City : Hamilton

Category : Other

Industry : Education

Employer : McMaster University

OVERVIEW

The Facility Services department supports the academic mission of McMaster, its cutting-edge research, and world-class teaching and learning. Our team does this by developing innovative spaces to study, research, and work and by keeping our campus safe, clean, well-maintained, and beautiful. Our team of approximately 400 professionals is the primary caretaker of the university's physical environment and is one of the largest teams on campus. Our 400 dedicated professionals take pride in delivering quality and reliable services that support the University’s world-renowned teaching and research. The team is responsible for the operation and maintenance of 69 buildings, encompassing approximately 8.5 million square feet of space and about 377 acres of land. The team also supports other entities such as Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) and others. Facility Services operates 24/7, oversees more than 50 active construction projects at any given time, and manages over 12,000 service requests each year.    

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Director, Maintenance Services is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational oversight of project construction, renovation and maintenance programs across McMaster University. The role provides long-term planning and budgeting of projects, primarily funded by campus stakeholders, where the completion of the projects will be by McMaster skilled trade staff. The position is also accountable for the optimization of maintenance operations, environment and asset management systems, and customer excellence.

Under the direction of the Director, Maintenance Services, the Assistant Director supports the University's strategic goals by developing and implementing multi-year maintenance and asset management strategies, ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable, and sustainable facilities. The position acts as the primary liaison with internal and external partners to coordinate maintenance priorities, preventative maintenance, deferred maintenance, capital renewal planning, key University-wide contracts (i.e. elevators and fire safety), and compliance with institutional standards and legislative requirements.

The role embodies a growth mindset and finding innovative ways to deliver more within existing University budgets by building internal team capacity, strengthening skills across trades and management, and supporting the University’s operational and project needs up to $200,000 in value. The role ensures best value and sustainable outcomes by leveraging in-house expertise wherever possible, while coordinating with external contractors for specialized work. This approach supports long-term sustainable work for Facility Services and aligns with the University’s commitment to operational efficiency and stewardship.

ACCOUTABILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Maintenance Services long-term strategic business plan, aligning with institutional priorities for operational excellence, sustainability and asset management.
• Develop, monitor, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate departmental effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and fiscal accountability.
• Provide strategic recommendations to the Director on policy, budget priorities, workforce planning, and operational improvements.
• Oversee the strategic use of the annual accessibility budget, prioritizing initiatives that enhance inclusivity, compliance, and long-term facility improvement.
• Represent Maintenance Services on University committees and planning forums related to infrastructure, accessibility, sustainability, health and safety, preventative maintenance, and deferred maintenance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, data-driven decision-making and innovation across Maintenance Services.

Operations and Program Oversight

• Provide leadership for maintenance and renewal programs, and infrastructure programs, ensuring work is delivered efficiently, safely, and in accordance with University and regulatory standards.
• Oversee preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance programs to support asset lifecycle optimization and risk mitigation.
• Ensure compliance with departmental, University, and legislative health and safety requirements and chair safety committees.
• Coordinate maintenance planning with capital project development to ensure long-term maintainability and performance of facilities.
• Champion adoption of technology, systems, and data-driven decision-making to enhance operational performance and KPIs.

Financial and Risk Management

• Alongside the Director, manage a combined operating and projects budget of approximately $10,000,000, ensuring fiscal discipline, forecasting, and accountability.
• Develop long-term business cases and financial plans to support maintenance investments and infrastructure renewal initiatives.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities, revenue-generating initiatives, and funding partnerships aligned with University priorities.
• Ensure compliance with procurement and financial management, and risk management policies.
• Lead risk management and emergency response planning to maintain operational continuity during disruptions.

Stakeholder and Partnership Engagement

• Build and sustain strong partnerships with internal departments, campus partners, and external vendors to support maintenance delivery.
• Act as the primary liaison with external agencies, regulators, contractors, and consultants, ensuring adherence to standards and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Communicate maintenance priorities, KPIs, and strategic outcomes to University leadership and the broader campus community.

