Project Manager, Urban Design

About Our Organization

When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of 2000 full and part-time employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment.

As a regional top employer, the City of Guelph values its employees and offers competitive salaries, excellent benefit packages, opportunities for professional development, a healthy work-life balance, and many roles with flexible work options. Our corporate values are integrity, service, inclusion, wellness, and learning. Guelph is consistently ranked as one of the best places in Canada to live, work, and play—all good reasons to consider a career in this beautiful city.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for project management of strategic initiatives and projects for Planning Services. This position directs and undertakes urban design initiatives to achieve the vision and goals of the Official Plan and the City’s Strategic Plan. R eporting to the Manager of Policy Planning and guided by the goals and objectives of the City of Guelph Corporate Administrative Plan and Values of integrity, excellence and wellness, the candidate will provide professional advice, guidance and direction and ensure stakeholder engagement for urban design projects while aiding in the achievement of the community vision – to be the city that makes a difference.

Your Role

• Provide expert advice and interpretation of urban design policies and guideline documents.
• Supports continuous improvement initiatives and the building partnerships mandate of the corporation.
• Prepares and oversees and is responsible for consultant contracts including managing the procurement process.
• Provides planning recommendations and advice to the department head, Council, and the public on a wide variety of planning matters from a design perspective.
• Provides overall project management for strategic urban design initiatives and capital projects including design guidelines, demonstrations and visualizations, secondary plans, land use studies and corporate city-building projects.
• Develops formal project documents including project charters and work plans.
• Advises on municipal projects from a design perspective.
• Leads the review of urban design master plans, provides recommendations and advice on implementation.
• Develops City policy and implements guidelines related to urban design and city form to be incorporated into the Official Plan, Secondary Plans.
• Provides leadership and facilitates public consultation, stakeholder engagement and liaison in a positive and inclusive manner; including education, information and consultation.
• Manages and monitors project budgets.
• Directs internal staff teams and consultants and effectively manages project deliverables.
• Ensures all requirements of the Planning Act and other applicable legislation are met.
• Recommends and implements creative site design solutions supportive of city’s urban design policies and guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Provides evidence at Ontario Land Tribunal hearings and other tribunals, participate as an expert in facilitation, mediation and settlement of appeals.
• Builds effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders including the development community in order to advance projects.
• Conducts research, develops recommendations, prepares reports and delivers presentations.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of staff, stakeholders, the media, Council and the general public.
• Skilled in providing a solution oriented, customer service approach using good judgement, creativity and strategic thinking.
• Knowledge and skills in the application and interpretation of the Planning Act and other relevant legislations, policies, guidelines and planning procedures.
• Knowledge and skills in the development and application of urban design policy and guidelines.
• Ability to work effectively in both team situations and with minimal supervision
• Experience in project management of major planning or design projects and/or the review of complex development applications.
• Proven ability to communicate design ideas.
• A Master’s degree in Urban Design, Planning, or related discipline would be an asset.
• Full Membership in the Ontario Professional Planner’s Institute (OPPI) as a Registered Professional Planner.
• Ability to give evidence related to complex planning studies before the Ontario Land Tribunal.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access and Outlook).
• Excellent graphic design skills and experience in computer programs with demonstrated ability to develop 3-D models (3-D Studio, Sketch-up, etc.)
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other applicable legislation.
• Ability to lead teams and influence, negotiate and mediate conflict and resolve issues.
• Ability to coordinate the efforts of multi-disciplinary project teams and consultants; including preparing and monitoring work plans.
• Considerable experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through a post-secondary degree in Urban Design, Urban and Regional Planning, or related discipline with a specialization in Urban Design and considerable experience in urban design. Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Proficiency in facilitating effective community/stakeholder engagement.
• A valid Class G drivers licence with a good driving record. Successful candidates will be required to provide a current driver’s abstract prior to their start date to confirm their licence is held in good standing and that it has not been suspended or revoked under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) or Criminal Code of Canada in the last 5 years. The City of Guelph will take into consideration the number of demerit points and/or nature of the infractions to determine if it meets our requirement.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and decision making skills.

Rate

$88,900.40-$111,125.50

How To Apply

Qualified applicants are invited to apply using our online application system by July 6, 2023. Please note all applicants must complete the online questionnaire specific to this position at the time they submit their resume and cover letter in order to be considered. Proof of qualifications will be requested at the interview stage.

The City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in the workplace. We are therefore happy to accommodate any individual needs in keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, please contact us to make your needs known in advance.

Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.