University of Toronto

Executive Director, Operations

University of Toronto$145K — $169K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • University degree in architecture, engineering, or business; certification in Facilities Management is a plus.
  • 10+ years overseeing large facilities operations, ideally within a post-secondary institution.
  • Experience in managing housing operations with a strong focus on strategic leadership.
  • Strong project and contract management experience; beneficial to have residential development knowledge.
  • Proficiency with information technologies and advanced skills in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

  • Develop organizational strategy for Residential and Commercial property management services.
  • Oversee building operations and capital maintenance for a diverse portfolio of facilities.
  • Act as liaison for new Four Corners development projects and ensure operational feasibility.
  • Direct University Family Housing Admissions and Community Development teams, as well as Transportation services.
  • Manage a large, complex facilities operation and ensure staff engagement and effectiveness.
  • Collaborate with Facilities and Services for compliance and shared resources.
  • Establish service models and oversee vendor relationships, legislative compliance, and procurement processes.

Benefits

  • Health and dental benefits.
  • Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
  • Professional development opportunities for growth.
  • Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance.
Full Job Description
Date Posted: 09/15/2026
Req ID:50153
Faculty/Division: VP-Facilities & Real Estate
Department: Spaces & Experiences
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

The Executive Director is the senior executive in charge of facility operations and services in the Spaces & Experiences (S&E) portfolio, and leads the teams in Residence Operations, University Family Housing, and Transportation Services, as well as providing day to day direction to the Commercial Property Management team.

Working under the general direction of the Assistant Vice-President, and in close partnership with the Real Estate team, the incumbent has a broad and complex set of responsibilities in support of efficient and cost effective facility operations and building services, capital and operational planning, and project implementation for the existing facilities in the portfolio, as well as acting as lead operations liaison for new Four Corners (4C) development projects; ensuring that project planning and development work considers all aspects of future operation, including liveability/useability, cost effective operation, sustainability and other key objectives. The ED also plays a leadership role in tenant and community relations associated with Family Housing operations and new planned housing developments, steering complex issues through to resolution.

The incumbent is responsible for:
  • Development of an organizational structure and strategy for Residential and Commercial property management services on the St. George campus that is cost effective, scalable, and resilient.
  • Overseeing all aspects of building operations and capital maintenance for the facilities in the portfolio, including student residences (4+), multi-family residential buildings (2+), houses (87), dining halls (7), parking facilities (10+), commercial spaces and mixed-use spaces (8+) in the S&E portfolio. Develops strategies to prioritize and address deferred maintenance and optimize cost and quality of maintenance programs and building services. Leads the implementation of benchmarking initiatives, and programs to measure sustainability impacts of capital expenditures. Champions divisional projects that reduce energy consumption and support the University's climate positive action plan.
  • Acting as the divisional operations liaison for new 4Corners development projects. Works closely with the Real Estate team, senior S&E stakeholders and project partners to develop and refine project plans with future operations in mind. Assigns team members to project committees based on needs of project and understanding of S&E's operational and strategic objectives.
  • Overseeing and setting the strategic direction for the University Family Housing Admissions and Community Development teams, and the Transportation team.
  • Directing, leading, guiding and managing a large, diverse, and complex facilities operation; organizing and reorganizing work of teams and service providers as needed to meet service and financial needs, and ensuring that staff at all levels are motivated and engaged.
  • Working closely with colleagues in Facilities and Services (F&S) to ensure compliance with training, safety and code requirements, leverage campus-wide contracts, access technical expertise, and for general advice on facilities matters.
  • Determining appropriate service and staffing models for building operations and services for each area in the portfolio, based on the needs of stakeholders and clients. Overseeing complex vendor relationships, legislative compliance, preventive maintenance and contract administration functions related to facility operations. May occasionally lead formal procurement processes for key contracts.


Essential Qualifications:

I. EDUCATION:

University degree in architecture, engineering, business, or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience. Certification in Facilities Management an asset.

II. EXPERIENCE:

Must have 10 years' progressively responsible experience overseeing a large facilities operation, including responsibility for housing, ideally in a post-secondary or comparable institution. Exceptional strategic leadership, financial and language literacy skills required, as well as experience managing and motivating a large team in a unionized environment. Experience with development of residential projects, from design to construction, preferred. Project management and contract management experience preferred. Demonstrated success implementing significant change and leading continuous improvement initiatives. Experience in contract management, business plan preparation and presentation.

III. SKILLS:

Strong computer skills with working experience and familiarity with information technologies (e.g., advanced skills in Microsoft Office, email, Internet and scheduling software).

IV. OTHER:

Innovative thinker with an appetite for creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial spirit. Collaborative decision-maker with outstanding communication skills and charisma. Demonstrated ability to drive service excellence through customer-centric approach to operations. Good organizational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure. Must have good motivational, organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated negotiation skills. Project management skill is a key component of this position.

Closing Date: 09/29/2026,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea:PM
Appointment Type: Ancillary Operations
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 7 -- Hiring Zone: $145,219 - $169,423 -- Broadband Salary Range: $145,219 - $242,032
Job Category: Facilities/Ancillary Services

About University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public research university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest university in Canada by enrollment and one of the top-ranked universities in the world. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of academic disciplines, including arts, sciences, engineering, and business. The University of Toronto is known for its research excellence and has produced many notable alumni, including four Nobel laureates. The university was founded in 1827 and has three campuses in the Toronto area.
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