Manager, Residence Maintenance and Skilled Trades

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Housing and Conference Services (HCS) directly supports the University’s goal of advancing human and societal wellbeing and McMaster’s overriding vision of ‘educating for capability.’ We provide a distinctive living and learning experience for 3600 students focused on key educational priorities including community development, personal growth and wellness, academic excellence, and inclusion.

HCS concurrently drives a positive McMaster experience for guests, alumni, staff, faculty, and student by providing accommodation and event coordination, which meet the highest standards of service excellence. HCS is a proud and significant ancillary contributor to the financial health of the University and the core academic and research mission of McMaster.

HCS is currently in a time of significant expansion as capacity is expanding by 66% over the next several years. Moving from 3600 to 6000 bed spaces across 15 buildings. This expansion will diversify the housing operation dramatically, from a traditional focus on the housing needs of first year undergraduate students, to the introduction of upper year, graduate, and family housing, in addition to a constantly diversifying internal and external client base.

The annual budget for HCS is currently (pre-expansion) approximately $31 million and we employ 100+ full-time and 250 part-time staff. HCS reports directly to both the divisions of Student Affairs and Administration. HCS reports directly to both the divisions of Student Affairs, as well as Operations & Finance.

The Manager, Residence Maintenance and Skilled Trades oversees all aspects pertaining to the maintenance of the residence buildings. Manages and provides leadership to a multi-disciplined work force of skilled and semi-skilled trades on best practices for building maintenance and projects. Provides direction to meet established standards, work procedures and system improvements. Provides recommendations to the deferred maintenance and capital improvement process, and assist with implementation, to prolong the life of the facilities and create a healthy, safe environment for all students and guests living in Residence.

 

Job Summary

The Manager of Residence Maintenance and Skilled Trades assumes responsibility for overseeing all operational facets related to the maintenance of the university's residence buildings. Reporting to the Director, Housing and Conference Services, this pivotal role provides leadership to a diverse workforce of skilled trades personnel.

The primary objective is to implement best practices in building maintenance and project management, ensuring compliance with established standards, work procedures, and system enhancements.

By actively overseeing deferred and demand maintenance the Manager contributes to the performance and longevity of the facilities, fostering a safe and healthful environment for all students and guests residing in the university's residential spaces.

This position leads and coordinates a team of 9-12 Skilled Trades staff. The recruiting, hiring and training of staff is a critical responsibility for this Manager. Ensuring high staff morale and engagement, the Manager maintains a safe workplace, with readily available materials and equipment needed to drive the continuous improvement of the residence infrastructure. The Manager will also retain and coordinate the activities where contractors external to McMaster are required.

 

Accountabilities

  • Manages and directs the University Skilled Trade staff (9-12 full time skilled trades) in eight different trades discipline, within a unionized environment in residence maintenance activities.
  • Recruit, interview, select, and orient new staff to ensure appropriate staffing compliment
  • Manage staff by evaluating, coaching and counselling.
  • Completes the maintenance operational requirements by determining work priorities, scheduling and assigning employees, and follows up on work requests.
  • Establishes and recommends priorities on minor and major maintenance repair projects, capital projects, and building involvement planning.
  • Reviews and implements Health and Safety measures with staff, while ensuring compliance to Departmental, University and Government regulations.
  • Issue and evaluate RFX’s for the procurement of external vendors and negotiate contracts for building maintenance activities.
  • Select, manage and arrange for specialized contractors so residence maintenance work can be achieved.
  • The Manager maintains close collaboration and supports other units within Housing and Conference Services (HCS) to address guest and student service satisfaction. Investigating complaints and resolving issues ensures a positive experience.
  • Promotes effective communication, respectful behavior, and a cohesive workplace environment.
  • The Manager closely collaborates with Trades Supervisors in Facility Services, fostering synergy and enhancing overall maintenance effectiveness.
  • Ensures student and client e service excellence through HCS assessment activities
  • Provide cost and labour estimates as requested
  • Optimizes expenditures on labor and materials, adhering to budget constraints while maintaining operational effectiveness.
  • Recommends annual maintenance budget, including monitoring budget line items, and approving expenditures. Must understand and adhere to all procurement policies in order to comply with job responsibilities.
  • Ensures adherence to University and Departmental policies on material, service standards, environmental and energy standards.
  • Purchase and maintains inventory of common maintenance materials and tools.
  • Has responsibility for developing, tracking, and evaluating staff work performance, and adjusting team activities to improve work performance, and report out the Key Performance Indicators.
  • Responsible for the implementation of LEAN process improvement projects, and also for mentoring staff who implement LEAN projects.
  • Support and Mentor staff to achieve LEAN accreditation
  • Meets University Standards on Core Competency and maintains professional and technical knowledge.
  • Participate in the creation and give input on the prioritization of the University’s Deferred Maintenance lists.

Qualifications

Education: Completion of University or College level education, in a program relating to building construction or operations (Professional Engineer, Architect or Certified Engineering Technologist, etc.)

Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years experience in progressive management positions with oversight of a large diverse building portfolio, and skilled trade work force. Experience in project management for small to medium size project for commercial, industrial and/or residential buildings.

Knowledge/Skills:

  • Have a diverse knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Welding, Sheetmetal, HVAC, Locksmithing, Fire Code, Glazing, Roofing and Exterior Envelope building systems to manage the diverse skilled trades group that reports into this position
  • Working knowledge of Ontario Building Code, Ontario Fire Code, Electrical Code, Plumbing Code, etc. and various codes and regulations as set out by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Ontario Ministry of Environment and other authorities having jurisdiction
  • Working knowledge and experience with building maintenance, repairs, and renovation activities including the skilled trade disciplines within the areas of electrical, structural, architectural, mechanical, HVAC, and energy
  • Consistently demonstrates the core values of Trust, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Teamwork
  • Ability to budget, prepare financial analyses and do job costing
  • Proven ability to work in a unionized environment.
  • Ability to manage and implement renovation and construction projects.
  • Ability to read and interpret plans, diagrams, architectural drawings and specifications.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with people who have a wide range of skills, experience and responsibilities inside and outside the University community.
  • Attention to detail with excellent organizational and planning skills to manage multiple priorities and make decisions regarding competing and sensitive priorities.
  • Knowledge of collective agreements and their application, administration, and interpretation in a unionized workplace.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Building project job estimation skills.
  • Leadership, managerial and teambuilding skills.
  • Ability to lead a unionized team of professionals to ensure deliverables are met on time and within the scope.
  • Possess proficiency in specialized training such as: Fall Protection Working at Heights, Aerial Lift certification, Confined Space Entry, Asbestos Work