Manager, Design Services

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Manager, Design Services, to support the planning, development, and implementation of building design projects. In this role, you will lead and coordinate consultant teams through all phases - from preliminary design to tendering and construction. Core responsibilities include preparing feasibility studies, assessing environmental constraints, and providing detailed oversight of the design process.

The ideal candidate will confidently lead internal and external project teams and take full ownership of projects, whether for greenfield developments or additions, alterations, and restoration work, while ensuring compliance with Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) requirements, municipal regulations, and Extendicare standards.

Success in this role requires strong spatial visualization skills, solid knowledge of construction technologies, and effective project management abilities. A strong Design Leader will demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, superior technical design capabilities, and the ability to contribute to designs that are functional, innovative, sustainable, and enhance the lives of the residents we serve.

This position will be based at our Head Office in Markham, Ontario. Extendicare offers a hybrid working environment.

• Conduct early project feasibility assessments, including site analyses and test-fit studies.
• Engage with key internal stakeholders - including Operations and Asset Management - to understand project needs and requirements.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of the municipal planning and approvals process, and confidently discuss planning considerations with internal teams, consultants, and municipal representatives.
• Manage the full design process from concept development through design completion and construction, including preparation and oversight of detailed project schedules.
• Develop, refine, and present comprehensive project proposals.
• Adjust and optimize designs to align with project objectives and constraints.
• Lead and coordinate consultant teams to ensure timely and accurate preparation of drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
• Conduct research and prepare reports addressing project feasibility and environmental impacts.
• Ensure all designs comply with MLTC Design Guidelines, safety standards, building codes, and applicable municipal planning regulations.
• Establish, monitor, and maintain project budgets and timelines.
• Review and process permit response letters, coordinating required revisions with consultants to secure necessary permits and approvals.
• Review Consultant Due Diligence reports (Geotechnical, Hydrogeological, Environmental, and Site Services) to identify risks and collaborate on mitigation strategies.

• Degree in Architecture, Architectural Technology, or Design, with strong foundational knowledge in building design principles and industry best practices.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in an architectural or design office, demonstrating progressive responsibility and exposure to all project phases.
• Experience with large-scale Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities, particularly in urban environments, is strongly preferred, including familiarity with the complexities of multi‑storey, multi‑stakeholder healthcare projects.
• Exceptional technical drawing capabilities, with the ability to produce accurate, coordinated, and detailed design and construction documentation.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to clearly convey design intent and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong creative, conceptual, and spatial visualization skills, with the ability to translate ideas into functional, well‑integrated design solutions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (including Project), as well as Bluebeam and AutoCAD; additional knowledge of other industry-standard design tools is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, with confidence in facilitating meetings, delivering presentations, and engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
• Comprehensive understanding of building codes, standards, and regulatory requirements, with the ability to apply them effectively throughout the design process.
• Knowledge and experience with MLTC Design Guidelines is considered an asset, including their application to LTC redevelopment and new construction.
• Experience with planning approval processes, including Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-law Amendments, and Site Plan Approval (SPA), with the ability to navigate submissions and respond to municipal feedback.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, demonstrating strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the capacity to prioritize work in a fast‑paced environment.

What Extendicare has to offer:

At Extendicare, we believe that working as a team creates an environment that allows us to reach our potential. We value each employee, encourage equal opportunity for growth and recognize achievement. As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• Continuous mentorship, support for life-long learning and growth opportunities

• Opportunities for advancement and career growth within the organization

• A rewarding and meaningful work experience where you can enrich your life and the lives of others through your work.

• Employee Family Assistance Program.

• Robust benefits package

Extendicare is a leading provider of care and services for seniors across Canada, operating under the Extendicare, ParaMed, Extendicare Assist, and SGP Purchasing Network brands. We are committed to delivering quality care to meet the needs of a growing seniors’ population, inspired by our mission to provide people with the care they need, wherever they call home. We operate a network of long-term care homes (both owned and under management contracts), deliver over 11 million hours of home health care services annually, and provide group purchasing services to third parties representing approximately 150,000 beds across Canada. Extendicare proudly employs nearly 30,000 qualified, highly trained and dedicated team members who are passionate about providing high-quality care and services to help people live better.

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Compensation Details

At Extendicare, we’ve spent more than 50 years dedicated to enhancing quality of life for the people we serve across Canada. When you join Extendicare, you become part of a compassionate, mission-driven team committed to supporting care delivery in homes and communities nationwide. Our corporate roles play a vital part in enabling front-line teams to provide exceptional experiences for clients and families. Together, we foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability-creating solutions that strengthen our services and improve lives every day.

We are committed to providing competitive compensation that reflects the value of this role and the unique qualifications each candidate brings. This opportunity is a replacement for an existing role and to support transparency, a hiring range may be included with this posting. However, final salary offers are based on a variety of factors such as your skills, experience, education, and alignment with the responsibilities of this position.

Base salary is one component of our broader total rewards package. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health, financial well-being, and long-term career growth. Your recruiter can provide more details about our total rewards offerings during the hiring process.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support certain stages of the recruitment process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing candidate responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment - every application is reviewed by a member of our team to ensure thoughtful and equitable consideration. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Extendicare is committed to fostering an accessible, inclusive, and equitable hiring process. We gladly accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of recruitment and selection upon request.