Manager, Community Planning and Development

Are you an enthusiastic leader with experience in land use planning and development approvals?

Do you possess strong skills in project management, program delivery, and strategic communication?

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is seeking a dynamic and strategic individual to fill the role of Manager, Community Planning and Development. In this position, you will lead a team to deliver high profile land use planning and development projects that support government priorities.

This is a unique opportunity to drive innovative planning solutions that will help shape the future growth of northwestern Ontario.

About Us:

The Municipal Services Offices (MSO) of the Municipal and Housing Operations Division are directly responsible for the delivery of ministry programs and services that support strong local governments. In particular the Community Planning and Development teams are responsible for reviewing and making recommendations for decisions on municipal land use planning documents on behalf of MMAH and its partner ministries, and on occasion, representing provincial interests at the Ontario Land Tribunal; building the capacity of municipalities and planning boards to comply with the province's policies, plans, and legislation governing land-use planning, including the development of official plans; statutory decision-making on land division matters primarily in unincorporated areas; providing regional intelligence to inform the ministry's planning policies and provincial land use decision-making.

Why Join Us:

1. Regional Impact: Play a pivotal role in shaping the future growth and development of the northwest Region, directly contributing to the well-being of its communities.
2. Leadership Opportunity: Lead a dedicated team of professionals, driving strategic initiatives and fostering a collaborative environment.
3. Community Engagement: Build meaningful relationships with diverse communities, including Indigenous groups and local municipalities, to create innovative planning solutions and implement provincial land use planning policy.

About the job

At the Ontario Public Service, we hold our leaders to the highest standards, expecting them to embody authenticity, accountability, and courage in every action and decision. As a leader, you'll be at the forefront of creating a dynamic work environment that sparks innovation, fosters collaboration, and champions inclusivity. We value a diverse, anti-racist, and accessible workplace where everyone feels safe and respected. By embracing these values, you'll help build a vibrant team culture where every individual can thrive. Your leadership will inspire and motivate your team to achieve their best, aligning their efforts with our strategic vision.

To succeed in this role, you will:

1. Lead a team of professionals in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating land-use strategies to support regional programs and services.
2. Manage land-use planning approvals to meet government priorities.
3. Build and maintain relationships with partner ministries, Indigenous communities, municipalities, and the development sector.
4. Provide expert advice to senior management on program delivery options, recommendations, risk management, and issue resolution.
5. Lead or support corporate projects to research, develop, and implement business changes.
6. Manage human resources, including recruitment, labour relations, and succession planning.
7. Foster an inclusive team environment through engagement, coaching, mentoring, and training.

What you bring to the team

Leadership Experience:

1. Demonstrated leadership skills to inspire, engage, motivate, develop, and mentor professional staff to deliver results during ongoing change and transformation.
2. Proven success in fostering an environment of continuous improvement, creativity, and excellence.
3. Collaborative leadership style that incorporates the principles of inclusion and diversity across all elements of management.
4. Experience in developing sound and innovative programs and managing issues effectively.

Technical Expertise:

1. Experience in interpreting policies, legislation, and programs related to land-use planning and understanding their application to development proposals.
2. Experience in delivering approval programs within a legislative and regulatory framework, in municipal settings and in unincorporated areas.
3. Understanding of local government, municipal structures, governance, leading practices, and operational responsibilities.
4. Proven success in leading and managing client service delivery.

Communication and Relationship Management Skills:

1. Proven experience managing complex relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
2. Demonstrated experience using consultative techniques to build strong linkages with partners and influence without formal authority.
3. Experience communicating complex and sensitive information to senior leaders.
4. Exceptional written and oral communication skills to communicate with stakeholders and translate complex risk management concepts into clear and concise options and recommendations.

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

The OPS is an innovative, responsive and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable. Diversifying leadership is a top priority for the OPS. Our goal is to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most under-represented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) on our leadership teams.

The OPS invites all interested individuals to apply. As an organization that promotes equity and diversity, the OPS encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized individuals, and persons with disabilities.

The OPS is an accessible employer and we offer accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy, the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint, and the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion in the public service.

Apply by: Thursday, May 1, 2025 11:59 pm EDT