Manager, Engineering and Infrastructure Renewal

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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 11:59PM.

Job Description:

University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students, we are home to the world's largest co-op education talent pipeline, game-changing research and technology, and to an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together, these create partnerships and solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.

University of Waterloo infrastructure comprises of over eight million square feet of space powered by a large 1st Class Central Power plant feeding a sophisticated district energy system connecting over eighty major academic buildings supporting state of the art teaching and ground-breaking research.

The Manager, Engineering and Infrastructure Renewal provides senior technical leadership and engineering expertise for the planning and delivery of infrastructure renewal and maintenance projects across the University. The position ensures infrastructure investments and projects support safe, reliable, sustainable and effective campus operations while providing technical advice and leadership to internal stakeholders, consultants and project teams.

Key Accountabilities

Technical Leadership

• Provides senior engineering expertise and technical leadership for infrastructure renewal, major repairs and maintenance projects.
• Reviews engineering designs, technical documentation and project requirements to ensure alignment with operational needs, applicable standards and University requirements.
• Provides technical advice to internal stakeholders, project teams, consultants and contractors on infrastructure systems, design requirements and project issues.
• Evaluates technical options and recommends solutions to address complex infrastructure, maintenance and operational challenges.
• Leads the review of project design documents and functions as the SME on behalf of the Maintenance division for all new builds and/or major capital projects prepared by the Planning Design and Construction team.
• Provides technical leadership to the Energy and Infrastructure and Central Plant staff in addressing complex infrastructure, operational and maintenance issues.
• Collaborates with the Sustainability Office and Energy team to establish, plan, prioritize and implement projects in support of University carbon reduction goals.

Infrastructure Renewal

• Provides leadership on infrastructure and maintenance projects from concept to design to final commissioning and user handover along with the Facilities leadership team.
• Serves as a key subject matter expert in all infrastructure projects and maintenance engineering projects.
• Provides advice on feasibility, scope and potential impacts of infrastructure renewal and maintenance initiatives to the Executive Director, Facilities and Director, Energy and Infrastructure.
• Oversees the design of infrastructure renewal and maintenance projects with a wide range of complexities, including heating, cooling, hot/cold domestic water, processed water, HVAC, electrical and related systems.
• Collaborates with Plant Operations staff to develop and apply consistent contract management practices across infrastructure projects.

Project Management

• Leads the planning and delivery of complex infrastructure renewals and maintenance projects from project conception through completion and handover according to methodologies defined by UW and Plant Operations.
• Provides oversight and direction of contractors, consultants, project teams, and internal subject matter experts during all phases of project procurement to support successful project delivery.
• Establishes project scope, objectives, schedules, resources, budgets, risks and success measures in collaboration with project sponsors and stakeholders.
• Monitors project progress, risks, issues, resources and outcomes and provides recommendations or escalates matters requiring management decision.
• Supports procurement and contract management activities in accordance with University policies, applicable legislation and project requirements.
• Ensures project outcomes and requirements align with University and departmental priorities and identifies and communicates the operational impacts of project implementation, including potential disruptions to campus operations, teaching and research.
• Builds effective working relationships with University leaders, project sponsors and internal partners to support project governance, decision-making and successful outcomes.
• Facilitates project communication, stakeholder engagement, governance, and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

People Leadership

• Provides leadership and direction to direct reports, establishing priorities and allocating work in alignment with project demands, operational requirements, employee capabilities, development needs, and available resources.
• Manages employee performance, development, and workplace matters in accordance with University policies and applicable collective agreements.
• Coaches and develops employees to support effective project delivery, technical practice and continuous improvement.
• Fosters a collaborative, service-oriented, continuous improvement-focused work environment.

Health and Safety

• Ensures infrastructure renewal and maintenance projects comply with applicable health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations, codes, standards and University requirements.
• Identifies and addresses health, safety, and environmental risks associated with project design, construction and implementation. Promotes safe work practices and supports a culture of health, safety and environmental responsibility within the assigned area.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned and supports departmental activities.

Required Qualifications

Education

• University degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical or Electrical, or a related discipline.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng) designation is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 7 to 9 years of progressive experience in engineering, infrastructure renewal, facility development, building systems, or a related field.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role, preferably within a large institutional environment such as post-secondary education, healthcare, or public sector organizations.
• Experience leading complex infrastructure, engineering or facilities projects involving consultants, contractors and internal stakeholders.
• Experience with engineering design, building systems and infrastructure within a complex institutional, commercial or comparable environment.
• Physical Plant design experience within the building construction industry will be considered an asset.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of infrastructure renewal, building systems, engineering principles, facility development and maintenance practices.
• Knowledge of applicable building codes, standards, legislation and regulatory requirements related to infrastructure, construction, facilities and health and safety.
• Knowledge of project management principles and practices, including project planning, risk management, procurement, contract administration and project controls.
• Knowledge of infrastructure asset condition assessment, lifecycle planning and approaches to prioritizing renewal investments and managing infrastructure risks.
• Knowledge of contract management practices and principles applicable to infrastructure and construction projects.
• Proficiency with standard office productivity applications and project management tools.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships, facilitate decision-making and influence outcomes across organizational boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, risks and interdependencies.
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and support the development and application of consistent practices.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion and diplomacy when addressing complex technical, operational and stakeholder issues.

Ability

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess infrastructure risks, operational performance, and financial impacts.
• 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 organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

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 [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.