Property Lead, Rail & Transit

WSP is looking for a Property Lead, to join our Rail & Transit team, preferably located in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). Reporting to the Group Manager, you will be responsible for managing a project or area’s property portfolio. This position involves extensive contact with third party agencies and project staff. This position requires 10 years of experience, primarily working in roles related to property acquisition.

As a member of the Rail & Transit team, you will be given opportunities to use your transferrable skills to define processes, create execution plans, mentor junior team members, and be the technical lead for multiple projects/tasks. You will be supported by management to develop work plans and professional skills to become a strong leader in the consulting environment.

Why choose WSP?

• We value and are committed to upholding a culture of inclusion and belonging.
• Our Flexible Work Policy – we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.
• A Canadian success story - we're proud to wear the red and white of this beautiful country.
• Enhance the world around you - from the environment to the highways, to the buildings and the terrain.
• Outstanding career opportunities - we're growing and pushing ourselves every day to be greater than yesterday.
• A phenomenal collaborative culture and a workforce filled with genuinely good people.

We offer attractive pay, flexible work options, a great corporate culture, comprehensive and employee-focused benefits including virtual healthcare and a wellness platform.

What you can expect do here:

• Prepare and implement Property Management Plan, which addresses roles and responsibilities, processes and procedures, applicable standards, and guidelines.
• Manage a project’s property portfolio, starting from identifying property acquisition requirements to handover while reducing financial, environmental, and reputational risk to a minimum.
• Work with the project team in early identification of properties that will require property management and/or demolitions.
• Lead the team in property portfolio optimization and minimization by finding ways to reduce property impacts.
• Lead property valuations exercises and prepare documents required for project estimation.
• Work with other disciplines within the project team to understand the effects on surrounding properties within the project boundaries and offer solutions on how to minimize disruption.
• Work with other disciplines to capture property acquisition timelines and create a schedule for property acquisitions.
• Identify risks associated with property acquisition and develop, implement, and monitor risk mitigation strategies.
• Identify and engage with project stakeholders, understanding their needs and pursuing their buy-in for the project and the project works.
• Prepare presentations, drawings, internal workflows as necessary to complete the works associated with scope.
• Other duties as assigned.

What you’ll bring to WSP:

• University degree or college diploma in one of the following disciplines: Law, Real Estate, Appraisal, Business Administration, Geography, Urban Planning.
• Minimum 10 years of experience working in Property acquisition or in large-scale public infrastructure projects.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of the Property Acquisition Process for Government Infrastructure Projects within Ontario.
• Knowledge of the project management process, including an understanding of the need to meet cost and schedule requirements is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in Property Acquisition in construction projects.
• Property Acquisition experience working on transit or transportation projects with MTO (Ministry of Transportation Ontario), Metrolinx, TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), and/or Regional Road.
• Experience with or knowledge of real estate principles and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of alternative project delivery methods, including design-build and progressive design build.
• Requires sound judgment; excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, interpersonal, verbal communication and technical report writing skills.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with or knowledge of real estate & negotiation skills.
• International Right of Way Association designation preferred.
• Familiarity with Geographic Information System (GIS) and Geo Warehouse is an asset.
• Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge and or Experience of the expropriation processes would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the TPAP (Transit Project Assessment Process) Process would be considered an asset.
• Proven leadership and management skills.
• Ability to work successfully in multi-disciplinary teams and across different business units in a matrix organization with little to no supervision.
• Ability to adapt well to changes in direction and priorities in a project and deadline-oriented environment.
• Experience in a Consulting Engineering environment is an asset.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret and apply specifications, contracts, design documents, test plans, and coordinate contracted technical projects.