Manager, Trades Personnel

Taleo; Burnaby; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks vacation

Hybrid-work program

Employer paid defined benefit pension

On-campus tuition waiver

Off-campus tuition reimbursements and

professional development funds

Job summary

Simon Fraser University’s Facilities Services Operations & Maintenance team seeks a Manager of Trades Personnel to provide strategic and operational leadership for workforce management and service delivery across multiple trade disciplines. You will lead a large unionized workforce, drive performance, development, and alignment with collective agreements to ensure reliable, high-quality campus support.

The role focuses on employee well-being, engagement, and professional growth, collaborating

Qualifications

• Ability to coach, mentor and develop staff.
• Ability to communicate clearly and build trust across teams.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking and change management with practical execution.
• Demonstrates genuine care for employee well-being within a unionized environment.
• Ability to manage performance issues with fairness, consistency, and sound judgement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for workforce management.
• Oversee performance management and staff development.
• Ensure alignment with collective agreements and university objectives.
• Collaborate with Directors and peers to standardize service delivery across the portfolio.
• Lead a large unionized workforce across multiple trade disciplines.

Skills

Coaching

Communication

Change management

Employee well-being

Performance management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related discipline

Job description

Who We Are

Simon Fraser University is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Our purpose – the essence of SFU – is to create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. We are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.

The SFU Facilities Services Operations & Maintenance team ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of campus buildings and infrastructure across all sites. The department delivers preventative and corrective maintenance, manages asset performance, and provides 24/7 operational response. Teams of skilled trades and technical staff support building systems, utilities, and campus environments to meet safety, regulatory, and service standards. Focused on customer service, sustainability, and continuous improvement, O&M plays a key roll in supporting research, teaching and learning, and student life while stewarding SFU's physical assets.

About the Role

The Manager, Trades Personnel provides strategic and operational leadership for workforce management and service delivery within the Operations & Maintenance portfolio. The role establishes consistent people management frameworks and operational practices to support effective service delivery across multiple trade disciplines. Leading a large unionized workforce, the Manager oversees performance management, workforce development, and operational effectiveness, ensuring alignment with collective agreements, departmental priorities, and University objectives. The role collaborates with Directors, Technical Managers, and peers to ensure consistent standards and effective resource utilization. This position is one of three aligned roles (Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical/Shift Engineering) working collaboratively to support coordinated, consistent service delivery across the portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a people-focused leader who prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, and professional growth within a unionized environment. They demonstrate strong emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to build trust and accountability across diverse teams. Skilled in coaching and performance management, they foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and continuous improvement. The candidate is an effective collaborator and communicator, able to align teams around shared goals and operational priorities. They bring a balanced approach to decision-making, combining strategic thinking with practical execution to support consistent, high-quality service delivery.

Full Job Description

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related discipline, and 7 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, workforce management, or a related field within a large, unionized and/or public sector environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• ability to coach, mentor and develop staff to support performance and career growth
• ability to communicate clearly and build trust across teams and leadership
• ability to balance strategic thinking and change management with practical execution to deliver reliable, high-quality operational outcomes
• demonstrates genuine care for employee well-being, fostering a respectful, inclusive environment within a unionized environment
• ability to manage performance issues with fairness, consistency, and sound judgement

What We Offer

At SFU, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work-life balance, professional growth and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace. We offer continuing employees who belong in the Administrative & Professional Staff Association (APSA):

• 4 weeks’ vacation (prorated for the first year)*
• Hybrid-work program for eligible positions
• Employer paid defined benefit pension plan
• On-campus tuition waiver for employees and their immediate family members*
• Off-campus tuition reimbursements and professional development funds*
• And more! View our benefits brochure

*Prorated for part-time employees

Additional Information

Please include your cover letter and resume in one attachment.

SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.

We are committed to facilitating accessibility within our application and interview processes. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please contact [e-mail].