General Manager of Planning and Growth

POSITION: General Manager of Planning & Growth

DIVISION: Planning & Growth

REPORTS TO: Chief Administrative Officer

JOB TYPE: Senior Leadership

LOCATION: Civic Centre

General Accountabilities:

As a member of the Town’s senior leadership team, the General Manager of Planning and Growth is responsible for guiding the Planning & Growth Division for the delivery of municipal planning and development and economic development services. The General Manager is instrumental in the long-term, strategic planning of the Town in creating a well-structured community that balances the economic, social, and environmental needs of the Town. The General Manager reports and advises the Town Council and Administration on major decisions that involve local and regional planning and development, economic development, and education issues.

This position supervises the operations of the Planning and Development and Growth Services team, contractors, and consultants to ensure that all work is completed in compliance with legislation/policy. The General Manager reviews current initiatives and workloads of team members and provides recommendations on prioritizing projects including department budgeting, personnel, and resource allocation. The GM of Planning & Development is responsible for the leadership and coordination of all Planning and Development & Growth Services team.

In addition to those duties, the General Manager of Planning & Growth in efforts to provide excellent customer service to the Town of Drayton Valley should anticipate municipal needs in the short, medium, and long term and plan, budget, and supervise activities in a timely and efficient manner.

The General Manager of Planning & Growth will perform a key role in providing innovative support and mentorship to the Planning & Development and Growth Services departments.

The General Manager of Planning & Growth is to lead by example by adhering to and enforcing all responsibilities as outlined in the current Town’s Policy and Procedures.

This position is an advocate for safety and directs the team as a proactive safety leader. The GM ensures that all Health & Safety policies, work procedures, rules, and relevant directives are followed by all staff and safety is top of mind in all operations.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

This position reports to: Chief Administrative Officer

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

Leadership and Supervision:

1. Guides the day-to-day operation of the division to ensure the effective delivery of services.
2. Communicates Division activities to other Town departments.
3. Provides leadership and mentorship to the team by setting the team up for future success, including directing, evaluating the performance of the team, and establishing performance expectations, standards, and personal development targets.
4. Performs the duties of Quality Management Plan (QMP) Manager and acts as the main contact with the Town’s approved service provider for Safety Codes services, in compliance with Federal and Provincial legislation.

Budgets And Administration Management:

1. Administers the collection of application fees, securities, Municipal Reserve and Environmental Reserve dedications and cash-in-lieu payments; coordinates reductions in development securities with the assistance of Engineering.
2. Reviews legal agreements and assists Records Management to coordinate the registration or discharge of agreements with Alberta Land Titles.
3. Aids in administering the department expense claims and the payment of accounts to external consultants, contractors, and Safety Codes Council.
4. In collaboration with Senior Leadership, assists in the development of the Town’s Asset Management Plan and Off-Site Levy Bylaw.
5. Responsible for preparation and management of annual, short-range, and long-range operational and capital budget projection and preparation.

Professional:

1. Leads and actively participates in the development and implementation of land use planning policies, including but not limited to the Municipal Development Plan, Land Use Bylaw, Area Structure Plans, Area Redevelopment Plans, Intermunicipal Development Plans, Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks, and other Town Bylaws.
2. Responsible to act as the Subdivision Approving Authority and in processing and making decisions on all subdivision applications.
3. Responsible for municipal addressing for all town properties.
4. Researches, analyzes and assesses information and develops Town strategies to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community.
5. Advises team members in addressing public complaints regarding major land use issues; advises the team members and Bylaw Enforcement on the enforcement of the Land Use Bylaw, Development Permit conditions, Development Agreements, and Safety Code regulations.
6. Advises team members in evaluating the impacts of land use planning and development proposals on Town policies.
7. Responsible for the accurate and timely review of statutory plans, plan amendments, and advises team members in processing development permits, variance permits, and business licenses.
8. Works with the Town’s approved Safety Code service provider for the issuance of Building Permits.
9. Attends meetings and presents the department’s recommendations regarding complex planning matters to Town Council, and other standing committees.
10. Represents the Town’s Planning and Development department for Subdivision and Development Appeal board hearings, and Land and Property Rights Tribunal Municipal Government Board (MGB) hearings on matters of Subdivision, and advises the Development Planner on appeals concerning development permits.
11. Acts as the Town’s main contact for intermunicipal planning and development matters.
12. Acts as a key contact for complex planning matters between residents, business owners, developers, external agencies to address and resolve land use planning and development complaints.
13. Prepares and issues RFQs, RFPs, Tenders, and addendums as per Purchasing and Tendering Policy and makes recommendations for contract awards.
14. Contributes directly to the preparation and assemblage of contract bid packages and is the key interface for capital project delivery.
15. Assists with the development of policies, procedures, and programs for accomplishing approved objectives of the department ensuring the coordination of relevant departments.
16. Researches, prepares, monitors, and submits grant applications and reports as required.

