastructure renewal activities.
• Ensures appropriate financial tracking and reporting for projects and operational activities.

• Provides leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to managers, supervisors, and technical specialists responsible for building maintenance services across campus.
• Oversees performance planning and review processes for direct reports and supports consistent leadership practices across maintenance teams and trades operations.
• Leads workforce planning, recruitment, and succession planning to ensure the division maintains the skilled trades and technical expertise required to support campus facilities.
• Promotes a culture of safety, service excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement within building maintenance operations.
• Maintains effective labour relations and ensures compliance with the CUPE Local 793 collective agreement while supporting constructive union–management relationships.

• Ensures that all building maintenance operations comply with health and safety legislation, building codes, and University policies.
• Oversees divisional safety programs and workforce training initiatives in collaboration with the Training, Safety and Compliance Specialist.
• Provides oversight of electrical safety programs and regulatory compliance in coordination with the Electrical Safety Engineer.
• Ensures appropriate workplace inspections, hazard assessments, and safety procedures are implemented.

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Facilities Management, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional designation (e.g., P.Eng., CET, PMP, FMP) considered an asset.
• Graduate degree in engineering, business, management, or a related field considered an asset.

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities maintenance or building infrastructure management.
• Demonstrated experience leading trades-based maintenance teams.
• Experience managing building infrastructure within a large institutional environment, such as post-secondary, education, healthcare, or public sector organizations.
• Demonstrated experience with building maintenance program leadership, facilities asset stewardship, and infrastructure renewal planning.
• Experience working within a unionized environment.

• Demonstrated leadership and organizational management skills with the ability to lead multidisciplinary maintenance teams and skilled trades in a complex institutional environment.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic and operational plans supporting building maintenance services and long-term facilities stewardship.
• Extensive knowledge of building infrastructure systems, building envelope components, construction practices, and facilities maintenance operations.
• Strong financial and operational management skills including budgeting, resource allocation, and oversight of building maintenance programs and infrastructure renewal initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess infrastructure risks, deferred maintenance priorities, and operational service needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders including senior leadership, technical staff, and contractors.
• Knowledge of facilities asset management practices, maintenance planning methodologies, and infrastructure lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with relevant legislation and technical standards including Building Code, Fire Code, occupational health and safety legislation, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with facilities management and maintenance tracking systems (e.g., ARCHIBUS or similar platforms).
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, manage competing priorities, and maintain confidentiality when dealing with operational, financial, and personnel matters.

University of Waterloo