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Associate Director, Major Projects

The Ottawa International Airport Authority (Authority) is accepting applications for an Associate Director, Major Projects position.

Reporting to the Director, Major Projects, the Associate Director, Major Projects provides senior leadership and single-point accountability for the successful delivery of a major capital construction project, ensuring it is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality and safety standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Strategic and financial leadership

  • Serve as the primary leader and decision-maker for the project, with full accountability for its overall success.
  • Develop, manage, and own the project budget, ensuring robust cost control, financial forecasting, and adherence to fiscal targets.
  • Lead the administration and management of all major contracts, including construction, consulting, and vendor agreements.
  • Provide regular, transparent financial and progress reporting to the executive team, the Board, and other key stakeholders.
  • Make strategic decisions to navigate challenges, manage significant risks, and ensure project objectives are met.
  • Actively engage key internal and external stakeholders to gather feedback and ensure alignment with project goals.

Project planning and execution management

  • Lead the development of the comprehensive project execution plan, including budget, schedule, resource allocation, risk and procurement strategies.
  • Oversee the day-to-day execution of the project, ensuring work is performed in alignment with the established plan.
  • Implement and manage robust project management systems and documentation controls.
  • Drive the project team to meet critical milestones, proactively identifying and resolving barriers to progress.

Risk, quality, and safety management

  • Establish and lead the project’s risk management framework, identifying potential issues and implementing mitigation strategies to protect the project’s schedule and budget.
  • Champion a culture of safety across all aspects of the project, ensuring compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations and internal policies.
  • Oversee the project’s quality assurance and quality control programs to ensure all work meets or exceeds the required standards and specifications.

Team and stakeholder leadership

  • Collaborate closely with the VP and Director, Major Projects to define the structure and composition of the new Major Capital team.
  • Recruit, hire, and onboard top-tier project management professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, efficiency, and collaboration.
  • Lead and mentor the integrated project team, comprised of internal staff, external consultants, contractors, and other specialists.
  • Act as the primary liaison between the project and senior stakeholders, including government authorities, community groups, and executive leaders.
  • Facilitate clear communication and foster a collaborative, high-performance environment.
  • Manage performance within the project team, setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and conducting formal performance reviews.
  • Address performance or conduct issues proactively, applying coaching, corrective actions, or disciplinary measures when required, in accordance with organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS 

  • EDUCATION
    • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field
  • EXPERIENCE
    • A minimum of eight (8) years of progressive experience in project management, with at least five (5) years in a senior leadership role managing large-scale, complex construction projects
    • Leading large-scale multidisciplinary capital projects to successful completion
    • Leadership, strong business acumen, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex and dynamic environment
    • Strategic thinking with organizational, negotiation, and communication skills
    • Sound judgment, political acuity, and the resilience to manage high-pressure situations, while building positive and productive relationships with all stakeholders
    • Construction project management principles, including contracts, procurement, scheduling, and financial controls
    • Budget preparation, cost management, and financial forecasting for major projects
    • Safety regulations and quality management processes within a construction setting
    • Project management (e.g., MS Project, Primavera P6) and Microsoft Office software
  • LANGUAGE
    • Excellent communication and writing skills in English

ASSETS

  • Authority Staging Manager certification
  • Bilingualism (English and French)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP), or equivalent professional designation

ABOUT THE POSITION 

Job requirements

  • Have a Class G driver’s license (out of province equivalent)
  • Provide a driver’s abstract (issued within the last month)
  • Successfully obtain a security clearance check for an Airport Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC)

To explore this opportunity, please send your resume to [email protected].

The Authority is committed to the principles of Employment Equity and to achieving a workforce that is representative of the diversity of the Canadian population. We strongly encourage candidates to self-identify if they are Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, or members of visible minorities.