Assistant Director, Engineering

Queen's Student Alumni Association; Kingston; On-site; CAD 104,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university association in Kingston is hiring an Assistant Director, Engineering. The role involves developing engineering strategies, leading a team, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Candidates should have a mechanical engineering background, project management experience, and knowledge of regulatory frameworks. This permanent position offers a competitive salary ranging from $104,000 to $142,000 CAD annually.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing building mechanical systems.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).
• Demonstrated understanding of health and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement engineering technical strategies and plans for the university.
• Lead a team of professional engineers to monitor quality and safety protocols.
• Oversee engineering programs and ensure compliance with legislation.

Skills

Mechanical engineering expertise

Project management

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree in related discipline

Tools

Archibus Integrated Workplace Management System

Revit

BIM Modelling

Job description

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Competition Number: J0225-0574

Position Title: Assistant Director, Engineering

Position Number (Final): 00506082

Employee Group: Managerial & Professional

Job Category: Facilities and Physical Plant

Department or Area: Engineering

Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada (On-site)

Salary: $104,000.00 - $142,000.00/Year

Grade: 11 Review Salary Information Here

Hours per Week: 35

Job Type: Permanent (Continuing)

Shift: 7 Monday - Friday

Number Of Positions: 1

Date Posted: July 31, 2025

Closing Date: August 22, 2025

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COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1, 2022, but the University may reinstate them at any point.

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

Come work with us!

Job Summary

Facilities proudly builds, maintains and improves campus facilities to create a safe and welcoming environment in support of teaching, learning and research. Reporting to the Director, Operations and Engineering (Director), the Assistant Director, Engineering (Assistant Director) is responsible for developing and implementing engineering technical strategies and plans that align with the needs of the university community. This includes driving innovation and optimizing resources to deliver engineering quality and service excellence to the university community through the promotion of a supportive attitude, anticipatory service and extensive knowledge on how to best meet or exceed client service expectations.

As an expert in mechanical engineering with a strong working knowledge of other engineering disciplines, the Assistant Director must have a deep understanding of engineering principles and practices, concepts, procedures, and tools and is responsible for staying up-to-date on emerging technologies and trends in the industry. With a proven track record of monitoring and maintaining quality, the Assistant Director is knowledgeable about regulatory frameworks, risk management, and safety protocols related to engineering practices, and competent to lead a team of professional engineers to excel. A sustainability-minded professional, the Assistant Director, leads with a view to ensuring engineering services’ alignment with the university’s climate action plan and energy conservation goals.

