ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, CAPITAL PROJECTS
Professional Exempt- On Site
The Burnaby School District is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ. Burnaby is at the geographical centre of Metro Vancouver. In 2021, Burnaby had a population of 249,125. The city is culturally diverse, with roughly 54% of residents having a primary language other than English or French.
We're the fourth largest school district in BC, operating 41 elementary and 8 secondary schools, as well as a range of District programs and Provincial Resource Programs. Over 27,000 students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 are enrolled. Our District employs more than 4,600 dedicated employees who are committed to providing all students with a wide variety of innovative, high-quality programs to ensure student achievement in areas that include academics, athletics, trades training, visual and performing arts, social responsibility, and leadership. In addition, our staff support the successful operation of our school facilities. Our District also provides lifelong learning opportunities to more than 6,000 adult learners through the Burnaby Community & Continuing Education program.
Position Description
Reporting to the Executive Director, Facilities and Capital Services, the Assistant Director, Capital Projects provides strategic leadership for the District's capital planning and project delivery functions. The position is responsible for advancing the District's capital priorities through effective planning, governance, stakeholder engagement, financial stewardship, and delivery of a diverse portfolio of Ministry-funded capital projects.
The Assistant Director oversees the District's capital project portfolio and Five-Year Capital Plan, representing approximately $300 million in capital investments, including school replacements, additions, seismic upgrades and childcare facilities. The role leads the Capital Projects Department and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in alignment with District priorities.
Position Responsibilities
- Leads the development and implementation of long-term capital planning strategies aligned with District priorities and enrollment growth.
- Evaluates enrollment projections and infrastructure needs to support strategic decision-making.
- Supports development of business cases and capital funding strategies.
- Provides leadership and direction for Capital Projects Department operations.
- Establishes departmental goals, performance measures, and service standards.
- Develops and maintains systems, procedures, and reporting frameworks to support project delivery and continuous improvement.
- Monitors departmental performance and resource allocation.
- Leads the preparation and submission of annual capital plans, project definition reports, and funding requests.
- Coordinates project approvals, funding agreements, and reporting requirements with the Ministry of Infrastructure.
- Identifies and evaluates capital funding opportunities.
- Provides executive oversight of the District's capital project portfolio, including new schools, additions, seismic projects, and child care facilities.
- Establishes project governance frameworks, controls, and accountability measures.
- Monitors project performance related to scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk.
- Provides strategic direction throughout planning, design, construction, commissioning, and project close-out.
- Serves as the primary liaison with the City of Burnaby regarding development approvals, permits, servicing requirements, and occupancy processes.
- Maintains effective relationships with municipal departments, government agencies, and regulatory authorities.
- Represents the District during consultations involving planning and development initiatives.
- Leads capital project budgeting, forecasting, expenditure monitoring, and financial reporting.
- Ensures effective stewardship of Ministry funding and capital resources.
- Monitors project financial performance and develops mitigation strategies for budget pressures and risks.
- Oversees procurement and contract administration for consulting and construction services.
- Ensures compliance with public-sector procurement requirements and District policies.
- Leads consultant selection, contract award, and contract negotiation processes.
- Oversees contract performance, change management, claims management, and dispute resolution.
- Leads capital project portfolio risk assessment and mitigation activities. Implements project controls and mitigation strategies to minimize risk exposure.
- Identifies risks related to scope, budget, schedule, construction, approvals, and stakeholder impacts.
- Oversees project-related claims, legal matters, and dispute resolution processes.
- Provides leadership, supervision, mentoring, and support to Capital Projects staff.
- Leads workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning, and professional development initiatives.
- Establishes a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and service excellence.
- Promotes safe work practices and a positive workplace culture.
- Develops and maintains effective relationships with school administrators, District leadership, Ministry representatives, municipal staff, consultants, contractors, and community partners.
- Leads stakeholder engagement activities associated with major capital projects and planning initiatives.
- Supports communication and reporting related to capital project delivery.
- Perform duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, Project Management, Building Technology, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum eight years of progressively responsible experience managing capital projects, facilities planning, or major infrastructure programs.
- Minimum five years of leadership experience in a management or senior project leadership role.
- Experience delivering major institutional, educational, municipal, or public-sector capital projects.
- Experience with Ministry-funded capital projects and public-sector procurement processes is preferred.
- Professional designation such as Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Registered Architect (AIBC), Project Management Professional (PMP), or an equivalent combination of professional credentials and relevant experience is required.
- Valid Class 5 British Columbia Driver's Licence.
- Extensive knowledge of capital planning, facilities planning, and project management principles.
- Thorough knowledge of construction delivery methods, public-sector procurement, contract administration, and project governance.
- Strong understanding of educational facility planning, municipal planning processes, and government funding programs.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, building codes, and public-sector governance practices.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex capital projects from planning through completion.
- Strong strategic planning, analytical, financial management, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Strong report writing, presentation, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively within a complex public-sector environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
The Burnaby School District values inclusion and embraces diversity as a strength. Our goal is for all individuals to feel a sense of belonging in a safe, supportive, and welcoming community. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including Indigenous, Black, people of colour, all genders, LGBTQ2+ and persons with disabilities.
How To Apply
- Register on Make a Future:
- Create a profile
- Click on Job Postings then click Search
- Select the Job you are qualified for
- Upload ALL supporting documents
- You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been submitted
Timelines
- Please submit your full application no later than 4:00pm on November 9, 2026
What We Offer
We have exceptional talent in our District and pride ourselves on being an engaging, collaborative, and supportive employer, as well as a progressive leader in education. We offer and welcome employees to take the opportunity to develop their careers within our District. There are many opportunities for those employees that possess the qualifications and capability to access positions of advancement. Employees are supported throughout their careers to engage in professional development opportunities by encouraging learning on assigned professional development days, providing professional development workshops, and providing the opportunity for reimbursement of external professional development.
The Assistant Director, Capital Projects compensation is determined by BC Public Service Employer Association. The salary for this position is $127,899 - $159,874 along with a comprehensive benefits package including pension. Further details will be discussed at the time of hire. Successful applicants will be required to consent to a Criminal Record Search prior to employment. Only those persons selected for interviews will be contacted.
The Burnaby School District is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible work environment for all members of its workforce. Within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an accessible process for all applicants' (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request by contacting Sarah Ash in Human Resources. Any questions during the recruitment and hiring process should be directed to Sarah Ash in Human Resources, by email at
Thank you for your interest in the Burnaby School District! 
