Director, Corporate Real Estate

51148 - Toronto - Regular Not Applicable/Optional

Hydro One is proud to be the largest electricity transmission and distribution provider in Ontario, serving nearly  1.5 million customers. We have a long history in the industry with our roots dating back over 110 years to 1906. Since then, we have worked to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of our customers and communities across Ontario. Today, we’re focused on providing exceptional customer service and ensuring we are building safe communities where we live, work and play.

It’s an exciting time to join the team at Hydro One!

Job purpose 

Hydro One is a leading player in the utility sector, committed to delivering reliable and sustainable energy solutions to our customers. The Director of Corporate Real Estate is responsible for overseeing the planning, construction, maintenance, occupation, and operational efficiency of all company-owned and company-run facilities. This leadership role requires strong collaboration with internal teams and external partners to uphold the highest standards of facility management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategy, Planning & Reporting:

In conjunction with VP, Facilities & Real Estate, develop and execute a F&RE strategic roadmap, multi-year capital investment plan and department scorecard aligned with corporate objectives. Establish a leading practice operating & capital expense planning capability that considers customer needs, asset health and future requirements of the corporation in the F&RE practice area leveraging an asset hierarchy framework. Prepare rate application inputs for F&RE and support Regulatory in the successful defense of proposed investments. Establish robust, proactive financial reporting framework as the steward of the F&RE finances.

• Facility Operations and Maintenance:

Develop and execute strategies for the safe operations and maintenance of our >1,500 buildings and 50 leased sites including corporate head office, ensuring they support business operations in a cost effective and sustainable manner. This includes establishing preventative maintenance programs to minimize downtime and risks, and maximize facility performance while addressing urgent and emergency requirements emanating from lines of business (e.g. Joint Health & Safety audits, storm response). Stay abreast of and implement best practices leveraging corporate memberships with leading institutions (e.g. International Facilities Management Association).

• Strategic Outsourcing Partnership:

Cultivate and manage the strategic relationship and provide oversight to the overall performance of the Facilities Management outsourcing partner. This entails providing effective policies and processes for the governance and oversight of business outcomes and financial performance of services contracted to strategic outsourcing partner for the operations and maintenance of corporately owned and managed real estate assets. Develop strategic plans for the future of outsourcing services including regular benchmarking exercises and the negotiation of contract changes, extensions, and renewals. 

• Capital Projects:

Build best in class capital projects delivery capability to support business needs in a cost effective manner for a portfolio of >100 annual projects. This considers the built environment, development of standards and sustainable solutions, and is supported by robust policies, processes, and project governance framework. Develop investment strategies to guide future requirements for the building of new facilities to support corporate needs which includes providing strategic advice to Mergers & Acquisitions transactions, Workforce Planning, and other significant corporate projects. 

• Lease and Contract Management:

Oversee lease agreements and negotiations for real estate properties, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. 

• Workplace Strategy & Occupancy Management:

Lead a team to develop and implement strategies to optimize the effective use of our office spaces and align the workplace environment with the needs of our organization, and promote a positive and efficient work culture. Create short- and long-term facility plans to accommodate current and future staff, incorporating hybrid working and free address principles where applicable. This requires strong working relationships with business leaders in key operational areas, HR, and Labor Relations, to effect influence and change. 

• Specialty Services:

Lead a team who manages the employee relocation program as well as the management and payment of property taxes and property rights. 

• Compliance and Safety:

Ensure all facilities comply with regulatory requirements, safety standards and environmental regulations in the utility sector. 

• Budget Management:

Develop and manage budgets for the facility operations, maintenance and capital projects. 

• Energy Efficiency:

Identify and implement energy efficiency initiatives to reduce operational costs and environment impact. 

• Environment Sustainability:

Implement sustainable practices and technologies to reduce the environmental footprint of utility facilities. 

• Emergency Response:

Develop and oversee emergency response plans for utility facilities ensuring preparedness of unforeseen events. 

• Stakeholder Relations:

Collaborate with regulatory bodies, local communities, and other stakeholders to build positive relationships. This includes local government agencies, First Nations communities, and Ministries. 

• Reporting:

Provide regular reports to the senior leadership on the status and performance of the real estate team. 

Education:

• A general university undergraduate degree, specific areas of focus in Facilities Management would be an asset.
• Minimum 10 years leadership experience.
• Proven leadership experience skills with the demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate with individuals at all levels within the organization.
• Proven ability to provide strategic vision with a practical roadmap of goals and objectives.
• Must possess excellent communication, collaboration and negotiation skills with a focus on providing a well maintained corporate culture.
• Solid understanding of legislation, policies and procedures.
• Strong Organizational skills with a proven ability to manage and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Experience working in a Unionized environment would be an asset.
• Utilities experience is required to understand the unique nature of building assets as an extension of the grid (e.g. critical assets supporting effective operation of a transmission station relay building) including the investment planning and capital / OMA prioritization in relation to grid requirements, this also translates into the regulatory considerations for a utility and the development of regulatory materials to support operations from a facilities perspective.  

At Hydro One we understand that the success and strength of our business rests with our people. When we develop their skills, we are investing in both their success and ours. To secure the best talent, we seek to create a workforce that reflects the diverse populations of the communities where we live and work and to create a culture based on safety, innovation and inclusiveness.

We are honoured to be recognized by Forbes in its list of Canada’s Best Employers for 2026.

Thank you for considering a career with Hydro One, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates. If you are having difficulty using our online application system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email careers@hydroone.com. Hydro One will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application process.

Please note this email is only for accommodation requests. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.

"Employer of the year 2026"

Deadline:

The base salary for this role considers a variety of factors, including candidates' knowledge, skills, experience, education, and any applicable collective agreement requirements for union-represented positions. Hydro One provides an extensive offering of programs to promote a culture of safety, wellbeing, inclusivity, and sustainability to enable our employees to be the best version of themselves. For management roles, compensation is based on the principle of pay-for performance compensation philosophy, and the amount of annual adjustments and incentive payments depends on how well you and the company perform (subject to plan terms). We encourage open dialogue about compensation with our Talent Acquisition Team, who can provide more detailed information specific to this role.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. 

Hydro One uses AI tools to assist in the screening and assessing candidates for this role. Our use of AI does not replace human decision-making.

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We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at Hydro One; however, only those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.