As a member of the Operations and Maintenance leadership team, the Assistant Director actively participates in annual and long-term planning, procedures and policy development and implementation and has input into financial planning and resource allocation.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads the development of short and long-term plans/programs and annual performance targets for the engineering unit’s activities. Participates in the development and ongoing review of strategic and health and safety initiatives and projects. Participates in the creation, maintenance, and prioritization of Facilities deferred maintenance program.
• Directs, and has administrative accountability for, the delivery of engineering programs and operations in accordance with the applicable legislation, regulations, codes, and standards by providing leadership to the team in the formulation of service delivery programs, preparation of budgets, and supervision of approved engineering projects.
• Manages the unit’s budget and analyses, continuously monitoring work to ensure fiscal responsibility; addresses and resolves budgetary variances in consultation with the Director.
• Co-develops, revises, and monitors business practices, policies, procedures and training to increase efficiency and deliver quality, client-centred services underpinned by metrics on satisfaction.
• Acts as the liaison officer between Facilities and the clients on campus in a manner that supports and adheres to the Facilities departmental mission, values and guiding principles.
• In collaboration with the Director, ensures that the Engineering sections of the university’s Design Standard and Construction Guidelines are current, relevant, continuously improved and applied.
• Defines engineering best practices and design approaches.
• Coordinates with Facilities multi-disciplined professionals to ensure the engineering team is properly represented in the kick-off, design review, commissioning and handover stages of major construction projects.
• Oversees all project activities that require engineering expertise that are exclusively mechanically or technically unusual and is a major technical contributor throughout the project lifecycle (i.e. allocation of adequate resources, scheduling, budget, documentation etc.).
• Provides mechanical conceptual design at the early stages of a project and prepares high quality mechanical plans and designs in accordance with established codes, standards, drawings or other specifications.
• Provides technical or project related guidance and reviews/approves mechanical engineering designs prepared by others for equipment in university buildings.
• Carries out complex and difficult mechanical engineering assessments, technical surveys, calculations or inspections, and provide technical expertise to the Operations and Engineering unit, as well as provides technical instruction to operations staff.
• Utilizes a variety of specialized engineering techniques in solving problems which are sometimes complex and difficult. Liaises with project managers both internal and external to the university.
• Plays a key role in the development and regular review of the university’s deferred maintenance strategy.
• Determines the need for external contractors in consultation with the Director and coordinates the selection of service providers in accordance with the university’s procurement protocols; builds strong relationships with consultants and external partners
• Continually evaluates and monitors work to ensure fiscally responsible expenditure of university funds including labour, material, and the services of contractors.
• Participates on the Facilities Joint Health and Safety Committee, ensuring appropriate risk management strategies are in place and enforced, to ensure the safety of staff and building occupants.
• Understands, and implements safe working practices under the Ontario Health and Safety Act and Regulations, as well as the university’s and Facilities’ safe work practices.
• Fosters a productive and harmonious workplace through the promotion of a positive team environment which recognizes the value of all Facilities employees.
• Creates a climate where collaboration and teamwork among diverse people and groups is the norm.
• Promotes a culture where a diverse range of ideas and perspectives are incorporated into the decision-making process.
• Plans, prioritizes, and manages the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance, and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
• Manages performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing, and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Assesses staff training and development needs and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Investigates, addresses, and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Makes decision or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge, and probationary termination.
• Other related duties as assigned by the Director.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Master’s degree in related discipline considered to be an asset.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing building mechanical systems, calculating, analyzing, and building mechanical systems and reducing energy consumption, preferably combined with facilities management and building maintenance experience in an industrial, construction or university environment.
• Demonstrated understanding and awareness of Federal, Provincial and Municipal Laws and codes relating to design, operation, maintenance, energy efficiency, Health and Safety; including (but not limited to) the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OH&SA), Ontario Building Code), etc.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience interpreting and applying building equipment codes and standards.
• Management experience and project management experience in an Engineering environment.
• Familiarity with and experience using Archibus Integrated Workplace Management System, Revit and BIM Modelling preferred.
• Capacity to be a competent supervisor within the meaning of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Demonstrated career progression and will have undertaken development related to the required qualifications.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check and satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Valid Province of Ontario Class G driver’s licence required.
  
  

Decision Making

• Approve/improve/reject mechanical engineering designs prepared by others.
• Certify engineering drawings illustrating designs by mechanical engineering team members.
• Use personal expertise and technical / professional knowledge to provide advice and direction to other professionals.
• Identify and seek resolution to unique mechanical problems / issues, involving others when required and ensuring required background information is available.
• Select mechanical methods and equipment to satisfy the interests of users and the Operations and Engineering unit while at the same time conserving energy.
• Decide what mechanical design criteria must be implemented to meet code requirements, regulations and standards.
• Determines goals, objectives, strategic initiatives.
• Determines content of various reports, such as business plans and other short- and long-term planning documents that provide direction and propose objectives.
• Undertakes technical problem solving related to building systems and decides best course of action.
• Manages budget(s) and approves expenditures of funds; identifies when corrective action may be required and implements appropriate steps to address variances.
• Effectively resolves client complaints.
• Identifies and seeks resolution to unique problems/issues, involving others and ensures background information is documented.
• Recommends long-term capital improvements.
• Recommends replacement or repair of building systems and infrastructure.
• Determines how to support the maintenance plans and priorities to ensure physical operations and facilities are maintained and services are provided at an acceptable level and in compliance with established standards.
• Determines when and what engineering policies need to be developed or amended.
• Participates in the procurement process and provides coordination between the unit, supplier and procurement services.
• Has input into major operational and maintenance decisions in collaboration with key stakeholders (e.g., a complete plant shutdown, replacement of equipment or systems requiring capital funding) and also has input into maintenance plans and priorities to ensure facilities are maintained.
• Determines when to advise the Director of any situation that might impact negatively on the Department and formulates strategies for remedial action.
• Allocates work assignments and assesses effectiveness of work including quality assurance/control.
• Evaluates job candidates and make effective recommendations on suitable hires.
• Makes decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
• Evaluates employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying our responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
• Assesses investigation outcomes of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
• Makes effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.
  
  

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at [e-mail].

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Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Strategic Management Services

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