Executive Director Facilities

THE ORGANIZATION VANCOUVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Vancouver School District (“VSB” or the “District”) is proud to provide exceptional learning experiences for students. As a large, urban school district, VSB is one of Canada’s most diverse school systems.

With deep gratitude and respect, VSB staff and students are honoured to be learning and unlearning on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xmθ kym (Musqueam), Swxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) & slilwta (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). VSB embraces Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, and works to expand Indigenous perspectives across the curriculum and within its 107 schools and programs, where more than 50,000 students learn and grow.

Equity and inclusivity are at the forefront of VSB’s approach to education. More than 7,700 staff work to create learning environments where every student thrives by prioritizing students’ needs, applying evidence-informed practices, and building relationships. VSB’s culture reflects the diversity of the City of Vancouver. Students enrolled in VSB come from varied backgrounds and lived experiences and are encouraged to explore and share their unique selves and gifts. The District’s commitment to students goes beyond academics. Students’ overall well-being and sense of belonging are equally important. VSB strives to build a school system where every student can be their authentic self and succeed throughout their learning journey. In doing this work, VSB champions equity and accountability by making evidence-based decisions. As a learning organization, humility is the guidepost as VSB seeks to continually improve student outcomes in service to them, their families, and the broader community.

For more information, visit Vancouver School District’s website .

THE OPPORTUNITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FACILITIES

Reporting to the Secretary-Treasurer / CFO, the Executive Director Facilities (“ED”) leads the Facilities Department and is responsible for the development, maintenance, and oversight of facilities services in the District, encompassing strategic facilities planning, educational planning, facilities maintenance, major capital projects procurement and administration. The ED manages teams in Educational Planning, Facilities and Maintenance and the Vancouver Project Office. With the Secretary Treasurer, the ED facilitates the annual facilities planning process and supports strategic facilities planning, facilities management, risk management, and public engagement processes.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced facilities leader with a strategic mindset, a strong commitment to facilities management excellence, and a passion for building high performing teams that foster respectful workplaces. The ideal candidate can work collaboratively with district leadership, the elected Board, rights holders, and partner groups, while managing the technical complexities and requirements of public sector facilities management.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a seasoned facilities leader to take one of the Lower Mainland’s most complex and diverse facilities portfolios to the next level. With a focus on building culture and relationships, the ED will work across the District, engaging administrators, union leaders, the Board, local and provincial governments, and staff at all levels to collaboratively craft cohesive facilities plan that enables the District’s Education Plan. With a robust capital program in motion and a dynamic operational context, the ED role at VSB will pose a meaningful challenge to any facilities leader.

Key Responsibilities

• Contributes to the development of the Education Plan and has shared responsibility for the successful implementation of the plan;
• Develops and implements the Strategic Facilities Plan in alignment with the Education Plan;
• Oversees the development and implementation of the Strategic Energy Management Plan, the Five-year Capital Plan, and the Facilities Maintenance Plan;
• Develops, implements and ensures compliance with administrative procedures for facilities planning, management and maintenance;
• Maintains an effective organizational structure for facilities services departments;
• Ensures that the preparation of the annual Five-year Capital Plan and other facilities planning activities are compliant with Board policies, and legal and policy direction established by government;
• In consultation with the Secretary-Treasurer, facilitates the annual five-year capital planning process and the annual facilities spending plan process. Directs the implementation of approved facilities budgets;
• Oversees and manages major capital projects, prepares feasibility studies and cost analysis studies for significant capital projects;
• Oversees compliance obligations and applicable legal issues and standards with respect to procurement, design, construction, accreditation, environmental and occupational health & safety matters;
• Provides regular and ad-hoc status reports to the Board and senior team on issues such as strategies, plans, status, emerging issues and proposed solutions as related to the implementation of the strategy;
• Provides all key internal stakeholders with regular progress and financial reports, and appropriately identifies and raises issues of concern along with suggested solutions for review and decision;
• Leads the facilities services departments by establishing departmental goals, developing implementation plans, and evaluating results in alignment with the Education Plan;
• Manages the facilities services teams including recruitment, selection, development, performance management, and labour relations;
• Establishes and maintains facilities management systems, procedures, controls, and best practices. Ensures compliance and identifies and implements opportunities for improvement;
• Directs the preparation of reports, analyzes results, identifies issues and opportunities for improvement;
• Analyzes facilities information and presents reports to support strategic decision-making.
• Prepares and presents reports related to school district facilities planning and facilities management to Board Standing committees, Board meetings, Ministry of Education and Child Care and other agencies;
• Manages the design of facilities management systems, processes, and reports and oversees related education and support. Coordinates and conducts facilities audits and addresses outcomes;
• In collaboration with the communications department, oversees the development and execution of a comprehensive public engagement plans related to school district facilities;
• Oversees the preparation of student enrolment projections and advises senior management and the Board on actions required to meet district needs including enrolment planning, enrolment management, catchment planning, budget forecasting, and capital planning;
• Works directly with Vancouver Project Office to advance the creation of seismically safe learning spaces for VSB students;
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with officials from the Ministry of Education and Child Care; Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations; City of Vancouver; community and other institutions and partner groups with an interest in the school district; and
• Supports the Secretary-Treasurer in risk management and communication activities .

