Director of Construction & Facilities Management

Director of Construction & Facilities Management
Saint John, NB
AM – KEN - 7980

Meridia Recruitment Solutions has partnered with J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) Retail to recruit a Director of Construction & Facilities Management to serve in a key leadership role located in Saint John, New Brunswick.

With a portfolio that spans all four Atlantic provinces, JDI Retail encompasses Kent Building Supplies, Atlas Structural Systems, Chandler, Industrial Commercial Supplies, and Bayside Distribution. Across the diverse portfolio of Retail, Commercial, and Industrial Space, our client is focussed on building and renovating high-quality spaces, with a keen emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility. JDI Retail believes that a thoughtfully designed and constructed building can inspire great things to happen inside and around it, which is why they place a strong emphasis on innovation, functionality, and long-term value.

Role Description:
Reporting to the Vice President, Retail Division, The Director of Construction & Facilities Management is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of construction, renovation, and facility operations across a diverse portfolio of retail, industrial, and commercial properties. This role ensures the delivery of capital projects and maintenance programs that align with corporate standards for safety, sustainability, and operational excellence. The Director will lead a high-performing team and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support long-term growth and efficiency across the organization.

Your responsibilities will include:

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Develop and execute long-term strategies for construction, renovations, and facility maintenance to support business growth and operational excellence;
• Participate in strategic planning discussions related to portfolio expansion and capital investment.

Project & Facility Oversight

• Lead planning, budgeting, and execution of new builds, renovations, and capital improvements;
• Oversee preventative and reactive maintenance programs to ensure compliance with safety regulations and operational standards;
• Monitor operational performance and implement initiatives to improve cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

Environmental & Sustainability Initiatives

• Develop and implement environmental sustainability strategies, including metrics and reporting practices to monitor success;
• Ensure alignment with ESG goals and corporate sustainability standards.

Financial & Risk Management

• Manage capital and operational budgets, including forecasting, approvals, and financial reporting;
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with construction projects and facilities management.

Vendor & Contractor Management

• Select, negotiate, and manage relationships with contractors, vendors, and service providers to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness;
• Collaborate with Procurement and Finance teams to align vendor contracts with performance and budget goals.

Team Development & Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing team of project managers and technical staff;
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and service excellence.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with internal departments, landlords, and external partners to align construction and maintenance efforts with business needs;
• Ensure open and effective communication across teams and departments.

Your Qualifications:

As the ideal candidate, you have extensive experience overseeing complex construction and capital projects. You are entrepreneurial and strategic, with the ability to manage in an environment of change and ambiguity. Action-oriented by nature, you ensure continuous improvement across the entire organization and are an inclusive leader with a track record of developing high-performing teams.

Your qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Facilities Management, or a related field;
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in construction and facilities management, ideally in retail or commercial environments;
• Proven success managing large-scale capital projects and multi-site portfolios;
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget planning, cost control, and financial reporting;
• In-depth knowledge of construction methods, building systems (HVAC, electrical, mechanical, fire protection), and asset lifecycle planning;
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and make strategic decisions in dynamic environments;
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred qualifications include:

• PMP, LEED, Six Sigma, or other relevant construction/facility management certifications;
• Active P.Eng designation is considered a strong asset.