Manager, Building Maintenance

University of Waterloo•Waterloo, ON

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Director, Building Maintenance, the Manager, Building Maintenance is responsible for the operational management of building maintenance services across campus, ensuring the effective delivery of maintenance programs that support the reliability, safety, and performance of University facilities. The Manager oversees supervisors and technical staff responsible for the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of building envelope systems, structural components, and interior building elements across campus facilities. This includes services such as carpentry, masonry, roofing, painting, locksmith services, signage, and building operations at satellite campuses. The Manager ensures that preventative maintenance programs, corrective maintenance activities, and service requests are delivered efficiently and in accordance with University standards, applicable legislation, and safety requirements. The role coordinates maintenance priorities, manages operational resources, and supports infrastructure renewal initiatives to ensure the continued reliability and functionality of campus buildings.

Requirements

College diploma in engineering technology, building systems, construction management, facilities management, or a related discipline, or a Certificate of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification in a relevant trade, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum 5–7 years of experience in facilities maintenance or construction operations, preferably within a large institutional environment.
Demonstrated experience managing trades teams and maintenance programs.
Knowledge of building infrastructure systems, construction practices, and facilities maintenance operations supporting large institutional facilities.
Demonstrated leadership and team management skills in supervising trades staff and coordinating operational service delivery.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess infrastructure risks, deferred maintenance priorities, and operational issues.
Ability to plan, coordinate, and prioritize maintenance activities across multiple facilities while managing competing operational demands.
Ability to manage financial resources responsibly, including monitoring operational expenditures and supporting infrastructure renewal planning.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with technical staff, campus stakeholders, and external contractors.
Knowledge of relevant legislation, codes, and standards governing building construction, facilities maintenance operations, and occupational health and safety.
Familiarity with facilities maintenance systems, asset management practices, and maintenance tracking platforms used to support infrastructure operations.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and respond effectively to operational issues in a complex institutional environment.

Nice To Haves

Additional professional or facilities management designations considered an asset.
Experience working in a unionized environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Supports the Director, Building Maintenance in the development and implementation of long-term strategies for the stewardship, maintenance, and renewal of building infrastructure and envelope systems across the University’s campuses.
Contributes to lifecycle planning and capital renewal strategies for building assets including roofs, building envelope systems, structural elements, interior finishes, doors, hardware, and architectural components.
Identifies infrastructure risks, deferred maintenance priorities, and opportunities to improve reliability and lifecycle value of building assets.
Provides operational and technical input to campus infrastructure planning, deferred maintenance programs, and facilities asset management initiatives.
Supports the development of maintenance standards, practices, and service delivery models that promote efficient and sustainable facilities operations.
Provides operational leadership for building maintenance services responsible for maintaining building envelope systems, structural components, interior finishes, and associated architectural infrastructure across campus facilities.
Oversees supervisors responsible for carpentry, masonry, roofing, painting, locksmith services, signage production, and building operators at satellite campuses.
Establishes operational priorities, service standards, and work planning processes to ensure maintenance services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in alignment with institutional expectations.
Ensures work requests, preventative maintenance activities, and repair work are prioritized and coordinated to maintain facility reliability and minimize disruption to teaching, research, and administrative operations.
Coordinates maintenance activities across multiple trades to support efficient service delivery and effective use of staff resources.
Ensures effective response to infrastructure failures, building-related incidents, and emergency maintenance situations.
Oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of preventative and predictive maintenance programs for building infrastructure systems and components.
Supports facility inspections, building condition assessments, and asset evaluations used to inform maintenance planning and infrastructure renewal priorities.
Ensures preventative maintenance programs align with regulatory requirements, manufacturer recommendations, and industry best practices.
Works with supervisors to monitor asset performance, identify recurring maintenance issues, and implement corrective strategies to improve reliability and lifecycle performance.
Supports the use of facilities management systems and asset management tools to track maintenance work, inspections, and asset condition data.
Oversees the delivery of maintenance-related renovation projects, building repairs, and infrastructure improvements across campus facilities.
Coordinates internal trades staff and external contractors to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established standards.
Supports project planning activities including scope development, work scheduling, procurement coordination, and construction planning for building maintenance work.
Ensures building maintenance activities are effectively coordinated with other Facilities units, including utilities, mechanical services, and capital project teams.
Maintains relationships with campus stakeholders to support maintenance work planning and service delivery.
Supports the Director, Building Maintenance in the development and management of operating budgets and contributes to capital planning related to building infrastructure renewal.
Monitors operational expenditures including labour, materials, equipment, and contractor services to ensure responsible financial stewardship.
Approves operational expenditures within delegated authority and ensures procurement activities follow University policies and procedures.
Tracks operational and financial performance indicators to support effective management of maintenance programs and resources.
Provides leadership, direction, and operational guidance to supervisors and building maintenance staff across multiple trades.
Ensures effective workforce planning, staffing, and scheduling to support operational service requirements.
Establishes performance expectations and supports employee development through coaching, training, and performance management processes.
Promotes positive labour relations and ensures compliance with the CUPE collective agreement and University employment policies.
Supports succession planning and knowledge transfer within the building maintenance workforce.
Ensures building maintenance operations are conducted in compliance with applicable health, safety, and environmental legislation and University policies.
Promotes and maintains a strong safety culture across building maintenance teams and trades operations.
Ensures staff follow safe work practices and receive appropriate training for equipment, materials, and work environments.
Supports incident reporting, investigations, and corrective actions to address workplace hazards and prevent recurrence.
Works collaboratively with the Training, Safety and Compliance Specialist and University safety personnel to support safe facilities operations.
Supports continuous improvement initiatives across Facilities and within the Building Maintenance team.
Contributes to departmental planning, operational reviews, and service delivery improvements.
Performs other related duties as assigned.