Manager, Operations and Maintenance, Facilities

University of Saskatchewan•Saskatoon, SK

41d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Saskatchewan is one of the top research-intensive universities in Canada. Guided by our University Plan: The University the World Needs, we work together across disciplines and with our communities to find creative solutions to the most pressing global challenges. The main campus also houses our campus partners such as the Royal University Hospital, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, National Research Council, and others. The total USask building area is 8.5 million square feet (754,000 square meters) across 766 hectares of land. The Facilities team is comprised of over 300 trades personnel and service workers that provide trusted services and stewardship in support of teaching, learning, and discovery. This team is responsible for operations, maintenance, service, utilities distribution, and building services. The Facilities Team Charter describes the purpose, vision, and values that in turn support the campus community. The manager, operations and maintenance provides strategic and operational leadership for campus-wide facilities operations and maintenance activities that support teaching, learning, research, and campus partners. This role manages preventative, corrective, and reactive maintenance programs across a diverse portfolio of buildings, systems, and infrastructure in a complex, unionized environment. This position leads supervisors and skilled trades teams while advancing a culture grounded in safety, service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. The manager works closely with academic units, campus partners, and college leadership to align operational priorities with institutional goals. This role also manages resources, programs, and budgets to support safe, reliable, and sustainable campus facilities.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in operations management or related field.
Minimum of five years of related experience in management or leadership roles within service-oriented, complex operational environments.
Experience in facilities operations, maintenance, construction, or large-scale institutional commercial, or industrial environments.
Knowledge of applicable codes, legislation, regulatory frameworks, and industry standards related to facilities management.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, including coaching, performance management, and workforce planning.
Strong financial and business acumen with experience managing operational and multi-year budgets.
Strong relationship building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders in a diverse and inclusive environment.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Strong change leadership skills.
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications, enterprise systems, AiM, Banner, and PeopleSoft.

Nice To Haves

Facility or property management training or professional designation is an asset.
Experience in a unionized environment is an asset.
The University of Saskatchewan recognizes alternate career paths; therefore, a combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership for campus operations and maintenance services across infrastructure, buildings, systems, and life safety equipment.
Leads organizational and operational change initiatives that enhance service delivery, resource use, and overall effectiveness.
Manages operational and multi-year budgets, staffing plans, maintenance programs, and renewal initiatives with a focus on sustainability and fiscal stewardship.
Manages the full employee lifecycle of supervisory and skilled trades staff including hiring, workload distributions, professional development, and performance management, including issuing progressive discipline.
Develops and implements short- and long-term maintenance strategies, service level agreements, and operational plans aligned with academic, research, and institutional priorities.
Manages operational performance and accountability within the department by monitoring organizational standards for consistent application and resolving complex operational issues across assigned teams and work environments.
Manages workplace culture and team effectiveness by addressing unproductive behaviors, and interpersonal conflict, and fostering a professional, high-performance work environment.
Establishes performance metrics, reviews operational outcomes, and implements service improvements with appropriate quality controls.
Builds and sustains collaborative relationships with campus partners, academic units, and internal stakeholders to address needs and priorities.
Is accountable to the Facilities Team Charter and is aligned with the purpose, vision, and values and holds themselves and each other accountable to it.
Monitors compliance with university policies, collective agreements, occupational health and safety requirements, and regulatory standards.
Contributes to leadership initiatives, cross-functional projects, and institutional priorities.
Participates in planning and stewardship of capital renewal and major maintenance initiatives.
Communicates and acts in a respectful and professional manner, collaborates effectively, abides by policy, and contributes to a positive and productive work and learning environment.
Builds and leads diverse teams, champions inclusive leadership, and values different perspectives.
Engages in and supports the understanding and growth of employees with the frameworks, initiatives and activities relating to equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigenous engagement.
Undertakes related duties, as assigned, consistent with the nature of the position.