Manager of Community Planning presso None

About the Role:

The Manager of Community Planning is responsible for managing the activities and operation of the policy planning portfolio, including the Official Plan, secondary plans, long-range policy planning function, housing policy, growth management, and Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

Reporting to the Director of Planning and Building Services, the Manager of Community Planning is responsible for leading key strategic city building projects in alignment with Council’s Strategic Plan, the City’s Official Plan, and other priority initiatives, including Federal, Provincial, and Regional policy, plans, and initiatives. The Manager of Community Planning will undertake program and project design, management, authorship, implementation, and evaluation for Provincial, and Municipal policy directives, and will require occasional testimony and cross examination at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). The Manager will ensure the annual policy work program is designed based on approved budget allocation, Council and Corporate strategic direction, and staff resources. This leadership position is tasked with training, coaching, mentoring, and professional development strategies for subordinate staff and taking on Acting Director responsibilities, as needed.

What You'll be Doing:

• Provides leadership and initiative in developing and formulating long range planning, land use, and financial incentive policies that implement Council’s Strategic Plan, the City’s Official Plan, and other priority initiatives, including the project management and stewardship of the Official Plan, Secondary Plans, Community Improvement Plan (CIP), and similar regulatory tools in accordance with Provincial policy and plans and related legislation. 
• Responsible for keeping the City’s Official Plan policies current, including amendments to reflect new Federal, Provincial, and Regional legislation and policy directives, current and emerging land use and real estate trends, and manage mandated reviews.
• Identifies, consults, plans for, and manages major studies, including coordination with projects and programs of senior levels of government, within budget guidance. 
• Manages the growth management function by ensuring population and job allocations set by the Province are attributed to appropriate land uses, locations, and densities, are encapsulated in policy, and inform other City and Regional infrastructure projects.
• Manage the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) function, including authorship, review, and monitoring of approvals and agreements ensuring financial viability of the program and targeted investment.
• Author Requests for Proposals in accordance with Procurement policies, manages successful consultant contracts, ensuring high quality work is undertaken within project timelines and budget. Support, train, coach and professionally develop subordinate staff as well as supervise and evaluate their performance.
• Oversee the annual work program based on approved budget allocations, department and corporate priorities, and staff resources.
• Author and present reports to Council, Committees, Task Forces, external partners, and the public.
• Represent the City’s/Department’s interests on internal and external committees or task forces.
• Maintain communication with Directors and Council members and respond to inquiries.
• Attend public consultation, workshops, Council meetings, and the Ontario Land Tribunal as required.
• Serve as Acting Director, as required.
• Perform other similar and related duties, as required.

What's Required:

• University degree in the field of Planning or related discipline such as Urban Studies or Geography.
• Seven (7) years minimum of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning required. 
• Membership in the Ontario Professional Planning Institute (OPPI) and the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) is required.
• Strong working knowledge of various legislation including the Planning Act, Condominium Act, Municipal Act, Provincial land use policy, and other related legislation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate courteously and effectively, both orally and in writing, with all levels of staff, elected officials, the development industry, and the general public.
• Proven ability to utilize conflict resolution techniques to deal with and de-escalate sensitive and/or difficult situations and difficult people.
• Well-developed coaching, supervisory and leadership skills.
• Proven commitment and dedication to the public interest.
• Proficiency in computer applications such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), GIS, and AMANDA.
• Valid Ontario Driver’s license, Class “G”, with a clean driving record.