Reporting to the Director & Chief Planner of Planning & Development, the Manager of Regional Planning (Manager) is responsible and accountable for the effective leadership and management of the Regional Planning Division. The Manager leads the division and ensures the work program implements departmental strategies and applicable elements of the corporate strategic plan. The Manager is responsible for a multi-disciplinary team of professional, technical and administrative staff.
The Manager directs, oversees, and recommends actions, strategies, reports, plans, and budgets prepared by division staff that meet mandated goals and objectives. A member of the department’s senior management team, the Manager will oversee all aspects of the work and performance of staff responsible for regional planning functions. The Manager ensures the efficient, accurate, professional and coordinated delivery of services. The Manager is responsible to foster and maintain productive relationships with citizens, the development industry, other internal and external departments, and Regional Council. The program areas the Manager is responsible for are Regional Planning, Environment & Energy, Social & Economic Research and Urban Design.
The Manager of Regional Planning is responsible for the formulation of long range objectives and policies related to future land use, growth and development of the municipality. These recommendations have far reaching implications for the organization, as they regulate use of land and proactively define the regional settlement pattern and influence the long-term environmental, social and economic resiliency of the community. The Regional Planning framework sets the framework for major investment impacting future capital budgets and also significantly impact HRM operational issues (i.e.: transit, parks road maintenance).
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Core Functions
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Provides overall management of the Regional Planning division which consists of approximately 36 employees and an approximate gross budget of $3,784,020.
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Builds, guides and shapes change that is consistent with the Regional Plan and Council’s vision;
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Plays a strategic role in determining the long-term health of the Municipality and implications of planning and development decisions;
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Accountable for the formulation of long range objectives, policies and recommendations related to future land use, including the preparation, review and evaluation of municipal planning strategies, land use by-laws and regulations;
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Accountable to manage risks and HRM’s liability with respect to verbal and written advice and guidance given to the legal and development communities as well as the general public regarding the development of planning policy and supporting bylaws.
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Represents the Municipality’s interests with outside agencies relative to legislation and by-laws (e.g. Nova Scotia Planning Directors, Provincial Departments, etc.)
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Through the Director, leads the preparation of reports to Council, public presentations, and presentations to Regional Council, Committees of Council, and reports regularly on the progress of various planning initiatives;
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Promotes and facilitates public and media relations by making presentations, demonstrating professionalism and leadership abilities, communicating the vision and ensuring community and staff involvement so that confidence in HRM’s planning is maintained.
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Represents the Director on various committees and meetings, internally and externally;
Education & Experience
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Master’s degree in Planning from an accredited university;
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Must have membership in the Licensed Professional Planners of Nova Scotia;
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Must have ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in professional planning with at least five (5) years in a supervisory role with demonstrated experience leading planning initiatives;
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Experience in Policy Analysis, Program Management and Strategic Management ;
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Demonstrated labour relations experience in managing both union and non-union work forces;
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Experience liaising with diverse government and regulatory agencies.
Job Specific Knowledge and Technical Skills
Competencies: Values and Ethics, Achievement Motivation, Visioning and Strategic Thinking, Managing Change, Developing Others, Valuing Diversity
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Thorough knowledge of the Municipal Government Act, HRM Charter, Municipal Planning Strategies, Land Use By-Laws, Subdivision By-Law and Engineering Standards and Specifications including a clear understanding of their interrelationships;
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Extensive knowledge and understanding of the administrative and community context of community planning and development regulations;
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Practical knowledge of theories and best practices related to urban and rural development.
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Knowledge of the operations, policies, procedures, and regulations relative to municipal subdivision, land use, and construction approvals;
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Knowledge of associated business units and agencies as well as their related procedures and regulations;
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Knowledge and skills related to human resource management and labour relations; and
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Knowledge and skills related to budget preparation and management.
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Strategic thinker with ability to relate areas of responsibility to corporate and departmental strategies and produce work programs, policies, and standards to implement said strategies.
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Analytical thinker with the ability to seek out information from disparate sources and authorities.Ability to create viable plans, policies and standards based in research findings.
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Extensive knowledge of organizations, organization dynamics, supervision and human resources administration.
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Demonstrated ability to balance multiple assignments based on agreed upon priorities.
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Ability to exercise sound, independent, judgement and reach appropriate conclusions both from broad policies and guidelines and from research.
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Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of management, staff, applicants, public, development community, elected representatives, community representatives, consultants and media.
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Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop strategically-focused work programs with deliverables within prescribed time limits.
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Excellent communication skills, especially in written and oral forms with good public presentation skills.
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Ability to influence all levels of management and politicians through presentation of sound, fact-based materials and plans.
WORK STATUS: Permanent, Full-Time
HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours/week (However, flexibility will be required.)
SALARY: Non-Union, M4 ($100,000-$135,500) Commensurate with education and experience.
WORK LOCATION: Alderney Gate, 2nd Floor, 40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth
CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to midnight on Sunday, June 18, 2017.
