manager policy

Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research

Work Location: METRO HALL

Job Type & Duration: Full-time

Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Affiliation: Non-Union

Number of Positions Open: 3

Posting Period: 28-Jan-2025 to 18-Feb-2025

Job Description:

The Housing Secretariat is hiring for three Manager, Policy & Program Planning positions to join the Housing Policy and Strategy team in the following teams:

- Program Management Office (PMO) - Manages the implementation of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, including the overall tracking of the targets and recommendations, provides housing data analysis and the associated communication and engagement functions to ensure effective and efficient delivery.
- Renters Strategy team - Focusing on renter-related initiatives, conducts policy research and consultations, coordinates strategic project planning, and delivers Committee and Council reports.
- System & Intelligence team - Delivers system level policy across the housing continuum based on research and data on short- and long-term market trends, and in consultation and partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

The Managers will lead and coordinate key divisional/inter-divisional priorities, manage a team of policy and research professionals, manage issues, develop and analyze policy options for the consideration of the Director and Senior Management Team, and provide strategic advice and leadership on key policy and strategic issues to ensure effective planning and delivery of programs and services.

Major Responsibilities:

- Leads the development of housing policies and programs, program management, and implementation plans to help achieve the division's objectives and the City's ten-year housing plan targets.
- Manages assigned projects, motivates and trains the unit's staff ensuring effective teamwork and communication, 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.
- Works collaboratively and in conjunction with the Corporate Employee Relations team when providing advice on collective agreements and in administering Collective Agreement matters. Provides guidance and advice regarding Corporate and Divisional policies and procedures and legislative regulations to all levels of staff and ensures consistent and timely implementation and adherence throughout the division.
- 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.
- Provides strong leadership and oversight to multi-disciplinary program and project teams.
- Establishes a good practice approach that ensures transparency and fairness in decision-making and project implementation.
- Manages the research, analysis, evaluation, and preparation of recommendations concerning regulatory policy and by-law issues and the preparation of such reports to standing committees and Council.
- Develops processes for strategic planning and priority setting, review of governance structures, and establishing intergovernmental strategies.
- Identifies policy options related to governance structures and management practices and recommends changes to support management functions and improve efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability.
- Manages strategic and effective relations with City staff, Members of City Council, other governments, public agencies, and partners.
- Provides strategic advice and recommendations, operational support, and professional judgment on complex and contentious issues for the division's Senior Management Team.
- Oversees strategic issues in collaboration with senior management and anticipates high-profile service area issues in the media or political domain and formulates appropriate responses.
- Develops options for policies, management practices, performance measures, and recommends changes to support management functions and improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
- Identifies and manages emerging issues and priorities and reacts to unplanned opportunities or crises.
- Advises senior management of actual and anticipated problems and effectively gathers relevant background information with stakeholders, offering consultative advice on wide-ranging issues and drafts appropriate responses.
- Ensures that the Director is fully briefed on matters, in a timely, accurate, and comprehensive manner so that the Director is able to provide direction, make decisions and respond to Councillor's questions and concerns, at Committee/on the floor of Council and in the day-to-day operations for the team.
- Ensures the Director is kept fully informed of the matters before Council, its Committees, and at Standing Committee Chair briefings. Represents the Director at Standing Committee briefings and supports the Director at City Council and related Standing Committee meetings.
- Provides organizational development support, identifies considerations for organizational reviews, and coordinates both short and long-term strategic and business planning for the division.
- Consults, advises, and communicates with senior staff in the division and corporation, Members of Council and their staff, and other key stakeholders to facilitate issues resolution. Makes recommendations to the Director and gives direction to staff regarding the issues management process.
- Oversees complaint investigation for those received through the Office of the Ombudsman, Auditor General, general public, and Council staff.
- Leads the division's agenda management process and manages divisional input into the Corporate Agenda Forecasting System.
- Drafts reports and responses for the Director on divisional issues, projects, escalated complaints, and related matters and provides guidance in the development of briefs, policy documents, and other material.
- Prepares comprehensive reports and presentations to Committees of Council, and Council.
- Attends strategic meetings to ensure the interests of the Division are represented.
- Leads/coordinates/advises on the development and implementation of cross-divisional issues and reports by working with staff in various divisions. Actively supports the development of collaborative working relationships with other City divisions, agencies, and stakeholders.
- Establishes and maintains effective and collaborative working relationships with the corporate senior management team, management staff, staff from other City divisions, and external stakeholders including Agencies, Boards, and Commissions.
- Deals with confidential and sensitive information affecting operations, assets, and resources.
- Maintains a continuous and thorough knowledge of current corporate issues and initiatives.

Key Qualifications:

- Post-secondary degree in public policy, social science, urban planning, or related degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Considerable experience leading the development and implementation of policies, programs, and strategies with minimal direction while balancing political, community, and other stakeholder interests.
- Considerable experience managing large and complex projects, including preparing and managing budgets, business case development, managing risk and stakeholder engagement, and reporting on key performance indicators and outcomes.
- Experience recruiting, managing, and motivating staff, and conducting performance appraisals and managing labour relations matters.
- Current knowledge of national, provincial, and municipal housing policies, programs, and funding streams.
- Ability to thrive in an environment with frequent and competing deadlines, multiple tasks, and high-performance expectations in a rapidly changing environment, with strong organizational and project management skills.
- Well-developed negotiating, conflict resolution, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Highly developed interpersonal, public, labour, and human relation skills to forge effective working relationships.
- Ability to interpret, clarify, and negotiate complex service agreements, contracts, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to recognize and anticipate program inter-relationships and understand the potential consequences of policy/program recommendations.
- Ability to develop effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders including members of Council, all levels of City staff, representatives from other orders of government, non-profit and private sector developers, housing advocates, and the public.
- Knowledge of municipal governance structures, services and programs, and the municipal relationship to other levels of government, other funders, and the community.
- Familiarity with relevant employment legislation including Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Act, and the Occupational Health & Safety Act.

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.

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