THE PERSON

The successful candidate should be a visionary leader who is well experienced with the complexities of facilities operations and construction management. Possessing a collaborative style of leadership, and demonstrating a high level of professionalism and a student-first approach, the ED builds engagement with both staff and partner groups by creating a true team environment, leveraging the considerable expertise that exists within the organization. With a proven knowledge of capital planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of a large institutional setting, the successful incumbent will demonstrate sound knowledge of facilities management principles involved in strategic planning, asset management, customer service, resource allocation, talent management, and safety and security procedures.

Professional and Personal Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant specialization (architecture, engineering, construction management or related fields); a master’s degree and / or a designation such as a P.Eng., PQS or AIBC is an asset;
• Ten years progressive facilities management responsibility in a leadership capacity;
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex and comprehensive facility development projects with a diverse stakeholder base that has unique needs and requirements;
• Strong financial acumen, including financial management capabilities related to capital projects and operating budgets; in-depth understanding of budgeting, cost controls and financial systems;
• Excellent knowledge of building construction methods, and building envelope fundamentals;
• Excellent knowledge of applicable acts, regulations, engineering principles and safety standards;
• Strong planning and project management skills; demonstrated success in delivering projects on budget and on time;
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities;
• Ability to communicate effectively including the ability to speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques;
• Ability to assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the organization;
• Ability to set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities;
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to delegate, motivate, and manage employees in a unionized environment; and
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with a wide variety of rights holders and partner groups.

Competencies and Personal Characteristics

Education: A university degree in a relevant discipline preferably combined with a Masters degree. A demonstrated track record of continuous lifelong learning.

Experience: An experienced leader with demonstrated track record of success in facilities management roles in public sector organizations or other complex, multi-stakeholder organizations.

Strong Leadership Skills: An open and collaborative team leader who can recruit, develop, mentor, and motivate a team, creating a strong, positive, and open culture within their department. Strong leadership skills, effective delegator; sets high standards and holds people accountable. Empathetic, sensitive to others, consistent in approach. Has demonstrated a high level of cultural sensitivity and has built respectful relationships with a diverse group of partners and individuals. Experienced building positive labour relations.

Strategic & Innovative Thinker: Strong planning skills; develops plans in support of organizational strategic direction. Demonstrates an understanding of the link between one’s job responsibilities and overall organizational goals and needs. Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourages new ideas; designs and implements new or cutting-edge programs/ processes. Successful in managing change in a complex organization.

Superior Relationship Skills: A people person who will be visible across the organization and in the community. Treats colleagues and stakeholders with respect; resolves conflicts in a timely manner, negotiates effectively, and provides effective feedback to colleagues/employees. Demonstrated commitment to consultation and is effective at consulting with internal and external parties regarding needs and expectations. Committed to building positive, collaborative relations.

Strong Financial Acumen: Understands the government’s fiscal framework and facilities planning process for school districts; strong sense of accountability for the effective utilization of the resources of the school district; able to align facilities planning with identified priorities; able to provide progressive facilities planning and facilities management advice to senior management and the Board.

Communication & Interpersonal: An open and direct communicator with excellent writing and presentation skills. A highly effective listener. Able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences in an open and direct manner. Comfortable operating in a highly visible role. Excellent interpersonal skills, accessible and approachable. Willing to listen to the ideas of others and actively seek out opportunities to learn from others.

Politically Astute: Ideally, understands the political dynamics of elected boards of education, local and provincial government, and working alongside rights holders. Possesses the ability to build consensus in a large and complex organization with many internal and external stakeholders.

Personal Characteristics: Passionate about education. Patient and persistent while advancing initiatives and achieving results. A reputation for integrity, openness and transparency; authentic and well-grounded. Demonstrates a personal values system that is aligned with the vision, mission, and values of VSB.

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits.

The salary range is $186,347 to $207,052. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

James Cheng, Nick Lay, or Tony Kirschner

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