Senior Specialist, Operations & Commissioning
About The Position
As Senior Specialist, Station Operations and Commissioning, the incumbent will be responsible for the strategic and operational management of VIA Rail’s activities related to the future operation, commissioning, and transfer of the new Dorval Station as part of the Multimodal Exchange Hub project. The main responsibilities of the position include ensuring the development and operational execution of plans, initiatives, and requirements related to the finished asset, in alignment with VIA Rail’s asset‑management policies and programs, regulatory requirements, and the vision and mandate of stakeholders, the organization, and the department, in order to deliver a safe, efficient, sustainable, and customer‑centric facility. The role serves as the project’s dedicated resource to integrate VIA Rail’s established standards, represent the needs of the future operator throughout the project lifecycle, and ensure that the delivered asset is acceptable from the standpoint of operations, maintenance, maintainability, commissioning, and transfer to operations. The incumbent works in coordination with relevant internal functions, the design‑builder, partners responsible for operating certain components of the station alongside VIA Rail, as well as other members of the project team.
Requirements
- University degree in real estate management, engineering, architecture or a combination of education and equivalent experience;
- Minimum 10–15 years of relevant experience in building operations, real‑estate asset management, commissioning, transfer, or operation of complex facilities;
- Significant experience in property operations / real‑estate management, ideally in a continuously operated or high‑usage environment;
- Strong understanding of commissioning processes, asset transfer, O&M documentation, project closeout, and operational readiness acceptance;
- Excellent understanding of operational, maintenance, and maintainability considerations for an active building;
- Bilingualism in French and English;
- Strong technical background combined with strong coordination and management abilities;
- Excellent leadership, strategic planning, and operational management skills;
- Rigor, flexibility, and results‑orientation in a complex, changing, and multitasking environment;
- Excellent analytical skills and strong problem‑solving abilities;
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills, along with strong business acumen;
- Professionalism, autonomy, and ability to work effectively both collaboratively and independently;
- Ability to interpret plans, drawings, and technical documents related to buildings and real‑estate operations;
- Relevant technical and IT knowledge to support project tracking, coordination, and documentation;
- Demonstrated commitment to delivering high‑quality service.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in transportation, rail, or another complex operational environment such as a hospital or airport: an asset;
- Demonstrated ability to navigate a complex organization and translate internal needs into clear, actionable project requirements;
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement the operational and real‑estate profile of the future Dorval Station, in coordination with key internal stakeholders, including strategic and operational action plans, recommendations, and requirements necessary for commissioning and asset transfer;
- Ensure the integration of VIA Rail standards and practices into proposed solutions by translating internal groups’ needs into clear, applicable project requirements aligned with future operational objectives, maintainability, and the quality of the finished asset;
- Act as the project’s reference point for matters related to station operations, maintenance, maintainability, and spaces operated by VIA Rail and partner operators, and support exchanges with the design‑builder to ensure selected solutions meet VIA Rail’s operational needs;
- Lead VIA Rail’s commissioning, transfer, and operational readiness activities for the building, including coordination of handover deliverables, validation of operations and maintenance documentation, commissioning plans, deficiency lists, and other relevant closeout files;
- Ensure the quality, operability, and maintainability of the finished asset by validating equipment access, maintenance spaces, maintenance sequences, operational ergonomics, ease of component replacement, and integration of long‑term maintenance needs;
- Ensure continuity between the project and future operations.
Benefits
- employment-equity employer
- inclusive and equitable work environment
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Associate degree
