DIRECTOR TORONTO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Job ID: 64080

Job Category: Emergency, Fire and Paramedics Services

Division & Section: Toronto Emergency Management, TEM Strategic Policy & Planning

Work Location: 703 Don Mills Road

Job Type & Duration: 1 Permanent, Full Time

Salary: $165,310 to $222,843, Wage Grade 10

Hiring Zone: $179,443 to $194,554                                                   

Shift Information: Monday - Friday, 35 Hours per Week

Affiliation: Non-Union

Number of Positions Open: 1

Posting Period: 1-MAY-2026 - 15-MAY-2026

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto Emergency Management supports the delivery of emergency, essential and critical public services each day.  This includes leading proactive emergency planning and risk mitigation efforts during periods of normal operations, as well as leading the operation of an effective emergency operations centre during times of emergency.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Toronto Emergency Management, the Director Toronto Emergency Management will provide strategic leadership in the development, oversight, and continuous evolution of the City’s emergency management framework. This role plays a critical part in shaping policy direction, strengthening risk mitigation strategies, and ensuring the City is prepared to respond effectively to complex and evolving emergencies.

Balancing both strategic policy leadership and operational readiness, you will guide the development of comprehensive emergency plans while maintaining a strong understanding of Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) functions and real-time response requirements. The role requires a leader who can operate confidently at both the strategic and operational levels—translating policy into action and ensuring coordination across internal divisions, emergency services, and external partners. 

You will lead the identification and prioritization of emerging risks and vulnerabilities, ensuring emergency management strategies are proactive, integrated, and aligned with municipal, provincial, and federal frameworks. This includes overseeing the development and continuous improvement of the City’s Emergency Plan, business continuity programs, and risk mitigation strategies.

In this role, you will provide strategic oversight of policy development while ensuring alignment with Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) protocols. They will support and, when required, lead coordination efforts during activations, ensuring effective execution under pressure.

As Director, you will be accountable for ensuring the City’s emergency management program aligns with applicable legislation, municipal requirements, and best practices. This includes providing strategic advice to senior leadership, elected officials, and key stakeholders on emergency management policy, risk, and response readiness.

Working across a highly complex stakeholder environment, you will build and maintain strong relationships with internal divisions, emergency services, other levels of government, and community and private sector partners. The role requires the ability to influence, align, and coordinate diverse stakeholders to support a cohesive and effective emergency management approach.

You will also provide leadership to a multidisciplinary team, fostering a high-performance environment focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and service excellence. This includes guiding the team through both steady-state planning and high-pressure response scenarios, ensuring readiness across all aspects of emergency management.

Key Qualifications:

• Extensive senior-level experience leading strategy, policy development, or complex programs within a public sector, emergency management, public safety, or similarly complex environment.
• Considerable experience supporting, coordinating, or working alongside operational response functions (e.g., Emergency Operations Centre, incident management, or other real-time response environments).
• Experience developing and implementing policies, frameworks, or programs related to risk management, emergency management, or business continuity.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into operational execution within a complex organization.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks, or governance structures.
• Strong leadership experience managing teams in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills across multiple levels of government and external partners.
• Highly developed strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and advisory skills, including experience supporting senior leadership and elected officials. 

Note To Current City of Toronto Employees 

City of Toronto employees are eligible to apply for the posted job opportunity, but cannot hold two different jobs. To be considered for this job posting, you must indicate that you are a "Current City of Toronto employee" on the on-line application form, and provide your "Employee Number".

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.