Summary of Duties

Reporting to the Manager, Development Services, the Manager of Development Planning will provide leadership and direct the work of others in a multi-disciplinary team environment; shall be responsible for tasks related to all development reviews and recommendations for approvals required to facilitate the City’s growth and redevelopment; shall ensure that development planning review activities are delivered in accordance with City procedures and policies and Provincial legislation, regulations and policies; shall manage a Development Planning Team to achieve cost effective, efficient and timely service delivery using a “best practices” approach; shall provide evidence at hearings; shall represent the Development Services Division and Development and Compliance Services before Committees, the public and the development industry.

Work Performed

• Direct, supervise and train professional, technical staff and support staff.


• Assume the day-to-day responsibilities to lead and manage a development approvals team responsible for the development planning review elements of assigned files, ensuring that the needs of the residents and businesses of the City of London are met and regularly exceeded by applying discretion and judgment to recommendations delivered in a timely and cost effective manner in accordance with City procedures and policies and Provincial policies, guidelines, legislation and regulations. With minimal supervision, interact with applicants and their agents on all assigned applications/projects, as required, including the preparation and implementation of any associated correspondence and reports.


• Evaluate planning merits of applications; incorporate planning and municipal goals, objectives and make recommendations on proposed developments for action by Council and/or the Approval Authority. Frequently deals with inquiries, proposals and issues which are confidential in nature.


• Interpret corporate policies, strategies and Council direction applicable to a wide range of planning and servicing issues and to provide direction on individual applications


• Negotiate requirements and recommend conditions to settle disputes and policy interpretations.


• Prepare Divisional reports identifying how the operations performed by their team against established benchmarks related to services, financial, administration and staff performance.


• Communicate in a timely and efficient manner with senior management in the Service Area and other Managers on issues impacting the processing of assigned files/projects.


• Represent Development and Compliance Services as required on administrative and advisory committees and at relevant conferences; facilitate and coordinate public meetings and workshops.


• Participate in multi-disciplinary teams comprised of staff from the various service areas of the City and outside agencies in order to address development and redevelopment issues.


• Provide professional planning evidence before the Ontario Municipal Board, other Boards and Commissions and the Courts on planning and development matters.


• Responsible for investigating and recommending innovative/creative procedures and policies for improving the Division’s technical performance; develop policies and procedures related to major responsibilities.


• Recommend salary adjustments, promotions, demotions, hirings separations and administers the Performance Management System for members in the team. Deal with sensitive personnel issues.


• Recommend to the Manager, Development Services issues related to the Service Area’s current and capital budgets.


• Assist in the preparation of the annual work program.


• Ensure that all workplace hazards are identified, controlled and monitored, and that staff work in compliance with legislation, policies, programs, procedures and guidelines in conformity with the City of London Occupational Health and Safety Policy.


• Lead by example and functions as a mentor to team members.


• Maintain professional knowledge in applicable areas and keep abreast of changes in job-relate rules, statues, laws and new business trends; recommend the implementation of changes; read and interpret professional literature; attend training programs, workshops and seminars as appropriate.


• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other civic employees and public using principles of good customer service.


• Perform other duties as assigned which are directly related to the major responsibilities of the job.


 

Qualifications/Experience

Degree from an accredited university planning program combined with more than 5 years of relevant professional planning or development approval experience with increased responsibility and has attained full membership in OPPI and/or CIP.

Specialized Training & Licenses

• Ability to read architectural, engineering and survey plans/drawings.


• Extensive knowledge of land use planning principles and engineering principles as they relate to elements in the development field through experience in processing plans of subdivision, plans of condominium and site plans.


• A thorough understanding of the Ontario Planning Act processes gained thorough practical experience.


• Highly effective leadership, facilitation, communication, presentation, interpersonal and organizational skills.


• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a multi-disciplinary staff in a results oriented, time sensitive, predominantly unionized environment.


• Ability to deal effectively with elected officials, representatives of other levels of government, management, peers, staff and the general public.


• Possess a high level of personal integrity and be an excellent communicator.


• General knowledge and understanding of other statutes, regulations and by-laws affecting the department/division and in particular their impact on development approvals.


• Attend Standing Committees as needed when assigned files/projects are being presented.


• Attend Council meetings on an as needed basis.


• Attend Community or neighbourhood meetings representing the City on as needed basis.


• Valid Driver’s License – Class G.


• Working knowledge of relevant computer software applications.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


 

Compensation and Other Information

$87,602 to $118,941

This position is being filled on a temporary basis for up to 2 years

As an inclusive employer, we are committed to providing a fully accessible recruitment process. Please contact us at any time during the recruitment process and let us know what accessible supports you may need.