Job Description

GWLRA is a leader in both the commercial and multi-residential real estate industries. We believe in generating value by creating vibrant, sustainable communities that engage, excite, and inspire. Our people live our values through the work they do and the results they deliver. Our core values are keeping our word, working better together and embracing diversity.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Asset Management, the Senior Director, Construction Management will support a GTA portfolio comprising approximately 190 commercial, industrial, and retail properties totaling 18 million square feet across downtown Toronto, Mississauga, and the Greater Toronto Area.

The primary objective of this position is to provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and excellence for a portfolio of construction, capital improvement, redevelopment, and asset enhancement projects across a diverse real estate portfolio. This role is accountable for planning, budgeting, procurement, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery from inception through closeout.

The Senior Director leads a team of eight direct and indirect reports, incuding a Director, Senior Project Managers, and Construction professionals. The role ensures projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with organizational objectives and industry best practices. This successful applicant will be responsible within the regional property / asset / leasing management structure, for decisions and actions that have the potential to significantly affect financial results. They also have full responsibility and accountability for employee management and mentoring, and for planning, organizing, directing and controlling construction management within this portfolio.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the organization's construction management strategy in support of business objectives and portfolio growth.
• Collaborate closely with construction and operational leaders across the East and West regions to establish and implement national best practices, leverage data and analytics to drive performance and decision-making, and ensure consistent, scalable execution of construction programs and capital projects across the portfolio.
• Establish GTA construction departmental goals, performance metrics, and operational standards.
• Provide leadership for capital planning, tenant improvements, sustainability upgrades, and major building projects.
• Partner with executive leadership to identify opportunities for value creation and asset enhancement.
• Recommend innovative construction methodologies, technologies, and procurement strategies.

Team Leadership & Talent Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of eight direct reports, including a Director, Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and support staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance management, succession planning, and professional development activities.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, recruitment, and retention strategies.

Project Portfolio Management

• Oversee a portfolio of large-scale construction, redevelopment, and capital projects.
• Identify opportunities to provide projects at scale and with value engineering.
• Ensure projects progress according to scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations.
• Review and approve project plans, schedules, cost estimates, risk assessments, and resource allocations.
• Provide executive oversight on project performance and resolve complex project challenges.
• Establish portfolio reporting and governance processes for senior leadership.
• Financial Management
• Working with the Property Management team, assist in the development and management of annual capital budgets and multi-year construction forecasts.
• Oversee project cost controls, contingency management, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Review and approve change orders, contract awards, and major expenditures.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality and delivery standards.
• Ensure accurate reporting of project financial performance.

Vendor & Contract Management

• Lead procurement strategies and contractor selection processes.
• Negotiate major construction contracts, consultant agreements, and service arrangements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with architects, engineers, contractors, and industry partners.
• Monitor vendor performance and ensure contractual compliance.
• Risk, Compliance & Safety
• Ensure all projects comply with applicable building codes, regulations, environmental requirements, and corporate policies.
• Champion health and safety excellence across all project sites.
• Identify and mitigate construction, financial, operational, and reputational risks.
• Oversee quality assurance and quality control processes across all projects.
• Support regulatory inspections, audits, and compliance reviews.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary construction / project management liaison with executive leadership, property management teams, asset managers, tenants, and external stakeholders.
• Present project updates, business cases, and capital recommendations to senior executives.
• Manage complex stakeholder relationships and resolve escalated issues effectively.
• Collaborate across departments to align project priorities with organizational goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Post secondary degree or certification in construction management, Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or related discipline.
• Project Management Professional Certification from the Project Management Institute

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive construction management experience.
• 7+ years in a senior leadership role managing multiple project teams and large capital programs.
• Experience overseeing portfolios exceeding $100M in annual capital expenditures preferred.
• Experience within commercial real estate, mixed-use, residential, industrial, institutional, or retail environments.
• Demonstrated success leading large, complex construction projects from planning through completion.

Certifications (Preferred)

• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• P.Eng.
• Gold Seal Certification
• LEED Accreditation
• Construction Management Association certifications

Your 10+ years of progressive construction management experience, combined with your post-secondary education in a related discipline and strong knowledge of project and construction management, will position you for success in this role. Your proven leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills enable you to effectively lead teams, influence stakeholders, and drive results. Experience managing large-scale and complex construction and capital projects will allow you to provide strategic guidance and sound decision-making across the portfolio. A commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement, including identifying opportunities to reduce environmental impact, will contribute to the long-term success of our assets.

The base salary for this position is between $140,000.00 to 190,000.00 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation ( i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 4 weeks of vacation per year
• 3 paid personal days per year
• Half-day every Friday before a long weekend
• Eligible to participate in our annual performance based bonus program
• A comprehensive health benefits plan that supports you and your family
• Up to $2,000 annual education allowance
• Up to $5,000 annual mental health coverage
• A friendly, welcoming, and supportive culture

Our Business

Learn more about our commercial and residential businesses, our values, and careers at GWLRA.

Our Commitment to Diversity

GWL Realty Advisors is an equal opportunity employer. It prohibits discrimination based on age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and any other legally protected class in accordance with applicable federal, provincial and local laws. We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you are contacted for an interview and require accommodation during the interviewing process, please let us know.