Grant and Incentive Program Manager

Division

Growth Management and Planning

Important Notices & Amendments

This position currently falls within our hybrid model, allowing the employee to typically work a minimum of 50% of your time at your regular work location and the other 50% of time at home.

As an employer of choice, Niagara Region offers competitive salaries and benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a corporate wellness centre, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), mentorship and training programs, employee recognition programs, and more. In addition, the Region recognizes the value of having flexible work arrangements to support better work-life balance for our employees. Hybrid work arrangements may vary from one employee to another and may also differ in the number of remote workdays. These opportunities remain subject to the alignment of operational needs, business requirements, and customer service expectations.

Temporary Duration

Approximate Duration: 18 months

About Us

Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high-quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada's most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada's most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario's most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

At Niagara Region, we value diversity - in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.

We welcome all applicants For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Niagara Region, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Niagara Region, Ontarioor email related questions to To send input on reducing barriers in the current hiring process, please email

For the Region's full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region - Niagara Region, Ontario.

Don't have every qualification?

You may be hesitant to apply if you do not have every qualification listed in the posting. While specific qualifications are important for certain roles, we invite individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience and education to apply. Our recruiters will evaluate your suitability for the role.

Please note that for unionized roles, we must follow collective agreement requirements. However, we encourage all interested candidates to submit their applications. We believe success in a role can extend beyond meeting every single requirement.

Job Description
Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager Urban Design, the Grant and Incentive Program Manager is responsible for managing the delivery and ongoing business functions related to the Region's complex, and politically sensitive Regional grant and incentive programs.

Education

• University Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• An equivalent combination of education, experience and qualifications may be considered.

Knowledge

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible, relevant municipal experience.
• Experience in the delivery of grant and incentive programs.
• Experience in dealing with highly sensitive or confidential information.
• Sound knowledge of the Municipal Act, Planning Act and Regulations, Development Charges Act, Provincial policies, plans and guidelines, Regional Official Plan, Community Improvement Plans, budgeting practices.
• Knowledge of project management practices, including project development, scheduling, monitoring, and control systems.
• Ability to lead the procurement of consultants, management of consultant's work and staff, and financial accountability for project budget for consultant assignment.
• Computer applications experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point), MS Outlook, MS Project or other project management software.
• Registered Professional Planner and a full member in good standing with both the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and Canadian Institute of Planners is preferred.

Responsibilities
Leads the delivery of highly specialized departmental grant and incentive programs. (50% of time)

• Reviews grant and incentive program applications for alignment with program requirements.
• Makes recommendations for approval of grant and incentive applications.
• Leads and oversees the integration of economic development, finance, and development planning teams in the application review process.
• Manages all adjudication processes for approval of grant and incentive applications.
• Defines problems and identifies viable solutions in the review of grant and incentive program applications.
• Mitigates financial, legal and political risks in program implementation, through effective program management and on-going program review.
• Assists legal counsel in the preparation and execution of legal agreements.
• Provides technical expertise, advice and guidance to senior leadership, and committees of Regional Council, on complex grant and incentive program applications requiring Council approval.
• Makes recommendations on the alignment of local grant and incentive programs with Regional programs.
• Leads the development and implementation of a communication and marketing strategy for grant and incentive programs.

Leads the review of departmental grant and incentive programs. (20% of time)

• Analyzes the effectiveness including return on investment of grant and incentive programs through the development of performance measures.
• Researches and analyzes emerging directions in economic incentives and makes recommendations on new programs and how to adopt new approaches.
• Reviews programs and provides recommendations on the implementation of risk management measures.
• Makes recommendations for continuous improvements for grant and incentive programs.
• Ensures program changes are aligned with legislative requirements (e.g. Municipal Act).
• Develops, manages, and administers work programs and implementation plans for reviews.
• Manages specialized external consulting teams.
• Prepares and presents reports to senior management, committees of Regional Council, interested parties and the public on program changes.
• Develops and implements consultation and engagement plans for reviews of grant and incentive programs.
• Coordinates the activities and performance of project staff, providing work direction, assigning tasks, determining methods and procedures to be used, resolving problems, and ensuring project deliverables are achieved and timelines are met.

Manages relationships with interested parties for grant and incentive programs. (20% of time)

• Builds and maintains a network of relationships with Regional and Local Councilors, the development community, local municipal staff, and staff in other Regional divisions/departments (Finance, Legal services, Niagara Regional Housing, Development Planning, Economic Development).
• Leads, facilitates and plans meetings with interested parties on grant and incentive programs.
• Participates in and represents the department at pre-consultation meetings.
• Identifies, manages and addresses inquiries, issues and conflict raised by interested parties.
• Represents the Department on grant program matters before committees of Regional Council, local area municipalities, the Province of Ontario, external and internal working groups, and interested parties.
• Effectively manages and engages interested parties in complex issues.

Manages and administers annual and multi-year Capital and Operating budgets for which they are delegated authority ensuring support of Council's objectives, financial transparency and accountability, monitoring budget adherence, identifying and explaining variances, and financial reporting is effectively managed in compliance with corporate financial policies. Administers and approves the acquisition of goods and services for their direct reports in accordance with the procurement (10% of time)

• Works closely with staff in Finance to analyze quarterly forecasts from local municipalities for grant and incentive programs.
• Provides regular and ad-hoc updates and reports on grant and incentive programs.
• Provides work direction to the Administrative Assistant and Students in the processing of grant and incentive program applications and invoices.

Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.

Special Requirements

• Must maintain ability to travel in a timely manner to other offices, work locations or sites as authorized by the Corporation for business reasons.
• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.

Closing Statement

Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow's challenges TODAY

Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application.

We thank all candidates for their interest however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We confirm that we do not use AI in screening of applicants, and this position is an existing vacancy.

If you require an accommodation for the application process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the alternate formats for contacting us are as follows:

• Email:
• Phone: or
• Bell Relay:
• In-person: Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 – Human Resources Department

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