Director, Real Estate and Facilities

Who we are

At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we believe education is more than the pursuit of knowledge – it is a catalyst for transformation. Our mission, grounded in democratizing education, is to create access for learners from every background and empower them to achieve their aspirations and advance their careers.

We are committed to delivering rigorous, flexible programs that are both personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding, while contributing to the betterment of society. Since 2004, Yorkville has been among Canada’s few private, for-profit, fully accredited degree-granting universities, with campuses in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Together with Toronto Film School, we offer creative and academic pathways at both the college and university levels, cultivating a multidisciplinary environment where innovation and the arts converge.

Our community is vibrant and diverse. Many of our learners are adults balancing education with careers and personal commitments. Every member of our team – whether in teaching, operations, or technology – is dedicated to removing barriers and expanding access. Together, we deliver flexible, industry-informed learning that leads to meaningful opportunities. 

At our core is human connection – guiding people to reimagine their futures in a community defined by opportunity, creativity, and growth.

Who we need

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, we are hiring a Director, Real Estate and Facilities, to lead the planning, management, and stewardship of all Yorkville University and Toronto Film School facilities. As our new Director, you will oversee a diverse real estate portfolio spanning three provinces, which includes campus operations, leased and owned properties, as well as construction and renovation projects in British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Ontario. You will play a central role in planning and executing our transition to a unified Toronto-based campus, partnering closely with a third-party design firm and collaborating with academic, operational, and executive teams. You will spearhead the short and long term strategies to build out our campuses in B.C. and Fredericton, NB.

This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity to revitalize our learning and working environments to reflect our institutional brand, commitment to innovation, and ambition to provide modern, welcoming, and inspiring spaces for students, faculty, and staff. You will ensure that we operate safely, efficiently, and sustainably, while identifying opportunities to enhance the student and employee experience through thoughtful planning, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

This is an onsite role working 5 days per week in our downtown Head Office.

This job posting is for existing vacancy.

What’s in it for you

Impact and influence. You will drive the transition of Yorkville University and Toronto Film School into a unified, modern multisite space. Working closely with Academic leadership and external consultants, you will oversee the setup of learning spaces and creative environments to ensure they meet program, operational, and safety requirements.

Leadership. You will guide strategic decisions in Ontario, New Brunswick, and British Columbia to help both schools deliver innovative, compliant, and student-centred facilities that support our mission, vision, and the evolving needs of our students, faculty, and staff.

Autonomy. This is a rare chance to step into a role that provides both the authority and the organizational backing to plan, build, and modernize facilities with speed, clarity, and accountability. You will have the freedom to make informed strategic decisions that directly influence how students and employees experience our campuses every day.

Growth. You will have the support and resources to advance your career in meaningful, lasting ways. We provide opportunities for professional development, exposure to best practices across industries, and the chance to contribute to an institution that is continually evolving and innovating. 

How you will make an impact

• Lead and deliver. You will oversee all real estate projects, managing vendor relationships, budgets, and project work independently or in partnership with external consultants. This ensures that projects are completed on time, within scope, and aligned with institutional goals. You will bring disciplined oversight, transparent communication, and a commitment to quality in all phases of project delivery.
• Oversee operations. You will manage the day-to-day operations of all owned and leased properties, partnering with Campus Operations Leadership to ensure that classrooms, offices, and shared spaces operate seamlessly and meet institutional standards for safety and compliance. You will maintain a strong presence across locations, ensuring operational excellence and consistent performance.
• Plan strategically. You will develop and execute long-range plans that anticipate future growth and infrastructure needs across campuses and office locations. You will work collaboratively with colleagues in Academics, Information Technology, Human Resources, and other departments to align facility planning with institutional direction and program evolution.
• Ensure compliance and safety. You will work in partnership with the Director of Safety and Security to ensure that facilities meet or exceed all applicable laws, codes, and safety standards across provinces. You will contribute to the establishment and reinforcement of transparent processes, documentation practices, and quality controls to minimize risk and ensure a safe and compliant environment for students and employees.
• Manage budgets and resources. You will be accountable for operating and capital budgets, including procurement, purchase orders, and financial reporting. You will identify cost efficiencies, sustainability opportunities, and responsible resource allocation strategies to support long-term institutional stewardship.
• Drive excellence in facility management. You will conduct inspections, monitor maintenance, and evaluate vendor performance to ensure reliability and quality of service. You will review and enhance policies, procedures, and systems to align with best practices, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate opportunities. You will assess real estate opportunities that support institutional expansion and enhance the student and employee experience. You will apply data-driven analysis and rigorous due diligence to ensure thoughtful and strategic decision-making.
• Champion culture and values. You will contribute to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture that supports equity, wellness, and continuous improvement across all operations. You will model professionalism, respect, and service excellence while fostering strong relationships across campuses and departments.

