Director, Facilities Management

Lakehead University; Northwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Lakehead University is seeking a strategic, collaborative Director of Facilities Management to lead planning, development, operation, maintenance, and renewal of the university’s physical infrastructure across campus.

The role oversees facilities operations, capital projects, security, maintenance, custodial, grounds, shipping/receiving, and sustainability initiatives, collaborating with senior leadership, faculty, staff, contractors, and government partners to support evolving infrastructure

Qualifications

• Minimum 12–15 years of progressive leadership experience in facilities management within a large institutional or campus environment.
• Strong financial management and budget administration experience.
• Experience leading teams in a unionized environment.
• Thorough knowledge of building systems, construction practices, building codes, and contract management.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for facilities management operations including maintenance, custodial, grounds, utilities, shipping/receiving, and waste management.
• Lead long-term campus facility planning initiatives and infrastructure renewal strategies.
• Ensure facilities are safe, functional, sustainable, and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Manage leases, service agreements, vendor contracts, and procurement processes related to facilities operations.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, building codes, environmental standards, and government reporting requirements.
• Lead major construction, renovation, and infrastructure renewal projects from concept development through completion.
• Develop, manage, and monitor annual operating and capital budgets for the department.
• Oversee capital planning processes, project budgets, timelines, tendering, and contractor performance.
• Represent the University on committees and external planning initiatives related to facilities and campus development.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Contract management

Communication

Team leadership

Unionized environment

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

This position will remain open until filled.

Lakehead University is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader for the position of Director,Facilities Management. Reporting to the Vice President, Finance & Administration, the Directorprovides leadership and oversight for the planning, development, operation, maintenance, andrenewal of the University’s physical infrastructure and facilities operations across campus.

This role is responsible for ensuring that University facilities support an exceptional environment forteaching, learning, research, and student life while aligning with the University’s Strategic Plan andgovernment directives.

The Director oversees facilities operations, capital planning and construction, security services,maintenance, custodial operations, grounds, shipping/receiving, and sustainability initiatives. Thesuccessful candidate will work closely with senior leadership, faculty, staff, external agencies,contractors, and government partners to support the evolving infrastructure needs of the University.

Responsibilities

Facilities Operations & Strategic Planning

• Provide leadership and oversight for all facilities management operations including buildingmaintenance, custodial services, grounds, utilities, shipping/receiving, and wastemanagement.
• Lead long-term campus facility planning initiatives and infrastructure renewal strategies.
• Ensure facilities are safe, functional, sustainable, and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Manage leases, service agreements, vendor contracts, and procurement processes related tofacilities operations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, building codes, environmental standards, andgovernment reporting requirements.

Capital Projects & Construction Management

• Lead major construction, renovation, and infrastructure renewal projects from conceptdevelopment through completion.
• Oversee capital planning processes, project budgets, timelines, tendering, and contractorperformance.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to establish facility priorities arising from strategic andacademic plans.
• Develop and manage multi-year capital plans and support provincial funding submissions.
• Develop, manage, and monitor annual operating and capital budgets for the department.
• Ensure expenditures are managed in accordance with University financial policies andprocedures.
• Monitor financial performance and implement corrective actions where required.

Leadership & Management

• Provide leadership and direction to managers, supervisors, and staff within a unionizedenvironment.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and service-oriented workplace culture.
• Support employee engagement, professional development, performance management, andlabour relations activities.
• Lead recruitment, orientation, and succession planning initiatives within the department.

Stakeholder & External Relations

• Build strong working relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, government agencies,consultants, contractors, and community partners.
• Represent the University on committees, task forces, and external planning initiatives relatedto facilities and campus development.
• Communicate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders regarding facilities planning andoperational matters.

Security &Emergency Response

• Oversee campus security services and support emergency preparedness planning.
• Participate in the management of emergency situations related to facilities operations andcampus infrastructure.
• Be available for on-call response related to major operational or infrastructure emergencies.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Architecture, Planning, or arelated field.
• Minimum 12–15 years of progressive leadership experience in facilities management within alarge institutional or campus environment.
• Extensive experience overseeing facilities operations, capital projects, and infrastructureplanning.
• Strong financial management and budget administration experience.
• Experience leading teams in a unionized environment.
• Thorough knowledge of building systems, construction practices, building codes, and contractmanagement.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and build collaborative relationshipsacross diverse stakeholder groups.

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.

Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] ext. 8334 or [e-mail] to make appropriate arrangements.