Manager of Planning

The Municipality of Central Elgin was formed in 1998, through the amalgamation of the Township of Yarmouth with the Villages of Belmont and Port Stanley. Central Elgin is a vibrant community located in the heart of Elgin County, with a population of nearly 15,000 people and is in close proximity to the City of St Thomas and the City of London. The community is made up of several unique neighborhoods, each offering its own unique charm and attractions. With a combined operational and capital budget of over $47.5M and over 200 full and part-time employees, Central Elgin is committed to meeting the needs of residents and a thriving business community by delivering efficient and effective services. Of significant interest is the expected future growth in Central Elgin’s commercial, industrial and residential sectors due to the recent announcement that Volkswagen will be building the world’s largest electric-vehicle battery plant in the region. Supporting Community Growth through an in-house Planning Team To support future growth in the region Central Elgin has announced plans to establish an in-house planning department, an important step that will support the community’s ongoing growth and long-term vision. By bringing planning functions in-house, the Municipality will facilitate planning processes through closer coordination with other internal departments, maintain responsiveness to residents, and ensure planning decisions are aligned with the community’s unique needs, strategic priorities, and overall municipal goals and Council’s vision of building vibrant, sustainable communities through thoughtful and locally informed development. As a result, the Municipality is recruiting for Manager of Planning, Senior Planner, and Planning Technician. These roles represent a unique opportunity for experienced professionals to establish the department's foundation, implementing policies that align with Central Elgin's vision for sustainable growth and community development. Your Opportunity to Make a Difference This isn’t just any management role – this is a chance to help shape Central Elgin’s future. As Manager of Planning, you will contribute to the strategic vision of the Municipality through innovative, progressive leadership and the management of planning services team that you will build. Reporting to the Director of Infrastructure and Community Services, this position will support the Director and Council by providing professional planning advice and direction to the Municipality. This will include crafting policies aligned with legislative and regulatory requirements, driving major planning initiatives, and overseeing development reviews and approvals that will define how our Municipality grows and evolves for decades to come. You’ll be collaborating with stakeholders, engaging the public, and supporting the Council’s strategic initiatives and community development to ensure that growth is sustainable, and future focused. We’re looking for a leader who thrives on growth and is excited by building your own team while supporting the challenge of building communities that reflect the current needs of Central Elgin and their aspirations for tomorrow. Key Responsibilities Develop and implement planning strategies that balance growth with economic prosperity, community well-being and environmental sustainability. Lead a small but high-impact team of planning professionals in the review of development applications, mentoring and empowering them to excel while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. Oversee key functions such as Official Plan reviews, the development of secondary plans, complex development applications, zoning by-laws, Community Improvement Plans, development charges, other long-range plans, policy initiatives and special studies as required. Provide professional planning advice and interpretation on planning-related matters to Council, Committees of Council, external agencies, the development sector and the general public. Engage with community members and interest-holders, facilitating public consultations and turning feedback into actionable policies. Monitor and forecast trends in urban/rural development to position the Municipality as a leader in progressive planning practices. Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment with economic development, transportation, infrastructure, and environmental strategies. Ideal Experience Leadership: Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in municipal planning, preferably at a management, Senior Planner or supervisory level. Planning: Extensive knowledge of good land use planning principles as they relate to planning and development; experience in preparing and delivering planning evidence at Ontario Land Tribunal hearings. Public Policy: General knowledge of public policy, practices and current issues affecting local government with an understanding of public sector management accountability frameworks. Legislation: Strong knowledge of the Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement, the Municipal Act and other provincial legislation and policies that affect land use planning and development Stakeholder Relations: Ability to respect confidentiality, and to communicate effectively and courteously with all levels of staff, external government agencies/authorities, the development community, ratepayer groups and the general public. Communication Skills: Ability to communicate information related to complex matters, often in a public forum, while being accountable for the information being conveyed; and facilitates and resolves conflicts between competing interests. Education: University degree in Urban or Rural Planning, Environmental Studies or closely related discipline; Registered Professional Planner (RPP). What we Offer Compensation and Benefits: A competitive salary ($117,603.68-$140,004.38), plus a comprehensive benefits package, and OMERS pension. Work-Life Balance and Hybrid Policy: Enjoy a combination of exciting projects and healthy work-life balance in a supportive business setting with an opportunity to work remotely up to 40%. Growth Opportunities: Expand your leadership skills as you develop and mentor a talented team, with the chance to grow your career within a supportive and evolving municipality. Influence and Impact: You’ll be at the forefront of major community-building initiatives, helping shape policies that will drive our community's future. A Community That Cares: Be part of a vibrant community with a strong sense of identity, engaged citizens, and a shared commitment to progress. How to Apply To explore this opportunity please apply via email to careers@waterhousesearch.net quoting project CE-MP. Should you wish to speak to our Executive Recruiter or to receive a detailed position description please contact Amy Oliveira at 416-214-9299 x4, amy@waterhousesearch.net or Jon Stungevicius at 416-214-9299 x1, jon@waterhousesearch.net . We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Information collected will be handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.  The Municipality of Central Elgin is an equal opportunity employer. The Municipality of Central Elgin will attempt to provide reasonable accommodation for known disability for an applicant or employee if requested Personal information is collected pursuant to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used only to evaluate the suitability of applicants for employment. Questions respecting the collection of information should be directed to the CAO/Clerk of The Corporation of the Municipality of Central Elgin. Powered by JazzHR