Director, Strategic Projects

**Job Posting**
- Reporting to the Executive Director of Planning & Development, the Director is responsible and accountable for the effective leadership and management of the Strategic Projects Division. As a senior leader, the Director advances secondary and master planning in the Municipality’s planned growth areas and delivers strategic community building projects. The Director leads the Division and ensures the work program implements business unit strategies and applicable elements of the corporate strategic plan. The Director is responsible for a multi-disciplinary team of professional, technical and administrative staff, providing vision, leadership and direction for the Strategic Projects team.
- **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Provides overall management of the Strategic Projects Division responsible for planning projects and related policy development for planned growth areas, urban design, culture and heritage planning, as well as planning information and civic addressing
- Builds, guides and shapes change that is consistent with the Regional & Community Planning frameworks and Regional Council’s vision
- Impacts the long-term success of the Municipality and implications of planning and development decisions at the site and neighborhood level
- Accountable for the formulation of objectives, policies and recommendations related to future land use and design, including the preparation, review and evaluation of municipal planning strategies, land use by-laws and heritage conservation and urban design frameworks
- Responsible for the delivery of enabling policy that will see the Municipality respond to housing and other land use demands in the Regional Centre, Suburban communities and other strategic sites
- Accountable to manage risks and HRM’s liability with respect to guidance given to the legal and development communities as well as the general public regarding the development of planning policy and supporting by-laws
- Through the Executive Director, leads the preparation of reports to Council, presentations to the public, Regional Council, Committees of Council, and reports regularly on the progress of various planning initiatives
- Promotes and facilitates public and media relations by making presentations, demonstrating professionalism and leadership abilities, communicating the vision and ensuring community and staff involvement so that confidence in HRM’s planning is maintained
- Contributes to the formulation of policies and the vision of the Municipality at the Senior Management level by providing advice, participating in corporate planning, analysis and decision making processes;
- Provides strategic direction to ensure that services provided by the Division meet the goals & objectives of the Departmental Business Plan
- Develops staff through delegation, coaching, mentoring and training by arranging formal training, work assignments and other experiences
- Develops relationships which enable the business unit to partner with industry representatives, government and non-government organizations in order to develop strategies to improve performance, evaluate service delivery, and streamline processes and procedures

**QUALIFICATIONS**
**Education and Experience**:

- Masters degree in Planning (or equivalent) from an accredited university
- Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners
- Must have ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in professional planning with at least five (5) years in a supervisory role with demonstrated experience leading planning initiatives
- Experience in Policy Analysis, Program Management and Strategic Management
- Demonstrated labour relations experience in managing both union and non-union work forces;
- Experience liaising with diverse government and regulatory agencies

**Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities**:

- Thorough knowledge of the Municipal Government Act, HRM Charter, Municipal Planning Strategies, Land Use By-Laws, Subdivision By-Law and Engineering Standards and Specifications including a clear understanding of their interrelationships
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of the administrative and community context of Strategic Projects
- Practical knowledge of theories and best practices related to urban and rural development
- Knowledge of the operations, policies, procedures, and regulations relative to municipal subdivision, land use, and construction approvals
- Knowledge and skills related to human resource management and labour relations; economics, budget preparation and management
- Strategic thinker with ability to relate areas of responsibility to corporate and business unit strategies and produce work programs, policies, and standards to implement said strategies
- Ability to create viable plans, policies and standards based in research findings
- Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of management, staff, applicants, public, development community, elected representatives, commu