Director, Operational Services

Meridia Recruitment; Truro; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CCRCE seeks aDirector, Operational Services to lead Property Services, Student Transportation, infrastructure, and Health & Safety across the region. You’ll manage a team of ~500 and an operational budget of ~$60 million, ensuring high-quality services for schools, students, staff, and communities.

This role sits on the Executive Leadership Team and requires a balance of strategic planning with hands-on leadership, engaging with administrators, contractors, and stakeholders to advance CCRCE’s

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in engineering, operations management, facilities management, business, public administration, or another discipline relevant to operational leadership.
• 5+ years of management experience, overseeing large-scale operations, infrastructure, transportation, or similar complex environments.
• Demonstrated success leading large, diverse teams and managing significant operational budgets.
• Experience in a unionized environment with knowledge of labour relations and collective agreements.
• Knowledge of provincial building/fire codes, accessibility standards, regulatory compliance, and OHS Act.
• Experience with procurement, purchasing policies, tendering, contracts, and supplier management.
• Strong project management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead organizational change with a focus on service delivery and operational excellence.
• Valid driver’s licence and ability to travel throughout the region.

Responsibilities

• Providing leadership for Property Services, Student Transportation, and Health & Safety.
• Serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, guiding planning and decisions across the region.
• Leading multidisciplinary operational teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Overseeing transportation services supporting more than 13,000 students daily with ~200 buses.
• Directing facilities operations, maintenance programs, custodial services, and infrastructure investments across 3.8 million sq ft.
• Developing and managing significant operational and capital budgets while ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources.
• Leading long-range capital planning, major repairs, renovations, construction projects, and infrastructure renewal.
• Monitoring operational performance, service levels, and departmental effectiveness.
• Ensuring procurement, tendering, compliance with policies, and health and safety standards.
• Building strong relationships with principals, school communities, contractors, municipalities, and government partners.
• Providing leadership within a unionized environment, including labour relations and collective bargaining.
• Supporting emergency management planning and operational continuity across the region.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Operations management

Labour relations

Procurement

Project management

Strategic planning

Communication

Change management

Travel flexibility

Education

Engineering

Operations management

Facilities management

Business

Public administration

Job description

Director, Operational Services

Location: Truro, Nova Scotia

TP - CHI - 10141

Meridia Recruitment Solutions is pleased to partner with Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education (CCRCE) in the recruitment of a Director, Operational Services to join their Executive Leadership Team in Truro, Nova Scotia.

CCRCE serves approximately 20,000 students and employs more than 4,000 staff across 65 schools throughout central and northern Nova Scotia. As one of the province's largest public education organizations, CCRCE is committed to providing inclusive, safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that enable student success. The Operational Services Department oversees a diverse operational portfolio that includes school facilities, student transportation, health and safety, capital projects, infrastructure planning, and responsibilities as landlord for several leaseholds, in support of schools and communities across the region.

Role Description

Reporting to the Regional Executive Director, the Director, Operational Services provides strategic leadership and oversight for Property Services, Student Transportation, infrastructure, and Health & Safety across the region. Leading a team of approximately 500 employees and overseeing an operational budget of approximately $60 million, the Director is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of operational services that support schools, students, staff, and communities.

This role serves as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and requires a leader who can balance strategic planning with a visible, hands-on approach to leadership. Working closely with senior administrators, school leaders, government partners, contractors, consultants, and community stakeholders, the Director will help shape the future of CCRCE.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership and oversight for Property Services, Student Transportation, and Health & Safety.
• Serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organizational planning and decision-making across the Regional Centre.
• Leading and developing multidisciplinary operational teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Overseeing transportation services supporting more than 13,000 students daily through a fleet of approximately 200 buses.
• Directing facilities operations, maintenance programs, custodial services, and infrastructure investments across more than 3.8 million square feet of educational and support facilities.
• Developing and managing significant operational and capital budgets while ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources.
• Leading long-range capital planning, major repairs, renovations, construction projects, and infrastructure renewal initiatives.
• Monitoring operational performance, service levels, and departmental effectiveness to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Ensuring compliance with procurement requirements, purchasing policies, tendering processes, regulatory obligations, and health and safety standards.
• Building strong relationships with principals, school communities, contractors, municipalities, consultants, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Providing leadership within a unionized environment, including labour relations matters and participation in collective bargaining activities.
• Supporting emergency management planning, operational continuity, school closure decisions, and transportation service interruption protocols across the region.

Your Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in engineering, operations management, facilities management, business, public administration, or another discipline relevant to operational leadership.
• 5+ years of management experience, combined with 5+ years of experience overseeing large-scale operations, infrastructure, facilities, transportation, fleet management, public works, healthcare operations, education operations, or similar complex environments.
• Demonstrated success leading large, diverse teams and managing significant operational budgets.
• Experience working within a unionized environment and a strong understanding of labour relations and collective agreements.
• Working knowledge of provincial building and fire code requirements, accessibility standards, environmental and regulatory compliance, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Experience with procurement, purchasing policies, tendering processes, contract administration, and supplier management.
• Strong project management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead organizational change while maintaining a strong focus on service delivery and operational excellence.
• Valid driver's licence and ability to travel throughout the region.

Assets include:

• Engineering background.
• A professional designation, such as P.Eng., CPMM, FMP or PMP, or eligibility for professional registration, is an asset.
• Experience in public education, municipal government, public works, healthcare, transportation, fleet management, facilities management, or other large public-sector organizations.
• Experience leading major capital construction, infrastructure renewal, or asset management programs.

Why CCRCE?

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the largest operational portfolios in Nova Scotia's public education sector. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will help shape the infrastructure, transportation systems, and operational services that support approximately 20,000 students and 4,000 employees across the region.

CCRCE offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary, defined benefit pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, generous vacation entitlement, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a values-driven public service organization.

For more information contact Thomas Pugh, Partner, at 902-818-4506 and [e-mail] or Rick Neima, Senior Consultant at 902-488-2534 and [e-mail]. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.