Summary of Duties

Reporting to the Director, Transportation and Mobility, the Division Manager, Road Operations supports the strategic initiatives of the Division, establishes services levels, and develops and implements the operational strategy for areas including Road Maintenance, Life Cycle Renewal, Preventive Maintenance, Repair and Service Programs. This position provides leadership and direction in the management of all Citywide roads including sidewalks, cycling facilities, signage, bridges, and roadside protection systems and responds to all media inquiries regarding roads and winter maintenance.

A collaborative and effective people leader, the Division Manager, Road Operations works with leaders across the Division to support linkages and enhance and implement process improvements, and customer service standards while delivering services that support safety, productivity, reliability, and conservation.   

Work Performed

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives for Transportation and Mobility to meet the Council’s Strategic Plan and deliver on the Mobility Master Plan. Accountable for the effective delivery and the business responsibilities of the team.


• Provide leadership for the planning, management, and administration for the Road Operations team; recommend, develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive policies, programs, procedures, and protocols that inform and support City services.


• Develop and monitor the operating and capital budgets for the Road Operations Team, prepare associated documents (i.e., business plans, business cases and presentation documents) as required. Manage and promote stewardship of financial and organizational resources. Recommend to the Director, items for inclusion in the Division’s Capital budget priorities.


• Provide updates and information to the Director, Transportation and Mobility on priorities with responsibility to operationalize identified goals and strategies.


• Provide professional opinion, and information to the Director, Council and Committees on policies, programs, and services as required. Prepare reports for Council and various standing Committees as required including recommendations for procurements and amendments to existing policies and bylaws.


• Contribute to the identification and development of internal controls in the form of policies, procedures, practices in relation to the general and specific risks of the Corporation; ensure internal controls are implemented, monitored, and reported on within Road Operations.


• Oversee a team of management and unionized employees. Provide leadership in the strategy, execution and delivery of services and programs in the following areas of accountability:


• Develop and oversee the implementation of standard operating procedures for service area compliance with the provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways (O. Reg 239/02).  Services include winter operations, pavement maintenance, signage, pavement markings and core-area programs.


• Develop and approve tenders, proposals, technical specifications, review and make recommendations regarding tenders/quotations/proposals related to Road Operations Programs.


• Serve as the Division representative to the Emergency Management Program Committee; assume a tactical leadership role in instances of community emergencies.


• Ensure contractor compliance with City of London specifications and communicate with contractors and suppliers regarding performance on Road Operations contracts.


• Lead the development and operation of a computerized maintenance management system for the service area.


• Recommend and establish asset management maintenance activities to extend the life cycle of infrastructure in a cost-effective manner, including optimization of people, materials, and equipment.


• Mobilize resources to address and mitigate the weather-related impacts on the City’s transportation network both proactively and reactively.


• Organize supportive resources for core area and informed response programs.


• Provide information to requests through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

• Liaise with peers, contractors, outside agencies and organizations to build working relationships and cooperative best management practices for the industry to improve safety, efficiency and technologies being utilized to perform required tasks of the division.


• Report asset condition and performance data into the corporate asset management plan.


• Encourage and support employee participation and commitment to divisional and organizational objectives. Actively mentor, provide development opportunities and build team performance with direct reports.


• Manage the Road Operations team including directing the hiring, coaching, administration, and performance aspects of reporting staff. Respond to sensitive and confidential human resource issues as required.


• Liaise with unions on issues that affect bargaining unit employees. Promote and foster working relationships with employees and bargaining units and ensure consistent application of the collective agreements as required. Participate on workplace committees.


• Fairly and consistently administer provisions of various collective agreements to promote resolution of grievances. Required to provide representation at mediation and arbitration proceedings for complex labour relations issues.


• Build and support employee commitment to a high level of performance in all areas of customer service, employee safety and delivery of individual goals and objectives.


• Participate in and support a culture of enterprise-wide collaboration. Promote opportunities to work across Divisions and Service Areas in support of strategic initiatives and maximize resource utilization.


• Demonstrate commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and human rights through interactions with community partners, employees and individuals and ensure that policies, programs, and protocols reflect this commitment.


• Ensure the development and maintenance of safety programs within the service area and adherence to all related legislation regulations including Occupational Health and Safety for City staff and contractors. 


• Demonstrate commitment and adherence to Health and Safety legislation and programs; and actively promote a culture of safety with direct reports.


• Prepare responses to inquiries from elected officials, media and the public as requested by the Director or Deputy City Manager of the Service Area.


• Identify, adapt, and implement innovative and effective work practices and procedures to improve service delivery and the business responsibilities of the team.


• Recommend and develop processes and tools needed to increase efficiencies and improve the effectiveness of services provided by the service area.


• Implement strategies to build capacity among employees for evidence-informed decisions supported through data collection and analytics.


• Adhere to the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy.


• Represent the Service Area at Standing Committees and Council meetings as required.


• Coordinate the investigation of claims, give evidence at hearings, and appear in court as required.


• Respond to inquiries from elected officials, media and the public as requested by the Director or Deputy City Manager of the Service Area.


• Provide, on behalf of the City of London, effective liaison with the Ministries of Environment and Labour, CUPE Union Locals, consulting engineers and City staff across the Corporation.


• Represent the Division on the various boards and committees of external organizations, associations and government partners to promote the City of London as a leader, share best practices, build relationships, and recommend solutions as required.


• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Experience

• University degree in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technologist designation or in a relevant area of study or equivalent combination of education and related professional and lived community experience.


• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible related management experience, which may include infrastructure management/maintenance, heavy equipment operations, and/or winter maintenance within a unionized environment.


• Certified Roads Supervisor accredited by Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) is required.    


• Operations and Emergency Management training is an asset.


• A valid Class G Driver’s License.

Skills and abilities in the following areas are necessary:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in roadside transportation operations with an in-depth understanding of the area’s programs and services and how the work of the area aligns with the objectives of the Division.


• Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for effectively implementing and monitoring programs and services.


• Demonstrated successful experience in a people leadership role; positive and proactive leadership capabilities, adept at leading a group of employees, contracted services and consultants; demonstrated commitment to developing high performance teams.


• Demonstrated ability in public and media relations to clarify facts, give information, and respond to public concerns.


• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of all Federal, Provincial, and Municipal regulations and standards related to transportation and roadside operations, and emergency response.


• Demonstrated ability to inspire the people they lead through productive and honest dialogue, with personal integrity and actions.


• Ability to be a trusted advisor and/or advocate in sensitive and/or emotionally charged situations.


• Demonstrated perseverance and resilience in addressing challenges and emergent issues.


• Proven commitment to the safety of employees with knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position.


• Ability to provide a high level of attention to detail, make sense of data and solve problems.


• Ability to understand the importance of service delivery; develop and implement initiatives that support the area’s customers in a timely and effective way.


• Ability to skillfully communicate to a wide and varied audience and effectively influence outcomes; Political acumen to identify and manage issues.


• Proven ability to establish purposeful relationships and work effectively within all levels of the corporation, with the business community and the public.


• Focused analytical and strategic thinking and issue resolution skills, combined with a commitment to innovation and collaboration.


• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office, and related software and database applications. 

Compensation and Other Information

$127,249 to $167,205

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