Director, Design and Construction

Queen's Student Alumni Association; Kingston; On-site; CAD 135,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Director of Design and Construction to lead their capital projects. This influential role requires a strategic thinker with extensive experience in managing large-scale construction initiatives. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that all projects align with the university's sustainability goals and architectural standards. This position offers an opportunity to work within a collaborative environment, fostering a culture of equity and inclusion while driving innovation in construction practices. If you are passionate about shaping the future of campus infrastructure, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of senior management experience in capital programs.
• Current knowledge of relevant building and accessibility codes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for capital projects and renovations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders for project success.
• Ensure quality project delivery while managing budgets and timelines.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Project Management

Communication Skills

Leadership

Problem-Solving

Education

University degree in Engineering or Architecture

Job description

Competition Number: J0225-0572

Position Title: Director, Design and Construction

Position Number (Final): 00109162

Employee Group: Managerial & Professional

Job Category: Facilities and Physical Plant

Department or Area: New Capital Alterations

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

Salary: $135,100.00 - $185,100.00/Year

Grade: 13 Review Salary Information Here

Hours per Week: 35

Job Type: Permanent (Continuing)

Shift: 7 Monday - Friday

Number Of Positions: 1

Additional Information

Applications will begin to be reviewed as of March 20, 2025; this posting will remain open until the position has been successfully filled.

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. 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.

Job Summary

The Queen’s University’s Facilities team is seeking an influential client-focused leader with a proven ability in the delivery of construction excellence. The Director will be renowned in the construction industry and have a reputation as a trendsetter for innovation. The Director will share the university’s passion for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold building certifications and for incorporating technologies to minimize greenhouse gases in support of the sustainability goals set out in the Queen’s Climate Action Plan.

As a member of the Facilities senior leadership team and reporting to the Associate Vice-Principal (Facilities), the Director will engage the university community as a strategic partner, maintain an effective construction delivery model, ensure building design standards are current, be responsible for the annual unit budget, establish key performance indicators, and manage client relationships. The Director will foster a harmonious workplace culture to deliver high quality, professional, construction and project management services by instilling shared values and by promoting an empowered and respectful team environment, which embraces equity, diversity, and inclusion.

This position will appeal to someone excited by the prospect of ensuring that any new construction supports the architectural tradition of the campus while incorporating contemporary building techniques and sustainable practices at a world class institution.

If through your career journey you’ve gained the required knowledge, skills and abilities, if you are a strategic thinker with an eye on the vision, if you understand the importance that the construction unit plays in the realization of the university’s mission, if you have an open, consultative mindset with the ability to provide anticipatory service to best meet or exceed client service expectations, and if you are always on the leading edge of modern and innovative ideas, materials and methods, we encourage you to apply.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides strategic direction regarding the delivery of the university’s capital program, including new construction, renovations and major repairs. Makes recommendations and provides direction on the development of major capital project plans.
• In consultation with teams from campus planning and real estate, engineering and operations, and sustainability, develops proposals for capital projects, renovations, and deferred maintenance projects in support of the university’s strategic priorities.
• Prepares recommendations / reports for the AVP (Facilities) review, identifying opportunities for process improvements and implements these accordingly.
• Collaborates with the Director, Campus Planning and Real Estate at the initiation of major capital projects. Provides recommendations and for pre-planning studies and reports, the selection of consultants, and the development of project budgets and schedules.
• Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders including municipal offices, community associations, colleagues, Queen’s governing bodies, vendors, architects, and contractors regarding project management issues.
• Proactively resolves issues with project stakeholders, both internal and external to Queen’s, and provides recommendations on the need for escalation of issues or the need to initiate appropriate action as required.
• Oversees external project management and consulting for major capital projects.
• Leads the development of process and tools for effective project management, including scope definition and management, design and construction quality control mechanisms such as maintenance of Queen’s Design Standards, schedule and budget development and management, communications and reporting, and risk management.
• Leads the implementation of the multi-year University Deferred Maintenance capital plan.
• Ensures that Queen’s specific requirements for consulting and construction related contracts (such as OAA 600, CCDC-31 and CCDC-2) are current and relevant.
• Provides Project Management advice, guidance and decisions to other directors and managers within Facilities.
• Ensures the Queen’s Design Standards are current, and complete and communicated to all design consultants and contractors.
• Provides effective and efficient project delivery services to the university, in partnership with the Assistant Director. Has overall accountability for obtaining any necessary approvals, that a high quality of workmanship is maintained, and that all projects have a risk management plan for completion on time and within budget.
• Monitors the quality of construction and installations, along with Assistant Director, project managers, inspectors and contractors. Reviews, develops and alters standards and / or processes for the project management team to be able to meet changing needs.
• Ensures all project management services are provided in accordance with the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive issued by the Ontario Ministry of Government Services.
• Establishes, maintains, and communicates, project management Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for project delivery to the campus community.
• Possesses knowledge of programs, policies and best practices that ensure equity and the achievement of organizational diversity and inclusion objectives in a variety of human resources areas.
• 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 making decisions regarding disciplinary and discharge matters.

Required Qualifications

• University degree and professional designation in Canada in a related field such as Engineering or Architecture, combined with a minimum of fifteen years of senior management experience leading and directing large capital programs.
• Current knowledge of the Building Code Act, the Construction Act, and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act or AODA, and the Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive.
• Demonstrated experience managing large complex construction projects.
• Experience in the development and implementation of institutional policies and procedures regarding project management preferred.
• Advanced training or experience in project management preferred.

Special Skills

• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills combined with strong presentation skills.
• Acts as a voice for perspectives, levels, and cultures that are not otherwise represented.
• Capable of establishing and maintaining professional working relationships with widely diverse groups.
• Strong influencing and consultative skills to handle potentially sensitive situations.
• Excellent attention to detail with a strong commitment to quality and best practices.
• Ability to work in a complex environment, in a collaborative and collegial manner.
• Superior leadership ability to effectively inspire, develop and retain a team of highly skilled professionals.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities to identify and resolve issues or concerns.
• Highly motivated and a strong willingness to make decisions.
• Strong judgement and analytical ability.
• Highly developed planning, organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to write strong business cases.

Decision Making

• Determines and/or makes recommendations on the management and direction of the strategic directions, initiation, and implementation of the university’s building projects.
• Makes recommendations and manages the capital program of new construction, renovations and repairs.
• Advises the AVP in the development of Steering Committees and delivers associated presentations.
• Makes recommendations or decisions on the selection of consultants and contractors.
• Reviews and prepares proposals for projects in support of university strategic priorities.
• Determines when/if to initiate corrective action when appropriate to achieve project goals.
• Determines when to review, develop and alter Queen’s Design Standards.
• Decides how to rectify major technical or procedural problems.
• Evaluates job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
• Makes decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

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.