Utilities Director

SYSTRA; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in engineering is seeking a Utilities Director to oversee utility management services on rail infrastructure projects. The role requires more than 15 years of expertise in utility management, strong client engagement, and proven project delivery capabilities. Responsibilities include strategic leadership within teams, ensuring compliance with regulations, and effective financial management. This position offers an opportunity to lead innovative utility solutions while fostering a diverse and inclusive team environment.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in utility management within large-scale rail or infrastructure projects.
• Previous leadership experience in a consulting or engineering firm.
• Knowledge of multi-utility systems (water, gas, electricity, telecoms, drainage).
• Professional engineering registration or chartership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert on utilities in rail projects.
• Build and maintain client relationships, developing innovative utility solutions.
• Lead utility-related input for proposals, bids, and project pursuits.
• Oversee delivery of utility management services across rail projects.
• Ensure solutions comply with regulations and industry standards.
• Identify and manage utility-related risks and issues.
• Lead and mentor project teams, promoting a high-performance culture.
• Coordinate with utility agencies and other stakeholders for successful outcomes.
• Oversee project budgets and resources for utility-related scopes.
• Maintain high standards of quality, safety, and documentation.

Skills

Business development

Client management

Project delivery

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Financial control

Strategic leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or Utility Engineering

Job description

SYSTRA Canada is part of the SYSTRA group, an international consulting and engineering group, a world leader in the design of transport infrastructures. SYSTRA Canada is an engineering and consulting firm whose primary focus is to offer transportation solutions, whether for passengers or goods: feasibility studies of building a new railway line, increasing the capacity of the existing infrastructure, privatization of a railway.

Understand better who we are by visiting www.systracanada.com.

Context

The Utilities Director holds overall responsibility for the planning, coordination, design, and delivery of utility management services on rail infrastructure projects. Operating as part of a leading engineering consultancy, the role ensures seamless integration of utility requirements into project execution, safeguarding project timelines, cost efficiency, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Missions/Main Duties

• Business Leadership:
  Serve as the primary subject matter expert on utilities in rail projects, providing strategic direction and technical oversight within the firm.
• Client Engagement:
  Build and maintain client relationships, understanding client objectives, and developing innovative, cost-effective utility solutions tailored to client needs.
• Proposal Support & Business Development:
  Lead utility-related input for proposals, bids, and project pursuits, helping to grow the firm's rail utilities portfolio.
• Project Delivery Oversight:
  Oversee the day-to-day delivery of utility management services across multiple rail projects. Ensure successful execution of utility survey, identification, conflict resolution, protection, and diversion planning.
• Regulatory Compliance & Governance:
  Ensure all solutions comply with applicable regulations, industry standards, and best practices. Represent the firm in regulatory consultations or technical committees as required.
• Risk & Change Management:
  Identify and manage utility-related risks, proactively addressing issues and guiding the project team in response to unforeseen utility challenges.
• Team Management & Development:
  Lead and mentor project teams, fostering skill development in utility engineering. Promote a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Stakeholder Management:
  Coordinate with utility agencies, local authorities, design teams, construction contractors, and other key stakeholders for successful project outcomes.
• Financial Management:
  Oversee project budgets and resources for utility-related scopes, ensuring profitability and value for clients.
• Quality Assurance:
  Maintain high standards of quality, safety, and documentation across all project deliverables.

Profile/Skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Utility Engineering, or related field.
• Significant professional experience (typically 15+ years) in utility management within large-scale rail or infrastructure projects.
• Previous leadership experience in a consulting or engineering firm is highly desirable.
• Comprehensive knowledge of multi-utility systems (water, gas, electricity, telecoms, drainage).
• Proven capability in business development, client management, and project delivery.
• Familiarity with relevant local and international codes, standards, and permitting processes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional engineering registration or chartership preferred.
• Strategic leadership and business acumen
• Advanced technical expertise in utility engineering
• Team and client relationship management
• Project delivery and financial control
• High-level communication and presentation skills
• Ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement

SYSTRA Canada is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce.

« SYSTRA Canada has an equal access employment program and encourages women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, and people with disabilities to apply. »

Note: In this description, the masculine gender is used for easy reading purposes and includes the feminine.