Director, Facilities Operations and Maintenance – Permanent Full-Time (1.0)

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

CHEO in Ottawa invites applications for a permanent full-time Director, Facilities Operations and Maintenance to lead CHEO’s facilities team, ensuring safe, reliable operation of buildings and critical systems while advancing asset management and sustainability. The role requires 15+ years in senior management in a large unionized healthcare environment, a bachelor’s in engineering or related field with PEng or BSS, PMP or FMP certification, and experience with capital projects from design through operations. Internal CHEO applicants should use Workday; apply by 11:59 pm the day before closing; expect a comprehensive pre-screening. Tips: tailor your resume to governance, SLAs, CMMS, risk-based maintenance, budget oversight, and measurable improvements; emphasize crisis management and cross-functional leadership. French/English bilingualism preferred. CHEO is an equal opportunity employer.

Compensation Pay Range:

Job Description:

Please Note: If you are a current CHEO employee with access to Workday, please apply to this posting via the Workday application as an internal applicant using the Jobs Hub.

To successfully apply for this position, please submit your application by 11:59 pm the day before the advertised closing date in the posting to ensure your application is received. 

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.
 
CHEO is one of the few stand-alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system.
 
Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world-class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Chief Capital Planning and Development Officer (CCPDO) and working in close partnership with the Director, Capital Projects, the Director, Facilities Operations and Maintenance provides leadership and direction to CHEO’s facilities operations team, fostering a high-performance culture focused on service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. As a key member of the Facilities Management, Planning and Development (FMPD) leadership team, the Director collaborates with clinical, operational, and corporate leaders to support current and future healthcare delivery needs.

The Director is accountable for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all CHEO facilities, including the main campus, Integrated Treatment Centre (ITC), and off-site locations. This includes oversight of engineering services, plant operations, maintenance, utilities, infrastructure, capital interfaces, and critical building systems. The Director ensures regulatory compliance and system reliability while leading asset management, lifecycle renewal, risk-informed maintenance, sustainability, and emergency preparedness programs, aligned with organizational priorities and uninterrupted patient care.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Develop and implement a facilities management framework aligned with organizational goals and growth plans; establish policies, SOPs, governance structures, service standards, and SLAs, ensuring regulatory and safety compliance
• Develop and implement business continuity plans, emergency response procedures, and crisis management protocols
• Establish short- and long-term asset management and capital replacement plans
• Provide strategic recommendations on infrastructure investment, modernization, and growth initiatives
• Benchmark operational performance against healthcare industry best practices
• Support the Director, Capital Projects to ensure planning-stage projects align with existing and future infrastructure and maintenance requirements
• Contribute to the development of facility master plans aligned with organizational priorities
• Direct the operation and maintenance of all CHEO facilities, grounds, utilities, and infrastructure
• Lead in-house facilities teams in a unionized environment, overseeing work orders, asset management, contracts, utilities, and workplace infrastructure
• Ensure reliable operation and compliance of critical building systems
• Establish and monitor performance metrics to ensure reliability, resilience, and operational effectiveness; drive continuous improvement
• Support expansion, relocation, consolidation, and workplace transformation initiatives
• Develop and oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs aligned with regulatory requirements
• Ensure effective use of CMMS and related systems; implement lifecycle management programs for facility assets
• Prioritize maintenance activities based on risk and criticality; ensure timely completion of work orders
• Drive initiatives to improve asset performance and reduce downtime
• Promote best practices in facilities maintenance and maintain industry partnerships
• Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, building codes, fire/life safety, occupational health and safety, environmental requirements, and accreditation standards
• Maintain readiness for inspections and accreditation surveys
• Lead corrective actions arising from audits and assessments
• Maintain accurate regulatory documentation and reporting
• Lead facilities emergency preparedness, including business continuity planning and response procedures in collaboration with clinical and emergency teams
• Ensure readiness of emergency systems and infrastructure
• Participate in incident command and emergency management activities
• Coordinate response to utility failures and infrastructure disruptions
• Promote a culture of safety and accountability across facilities operations
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation plans in collaboration with safety and security teams
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions
• Ensure compliance with IPAC, environmental, and regulatory requirements during maintenance and construction
• Support sustainability initiatives, including energy efficiency and resource optimization
• Support organizational ESG objectives
• Lead digital transformation and automation initiatives across facilities operations
• Enable data-driven decision-making through KPIs, dashboards, and analytics
• Establish and monitor performance metrics and operational controls
• Standardize SOPs, policies, and workflows to ensure consistency and scalability
• Collaborate with IT, Procurement, and Finance to integrate systems and technologies
• Evaluate emerging technologies to improve service delivery and cost efficiency
• Develop and manage operating budgets, ensuring fiscal accountability and effective resource utilization
• Identify cost optimization opportunities and operational efficiencies
• Develop business cases and ROI analyses for capital investments
• Prepare and present financial and operational reports to executive leadership
• Ensure financial governance, compliance, and audit readiness
• Serve as the primary representative for facilities operations and maintenance
• Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, clinical teams, external authorities, and service providers
• Present performance metrics and operational updates to leadership and governing bodies
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and direction to facilities teams
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on service excellence and continuous improvement
• Lead succession planning and workforce development initiatives
• Set performance objectives, conduct evaluations, and support employee development
• Collaborate with Talent Services, Labour Relations, and other partners to support operational effectiveness

QUALIFICATIONS

• Criminal Record Check – Level 1 (Required)
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Building Sciences, or related field (Essential)
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), Healthcare Administration, Facilities Management, or related discipline (Preferred)
• Professional designation such as P.Eng. or BSS (Essential)
• PMP or FMP certification (Essential)
• Lean methodology training (Preferred)
• Minimum 15 years’ progressive senior management experience in a large, unionized, multi-site healthcare environment, including facilities operations and maintenance (Essential)
• Experience supporting capital projects from design through construction to operational readiness and maintenance (Essential)
• Experience working in a crisis management environment (Essential)
• Strong knowledge of building systems, operations, and maintenance practices in a complex healthcare environment (Essential)
• Knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, and standards (Essential)
• Strong expertise in hospital facilities systems, infrastructure, and building operations (Essential)
• Proven ability to manage maintenance programs and asset lifecycle strategies (Essential)
• Solid knowledge of healthcare construction, regulatory compliance, and accreditation requirements (Essential)
• Strong understanding of building systems, including utilities, automation, and fire/life safety (Essential)
• Demonstrated strategic and operational leadership capabilities (Essential)
• Strong financial and business acumen with effective planning and resource management skills (Essential)
• Proven ability to lead change, develop teams, and drive performance (Essential)
• Effective negotiation skills and ability to manage diverse stakeholders (Essential)
• Sound judgment and decision-making under pressure (Essential)
• Highly effective communicator with strong executive presentation skills (Essential)
• Skilled in report writing and business case development (Essential)
• Strong conflict resolution and cross-functional collaboration abilities (Essential)
• Bilingualism (English/French) (Preferred)

Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre-screening and evaluation process.  This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested.
 

Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.    

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.