Maintenance Manager at Optima Living in Edmonton, AB, CAN

About Optima Living
Founded in 2007 by two friends inspired by their families’ dementia journeys, Optima Living was created to provide a more home-like experience in seniors housing and care. What began as a personal mission has grown into one of Western Canada’s leading senior living and continuing care providers.
Today, Optima Living offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living, Long-Term Care, Brain Health, and Memory Care across Alberta and British Columbia. Our innovative approach includes Spark, Your Wellness, Your Way; our proprietary brain health and care model. As the only Top 10 Canadian senior living and care provider focused exclusively on Western Canada, we proudly serve more than 4,300 residents.
Guided by our North Star, Let us welcome you home™, we are committed to People, Place, and Community. With a resident-first philosophy and a focus on innovation, we are redefining aging with purpose creating communities where seniors live with dignity, connection, and joy.
Position Summary
Reporting to the General Manager, the Maintenance Manager oversees the safe and efficient operation of all building systems, equipment, and infrastructure within the community. This role oversees the preventive maintenance program, ensures adherence to regulatory and safety standards, maintains accurate documentation, and supports operational continuity to promote resident comfort, safety, and a well-maintained physical environment.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in alignment with Optima Living’s mission, vision, and values, promoting person-centered care by respecting the uniqueness, dignity, and self-determination of residents to promote maximum personal and functional independence. These duties are performed within the framework of established organizational policies and procedures, industry best practices, while adhering to applicable regulations and standards.
Responsibilities
Leadership and Team Oversight
• Provides leadership, support, guidance and mentorship to the maintenance team.
• Provides oversight and direction to the maintenance team through coordination of work routines.
• Conducts and attends team meetings; serves on committees as applicable.
• Ensures team members comply with all relevant Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
Core Deliverables
• Leads the development, implementation, evaluation, and revisions of maintenance-related goals, objectives, and outcomes.
• Oversees the preventative maintenance program for medical and building equipment, systems, and environment ensuring adherence to schedules and accurate recordkeeping (within the PM software or manual checklists).
• Responds promptly to maintenance service requests, prioritizing safety and resident comfort.
• Troubleshoots equipment failures and coordinates rapid response to reduce impact.
• Conducts daily reviews of the Building Management system to ensure operational efficiency and resident comfort.
• Oversees the daily maintenance operations of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, lighting, appliances, and building systems.
• Oversees the maintenance and management of the life and safety equipment in compliance with all regulatory standards and inspection requirements.
• Provides monthly review notes with Operations teams.
• Participates in emergency preparedness and on-call responses as required.
• Monitors community energy use to ensure operational efficiency and implements energy projects as needed.
• Manages service manuals and warranty documentation for all equipment and systems.
• Assesses building service contractors, reports findings to the General Manager, and oversees on-site work quality.
• Maintains inventory of tools, supplies, and maintenance equipment.
• Procures and distributes supplies and equipment in alignment with the allocated budget.
• Oversees seasonal maintenance of community grounds year-round through in-house or contracted services including snow removal, landscaping, and parking lot care.
• Supports resident move ins and move outs by handling wall repairs, painting, general repairs, fixture replacement and floor cleaning and replacement.
• Maintains proper use of computerized maintenance management system.
• Conducts daily inspections of the swimming pool and pool area to maintain compliance with applicable health and safety regulations and organizational standards as required.
Optima Community Engagement
• Ensures communication with residents, families and team members is managed effectively, with empathy and responsiveness.
• Collaborates with other team leads within the community to ensure that goals and planned changes are monitored and reviewed.
• Solicits regular resident and family feedback from surveys and other means.
Budget and Financial
• Participates in the operational, budgetary, and capital planning processes.
• Forecasts budget requirements as well as monitors and approves expenditures.
Quality Assurance
• Performs and evaluates organizational audits and key performance indicators and shares the results for quality improvements.
• Investigates and documents incidents and complaints, ensuring prompt corrective actions.
• Manages risks, communicates problems and finds solutions for quality improvements and risk mitigations.
• Reviews external quality and inspection reports in collaboration with the General Manager.
• Maintains accurate records by ensuring necessary documentation and reporting systems are in place.
Operational and Administrative Systems
• Liaises with external governing and regulatory groups as applicable.
• Determines and maintains appropriate staffing levels (as per CBA if applicable) and interviews and hires qualified personnel in consultation with the General Manager.
• Oversees the onboarding and orientation of the team.
• Manages performance evaluations and improvement strategies.
• Ensures team members participation in the annual continuing education program.
• Resolves conflicts and takes appropriate corrective action as needed.
• Supports the Community Relations Coordinator in providing tours of the community as needed.
General
• Promptly reports unsafe conditions, incidents, or concerns to supervisor, General Manager or Health & Safety Committee.
• Identifies maintenance issues and reports them following established maintenance procedures.
• Responds promptly during emergency codes in alignment with organizational standards and protocols.
• Contributes to quality improvement initiatives by sharing ideas and providing feedback.
• Ensures adherence to infection control policies and procedures through regular audits, observations, and investigations.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of resident medical and personal information in accordance with privacy legislation.
• Completes orientation upon hire and annual mandatory education as assigned.
• Supports other team members through their orientation process.
• Performs other duties as required to support operational needs.
Qualifications & Experience
• Completion of a recognized boiler operations and/or power engineering program is an asset.
• Minimum of three (3) years experience in maintenance and building systems.
• Minimum of one (1) year leadership experience with building or maintenance operations
• Experience in a residential care or mental health environment is an asset.
• Pool Operator Certification meeting Alberta Health Services (AHS) requirements is an asset or must be willing to obtain upon hire (for communities with Pool)
• Maintains a valid Class 5 driver’s license (Class 4 is an asset)
• CPR and First Aid certification is an asset.
• Knowledge and understanding of HVAC, plumbing, electrical and Geothermal environmental systems, carpentry and building design is required.
• Knowledge and understanding of Leed Certification requirements is an asset.
• Knowledge and understanding of security, pressurization, elevator, fire alarm, sprinkler, and smoke detector systems is required.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and drawings is required.
• Understanding of emergency and first aid procedures is required.
• Understanding of building safety in accordance with all industry safety regulations is required.
• Knowledge of Labour and Employment Standards including union and collective agreements, is an asset.
• Energetic and supportive leader who drives team engagement and morale while consistently leading by example.
• Communicates in an approachable and respectful manner with the temperament to deal tactfully and cooperatively in all interactions.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to present professional documents with clarity.
• Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage priorities effectively.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Experienced in crisis intervention.
• Ability to manage and resolve difficult and challenging situations effectively and respectfully.
• Physical and mental ability to carry out the duties of the position including adherence to provincial health legislations.
• Ability to operate all equipment safely following approved practices and protocols.
• Computer literacy skills required.
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts.
Conditions of employment
• Clear Police Information Check
• Clear Vulnerable Sector Check
• Successful completion of all mandatory Provincial Health Requirements