Description
Closing Date: April 19, 2026
Number of Openings: 2
About Queen's University
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.
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.
Requirements
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.
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.
