As a Director of Facility Management, you lead the strategic planning, operation, and maintenance of Defence and Climate Change facilities across Canada. You oversee complex real property portfolios, manage capital projects, and ensure that buildings and infrastructure meet the operational needs of the Department of National Defence while maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
Your responsibilities include directing facility operations teams, developing and implementing facility management policies and procedures, managing budgets for maintenance and upgrades, and ensuring compliance with federal building codes and environmental regulations. You work collaboratively with military commanders, civilian managers, and external contractors to prioritize facility improvements and address infrastructure challenges. You also play a key role in long-term capital planning, sustainability initiatives, and the modernization of Defence infrastructure.
This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on military operations and the well-being of Defence personnel by ensuring they have safe, functional, and well-maintained working and living environments. You will work in a dynamic federal environment where your decisions directly support national defence and security priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of facilities management services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the facilities management team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
Property management, Building systems knowledge, Contract administration, Project coordination, Regulatory compliance, Team leadership, Operational planning, Stakeholder engagement, Results management
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent; significant experience in the relevant discipline with demonstrated leadership
Training
To succeed as a Director of Facility Management, you typically need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, architecture, facilities management, business administration, or a related discipline. Many successful candidates hold professional designations such as Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Certified Facility Manager (CFM), or Project Management Professional (PMP).
The Government of Canada supports ongoing professional development for facility management leaders. You may have opportunities to pursue advanced credentials in project management, sustainability certification (such as LEED), or specialized training in Defence-specific facility operations. Many directors benefit from Treasury Board policy training, government financial management courses, and leadership development programs offered through the Canadian Armed Forces and the Public Service.
Prior experience managing large facilities, capital projects, or real property portfolios is highly valued. This career typically requires 10+ years of progressive experience in facilities management, engineering, construction, or related operations roles before advancement to the Director level.
Entry Plans
Entry to the Director level typically occurs through competitive public service recruitment processes or lateral moves from related senior positions within Defence or other government departments. The Public Service Commission (PSC) posts competitions for Director-level facility management positions on the Government of Canada's official job board (jobs.gc.ca).
Most candidates advance to this level after progressing through intermediate and senior management roles, such as Facility Operations Manager or Senior Facilities Engineer, within Defence or similar federal departments. Internal advancement is common for professionals who demonstrate strong leadership, technical expertise, and facility management experience.
If you are new to the federal public service, you may begin your career at the junior or intermediate level through open competitions, then progress upward through merit-based promotions and competitive staffing processes. Some candidates enter Defence through specialized recruitment initiatives targeting engineers, architects, or project managers from the private sector. Students and recent graduates may explore Co-op programs or the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) to begin building experience within Defence facilities operations.
Part-Time Options
Director-level positions are typically full-time roles due to the strategic leadership and on-call responsibilities required for facility operations and emergency response. However, the Public Service of Canada is committed to work-life balance and offers flexible arrangements where operationally feasible.
Depending on your specific posting and departmental needs, some flexibility may be available for compressed work weeks, flexible start and end times, or occasional remote work for administrative tasks. As a Director, you may be required to be available for facility emergencies, infrastructure crises, or critical operational situations outside standard business hours.
To explore part-time, job-sharing, or flexible work options, you would need to discuss arrangements directly with your hiring manager and department, as these accommodations depend on operational requirements and the nature of your facility management responsibilities. The Public Service encourages discussions about work arrangements during the recruitment and onboarding process.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
