NOTES FOR CANDIDATES DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION

NOTES FOR CANDIDATES DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Habitat for Humanity: Building strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable home-ownership No matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve to have a decent life. We deserve to feel strength and stability day after day. We deserve to know we have the power to take care of ourselves and build our own futures. At Habitat for Humanity, this is what unites us. Through shelter, we empower. Our shared vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Because you, me, we we re all humans. And every single one of us deserves the opportunity for a better future. People in our community and all over the world partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With Habitat s help, our homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families. Habitat for Humanity is also one of the world s strongest non-profit brands, which allows it to engage and collaborate with many organizations and community partners to achieve its mission. OPPORTUNITY Director of Construction Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta The Director of Construction is part of the senior leadership team at Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta. Habitat s unique positioning as both a residential developer/builder and a charity, requires someone with a rare set of skills. Someone who has the technical ability to lead all facets of home construction and someone who has the patience and people skills to mobilize paid trades, contractors, volunteers and community partners into a team that delivers high quality homes on time and on budget. We now need a new leader to join our team. Someone who can potentially help us double the number of homes we are able to deliver. This position is based in Calgary and reports to the President and Chief Executive Officer. ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SOUTHERN ALBERTA Many people are surprised to learn that Habitat is actively meeting the need for affordable home-ownership right here in Calgary and many Southern Alberta communities, and has been doing so for more than 25 years. There are more than 240 Habitat partner families in homes across our region, and we are growing by 20 to 25 new homes every year. The need for affordable home ownership options for families is great. In its recent report on Calgary s Affordable Housing Strategy, The City of Calgary estimates that 88,000 Calgary households, earning less than $60,000 annually are currently in need of affordable housing. 2

The Habitat model empowers families by providing a hand-up, not a hand-out. Once constructed, Habitat homes are sold to partner families with no down-payment, no-interest mortgages. Their monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund, which is used to help fund more homes for more families. We build our homes using donated funding and materials while utilizing a mix of contractors and suppliers as well as many volunteers on our build sites. Volunteers deliver thousands of hours of help towards completing our homes. Our families and their children benefit by transitioning from housing insecurity and all its associated risks to empowerment, stability and independence. Our model offers a sustainable and permanent solution that benefits families and the entire community. In its 26 th year of serving Alberta, Habitat is preparing to increase the number of families it helps, expand the social enterprise that funds its operations, and strengthen its voice in the public dialogue on affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta was established in 1990 with an office in Calgary. It includes chapters from Calgary, Medicine Hat, Brooks, Foothills District, Mountain View County, Drumheller and Airdrie. More information can be found at www.habitatsouthernab.ca 3

The ReStore is Habitat s social enterprise that contributes funding for Southern Alberta. At the Calgary and Medicine Hat ReStores you ll find new and used appliances, furniture and building materials at low prices. Whether you re looking to donate or shop, you can feel good about it because you re helping Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta build homes for local families and keeping useful items out of the landfill. Last year, the Southern Alberta ReStores donated more than $1.5 million to Habitat for Humanity and diverted more than 2,200 tonnes of waste from city landfills. 4

OPPORTUNITY - DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION Candidate Specification Part One Major Purpose of Position The Director of Construction is responsible for leading Habitat s land acquisition, development and home construction activities. Habitat is currently engaged in constructing multi-family duplex, four-plex and stacked town eight-plex units. Habitat operates three construction sites concurrently at different locations throughout Calgary as well as additional sites in rural Alberta. The Director of Construction plays a key role in helping Habitat identify its future path in terms of the best model of what and where to build to allow Habitat to make the greatest impact on affordable housing in our communities. Accountabilities General 1. Lead a team of eight (including three construction site supervisors, three site support staff, a safety specialist and a project coordinator). 2. For a construction budget of over $4M, plan, organize, contract, implement and oversee all construction activities, including adherence to current construction standards. 3. Oversee the implementation and ensure compliance with, the Health and Safety program as it relates to construction. 4. Extensive experience in working with real estate developers, engineering consultants, architects, planners, contractors and municipal authorities. 5. For a land budget of over $2M annually, set land acquisition priorities and identify, evaluate and secure land in all areas served by Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta. 6. Provide leadership in the land development process for planning/design reviews and approvals; ensuring best practices are followed in urban planning, urban design, environmental stewardship and energy efficiency. 7. Ensure alignment and integration of construction projects with family recruitment, volunteer programs and fund raising considerations. Work Environment and Travel Requirements This position is based in a professional office environment with occasional travel to project sites, special events and chapter locations in Southern Alberta. Some exposure to dirt, heat, noise, fumes and weather may occur. Employees will be reimbursed for their expenses. Habitat strives to create a work environment that provides stability, work/life balance and the fulfillment of knowing that a hard day s work is providing long term housing solutions for Southern Alberta families. 5

