Owner’s Representative / Project Management Services (Contract)

Owner’s Representative / Project Management Services (Contract)

Issue Date: May 19, 2026

Submission Deadline: June 4, 2026

Engagement Type: Contract (Individual or Firm)

Location: North Bay, Ontario (hybrid; on-site presence required)

Invitation

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie invites applications or expressions of interest from qualified individuals or firms to serve as Owner’s Representative/Project Manager for the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of the Motherhouse and surrounding property into St. Joseph’s Neighbourhood.

This multi-year initiative will transform a legacy site into a vibrant, inclusive, and mission-driven community, grounded in affordability, belonging, wellness, and long-term sustainability.

About the Project

St. Joseph’s Neighbourhood is envisioned as more than a redevelopment project — it is an expression of the “Grace of this Place”: a spirit of welcome, belonging, healing, and community.

The project explores the adaptive reuse and redevelopment of the Motherhouse and surrounding lands to explore opportunities for mixed and affordable housing, community partnerships, wellness, and long-term stewardship, while respecting the site’s history, character, and ongoing residential life.

The Motherhouse remains an active residential home, and all planning and redevelopment work must be undertaken with sensitivity to its continuing operations, dignity, and community.

Role Overview

The Owner’s Representative will serve as a trusted project steward and advocate, helping guide the redevelopment process in alignment with the Sisters’ vision, governance, and project objectives. Working collaboratively with Leadership, committees, consultants, and partners, the role will provide mission-focused strategic coordination, oversight, and project leadership across the various phases of planning and redevelopment.

This role may be fulfilled by an individual or firm with the appropriate expertise and capacity.

The successful proponent will bring both technical expertise and strong relational capacity, supporting a process that is thoughtful, collaborative, and effective.

Scope of Services

The project is currently in a Phase 1 Visioning, Strategic Planning, Feasibility, and Development Framework stage focused on exploring long-term redevelopment opportunities for the Motherhouse and surrounding lands through conceptual scenario planning and strategic feasibility work.

Responsibilities will evolve by project phase and may include:

1. Strategic & Vision Stewardship

Guide alignment between mission, vision, and implementation; support leadership discernment and decision-making.

2. Project Coordination

Provide oversight across all phases, ensuring integration between consultants, partners, and stakeholders.

3. Planning & Readiness

Support feasibility review, risk identification, master planning inputs, and definition of future project phases.

4. Procurement & Team Assembly

Lead or support consultant procurement and selection processes, including the development of evaluation frameworks and coordination and project partner selection.

5. Financial & Funding Strategy

Review budgets and pro formas; advise on financial strategy, funding pathways, and long-term viability.

6. Partnerships & Municipal Liaison

Support engagement with municipal bodies, Indigenous partners, funders, and community stakeholders.

7. Design & Pre-Construction Oversight

Coordinate design teams, ensure alignment with scope, budget, and intended uses.

8. Construction Oversight

Monitor progress, budgets, and performance; support issue resolution and team coordination.

9. Transition & Close-Out

Ensure completion, commissioning, documentation, and readiness for occupancy and operations.

10. Governance & Reporting

Prepare board-ready materials; maintain decision logs, risk registers, and clear reporting structures.

11. Risk Management & Quality Assurance

Ensure due diligence, identify risks, and safeguard project integrity.

12. Communication & Mission Alignment

Ensure all work reflects the values of belonging, stewardship, reconciliation, and care.

Qualifications & Experience

Proponents should demonstrate:

• Minimum 7–10 years of senior experience in development, construction, redevelopment, or complex project leadership
• Experience with affordable or mixed housing, adaptive reuse, multi-phase redevelopment, or community-based projects
• Experience in seniors housing, retirement living, or long-term care environments (strong asset)
• Experience working with faith-based organizations or the non-profit sector (strong asset)
• Strong understanding of development financing, procurement, approvals, and project governance
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives

Core Capabilities

• Strategic and systems thinking
• Collaborative leadership and relationship-building
• Clear and thoughtful communication
• Sound judgment and discernment
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Comfort with evolving scope and ambiguity
• Alignment with mission-driven work

Working Approach

The Owner’s Representative will:

• Act with integrity, prudence, and care
• Foster a collaborative and integrated team environment
• Anticipate future phases and build readiness
• Balance vision with practical execution
• Maintain sensitivity to the active residential nature of the site

Reporting Relationship & Authority

• The Owner’s Representative will report to and work under the direction of the Housing Planning Lead, while collaborating closely with Congregational Leadership, senior operational management, designated project leads and consultants.
• The role functions primarily in an advisory, coordination, and oversight capacity, with major decisions subject to approval by the Sisters’ governance and leadership structures.

Engagement Structure

• 12-month independent contractor engagement (individual or firm), renewable based on project needs
• Flexible part-time hours, evolving by project phase
• Early phase commitment anticipated at approximately 10–15 hours/week (~50 hours/month)
• Hybrid work model combining remote and on-site participation in North Bay.
• Regular attendance required during key meetings, planning sessions, and stakeholder engagement activities
• Compensation commensurate with experience, qualifications, and scope of services
• Rate: Compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and proposed scope of services. Anticipated rates for individual consultants: approximately $85–$120/hour (contract position; no benefits or pension participation)

Submission Requirements

Individuals

• Cover letter and Resume/CV
• Summary of relevant experience and comparable projects, including experience with mission-driven or community-based projects.
• Availability and general approach to the role
• Fee expectations
• References (2–3, available upon request)

Firms

• Company profile and team composition
• Relevant project experience (3–5 comparable examples), including experience with mission-driven or community-based projects.
• Key personnel and proposed roles
• Governance and communication approach
• Fee structure
• References (2 – 3, available upon request)

Insurance/incorporation expectations

· Successful proponents may be required to provide proof of professional liability insurance and appropriate business registration.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant experience and technical capability
• Alignment with mission, values, and project vision
• Collaborative approach and communication style
• Understanding of project complexity and readiness phase
• Capacity and availability
• Sensitivity to Indigenous partnership and reconciliation

Submission Process

Please submit all materials electronically to the Housing Lead:

Sr. Josie McKechnie/ Email: theneighbourhood@csjssm.ca

Subject Line: Owner’s Representative – Submission

Closing Reflection

This role is not only about delivering a project. It offers an opportunity to help shape a significant and meaningful redevelopment initiative grounded in long-term community benefit, stewardship, and belonging.

The Sisters seek a collaborative partner who can support both the practical realities of redevelopment and the broader vision for a welcoming and sustainable neighbourhood where people can live, connect, and flourish.