• Lead and undertake the development of program policies on a wide range of issues
• Lead and undertake the development of strategic policy and planning activities on a wide range of issues, including overall project management, and procuring and managing external consultants
• Lead teams of internal collegues from multiple divisions and departments, as well as external interested and affected parties including community organizations and residents
• Investigate and identify need for new and revised policies, procedures and guidelines based on the corporate strategic plan, department and division plans, business plans, changing legislation, and emerging issues
• Prepare research reports, discussion papers, council reports and briefing notes on complex policy issues
• Evaluate/review existing programs and services and make recommendations for future change
• Provide advice, options, and recommendations via reports and presentations to management, senior leadership and council on policy matters and program improvements
• Undertake project management responsibilities including defining project scope, identify project resource needs, preparing project charter, outlining work plans, ensuring work is completed in a timely manner and deliverables meet requirements
• Undertake interjurisdictional research, best practice research, data collection and analysis (quantitative and qualitative), and public consultation
• Build collaborative relationships community groups and internal collegues, to gather input and foster support for change and ongoing implementation
• Lead negotiation and consensus-building among interested and affected parties (eg. projects team members) to support recommendations and successful implementation
• Develop grant submissions and RFPs as needed to support projects
• Work with other local governments and community organizations to ensure policy alignment and identity opportunities for collaboration
• Lead broad public engagement on policy and planning matters
• Other duties as assigned
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Recreation & Leisure Administration, Program Evaluation, or Public Administration
• 3 years’ related experience in a public sector environment
• Relevant experience as a project manager and strong project management skills required
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Excellent critical thinking, system thinking, problem-solving and creative solution-development skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop longer term strategic and master plans and program level policy
• Demonstrated ability to undertake program evaluation and make recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to lead project teams, including community members and representatives of community organizations.
• Demonstrated business writing skills, showing attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, conflict resolution and public relations skills
• Demonstrated facilitation and presentation skills
• Knowledge of public engagement strategies and methodologies
• Knowledge of the municipal policy environment and municipal decision-making processes
• Familiarity with community development and recreation service delivery issues
• Ability to present information, including options for consideration, to a wide variety of audiences
• Ability to coach and train other staff members on policy, procedures and guidelines
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Able to work effectively, either independently or as a team member
• Able to function well under pressure and respond to changing demands and priorities
• Ability and willingness to travel between worksites and meeting locations, as necessary, utilizing reliable, safe and efficient methods of transportation is required to perform the job
• A satisfactory police criminal and judicial matters check will be required as a condition of hire
Annual Salary: $68,091 to $85,111
Benefits, OMERS pension plan.
Apply online at careers.waterloo.ca.
