MANAGER COMMUNITY PLANNING

• Job ID: 54644
• Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
  Division & Section: Development Review, Community Planning Toronto & EY South
• Work Location: Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, 16E
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent and Temporary Vacancies (12 and 18 months) 
• Salary: $122,305.00-$163,639.00, TM0661 and wage grade 8
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Qualified List will be established to fill temporary positions.
• Number of Positions Open: 3 
• Posting Period: 25-March-2025 to 15-April-2025 
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Locations:

1. City Hall, 100 Queen Street W.
2. Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive
3. Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall
4. North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street
    

The City of Toronto is transforming its development review process from pre-application consultation to occupancy by re-imagining organizational structures, processes, and performance.
 

A new Development Review Division has recently been established, which will enable a development review process that is effective, efficient, consistent, transparent, and ultimately, results in good city-building outcomes.

Committed to continuing to build one of the world’s most successful and most livable cities, the Community Planning section of the Development Review Division is helping to build our future by managing the growth and physical form of the city – how it looks, feels and moves – and working with stakeholders and other City of Toronto divisions to set goals and policies for responsible development focused on quality of life and the urban environment.

As a Manager of Community Planning, you will join them in a culture of collaboration and teamwork, and have the opportunity to share and support our focus on sustainability, affordability, equity and mobility.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director Community Planning, the Manager Community Planning will manage a group of professional planners and clerical staff to deliver the Community Planning work program at both the district and City-wide levels. They will provide advice and a strategic role in connecting and coordinating the work of city divisions to promote city building through public and private development.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements.
• Manages, motivates and trains the unit's staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.
• Supervises the day to day operation of all assigned staff including the scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work.  Authorizes and controls vacation and overtime requests.  Monitors and evaluates staff performance, approves salary increments and recommends disciplinary action when necessary.
• Develops, recommends and administers the annual budget for the unit, and ensures that the unit's expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Acts as a coach and mentor to staff to help foster personal growth and contribute to succession planning.
• Interprets, implements and amends the City's Official Plan and the City's Zoning By-laws, providing a regulatory framework for development applications contributing to the physical development of the City.
• Assesses and co-ordinates the approval of all land development applications from intake to approval in accordance with Council directed and legislated time requirements and provide leadership in reconciling various interests and objectives.  Provides workable solutions to problems in areas such as development control, zoning compliance, area planning and policy.
• Develops terms of reference for localized planning studies to be conducted by staff and external consultants.
• Liaises with and co-ordinates input of departments, agencies, levels of government and landowners in studies, reviews and corporate initiatives.
• Liaises with applicants, lawyers, developers, community members and Councillors, including regular negotiations, mediation and conflict resolution with respect to development activities.
• Prepares and presents reports to standing committees and Council which result in implementation decisions of the Council, new development of residential, commercial, industrial, institutional employment and recreational buildings which provide housing, jobs and amenities supporting complete communities.
• Manages development activity to ensure land use is consistent with the vision of Council as expressed in the Official Plan, including providing expert witness to tribunals such as the Ontario Land Tribunal, etc.
• Acts for the Director as required.
• Performs other duties as required.

 Key Qualifications

1. Post-secondary education in planning or in a professional discipline pertinent to the job function or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
2. Considerable experience leading, motivating and developing a team of staff in a large private or public sector organization, ensuring teamwork and high standards of organizational performance.
3. Considerable experience leading community consultations for the purpose of engaging the public or other stakeholders on municipal building and planning initiatives.
4. Highly developed skills in building and maintaining partnerships both internally and externally while balancing a range of stakeholder interests in complex political environments.
5. Highly developed skills in leading and implementing change, negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution with the ability to influence appropriate stakeholders in a professional and ethical manner.
6. Excellent decision-making ability using innovative and outcome-oriented leadership.
7. Superior communication, presentation and report writing skills to communicate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders including community representatives, senior City staff, elected officials and staff at all levels of the organization.
8. Considerable experience embedding equity and reconciliation considerations into  work at all stages of the review process.
9. Ability to work independently, exercise discretion, sound judgement and political acumen to deal with complex, sensitive and confidential issues.
10. Ability to develop and administer budgets to ensure unit fiscal accountability and effective use of resources.
11. Ability to serve as a witness at the Ontario Land Tribunal and comparable tribunals.
12. Comprehensive knowledge of best practices in the planning field and policy documents, such as provincial policy, the City's Official Plan, and the City's Zoning By-laws.
13. Must be familiar with relevant government legislation, such as in the area of occupational health and safety.
14. Eligibility for membership in the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners would be considered an asset.

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.