Area Manager, Facilities Operations

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Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Disclaimer: As part of the application process at Queen's University, our recruitment system uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), as defined under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, to ask job-related questions and confirm eligibility for hire. All final hiring decisions are made using non-AI related processes.

Job Summary

The Area Manager provides leadership and oversight for the operation, maintenance, and performance of an assigned portfolio of buildings and infrastructure. This role is accountable for delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective facilities services while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and alignment with organizational objectives. Reporting to the Assistant Director, Operations and Maintenance, the Area Manager leads frontline operations staff and trades, manages service delivery, and drives continuous improvement across maintenance operations, and is accountable for asset performance, deferred maintenance planning, and capital renewal priorities.

The Area Manager is an integral member of the Facilities operations management team and Facilities leadership team and plays a critical role in ensuring facilities within the assigned portfolio are safe, reliable, well-maintained, and responsive to operational needs. This position contributes directly to service quality, compliance, and the overall client satisfaction experience.

The Area Manager must be available to respond to emergency calls outside of normal working hours. In addition, the Manager works an assigned shift and is on a rotating call-in list for emergency calls from the Emergency Response Centre.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Operations & Service Delivery
• Leads day-to-day facilities operations, including preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and minor capital work.
• Ensures high service standards across building systems including but not limited to HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety, and structural systems.
• Monitors service levels and responds to operational issues to minimize disruption to occupants.
• Oversees work planning, scheduling, and execution through Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
Leadership & People Management
• Lead and develop unionized frontline operations staff including trades within an assigned area to drive accountability and service excellence.
• Manage performance, coaching, training, attendance management, and workforce planning
• Administer collective agreements and support grievance resolution in collaboration with Human Resources.
• As a competent supervisor as defined under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, promotes a strong culture of safety.
• Fosters a productive and harmonious workplace through the promotion of a positive, respectful team environment, which recognizes the value of all employees.
• Plans, prioritizes and manages the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
• Manages performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Assesses staff training and development needs, and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Investigates, addresses and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Makes decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge and probationary termination.
Asset Management, Deferred Maintenance & Capital Planning
• Supports lifecycle planning, deferred maintenance programs, and asset condition assessments within the assigned portfolio.
• Supports development and prioritization of deferred maintenance and capital renewal requirements.
• Validates asset condition data and contributes operational input to capital planning and renewal priorities.
• Ensures preventive maintenance programs are effective, optimized, and aligned with asset criticality and risk.
Uses data and key performance indicators to improve reliability, efficiency, cost control, and asset performance.

Financial & Contract Management
• Supports the development and management of operating budgets, including forecasting, variance reporting, and cost control.
• Monitors expenditures and provides input on financial performance, budget pressures, and corrective actions.
• Oversees service contracts and vendor performance for assigned services and trades.
• Identifies cost-saving opportunities while maintaining service quality and compliance.
• Supports procurement and purchasing processes in accordance with organizational policies.

Health, Safety & Compliance
• Ensures compliance with applicable legislation, codes, standards, and organizational policies.
• Acts as a competent supervisor under applicable occupational health and safety legislation.
• Leads safety initiatives, incident response, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Ensures facilities operations and maintenance activities meet regulatory and audit requirements.
Stakeholder & Client Engagement
• Serves as the primary operational contact for facility-related issues within the assigned area.
• Builds strong relationships with internal stakeholders, clients, and service partners.
• Communicates effectively on service impacts, operational priorities, and project coordination.
• Promotes a high level of customer service, responsiveness, and professionalism.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Drives improvements in operational processes, service delivery, and maintenance practices.
• Supports implementation and optimization of CMMS and other operational systems.
• Identifies opportunities for automation, efficiency, and service enhancement.
• Promotes data-driven decision-making and operational accountability.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Degree or diploma in Engineering, Facilities Management, Building Sciences, Construction Management, Business, or a related field; OR an equivalent combination of education, professional certifications, trade qualifications, and progressively responsible facilities operations experience, including supervisory or leadership responsibilities may be considered.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in facilities operations, maintenance, or building services, including supervisory or management responsibility.
• Experience managing in a unionized environment.
• Strong knowledge of building systems, maintenance practices, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience with CMMS systems, maintenance planning, and service delivery coordination.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, forecasting, variance reporting, contract administration, and vendor oversight.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), RPA, FMA, PMP, or similar designation, technical background in mechanical, electrical, or building systems, and experience in institutional, municipal, healthcare, education, or large multi-building environments is preferred.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Promotes the value of diversity and the importance of being an inclusive organization and ensures equitable and fair treatment of others and actively works to make the workplace inclusive for all individuals.
• Role models continual learning on the topics of equity and inclusivity.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) to develop and maintain strong relationships with a diverse range of individuals, including university facilities and operations managers, department managers, researchers, and administrators.
• Superior skills in the technical aspects of facilities management.
• Demonstrated superior client service skills and orientation.
• Ability to read and translate architectural, mechanical, electrical, and structural drawings and specifications, and have a sound knowledge of building operations.
• Planning skills to propose new process initiatives to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Sound project management skills.
• High level of organizational skills is needed to develop, plan and coordinate the operations and activities.
• Analytical, interpretive, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to synthesize information from a wide variety of sources. Ability to conceptualize creative plans and workable solutions for dealing with a wide array of management problems.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to work well under pressure and to respond to tight deadlines and conflicting priorities.
• A change champion with the ability to lead and adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility and initiative.
• Ability to motivate others and to create an efficient, inclusive and collaborative work environment.
• Sound judgment, maturity, tact, and discretion.
• Proven ability to prioritize and delegate work/responsibilities as required.
• Proven accuracy and attention to detail, creativity, resourcefulness and task completion.
• Proficient administrative skills, including use of computers for data analysis, spreadsheets and word processing. Ability to adapt to and support implementation of new technologies.

DECISION MAKING:
• Takes equity and inclusivity into consideration when completing day to day tasks and decisions.
• Technical problem solving related to building systems such as heating, ventilation, electrical, plumbing.
• Budgeting and approving expenditures of funds.
• Allocating work assignments.
• Assessing effectiveness of work including quality assurance/control.
• Resolution of client concerns.
• Proactive approach to servicing our internal/external clients.
• Evaluate job candidates and make effective recommendations on suitable hires.
• Make decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
• Evaluate employee performance and decide on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
• Assess investigation outcome of grievances and make effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
• Make effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca.