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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is August 13, 2026 at 11:59PM.

This position is contingent on funding

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

This position is responsible for leading the long-term facilities planning and capital renewal and expansion project development initiatives in Campus Housing. The Manager, Residence Facilities Planning develops data driven plans to ensure the residence facilities meet the needs of current and future students. The position provides visionary leadership and subject matter expertise in the areas of facilities planning, architectural design, and project management in coordination with campus partners, leaders, and external experts to ultimately develop, maintain, and execute a 20+ year Campus Housing Facilities Strategy.

Key Accountabilities

Long-term Facilities Planning and Strategy

• Develops and maintains the Campus Housing Facilities Strategy (20-year master plan), in alignment with University strategic plans, that articulates the vision for the future state of the residence facilities and the roadmap for accomplishing that vision.

• Establishes and implements a framework for strategic facilities planning in the Department of Campus Housing.

• Leads future residence expansion, development, renewal, and demolition planning in coordination with partners in Plant Operations Design and Construction by managing, interpreting, and applying comprehensive studies and research projects relating to the immediate and long-term planning of the residence facilities, sites, and services, including condition assessments, feasibility studies, demand analyses, architectural concept designs, and the study of various demographic, socio-economic, physical, and environmental factors.

• Prepares for and conducts stakeholder consultation representing Campus Housing. Incorporates key findings into ongoing planning and communications with university management, executive, partners, and users (students and staff).

• Coordinates, synthesizes, and applies information from multiple disciplines and expert consultants (eg facility condition, market and demand, energy use, quantity surveyor/cost estimations, student development and experience etc.) to create data-driven recommendations and strategies.

• Creates financial, supply and demand, and facility forecasting models to support strategic facilities planning and assessment initiatives.

• Provides counsel and recommendations to the Assistant Director, Residence Facilities and Director of Campus Housing on a wide range of strategic initiatives, such as new residence construction, full-scale renewal of and/or demolition of existing residences, master leasing, land use, and environmental/sustainability stewardship.

Proposals, Case Development, and Reporting

• Develops comprehensive business cases and plans for prioritized projects that account for and articulate at minimum project rationale, background, specifics, funding plans, financial analyses, and operational impact.

• Prepares reports, briefings, project proposals, and presentations advising senior management on long-term planning-related matters and proposed project development.

Project Development Leadership

• Serves as the client representative with Plant Operations Design and Construction throughout the architectural design process for all new construction and major renewal/renovation projects to clarify the student experience business needs as they relate to the scope, functional programs, and design decisions.

• Leads planning and project design concept studio exercises on behalf of Campus Housing in partnership with academic units (eg Planning, Architecture, Engineering) to incorporate student input to project development.

• Defines the residence design standards and target metrics in consultation with partners in Plant Operations Design and Construction that will drive project development to meet the needs of current and future students in residence in alignment with campus strategic plans (eg. Waterloo @ 100, UW Campus Plan, Shift Zero: Climate Action Plan, etc).

• Secures order of magnitude cost estimates in consultation with partners in Plant Operations for Campus Housing project scopes to inform planning and business case development activities.

• Develops project proposals, architectural concepts, design layout drawings, and scopes of work in consultation with Plant Operations Design and Construction to clarify the business needs related to serving students and to help optimize the architectural and construction contract procurement processes.

Product Ownership - Residence Capital Projects - Planning, Renewal, and Expansion

• Serves as the voice of the client (current and prospective students) and users (staff and faculty) working with all stakeholders collaboratively to analyze the facilities needs and align the Campus Housing Facilities Strategy (the roadmap) to strategic goals.

• Partners with stakeholders to define and understand the student experience in residence.

• Defines the vision for Campus Housing's Facilities Strategy and creates a prioritized road map (backlog) based on that vision in consultation with stakeholders, consultants, and project team members so that the Project Manager, Campus Housing (Plant Operations) and the Manager, Facility Renewal, Maintenance, and Security to have clarity to act with purpose.

• Collaborates with project stakeholders (business representatives and technical experts) to translate those needs into project requirements and outcomes and communicate what value is ultimately needed to the Design and Construction team, contractors and consultants responsible for delivering that value.

• Manages the backlog in an agile environment and continuously reviews the business needs of Campus Housing, refines priorities, and outlines milestones and deliverables based on changing requirements or circumstance in coordination with Plant Operations partners and Campus Housing functional managers.

• Identifies change management impacts to students and staff and collaborates with respective stakeholders to manage/mitigate.

• Monitors, evaluates, and validates value to students through new or renovated facilities.

• Communicates regularly with the team/resources delivering projects (value), students, and stakeholders to share updates and seek feedback.

• Provides updates to and receives feedback from the Campus Housing Senior Management Team on behalf of the team/resources delivering projects

• Mentors, coaches, and develops team members in Residence Facilities to enable growth and development specifically in the areas of facilities planning, student residence design, project development, and agile/continuous improvement and lean construction practices.

• Supports the project requirements and specification processes by translating information and data to the Project Manager, Campus Housing in Plant Operations to inform specifications for new Campus Housing construction or renovation projects.

Required Qualifications

Education

• University Degree in Architecture, Planning, Engineering, or equivalent

• At least one of the following licenses/designations or equivalent required; multiple preferred: OAA, RPP, PEng, PMP, SEA/SEP, CEM, LEED

Experience

• 5-10 years of experience in architecture and functional programming

• 3-5 years of experience in long-range facilities planning or asset management; Experience developing master plans an asset

• Experience leading and interpreting condition assessments, feasibility studies, and project concept designs

• Experience working with or as a client throughout a $10M-$100M project's architectural design process

• Demonstrated experience dealing with technical, regulatory, financial, and customer data to inform plans and project proposals with a diverse group of stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience of working cross-functionally and leading others effectively.

• Significant experience in building consensus and influencing decisions preferably in an academic environment

• Previous experience working in a continuous improvement, lean construction, or agile environment is an asset

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Broad knowledge of architectural design and project development processes, construction delivery, planning and facilities management including building automation systems, HVAC, electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with technical and business experts along with wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including university students, staff, management and executive, consultants and technical service providers.

• Understands and can translate the needs of students and Campus Housing staff to project managers, architects, consultants, and technical staff on campus.

• Strong organizational and project management skills including knowledge of PMI, Lean Construction, and/or Agile/Scrum best practices

• Superior quantitative skills with a strong interest in performing analysis, forecasting, and modeling with ability to synthesize information and provide evidence-based strategic advice to leaders.

• Excellent written and verbal English skills and effective presentation and reporting abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, handle multiple tasks, set and meet deadlines and adjust to changing needs

• Solid understanding of building codes and standards, including but not limited to, Ontario Building Code, AODA, City of Waterloo by-laws, design standards and building processes, Broader Public Sector procurement practices.

• Understanding of construction law, regulatory compliance requirements, and Ontario health and safety standards

• Knowledge of best practice design for institutional/educational or multi-residential facilities, including architectural finishes, programming, and equipment layout

• Appreciates the diversity of the University and Residence communities, demonstrates values consistent with Campus Housing's, and is committed to fostering a healthy and positive work environment.

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, Metis 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 athrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.