Director, Physical Plant & Engineering Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) DEPARTMENT: Plant Operations
REPORTS TO:Chief Finance and Operating officer (CFOO)
The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of North America’s largest and most complex cultural institutions, spanning a multi-era campus that has evolved over nearly two centuries. Today, the AGO is entering a critical period of transition and investment, driven by both a major capital expansion and a planned leadership succession within its physical plant function.
The Director, Physical Plant & Engineering is a hands‑on senior leader responsible for the safe, reliable, and long‑term operation of the AGO’s physical plant and building infrastructure. This role combines full accountability for plant operations with direct technical engineering leadership, acting as the Gallery’s senior engineering authority and Chief Engineer for the physical plant. one of three senior operational leaders reporting to the CFOO and works closely with peers across Facilities and Security. The role leads a capable technical team and is expected to elevate performance, collaboration, and transparency across the function.
- Reports to CFOO alongside Facilities and Security leaders
- Leads Manager, Plant Operations and technical staff
- Team includes high-potential and experienced operators
- Operates within a unionized environment
- Builds trust across stakeholders including conservation and exhibitions
- Drives accountability, collaboration, and development
- Visible and engaged leadership style
The Director is personally engaged in system diagnostics, engineering decision‑making, and complex problem resolution across mechanical, electrical, environmental, and life‑safety systems. The role ensures that building systems are not only operational and compliant, but also well‑understood, accurately documented, and optimally managed across their full lifecycle.
In addition to operational leadership, the Director is accountable for the integrity and use of building information, including BIM models, CAD drawings, technical documentation, and asset data, ensuring alignment between as‑built conditions, operational systems, capital projects, and maintenance practices. The mandate includes modernizing infrastructure management practices and integrating new systems with legacy conditions.
The position leads plant operations through hands‑on technical engagement, strategic planning, capital coordination, and cross‑functional collaboration, protecting the Gallery’s people, collection, buildings, and long‑term infrastructure investment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Plant Operations & Infrastructure Leadership (20%) · Direct and oversee the day‑to‑day and long‑term operation of all building infrastructure systems, including HVAC, BAS, electrical distribution, plumbing, environmental controls, life‑safety systems, and vertical transportation.
· Act as Chief Engineer of the Physical Plant, exercising direct technical judgment in system operation, failure response, and performance optimization.
· Provide 24/7 senior on‑call leadership for infrastructure emergencies, outages, and critical incidents.
· Lead seasonal changeovers, system commissioning, shutdowns, and recoveries to support gallery operations, exhibitions, collection care, and public safety.
Hands‑On Technical Engineering & Diagnostics (20%) Provide hands‑on technical engineering leadership across all major building systems, including direct involvement in:
· System diagnostics and troubleshooting and root‑cause failure analysis
· Condition assessments and system performance evaluations
· Establish and apply engineering standards for system operation, testing, and maintenance, personally engaging in complex technical issues where engineering judgment is required.
· Lead advanced troubleshooting and technical decision‑making during system failures and abnormal operating conditions.
BIM, CAD & Technical Documentation Accountability (15%) Hold institutional accountability for the accuracy, integrity, and operational usability of all building technical documentation, including:
· BIM models (e.g. Revit‑based models), CAD drawings and digital as‑builts
· O&M manuals, commissioning records, warranties, and certifications,
· Ensure alignment between as‑built conditions, BIM/CAD records, CMMS data, and real‑world plant operation.
· Define technical documentation and BIM/CAD requirements at project outset and ensure complete, accurate delivery at capital project closeout.
· Use BIM and technical records as active tools to support troubleshooting, emergency response, maintenance planning, and lifecycle management.
Capital Projects & Asset Lifecycle Management (10%) · Lead infrastructure lifecycle planning, deferred maintenance analysis, and capital reinvestment strategies informed by engineering data and asset condition.
· Provide technical leadership and oversight for infrastructure‑related capital projects, including design review, constructability input, commissioning, and operational handover.
· Ensure capital investments translate into reliable, maintainable, and well‑documented plant systems.
