Join Onward: Transforming Lives through Affordable Housing and Community Engagement
At Onward, we stand for more than just housing; we represent affordability, community, and the fostering of personal growth. Our commitment to creating affordable homes and empowering individuals to thrive is what drives us. With over five decades of history, Onward stands as a leading not-for-profit dedicated to affordable housing in Calgary.
Our Mission: Onward focuses on creating, renovating, and expertly managing properties to provide homes for over 3,
000 individuals, predominantly with lower incomes. We work closely with over 50 social service agencies to introduce residents who require support. Our buildings, spread across the city, cater to individuals, families, seniors, Indigenous persons, newcomers to Canada, and others who benefit from personalized agency support for various needs, including mental health, addictions, and mobility challenges.
Our People, Our Strength: To fulfill our mission, we rely on an exceptional team of dedicated employees. We seek team members who value results, leadership, and inclusive practices, believing in the power of collaboration and demonstrating courage where needed. If you resonate with our vision and share our values, we invite you to join us on our mission to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
What We Need From This Role
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Project Lead – Capital & Asset Renewal is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and quality control of major capital replacement, building refurbishment, and unit restoration projects across Onward’s affordable housing portfolio.
Working at the intersection of construction management and community impact, the Project Lead ensures that building renewal projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to high quality and sustainability standards. This role plays a critical part in preserving Onward’s physical assets, extending the lifespan of affordable housing stock, and ensuring safe, high-quality homes for the individuals and families we serve.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Capital Project Execution & Delivery
- Lead the end-to-end management of capital renewal projects (e.g., envelope repairs, roofing, HVAC upgrades, accessibility enhancements, suite turnover refurbishments).
- Develop clear scopes of work, project schedules, and procurement packages for sub-contractors and primary consultants.
- Conduct regular site visits and inspections to monitor contractor work quality, safety compliance, and adherence to project specifications and local building codes.
- Resolve on-site technical issues, manage change orders, and approve contractor progress invoices in line with work completed.
Asset Lifecycle & Capital Planning
- Support the maintenance of Onward’s 25-year Capital Replacement Plan by gathering building condition data, identifying component risk, and recommending multi-year project priorities.
- Incorporate energy efficiency, sustainability, and universal accessibility principles into capital renewal scopes to lower long-term operating costs and enhance resident comfort.
- Assist senior leadership during building acquisition or development due diligence by providing physical conditions assessments and estimated remediation costs.
Community Engagement & Resident Experience
- Partner closely with Property Management and Resident Services to plan work around resident needs, particularly for vulnerable populations, seniors, or residents with specialized needs.
- Establish clear communication plans for capital projects, ensuring residents receive timely, respectful notices regarding unit access, noise, or utility disruptions.
- Organize and lead pre-construction resident briefings for major building updates to address questions and build community trust.
Financial Management & Funding Compliance
- Draft realistic project budgets and monitor expenditures throughout the project lifecycle to prevent cost overruns.
- Maintain complete, audit-ready project documentation required by municipal, provincial, and federal funding partners (e.g., CMHC, Alberta Housing, local Calgary housing authorities).
- Oversee vendor tendering and procurement processes in compliance with organizational policies, ensuring maximum value and stewardship of affordable housing funds.
What You Bring
To be successful in this role, you will need:
- Proven experience in construction project management, capital renewal, building refurbishment, or asset management.
- Strong knowledge of building systems, structural envelopes, local building codes, and contractor management.
- Demonstrated ability to manage project budgets, vendor procurement, and project scheduling.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple active project sites and handle competing priorities effectively.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for site visits across Calgary.
Advantageous Experience:
- Direct experience managing construction or capital projects within multi-family residential or social/affordable housing environments.
- Experience working with government funding programs and compliance bodies (e.g., CMHC, provincial housing authorities).
- Experience engaging directly with residents or vulnerable populations during active facility renovations.
Working Environment, Conditions, and Physical Demands
The position entails a mix of office-based management and active field work, including frequent site visits, building inspections, and contractor walk-throughs across various properties. The work environment may occasionally be fast-paced due to project deadlines and live-building conditions. Hours are typically 37.5 per week, with occasional flexibility required based on project milestones or urgent site needs.
Compensation & Benefits
- A competitive salary
- Potential performance bonus: Up to 7%
- Initial vacation entitlement of three weeks
- Comprehensive benefits package including a health spending account
- RRSP featuring an automatic 5% contribution from Onward and an additional 2% contribution with a matching component
- Five flex days per year
- A dynamic and supportive work environment where your actions make a real impact in the community
Our Commitment
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion ensures equal opportunities for all applicants; we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Thank you for your interest in Onward!
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