Customer Service:

1. Responsible for ensuring the division maintains a high level of effective and efficient customer service for external and internal clients.
2. Ensures the timely review and response to customer inquiries and applications.
3. Builds and maintains effective linkages between the division and other Town departments to optimize the use of available resources as well as informed, reasoned and accurate decision-making.
4. Strategically supports responses for public concerns or questions and responds in a timely manner.

Risk Management and Safety:

1. Promotes Town Health and Safety initiatives; ensures that division Team members adhere to applicable health/safety policies and follow responsible work practices.
2. Prioritizes community health and safety considerations when evaluating planning and development applications.
3. Participates in emergency management as required for preparedness and in times of emergency.

Other:

1. Researches, prepares, monitors, and submits grant applications and reports as required.
2. Attends Council, Senior Leadership, and Management meetings.
3. Assesses special initiatives, prepares and presents well-researched reports to Senior Leadership and Council.
4. Works with various partners and stakeholders at the local, provincial, and federal levels in the matter of seeking out grants and partnerships that will support the Town’s initiatives and lead to the generation of innovative projects.
5. Expected to be a core member of certain working groups.
6. Performs all other duties as assigned.

MAJOR INTER-PERSONAL CONTACTS:

1. Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Leadership Team.
2. Growth Services and Planning and Development teams.
3. Council.
4. Customers and external stakeholders.
5. Other internal municipal departments.

DECISION MAKING ROLE:

This position is responsible for the mentorship and leadership of the Planning & Development and Growth Services department management teams. This includes making recommendations for hiring, day-to-day oversight of employees and recommendations for dismissal decisions. Identifies and analyzes problems while evaluating alternate solutions and makes recommendations to the division’s management. This is a strategic position responsible for forecasting long and short-term goals for the division and providing recommendations to Council that align with the strategic direction as approved by Council. This position is to develop and adhere to the Planning & Growth budget.

Special Requirements:

1. Special training through courses and seminars as required by the employer.
2. Willingness to work weekends and unscheduled hours during emergencies.

Qualifications And Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in land use planning, accounting, business, economics or a related field; Master’s degree considered an asset. Equivalent knowledge derived from a combination of significant work experience and training would be considered.
2. Minimum of 5 to 8 years responsible planning experience, with one year of supervisory experience, preferably in a municipal environment.
3. Excellent knowledge of the Municipal Government Act and related regulations (Subdivision and Development Regulation, Planning Exemption Regulation, Safety Codes Act etc.), and municipal planning policy including but not limited to Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP), Municipal Development Plans (MDPs), Land Use Bylaws (LUBs), Area Structure Plans (ASPs).
4. A Registered Professional Planner designation in the Province of Alberta, or consideration for a member of the Alberta Professional Planning Institute working towards obtaining their professional designation may be considered.
5. Demonstrated understanding of contract law, contract documents, and ability to interpret engineering/architectural plans and specifications.
6. Strong oral and written communication skills and demonstration of solid customer service with residents, contractors, developers, government agencies, supervisors, and other Town staff.
7. Refined organizational, communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities in collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams.
8. Experience in government relations, supporting elected and appointed government officials and senior management in responding to intermunicipal planning issues.
9. Demonstrated abilities in maintaining positive relationships with members of the public, development and business community, government agencies, and staff.
10. Possess and exhibit strong presentation skills to Council, as well as Subdivision and Development Appeal Board and Land and Property Rights Tribunal when/if required.
11. Knowledge of municipal budget and accounting processes.
12. Project Management, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills considered an asset.
13. Competency in Microsoft Office applications – Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, Edge, PowerPoint, online application processing and database systems, Geographic Information Systems, and other network systems.
14. Organization and time management skills with handling numerous projects simultaneously under pressure.
15. Must maintain a high degree of confidentiality and professionalism.
16. Demonstrated leadership skills in developing a culture of cooperation and teamwork while leading multi-disciplinary teams of Town staff and/or external consultants.
17. Ability to act with discretion when working with sensitive issues or situations and maintain confidentiality.
18. Possesses the ability and desire to coach and develop others in interpersonal skills, processes, policies, and procedures by providing ongoing feedback, coaching, and opportunities to learn through a variety of methods.
19. Fosters a mentoring environment by actively engaging in identifying emerging leaders and is personally involved in their development.
20. Knowledge of emergency management.
21. ICS 300 or willingness to attain.
22. NACLAA Certificate would be an asset.
23. Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s License.

Seniority level: Executive

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Management and Manufacturing

Industries: Public Policy Offices