PROJECT LEAD ENVIRONMENT

Striving towards making Toronto one of the most sustainable cities in the world, Environment Climate and Forestry (ECF) facilitates the development of corporate and community-wide environmental and climate policies and programs guided by the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy. ECF also plays a key role in enhancing the city's resilience to climate-related risks and impacts. 

Corporate Transformation unit within ECF supports City of Toronto divisions, agencies, and corporations (DACs) through the development, implementation, and on-going sustainment of their net zero carbon asset transition plans by providing subject matter expertise, strategic oversight, and operational guidance related to the City's TransformTO Net Zero Strategy. This includes helping to prioritize investment in climate action through the annual carbon budgets and five-year emissions budget, applying change management best practices to support Net Zero adoption, and reporting on key performance targets. 

Corporate Transformation Unit is currently recruiting for two Project Leads: 

1. Project Lead Environment (Change Management) 

2. Project Lead Environment (Reporting & Compliance) 

Project Lead Environment (Change Management) 

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, Change Management, the Project Lead – Environment will play an important role in advancing the City’s climate and sustainability objectives. This position will lead and support a range of strategic initiatives designed to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resilient future. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Support the development of corporate strategies for off-site renewable energy, energy storage solutions, and internal carbon pricing. 

• Provide guidance on resilience and climate adaptation measures for City-owned buildings. 

• Contribute to policy development aimed at phasing out fossil fuel equipment and promoting sustainable procurement practices and sustainability standards. 

• Support the creation of a communications strategy to embed net-zero and climate considerations into Council reports and across City operations. 

• Support the Zero-Emission Outdoor Power Equipment Strategy through implementation of related corporate activities, along with the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement and outreach. 

Project Lead Environment (Reporting & Compliance) 

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, Reporting & Compliance, the Project Lead will be responsible for advancing the City’s climate accountability initiatives across City DACs. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead the implementation of the Carbon Accountability Framework in alignment with Municipal Code 669: Climate Change Goals and Governance. 

• Consult with others to monitor and track compliance with Council-adopted climate targets and established emissions budgets. 

• Oversee and improve the annual Carbon Budget and Climate Lens processes to ensure integration of climate considerations into decision-making. 

• Assess and report on DACs’ progress toward achieving the five-year emissions budget. 

• Support the centralization of energy and emissions data of City building and fleet assets. 

 
Major Responsibilities for both Project Lead Environment roles: 

• Conduct research on a range of new projects and initiatives, including climate action planning, decarbonization of buildings, low carbon building technologies, climate resilience, climate finance, and carbon/emission budgets. 

• Identify developments within the field, including initiatives by other levels of government, municipalities, and organizations, as well as emerging research and evidence-based advice from the academic community, along with corporate policies, practices, and legislation. 

• Participate in the Division's and Unit’s program planning process and ensure effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Prepare comprehensive work plans in coordination with all relevant internal and external partners. 

• Collaborate with project team members, support staff and trainees, ensuring effective teamwork, communication and high standards of work quality to advance the Division's initiatives in a multifaceted and cohesive workplace. 

• Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate detailed plans and recommend policies, programs, and/or procedures. 

• Support the development of corporate net-zero programs and strategies. 

• Work to establish net-zero related KPIs and track the status of corporate net-zero targets. 

• Prepare reports and status updates for the senior management team, effectively translate data and information into non-technical reports providing meaningful insights for decision-makers.  

• Undertake program evaluations including tracking and quantifying program impacts, make recommendations for ongoing program enhancements, and write reports to Council. 

• Establish, maintain and develop linkages to other City divisions, agencies, and corporations to ensure effective partnerships. 

• Attend meetings with staff, network with other City DACs, all levels of government, along with public and private stakeholders.  

Key Qualifications:    

1. Post-secondary degree or diploma in the relevant area of study such as Environmental Studies, Applied Sciences, Engineering Technology or a related discipline or the approved equivalent combination of education and related experience. 

2. Experience with research and program delivery projects that involve multiple stakeholders (e.g., specifically for energy retrofit, renewable energy, greenhouse gas reduction and resilience/adaptation programs). 

3. Experience in applying strong technical expertise related to low carbon building technologies, building retrofit approaches, and/or resilience planning to support sustainable and adaptive solutions. 

4. Experience in the design and delivery of stakeholder engagement and consultation programs. An environment and climate policy focus would be considered an asset. 

5. Experience with building-specific greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, and knowledge of major industry stakeholders, programs and initiatives. 

6. Experience in asset management, portfolio planning and capital planning. 

7. Considerable experience in data analytics, statistical analysis and interpretation of large volumes of data. 

8. Proficiency with a variety of computerized office systems including MS Office (i.e. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), MS Project, and ability to maintain complex spreadsheets and databases. 

You must also have: 

• Ability to identify policy and program gaps and to initiate, coordinate and manage the implementation of creative solutions. 

• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills. Proven track record of solid internal and external relationships and strong leadership capacity. 

• Knowledge of fleet electrification transition and electric vehicle charging is an asset. 

• Knowledge of the City of Toronto government structure, policies and decision-making processes is an asset. 

• Ability to effectively plan, organize and manage workflow in a team setting and independently within time constraints. 

• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills with an ability to prepare reports and statistics within tight deadlines and appropriately tailored to target audiences (e.g., senior leadership, Council, internal partners, funders, etc.). 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with all levels of staff and internal/ external stakeholders with a high level of flexibility to deal with rapidly emerging situations and support collaborative working relationships. 

• Ability to work independently or in a team environment, including engaging a diversity of stakeholders in information gathering, problem-solving, issue resolution. 

• Ability to travel to various work locations in a timely and efficient manner. 

• Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.