Director, Facilities & Real Estate

Yorkville University is seeking applications for the position of Director, Facilities & Real Estate. This senior leadership role provides strategic oversight of facilities operations and the real estate portfolio across Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient learning and working environments.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director leads the planning and stewardship of campus facilities, oversees day-to-day operational excellence, safety and security programs, and long-term space planning, while partnering with cross-functional leaders to enhance the student and employee experience and support the institution's continued growth.

About Yorkville University

Yorkville University is built on the belief that education is a catalyst for transformation. With a mission to democratize access to higher learning, Yorkville—together with Toronto Film School—offers creative and academic pathways that blend innovation, industry relevance, and the arts.

As one of Canada’s few private, fully accredited degree‑granting universities, Yorkville delivers rigorous, flexible programs across its campuses in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Its offerings are designed to fit into the lives of learners, many of whom balance studies with work and personal commitments, ensuring education enhances rather than disrupts their daily realities.

Yorkville’s community is vibrant, diverse, and united by a commitment to opportunity and inclusion. Faculty and staff across teaching, operations, and technology work to remove barriers and expand access, fostering a supportive environment for both learners and employees.

Through industry‑informed programs, first‑of‑their‑kind innovations, and a deep focus on human connection, Yorkville empowers people to reimagine their futures and achieve meaningful personal and professional growth.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director, Facilities & Real Estate is responsible for the planning, management and stewardship of all Yorkville (YU) and Toronto Film School (TFS) facilities. This role will oversee the real-estate portfolio for YU and TFS including construction projects and new lease agreements.

The role will also work closely with the campus operations and leadership team at each facility to support day-to-day campus operations inclusive of maintenance and compliance. This position is responsible for helping to keep our facilities running smoothly and safely and identifying efficiencies in operations and ways to improve the student and employee experience through processes, programs and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all real estate projects including management of contracts, project resources, meetings and working closely with external interest holders, such as property management, vendors, contractors, etc.
• Oversee the management of owned and leased properties, including lease negotiations, renewals, and compliance with municipal and provincial regulations.
• Responsible for project budgets (capex and opex) including raising purchase orders, tracking and reporting to key interest holders.
• Evaluate real estate opportunities to support institutional growth and support the execution of facility renovations, additions or new buildings.
• Guide Campus Operation Leadership day-to-day to ensure a flawless operation of classrooms, offices and general spaces on Campus.
• Accountable for the creation and monitoring of the facility operating budget and annual capex budget.
• Partner with the procurement team to review all facility contractor engagements, ensuring best practice procurement and tending, as well as leveraging national arrangements where appropriate.
• Conduct and oversee routine inspections of each facility to identify potential issues or concerns; partnering with operational teams to ensure routine maintenance on all building systems.
• Responsible for ensuring the facility complies with relevant laws, regulations and safety standards.
• Support the review of data, policies, procedures, programs, technologies and resources, and implementation of updates, as they pertain to real estate and facility operations.
• Handle long-range planning to support future needs and growth by collaborating with cross-functional colleagues in Academic Leadership, IT, HR, etc., for all campuses and office locations to understand future facility and staffing needs.
• Uphold the integrity of facility management and ensuring compliance with building codes across provinces we operate in.
• Accountable for the strategic direction and performance of safety, security, and emergency management programs, ensuring organizational resilience, compliance, and effective risk management.
• Lead the development of long-term safety and security strategies, standards, budgets, and partnerships that enhance the employee and student experience.
• Contribute to a positive corporate culture that supports equity, inclusion, learning, and wellness.
• Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and mentorship to a team of three direct reports: Facilities Manager (ON), Facilities Manager (NB), and Manager, Safety & Security, while maintaining a collaborative dotted-line relationship with the employee responsible for facilities operations at our BC campus.
• This role requires on-call availability to respond to urgent matters outside normal working hours
• This role will require travel between our Ontario, British Columbia and New Brunswick offices, as required.

Skills, Experience & Competencies

• 10+ years of experience in real estate and/or construction, including experience with purchasing, RFPs and construction management; with experience at a management level.
• Bachelor's degree, or master’s degree, in Engineering, Facilities Management, Real Estate, Project Management, or a related discipline (or international equivalent).
• Experience managing complex projects, cross-functional project teams, and managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Experience in health & safety best practices and security operations.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and experience in facility strategic thinking, space analysis and vendor management, including but not limited to: current applicable legislation and compliance requirements, assisting in formulating strategies for short-term and long term goals; sharing of best practices to optimize the student and employee experience; and fostering a team environment in support of the corporate strategic imperatives.
• Experience in leading and mentoring a small team of direct reports, to ensure engagement and alignment to overall organizational goals.
• Demonstrated excellence in team collaboration, fostering inclusive working environments, and conflict management.
• Experience working in highly dynamic, complex and fast paced organizations, with proven ability to handle competing priorities and timelines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and networking skills, with experience preparing and facilitating presentations; advanced MS Office skills (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Teams).

How to Apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca or Beth McLennan, Senior Consultant, at bmclennan@kbrs.ca or submit your application online at: https://meridiarecruitment.ca/Career/17835306361430000008hmj.

Please note that this posting is for an existing position with Yorkville University.

This position offers an annual salary ranging from $150,000 to $175,000.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are a critical component of life at Yorkville Education Company, and they are committed to making those values an integral part of their culture.

Yorkville University and KBRS encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ2SIA+) community, and other equity-seeking groups.

Yorkville University and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or bmclennan@kbrs.ca