Director, Energy and Mechanical Operations

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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday, June 25 at 11:59PM.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

Reporting to the Executive Director, Facilities, the Director, Energy & Mechanical Operations provides leadership and operational oversight for the University of Waterloo’s Mechanical, Electrical and HVAC and Controls building infrastructure teams to ensure safe and reliable day to day operations. In addition, this role is also responsible for the universities energy management programs and storm water management systems across the campus.  This includes ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of campus utilities while advancing energy conservation initiatives that support the University’s sustainability goals.

The Director leads the planning and management of utility infrastructure operations, supports long-term renewal planning for energy systems, and works collaboratively across Facilities and campus partners to optimize energy performance and system reliability.

University of Waterloo infrastructure supports more than eight million square feet of academic, research, and administrative space across multiple campuses. The associated energy systems are critical to maintaining safe and effective teaching, research, and campus operations. The Director works in close partnership with the Chief Stationary Engineer to ensure that energy and utility systems are planned, resourced, and operated in alignment with institutional priorities, regulatory requirements, and long‑term infrastructure strategies.

This role contributes to the Plant Operations goal of providing a safe, reliable, accessible, and well-maintained campus environment through service excellence, operational efficiency, and responsible stewardship of energy resources.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Planning

• Acts as the subject matter expert and ensures implementation of the Deferred Capital Renewal plan for energy utility and building systems, ensuring alignment with the University’s long-term academic, research, and campus growth objectives.

• Establishes long-term strategies for the capacity, reliability, and resilience of campus energy infrastructure, including district energy systems, electrical distribution, and utility supply.

• Identifies and prioritizes infrastructure renewal and modernization initiatives related to energy and core building systems to mitigate risks associated with aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance.

• Provides strategic advice to the Executive Director, Facilities and senior leadership regarding long-term utility infrastructure requirements, emerging technologies, and infrastructure risks.

• Directs the development of long-range infrastructure investment plans, balancing operational needs, sustainability commitments, and available funding.

• Develops performance indicators and analytical frameworks to support data-driven decision-making related to infrastructure performance, asset lifecycle management, and system reliability.

• Monitors external trends including energy markets, regulatory changes, and technological advancements and assesses their potential impact on campus infrastructure planning.

• Works collaboratively with the Chief Stationary Engineer to align utility and energy infrastructure planning, performance objectives, and renewal priorities within Central Plants operating capabilities and constraints.

• Partners with the Chief Stationary Engineer to assess operational risks, system reliability trends, and capacity limitations, and to develop mitigation and investment strategies.

Energy Management

• Leads the University of Waterloo’s Energy Management program, identifying and implementing initiatives to improve energy efficiency and reduce institutional energy consumption.

• Works collaboratively with the Sustainability Office and campus partners to support the University’s sustainability goals.

• Provides technical expertise to the Executive Director, Facilities on matters related to energy consumption, utility supply, sustainability initiatives, and energy efficiency opportunities.

• Oversees development of multi-year utility forecasts, incorporating projected consumption, regulatory changes, and energy market conditions.

• Directs the evaluation of campus energy systems to identify energy conservation opportunities and operational improvements.

• Oversees the development of business cases, funding proposals, and external submissions related to energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives.

• Provides oversight to the Energy Manager in the negotiation and management of utility supply contracts and agreements.

• Collaborates with faculty, staff, and students on the implementation of energy reduction initiatives, ensuring alignment with the University’s academic and research mission.

Infrastructure Renewal

• Contributes to capital planning and infrastructure renewal planning related to energy, utility and building systems.

• Provides technical input into the prioritization of deferred maintenance and system renewal initiatives affecting campus energy infrastructure.

• Supports development of business cases and capital funding requests for infrastructure renewal and modernization projects.

• Collaborates with the Design and Construction team to ensure projects involving utility infrastructure are effectively coordinated.

• Works with campus partners to identify opportunities to improve energy performance, operational efficiency, and infrastructure resiliency.

Project Management and Procurement

• Provides oversight to staff managing energy and utility infrastructure projects, including system upgrades and efficiency initiatives.

• Ensures projects are delivered in accordance with University procurement policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

• Supports project planning and implementation while ensuring adherence to health and safety standards and construction regulations.

Financial Management

• Develops and manages the operating budget for energy management programs.

• Monitors utility costs and operational expenditures and identifies opportunities for efficiency and cost optimization.

• Identifies opportunities for operational efficiencies and cost optimization.

• Contributes to the development of capital budget requests related to energy and utility infrastructure renewal.

• Ensures appropriate financial tracking and reporting for projects and operational activities.

People Leadership

• Provides leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to managers, supervisors, and technical staff within the Energy Management team.

• Oversees performance planning and review processes for direct reports and ensures consistent leadership practices across operational teams.

• Leads workforce planning, recruitment, and professional development to ensure the department maintains the expertise required to manage complex energy and utility infrastructure.

• Promotes a culture of safety, collaboration, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across utilities and energy operations.

• Maintains effective working relationships with union representatives and CUPE members, addressing operational matters and supporting constructive labour relations.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Ensures that all utilities and energy infrastructure operations comply with applicable health and safety legislation, environmental regulations, technical codes, and University policies.

• Works in collaboration with the Chief Stationary Engineer to ensure that Central Plant safety programs, regulatory compliance frameworks, and operating practices are aligned with University policies and institutional risk management objectives.

• Oversees safety programs and operational procedures related to utilities operations, systems, and infrastructure maintenance in collaboration with the Training, Safety and Compliance Specialist.

• Ensures appropriate hazard assessments, operating procedures, and workplace inspections are implemented for utilities infrastructure, mechanical systems, and energy distribution environments.

• Ensures compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements related to energy management  utilities infrastructure, and mechanical systems.

• Provides leadership in maintaining a strong safety culture within utilities and energy operations, ensuring staff are properly trained and equipped to work safely in high-risk operational environments.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Facilities Management, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional designation P.Eng is required.
• Graduate degree in engineering, business, management, or a related field is considered an asset.

Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities operations, energy management, or infrastructure management.

• Experience managing complex utility systems.

• Experience leading technical teams and operational environments, preferably within a large institutional environment such as post-secondary education, healthcare, or public sector organizations.

• Demonstrated experience with energy management initiatives and infrastructure renewal planning.

• Experience working in a unionized environment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership and organizational management skills with the ability to lead multidisciplinary operational teams in a complex institutional environment.

• Ability to develop and implement strategic and operational plans supporting utilities operations, energy management, and infrastructure stewardship.

• Extensive knowledge of district energy systems, utilities infrastructure, and mechanical systems supporting large institutional facilities.

• Strong financial and operational management skills including budgeting, resource allocation, and oversight of infrastructure maintenance programs.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess infrastructure risks, operational performance, and long-term asset reliability.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders including senior leadership, technical staff, and regulatory authorities.

• Strong understanding of energy management principles, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory requirements affecting utilities operations.

• Knowledge of relevant legislation and technical standards including Building Code, Fire Code, environmental regulations, and TSSA requirements.

• Familiarity with facilities management and infrastructure asset management systems (e.g., ARCHIBUS or similar platforms).

• Ability to exercise sound judgement, manage competing priorities, and maintain confidentiality when dealing with operational, financial, and personnel matters.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.