· Partner with Finance and Capital teams while owning the technical integrity of asset data used for planning and decision‑making.
Energy, Utilities & Sustainability (10%)
· Direct utility monitoring and energy management programs, using system analytics to improve efficiency and reduce operating risk.
· Lead engineering‑driven initiatives to reduce energy consumption and optimize system performance.
· Ensure utilities and environmental systems support both operational reliability and sustainability objectives.
Compliance, Safety & Risk Management (10%) · Lead building compliance with all applicable codes, regulations, and safety requirements, including fire and life‑safety systems (together with Director, Protection Services), hazardous materials, and environmental regulations.
· Partnering with the Director, Protection Services- Develop and maintain fire plans, emergency response protocols, and inspection programs.
· Lead participation in OH&S initiatives, inspections, committees, and emergency response teams.
· Serve as the senior technical liaison with authorities having jurisdiction, insurers, and regulators.
Leadership & People Management (10%)
· Lead and develop plant operations and technical engineering staff in a unionized environment.
· Set clear expectations for technical rigor, safety, documentation quality, and accountability.
· Hire, train, coach, and evaluate staff, fostering a culture of hands‑on problem‑solving, learning, and technical excellence.
· Coordinate work across Plant Operations, Facilities Services, Capital Projects, IT, Security, and external partners.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES: - Post‑secondary education in Mechanical, Electrical, or related Engineering trade or discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Advanced engineering certification such as 2nd Class Stationary Engineer preferred; PMP or equivalent considered an asset.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in complex building infrastructure or Class A institutional environments.
- Demonstrated hands‑on expertise in building systems, engineering diagnostics, and infrastructure operations.
- Proven experience working with BIM models, CAD drawings, CMMS platforms, and technical documentation in operational environments.
- Strong experience in capital projects, contract negotiation, compliance, and lifecycle planning.
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and contractors in unionized, safety‑critical environments.
- Excellent communication, judgment, and decision‑making skills under both routine and emergency conditions.
CORE COMPETENCIES: - Technical leadership and engineering judgment
- Operational accountability
- Risk‑based decision‑making
- Collaboration and influence
- Coaching and development of others
- Integrity and trust
- Continuous improvement and innovation
EFFORT: - Direction and coordination of multiple priorities with complex and time-sensitive priorities and different completion phases.
- Close attention to detail with a need for accuracy.
- Responds to workplace issues, situational assessments and resolution including emergent situations.
- Considerable walking and occasional climbing.
WORKING CONDITIONS: - Some risk and discomfort
- Provides on-call direction 24/7
- Emergency response as required
- Exposure to chemicals, fumes, inclement weather and high elevations
- Exposure to construction, moving equipment and elevated noise environments
The CFOO brings a pragmatic, collaborative leadership style grounded in accountability, transparency, and team development. The AGO’s next Director of PPE will be a leader who will take full ownership of the physical plant while working closely with peers across the organization. The AGO has built a strong and capable technical team in recent years, with solid operators, emerging leadership talent, and a culture that is steadily improving. The expectation for this role is to build on that foundation by being present, hands-on, and highly engaged with the team, while fostering knowledge sharing and continuous development.
The ideal candidate will have a genuine pride in operating and maintaining complex, high-profile cultural infrastructure, with an appreciation for the role that building performance plays in protecting collections, supporting exhibitions, and enhancing the visitor experience. A passion for the arts and an understanding of and respect for the environment, and a commitment to excellence in a visible public institution, are critical.
Compensation Range: $130,000 - $175,000 + a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.
Candidate Experience:
To learn more about the opprtunity, please apply or reach out directly to either Elaine Bellio (bellio@iqpartners.com) or John Trenholme (trenholme@iqpartners.com)
Following qualification and assessment by the IQ Partners search team, candidates will first meet virtually with the Chief Finance and Operating Officer, with subsequent interviews happening on-site at the AGO with the CFOO and other key PPE and cross-functional stakeholders.
The Art Gallery of Ontario is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce. Should you require accommodation at any time during this process, please advise IQ Partners at the onset of the recruitment process.