What you bring 

• The educational background. You hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Real Estate, Project Management, or a related discipline (or international equivalent).
• The commitment to excellence. You approach facilities management as a critical enabler of academic excellence, operational safety, and student success. You bring strategic foresight, operational discipline, and a mindset of continuous improvement to ensure our spaces remain safe, efficient, compliant, and inspiring. You understand the inherent risks of a student-centred environment and work closely with Safety and Security leadership to support institutional well-being.
• The leadership experience. You have progressive experience in real estate, facilities, or construction management, including purchasing, RFPs, and vendor oversight. You have led complex, multi-site projects in dynamic environments, leveraging collaboration, shared knowledge, and partnership to drive success.
• The operational expertise. You understand building codes, municipal processes, compliance frameworks, and the operational realities of environments used daily by students, faculty, and staff. Experience in academic settings, where safety protocols, behavioural considerations, and student-centred requirements are paramount, is a strong asset. You collaborate effectively with trades and external partners to deliver projects that meet or exceed all regulatory and institutional standards, upholding rigour, safety, and operational integrity.
• The project management acumen. You excel at managing concurrent projects and cross-functional teams, bringing strong analytical skills, clear methodology, and a disciplined approach to tendering, contracting, scheduling, and vendor management.
• The financial and technical proficiency. You have experience developing and managing CAPEX and OPEX budgets, negotiating leases, and ensuring fiscal accountability. You are proficient with Microsoft Office and modern project management tools, bringing the technical confidence needed to navigate complex facility and construction requirements.
• The interpersonal skills. You communicate clearly, build trust across teams and vendors, and work effectively within a matrixed environment. You collaborate thoughtfully, manage competing priorities with professionalism, and engage with leaders, including academic and operational stakeholders, with respect and composure.

Why work at Yorkville University?

At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we are united by a shared purpose: placing the student experience at the heart of everything we do. Whether you are teaching, designing curriculum, advising students, advancing technology, or supporting operations, your work directly fuels learning potential, strengthens inclusive communities, and fosters purposeful curiosity.

Here, professional growth is part of our culture. In your role, you will have opportunities to help the launch of career-relevant programs, expand your expertise, and access tuition-free courses across our institutions - from certificates to master’s degrees. Curiosity, initiative, and innovation are encouraged, and your ideas can move from vision to reality.

Our scale offers the best of both worlds: the reach and stability of a national institution combined with the agility of a mid-sized organization, where contributions are visible and valued. You will be part of a diverse and inclusive community where authenticity is celebrated, collaboration is expected, and impact is shared - on students, colleagues, and your own professional journey.

At Yorkville and Toronto Film School, your work does more than make a difference. It empowers others to achieve their possible, while giving you the opportunity to realize yours.

Compensation philosophy

At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we believe compensation should be fair, straightforward, and supportive of your growth. Our salary ranges reflect progression from learning in the role to excelling, with each offer based on skills, experience, and role complexity.

This position offers a minimum annual salary of $130,000, a midpoint of $140,000, and a maximum of $160,000. Established hires typically start near the midpoint, while the upper range is reserved for those with deep expertise and sustained contributions. Offers below the midpoint recognize strong potential with room to grow.

We strive for equitable, consistent pay, though rates may vary within the same role based on performance, specialized knowledge, and impact.

Base salary is one part of a broader package that includes paid time away, retirement savings matching, and extended health coverage with 80% of premiums paid. After 12 months of full-time employment, there is also tuition-free access to all our education programs.

We welcome conversations about compensation throughout the hiring process.

Join us

We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we seek, express your interest. 

What you can expect from our hiring process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role and your experience. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool. More details will be shared when you are invited to interview.
• A virtual interview with the CFO and the VP, People to explore your leadership approach, strategic thinking, and alignment with the financial, operational, and people priorities of the organization.
• An in-person interview with representatives from the internal teams that work closely with this role to understand how you collaborate, communicate, and partner across functions to move work forward.
• A virtual meeting with the primary consultant who you will partner with in this role to discuss how you approach external collaboration, project execution, and shared accountability in delivering key outcomes.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical components of life at Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, and we are committed to making these values an integral part of our culture. We 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 is committed to providing accessible employment practices that comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation for disability, please notify Human Resources at 1-877-429-4029.

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