This is hands-on hospitality leadership. You will lead the team, do the work and understand how every repair affects the guest and employee experience.
The Drake has long been part of Queen West: a hotel, a collection of restaurants and bars, a gathering place, a stage and, for many people, a local institution. The building is not simply where hospitality happens; it is part of the experience.
The Classic Wing carries history, character and the quirks of an older property. The newer Modern Wing brings contemporary guestrooms, equipment, controls and infrastructure. Caring for both takes curiosity, sound technical judgement and respect for what makes the place distinctive.
At The Drake, facilities work is hospitality work: the room that feels right, the kitchen that stays in service, the event that starts on time and the repair most people never need to notice.
We are looking for an experienced Facilities Manager to lead day-to-day building operations, preventive maintenance, the facilities team, contractors and urgent issues while a team member is on leave. This is genuinely hands-on: you should be equally comfortable diagnosing and repairing a problem, setting the day's priorities and briefing hotel leadership on risks and next steps.
This posting is for an existing temporary vacancy. The contract length will be 6-months. An extension or permanent opportunity may be considered based on business needs and mutual alignment, but is not guaranteed.
-
Care for the whole property. Keep the Classic and Modern Wings working as one hotel across guestrooms, public spaces, food + beverage venues, event areas and back-of-house.
-
Lead from the floor. Set priorities and guide the team while personally completing a meaningful share of repairs, including plumbing, basic electrical, HVAC troubleshooting, drywall, painting, caulking, doors, locks, hardware, furniture, millwork and general building work within your safe scope.
-
Prevent the next problem. Own practical preventive-maintenance routines, inspections and room/area care programs; document deficiencies and follow through before they become guest or operating issues.
-
Work across eras and systems. Monitor HVAC, boilers, plumbing, electrical, building controls, fire and life-safety equipment, elevators, laundry and commercial kitchen systems. Learn the property deeply, and know what can be handled safely in-house and when a qualified trade is required.
-
Bring in the right help. Source quotes, schedule and supervise vendors and contractors, and coordinate repairs, small renovations and capital work with minimal disruption.
-
Be ready when plans change. Lead the facilities response to leaks, loss of heat or cooling, power issues, alarms, equipment failures and other urgent building events.
-
Keep the facts straight. Maintain useful work-order, inspection, inventory, vendor and compliance records; support purchasing, budget tracking and practical repair-versus-replace decisions.
-
Practise hospitality while you work. Partner closely with Housekeeping, Front Office, Food + Beverage, Events, Security and leadership so work is timed, communicated and completed with care for guests and employees.
-
Protect people and property. Uphold occupational health and safety, fire/life-safety, environmental and company requirements, including safe work practices, PPE and incident reporting.
-
Urgent issues are assessed quickly, communicated clearly and resolved with minimal disruption.
-
The team knows what matters today, what can wait and what cannot.
-
Preventive maintenance is visible, current and reducing repeat failures.
-
The original property's character is respected, newer technology is used well, and guest-facing repairs are finished to a hospitality standard - not merely made functional.
-
Contractors arrive prepared, understand the scope and are held to quality, timing and safety expectations.
-
Leadership has a clear view of open risks, costs and decisions required.
-
At least five years of progressive experience in hotel engineering, facilities, commercial building maintenance, property operations or a related environment, including experience leading people or daily work.
-
Strong, broad hands-on ability across general building repairs and sound working knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, boilers and life-safety systems.
-
Experience in a hotel, restaurant, mixed-use, institutional, multi-residential or other continuously occupied property. Hospitality and food + beverage experience are strong assets.
-
The ability to troubleshoot calmly, identify root causes, manage safe temporary responses and coordinate vendors, quotes, small projects and permanent solutions.
-
Clear communication with technicians, hotel teams, guests, contractors and senior leaders, plus comfort using work-order software and maintaining accurate records.
-
Knowledge of Ontario health and safety, fire/life-safety and safe maintenance practices. WHMIS, a trade licence, building-systems certification or facilities designation are assets.
-
Availability for a flexible hotel schedule and a fair share of after-hours, weekend, holiday and emergency support.
-
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, lift up to 20 kg, climb ladders and stairs, and safely access work areas. A valid Ontario driver's licence is an asset.
-
The chance to care for a local institution, with a rare mix of original building character and newer technology to keep an experienced facilities professional learning.
-
The autonomy to solve real problems, improve how the property is cared for and see the impact of your work every day.
-
Competitive contract compensation, applicable Drake employee perks, and a creative environment shaped by genuine hospitality, food, art, culture and community.
Apply directly with your resume and a short note about a difficult building problem you personally diagnosed and helped fix. Tell us how you thought it through - and, if it was in an occupied space, how you looked after the people affected while the work was underway.
The Drake is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a positive, supportive, and creative environment at Drake Hotel Properties that promotes equity, inclusiveness and diversity. We welcome job applications from candidates of all backgrounds including, but not limited to, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour); refugees, newcomers, and immigrant persons; 2SLGBTQI+, and persons with disabilities. Please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure you can access and complete the submissions process.