Candidate Specification Part Two Habitat is able to achieve what it does because of many parts that all work in unison: 1. Family Services: identifies working families and ensures they are ready for the commitment that home ownership requires. They also identify the trends in family needs that influence future build decisions such as family size (large families) or families with accessibility needs. 2. Volunteer Services: approximately 30% of Habitat s construction is done by volunteers. This team ensures we have enough people with the right skills to get it done. 3. Marketing and Fund Development: generates funding to cover construction costs, raises awareness and understanding of Habitat s work 4. ReStore: provides funding for construction through retail sales. 5. Finance: manages project accounting and provides funding for construction through the mortgage payments that families pay to Habitat 6. Regional Development: works with communities outside of Calgary to mobilize them to support Habitat builds. The Construction team works with all of these departments. Plans are created collaboratively for the number of homes that will be built, where they will be built and what the home design will be. It is then up to the construction team to deliver on these plans. Leadership Skills Delivering on time and on budget is a personal creed. You know that Habitat s ability to deliver on its promise of affordable housing in our community depends on your ability to keep your promise. You lead through influence. People follow you because they are bought into the common goal and are inspired by your actions and ambition. You are considerate and inclusive. You are a leader, but you know how to work alongside volunteers, contractors and trades as respected peers and partners. You maintain a strong ethical foundation and sound judgement. You demonstrate the highest standard of ethical dealings with all stakeholders. You have demonstrated sound judgement and are able to balance technical/financial needs with people needs. 6

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 1. Relevant Construction experience. 5 to 7 years experience in residential construction leadership and project management. 2. Post secondary education in construction (such as SAIT). 3. Knowledge of Construction techniques and Alberta building codes. 4. Working knowledge of construction law including contracts. 5. Knowledge of current OH&S requirements. 6. Ability to remain calm in highly stressful and ambiguous situations, clear crisis decision-making and resolution skills. 7. Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and implement practices supportive of diversity. 8. A people leader. Someone who enjoys building and motivating teams. 9. An excellent listener able to intuit what the real situation is. 10. Access to transportation is required. 11. Some travel will be required to work with Southern Alberta communities outside of Calgary who are building Habitat homes. 12. Some travel will be required to attend training, educational and management events in North America. 7

Recruitment Process All applications will be acknowledged. A selection panel will meet to consider applications, and Stanton Chase will advise all applicants if they have been selected for a preliminary interview. The selection panel will agree to applicants that have been short-listed and candidates will be informed. Further assessments for those selected candidates will be confirmed. How to Apply If you are interested in being considered for this position please examine the position and candidate specifications to assess the suitability of your candidacy. By applying for this position, you consent to the collection, use and necessary disclosure of the personal information provided during the application and selection processes. Applications can be sent to; w.garven@stantonchase.com or c.fisher@stantonchase.com Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the position, the recruitment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal discussion, please contact Ward Garven or Christine Fisher or at +1 403 262 6780. Stanton Chase will respect the privacy of any initial approach or expression of interest in this position. Stanton Chase Stanton Chase is ranked within the top ten global retained executive search firms. With proven expertise in key sectors of the global economy, it has nine specialist practice groups that operate as international teams. Stanton Chase is owned by its partners who take individual responsibility for delivering outstanding quality for each assignment. Stanton Chase is a member of the Association of Executive Search Consultants. More information can be found at stantonchase.com. 8