Director, Maintenance - Keolis Grand River

Reporting to the GM of Keolis Grand River (KGR), the Director of Maintenance will lead a team of the keen and dynamic transportation experts from a multi-disciplined background. The maintenance team is dedicated to all aspects of maintenance of the Region of Waterloo’s successful ION Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, including the rail infrastructure, rolling stock and rail equipment assets, with a focus on continuously improving safety, maintainability, reliability and availability.

Key Accountabilities

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the General Manager and Senior Leadership Team to facilitate reliable operations of the transit system at the highest level.
• Act as the key point of contact for all issues relating to the maintenance activities for the light rail transit system, responsible for management and oversight of Maintenance staff, processes and procedures.
• Establish and develop Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plans and schedules while maintaining availability and reliability of the rail infrastructure, rolling stock, building and rail equipment in accordance with the client’s requirements.
• Lead and keep developing the Maintenance team, including safety, quality, proficiency, efficiency and budget.
• Provide leadership through effective goal setting, performance evaluation, delegation and communication to ensure that personnel are well informed of all policies, processes and procedures.
• Lead the furthering of Standard Maintenance Procedures for the light rail transit system.
• Develop new processes and procedures in accordance with our Operations, Maintenance and Rehabilitation contract to create an effective maintenance program designed for continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership through emergency situations.

Knowledge and Skills

• Proven leadership skills, including ability to influence senior management, to develop safety and quality management mindsets in teammates, and to actively engage workforce in appropriate behaviours and attitudes.
• Demonstrated collaboration skills, ability to engage others, build relationships with others, inspire and be dedicated.
• Strong strategic thinking. problem solving and analysis abilities.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant health, safety, environmental and maintenance practices and procedures.
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of relevant regulatory requirements.
• Good project management skills.
• Knowledge and demonstrated use of risk assessment methods (FMEA, failure trees) and accident investigation methods.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including ability to explain complex issues and report writing.
• Strong time management and organization skills.
• Conduct oneself ethically and be a role model for others to follow.

Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a transportation maintenance program.
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing maintenance or transit teams.
• Proven track record developing Maintenance and/or Rehabilitation Plans and Programs.
• Solid experience in maintenance and/or rehabilitation activities for both rail infrastructure and rolling stock is considered a strong asset.
• Solid maintenance experience in Light Rail operations a strong asset.
• Demonstrated experience in sustaining a safety management system and/or a quality management system in a Maintenance setting.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Some post-secondary education in relevant job requirements (i.e. leadership, project management, maintenance, etc.).