Senior Specialist, Real Estate Strategy

 Reference Number : 556 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $91 506 - $113 037

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 12/11/2024

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure and reservation system, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility.

As the Senior Specialist, Real Estate Strategy, you will work within a matrix structure where you will be in charge of asset management and the development of the investment plan for the real estate portfolio. You will need to follow the company rules and will be supported by internal and external groups.

Responsibilities:

Asset management
• Plan, coordinate, and maintain the real estate asset register.
• Review and analyze the data in order to prepare and initiate studies, project briefs, and investment plans.
• Determine the criticality of assets and act as the person in charge for reducing the maintenance deficit of the real estate portfolio.
• Establish and maintain the processes for updating the status of assets with stakeholders from other groups.
• Manage and negotiate contracts with suppliers and consultants.
• Act as the main point of contact for the team, internal clients, and stakeholders.
• Prepare progress reports for presentation to the Portfolio Director and the VIA Executive.
• Participate in the development of CAPEX prioritization requests for the real estate portfolio.
• Lead stakeholders and teams in a matrix structure to achieve the strategic group’s objectives.

Investment plan
• Plan, coordinate, and develop the CAPEX investment plan for the real estate portfolio based on 0–5 years; 5–10 years; and 11–30 years.
• Establish milestones according to industry standards and identify elements related to maintenance deficit and asset lifecycle.
• Propose solutions based on the criticality of assets.
• Define a list of projects and programs that will be used as a basis for developing CAPEX prioritization requests for the real estate portfolio.
• Integrate the operational and functional requests from other groups into the investment plan.
• Establish and maintain the investment plan update processes with stakeholders from other groups.
• Prepare progress reports for presentation to the Portfolio Director and the VIA Executive.
• Lead stakeholders and teams in a matrix structure and therefore actively contribute to the strategic advancement of the portfolio.

Studies and pre-projects
• Define the scope of work for the studies and pre-projects required prior to the roll out of CAPEX initiatives.
• Manage and negotiate contracts with suppliers and consultants.
• Act as the main point of contact for the client, users, and stakeholders.
• Ensure that the roll out, planning, supervision, control, and execution of allocated studies and pre-projects are done rigorously and meet VIA’s standards.
• Establish and closely monitor the scope, budget and financial forecasts, deadlines, dependencies, risks, and issues associated with each study and pre-project.
• Perform site inspections and audits and regularly meet with stakeholders on the field.
• Ensure that all site operations are carried out in accordance with VIA’s safety and environmental requirements, as well as applicable laws and regulations.
• Direct resources and adjust team efforts, while regularly evaluating their performance, to identify gaps and corrective actions to be taken.
• Prepare progress reports for studies and pre-projects, as well as internal reports for VIA, and attend follow-up meetings.

Requirements :

• You have a minimum of 10 years of experience or any other experience deemed adequate or equivalent;
• Bachelor’s degree or College Diploma in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or architecture, and experience in asset management and construction project management or a combination of education and experience deemed equivalent;
• Member of the Order of Engineers (OIQ or PEO) or member of the Order of Engineering Technologists (T.P. or C.E.T) (asset);
• Mandatory PMP, an asset;
• Bilingual (French and English), oral and written.

Competencies:

• Experience in asset management and/or strategic planning;
• Ability to travel regularly across Canada (once or twice a month);
• Occasional requirements to work outside normal business hours;
• Autonomy and experience in simultaneously managing multiple initiatives;
• Excellent communication skills and ability to adapt based on the target audience. Must be able to establish harmonious relationships with all stakeholders;
• Ability to communicate the project objectives to the team members and guide them to ensure that the objectives are achieved;
• Ability to lead and coordinate the work of others;
• Leadership skills to lead programs and initiatives and therefore motivate a multidisciplinary team of internal and external professionals;
• Ability to analyze data in order to propose strategies for optimizing real estate portfolio;
• Establish a common vision, clear direction, and well-defined priorities.

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

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