Summary of Duties

Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services, this position is responsible for developing and implementing the strategic direction, overall management and leadership of the Community Development and Grants Division.  The Community Development and Grants Division provides opportunities to grow communities and strengthen neighbourhoods through strategic supports and investments in: community grants; community-wide special events; development and implementation of community-driven plans; neighbourhood activities (such as community gardens, Neighbourhood Decision Making, and outdoor movie nights); and policy, research, and evaluation supports that enable data-driven decision-making. As a Senior Leader with the Corporation, the Director, Community Development and Grants fosters an enterprise-wide approach to ensure consistency and collective delivery in support of the strategic priorities of the Division, Service Area and Corporate strategic plan.

Work Performed

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives for the Community Development and Grants Division to meet the organization’s strategic plan and effectively deliver the business responsibilities of the unit.
• Direct the planning, management, and administration for the Community Development and Grants Division; develop and maintain comprehensive policies, programs, procedures, and protocols.
• Provide advice to Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services on strategic priorities with responsibility to operationalize those goals and strategies.
• Provide professional opinion, and information to the Senior Leadership Team, Committees and Council on policies, programs, and services as required.
• Identify and develop 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 and adhered to within the Division.
• Oversee a team of experienced Managers in the management of the Division; delegate authority and accountability for the delivery of services and programs including, but not limited to: community grants; community-wide special events; development and implementation of community-driven plans; neighbourhood activities; and policy, research, and evaluation supports.
• Lead and encourage Divisional employee participation and commitment to organizational objectives. Actively mentor, provide development opportunities and build team performance with direct reports; ensure managers within the division are providing the same among their direct reports.
• Direct the Community Development and Grants team, including hiring, administration and performance aspects of reporting staff. Respond to sensitive and confidential human resource issues as required.
• Build and encourage employee commitment to a high level of performance in all areas of customer service and delivery.
• Create and maintain a culture of enterprise-wide collaboration. Seek opportunities to work across Divisions and Service Areas in support of the strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrate commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and Human Rights through interactions with stakeholders, employees and individuals and ensure that policies, programs and protocols reflect this commitment.
• Champion commitment to Health & Safety legislation and programs; demonstrate commitment to the Corporation’s culture of safety.
• Prepare or delegate the preparation of written reports and correspondence as required to advise Council and Committee; seek direction from Council and Committee on related issues as required.
• Implement proactive progressive change in redesign and implementation of business processes; support organizational change-management projects, communications, and transition plans.
• Provide direction, guidance, processes and tools needed to increase efficiencies and improve the effectiveness of services provided by the Division.
• Build capacity across the Division for evidence-informed decisions supported through strong data analytics and stakeholder engagement.
• Adhere to the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy; includes the responsibility of delegation of procurement initiation approval authority and delegation of approval authority for professional consulting services as per policy amounts.
• Establish, administer, forecast and monitor the annual operating budget for the Community Development and Grants Division.
• Ensure that the expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget; manage and promote stewardship of financial and organizational resources.

• Represent the Division on the various boards and committees of external organizations and government partners to promote the City of London as a leader, share best practices, build relationships, and recommend solutions.
• Provide strong community-based leadership in the development, coordination and maintenance of relationships with stakeholders such as: external service providers, vendors, community and government agencies, user groups.
• Develop, design, implement and evaluate policies and programs for the delivery of the division’s services with a focus on continuous improvement related to the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided.
• Demonstrate an advanced level of specialization and understanding regarding strategic and community initiatives design and implementation, and neighbourhood and community granting; direct managers and teams accordingly.
• Develop and manage the community granting framework and associated policies to ensure the funds are distributed to meet community needs and are managed with due diligence.
• Anticipate long term and broader neighbourhood and community needs to ensure the short term and long-term needs of the community are being met, including issues that extend beyond the scope of the Service Area but impact London as a whole.
• Provide direction and guidance to the policy and planning support teams in the use of highly advanced planning and analytical techniques such that trends, strategic directions and solutions are identified to address community and neighbourhood issues in a timely and effective manner.

Qualifications/Experience

Completion of a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Business or Public Administration; combined with a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership and resource management experience in a large, multi-location organization. Demonstrated experience in a related senior management position in a multi-functional public sector setting.

Skills and abilities in the following areas are necessary:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the above identified areas of accountability with an in-depth understanding of the Division’s programs and services.
• Demonstrated ability to co-create a vision for the Division aligned with strategic priorities, build common purpose and direction, and deliver outcomes to strengthen overall organizational performance.
• Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for long-term visioning and big-picture thinking.
• Demonstrated successful experience in a management role; positive and proactive leadership capabilities, adept at leading a diverse group of employees, contracted services and consultants; demonstrated commitment to developing high performance teams.
• Ability to be a trusted advisor and/or advocate in sensitive and/or emotionally charged situations.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire the people they lead through productive and honest dialogue, with personal integrity and actions.
• Ability to skillfully communicate complex issues clearly to a wide and varied audience including facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills; political acumen to identify and manage issues.
• Proven ability to establish purposeful relationships and work effectively with senior leaders, elected officials, representatives of other levels of government, bargaining units, management, peers, employees, business community and the general public.
• Strong financial management skills and accountability for operating and capital budgeting.
• 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 vital importance of internally and externally focused service delivery and develop and implement initiatives that support customers in a timely and effective way.
• Demonstrated successful experience in leading continuous improvement and change management initiatives and projects that shape culture and enhance service delivery.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office, and related software and database applications.
• Strong understanding of policy development and related legislation or initiatives and their significance and potential impact.
• Demonstrated ability to advance and mentor new community strategies using business tools, competencies, leadership, collaborative engagement, and measured results in a service delivery environment.

Compensation and Other Information

$119,691 to $163,102 (Under Review)

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