Project and Construction Management

• Lead end-to-end delivery of maintenance and renovation projects including scope definition, prioritization, design input, procurement, contract administration and project close-out.
• Develop project plans, schedules, budgets and resources requirements and monitor performance to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and on budget.
• Coordinate internal trades, architects, consultants, engineers, contractors for project execution.
• Prepare and administer requests for proposals, tenders, permits and contract documentation.
• Monitor project progress, manage risks, resolve issues, and implement corrective action as required.
• Conduct project-post evaluations to identify improvements and best practices.
• Ensure quality assurance standards, value engineering practices, and sustainability considerations are incorporated into project delivery.

Facility Services Priorities/Programs Support

• Support asset lifecycle and deferred maintenance planning including facility condition assessments, lifecycle analysis, renewal prioritization, and preventative maintenance.
• Inform the maintenance and asset management systems and databases, including facility condition data and capital renewal planning tools.
• Contribute to the development and implement long-term asset management and renewal strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
• Support sustainability, accessibility and environmental initiatives including implementation of the Campus Access Plan (CAAP) and sustainability programs.
• Coordinate sustainability and accessibility initiatives for Maintenance Services.
• Support net-zero, waste reduction, and sustainable infrastructure initiatives.

People Leadership

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance management for managers, supervisors, and trades personnel within Maintenance Services.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, inclusion, and accountability in alignment with Facility Services’ STRONG values.
• Support succession planning and workforce development through cross-training, coaching, and skills development.
• Encourage and model a growth mindset by empowering staff to problem-solve creatively, build new skills, and identify efficiencies that extend departmental capacity within budgetary limits.
• Effectively outline expectations to staff, assess staff performance, and refer performance-related problems to employee managers to ensure successful completion of construction projects when the project manager is absent.
• Motivate staff for optimum performance and resolve conflicts as they occur.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement quality assurance practices and operational standards for maintenance and project activities.
• Provide technical expertise and support to maintenance staff to improve systems, processes, and operational performance.
• Monitor service performance and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
• Perform related duties consistent with the scope and level of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline with ten years of experience in construction, project management and maintenance.
• A Professional designation (i.e. P.Eng) is required.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is preferred.

Experience: 

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Facilities or Maintenance Management, including 5+ years at a senior level.
• Proven experience leading large, unionized teams (i.e. skilled trades) and managing multimillion-dollar budgets.
• Demonstrated success in project management and maintenance operations.

Knowledge/Skills:

• The Assistant Director, Maintenance Services will require practical experience in the field of construction.
• The incumbent will require the ability to make technical assessments of construction and renovation projects to make clear and informed decisions, and to prioritize tasks with the best interest of the University in mind.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, analytical, and financial management skills such as the ability to assess and evaluate risks and resolve problems are essential for this position.
• Knowledge and skills in design principles, standards, and practices of electrical, mechanical and design are required.
• Knowledge of the current Ontario Building Code as well as Ontario Health and Safety legislation are beneficial.
• The role of Assistant Director, Maintenance Projects will necessitate the ability to develop projects, plans, and budgets, and to engage in communication with senior management and stakeholders.
• The Maintenance Department is an ever-changing operation and this position needs a forward thinker who can strategically, under the direction of the Director of Maintenance, plan for the most efficient operation while providing a safe and comfortable environment.
• The Assistant Director, Maintenance Projects relies on a team approach. Projects and work may be shared, exchanged, and sometimes reassigned within the office, along with several ad-hoc requests from senior executives.
• The incumbent should have the ability to operate in a unionized environment. Proficiency in systems, data analysis and continuous improvement methodologies.
• The incumbent has experience related to project management, infrastructure, accessibility, sustainability, health and safety, preventative maintenance, and deferred maintenance for large institutions.

WHAT WE OFFER

In addition to joining a Top Ranked University, McMaster offers a very competitive Total Compensation Package that includes, but is not limited to:  

• Employer Paid benefits such as Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage & Basic Life Insurance.  

• Progressive paid annual vacation plan.  

• Group RRSP 

• Training, coaching and professional development opportunities.  

• Employee tuition assistance for continuous development and education.  

• Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning.  

For more information, please visit McMaster’s Total Rewards website.