Associate Vice-President, Facilities

Industry
Academic
Executive
Location
Alberta
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Associate Vice-President, Facilities
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB


The University of Lethbridge invites applications for the position of Associate Vice-President (AVP), Facilities. This is a critical leadership opportunity to shape the physical environment of one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities in an exciting time of expansion, renewal, and innovation.

The Organization

Founded in 1967, the University of Lethbridge is a comprehensive academic and research institution recognized for its commitment to liberal education, experiential learning, and community engagement. With campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary, the University serves approximately 8,000 students and employs over 1,000 faculty and staff. Guided by a new strategic plan and energized by recent academic program expansions, including the development of new medical and engineering programs, the University is poised for transformative growth.

The University of Lethbridge’s Blackfoot name is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone. The University is located in traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Indigenous Peoples who have helped shape and continue to strengthen our University community.

The Role

The Associate Vice-President (AVP), Facilities, is a strategic leader responsible for shaping the University of Lethbridge’s physical environment and advancing its operational excellence. Reporting to the Vice-President (Finance & Administration), the AVP oversees all aspects of facilities planning, operations, and infrastructure development, ensuring alignment with the University’s four strategic directions and commitment to sustainability and inclusion. This role is pivotal to the ongoing cultural renewal within the facilities portfolio, fostering trust, inclusivity and operational excellence. Key areas of responsibility include:

Strategic Campus Leadership – Advance the long-term campus vision through master planning and infrastructure strategies that support academic and research priorities.

Capital Planning and Operational Excellence – Lead all major capital projects and ensure efficient, safe, and sustainable operations across all facilities.

Collaborative Leadership – Foster strong partnerships across academic and administrative units, ensuring transparent and consultative decision-making.

Sustainability and Innovation – Champion environmental stewardship and introduce creative approaches to optimize resources and enhance campus environments.

The Ideal Candidate

As the ideal candidate, you are a forward-thinking and collaborative facilities leader with a demonstrated ability to advance organizational priorities through innovative infrastructure and sustainability strategies. A confident and solutions-oriented leader, you optimize existing resources while championing environmental stewardship and long-term institutional resilience. You are data-informed, strategically focused, collegial and collaborative. You value and prioritize consultation, analysis, and transparency in decision-making while empowering your team to thrive.

Qualifications and Experience:

While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all qualifications in equal measure, those listed below are desirable and will be used to compare candidates.
  • A degree in engineering, business, architecture, or a combination of equivalent education and experience.
  • Demonstrated success managing complex facilities and infrastructure in a multi-site organization.
  • Extensive experience in leading corporate resource planning, capital projects, and facilities operations.
  • Expertise in managing employees in a unionized environment, including supervision and performance management, coaching and training, and employee engagement.
  • Demonstrated success in sustainability and environmental stewardship initiatives.
  • Demonstrated experience with organizational change management.
  • Experience managing capital projects with diverse funding models, including internally funded, loan-based, and grant funded capital initiatives, and reporting effectively to stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated commitment to advancing accessibility, belonging, and community in the workplace.
  • Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills.
  • Strong knowledge of accessibility legislation and universal design principles and how to apply them in Health & Safety regulations and facilities compliance standards.
  • Demonstrated appreciation for the importance of Facilities systems and supports to the overall success of the research and teaching enterprise at the university.
  • Experience at higher education institutions is an asset but not required.  
  • Experience working in relationship with Indigenous communities or willingness to learn in this area is considered an asset.
Skills and Attributes:
  • Consultative and collaborative leader who builds trust and fosters a positive, engaged culture.
  • Courageous and creative, and able to foster innovation.
  • Transparent and principled with strong judgment and empathy.
  • Adaptability and resilience in navigating change and high-pressure situations, while maintaining focus on long-term institutional goals.
  • The ability to think strategically, allocating resources and effectively balancing priorities within an academic environment.
  • Skilled in working with diverse populations with a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.
Why Join the University of Lethbridge?

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on a dynamic institution at a time of significant growth and renewal. You will lead a skilled and dedicated Facilities Team at a time when the University is undertaking significant renewal of both its physical and organizational infrastructure. As AVP, you will join a committed leadership team and contribute to shaping the future of the University’s physical and cultural landscape.

Application Process

The University of Lethbridge is committed to Accessibility, Belonging and Community and strives to best support its diverse campus community. The University welcomes candidates who self-identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of colour with lived experience and expertise in incorporating EDI practices into teaching and research. Joining a vibrant community at the University where we aspire to achieve equity and diversity in all areas, the successful candidate will be expected to show evidence of leadership and commitment to access and equity that promotes a collegial, collaborative and respectful working environment.

Please email accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to a recruitment professional named below to ensure that accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Abbey MacLeod at amacleod@kbrs.ca, Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca, or Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca or submit your full application package by clicking 'Apply Now'

The Committee will begin reviewing applications on January 26, 2026.