Supervisor, Development Review and Integration (Reg. Growth, Devp & Sustainability Svcs)
The Role
Oversees a diverse portfolio spanning policy and analysis, development planning and related corridor matters, process improvement, and inter-departmental/inter-agency coordination.
Supports the development review process, leads and facilitates collaboration on special projects, committees, and municipal partnerships; monitors and provides input on senior government policies related to land use planning; and leads divisional continuous improvement initiatives.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Supervises Senior Planners and Planners.
- Supervises development projects at all levels of complexity and facilitates multi-disciplinary reviews. Provides strategic support to staff throughout the Division regarding the development review function.
- Leads and coordinates special projects, committees, and municipal partnerships.
- Monitors senior government and other agencies for legislative, regulatory, and policy proposals and changes in relation to land use planning and identifies matters that may impact the Region’s interests. This includes monitoring and circulating Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) postings.
- Supervises and coordinates all aspects of the Region’s review of land use planning initiatives related to senior government and other agency policy initiatives. Circulates proposals to internal stakeholders, coordinating with local municipalities, preparing comments and recommendations, and resolving issues and conflicts.
- Attends and/or leads the coordination of various liaison forums.
- Coordinates developer inquiries/requests/triage to applicable departments where they are not tied to specific development applications/local policy initiatives.
- Acts as departmental lead in the coordination of multi-department initiatives; provides project management representation.
- Provides leadership in advancing and creating improvements to development-related practices,
policies, and regulations in a team environment. Ensures development review processes are documented, relevant, up-to-date, and in compliance with the Planning Act, and consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement. - Supports the various divisional teams by leading and implementing continuous improvement strategies to enhance processes and service delivery; coordinates and oversees the preparation of, and updates, policies, guidelines, and procedures.
- Develops and monitors Division-wide KPIs and prepares reports for internal groups, senior management, and Regional Council.
- Supervises development projects at all levels of complexity, and facilitates multi-disciplinary reviews.
- Provides strategic support to staff throughout the Division regarding the development review function.
- Supports the development tracking system (DATS) as it relates to development applications, identifying business needs and improvements. Collaborates with Systems Administrator and ITS to develop workflows, business plans, explore software options, implement enhancements, and support related RFPs.
- Acts as the lead for the Division in coordinating and drafting input into corporate policy development to support the Region’s interests related to land use planning (e.g., new guidelines, by-law updates). Leads the development of other special projects (e.g., fee by-law updates).
- Participates in review committees and other relevant committees/projects as needed.
- Applies expertise in land use planning to advise internal groups such as infrastructure planning, capital projects, and operations groups on the land development process; assists in developing appropriate responses to planning policy initiatives and process improvements.
- Coordinates and facilitates meetings with senior government/agencies, regional and local municipal staff, and various stakeholders including public working meetings and public meetings as required.
- Supports the hiring of staff and project consultants as required.
- Backs up the Manager in their absence.
- Performs related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge and skills in principles, practices, techniques, methods, and procedures applicable to municipal planning are normally acquired through a university degree in Planning or related field, plus progressively responsible experience in a planning-related field.
- Must have full membership in good standing with the Canadian Institute of Planners and Ontario Professional Planners Institute as a Registered Professional Planner.
Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and related legislation (e.g., Planning Act, Official Plans, zoning by-laws, health and safety). - Analytical and creative problem-solving skills, with ability to think “outside the box” to anticipate and respond effectively to a range of customer expectations and understand social, economic, and political climate/trends.
- Experience in the timely processing and oversight of complex development projects, at all stages, and preparing related reports.
- Experience participating in community planning processes and representing the municipality and department on planning matters.
- Experience participating in and presenting at various meetings (such as Council meetings).
- Experience working with senior staff in creating, implementing, and improving land use plans and application processes and procedures.
- Project management, research, and organizational skills to plan and develop program objectives; lead change management processes; and plan, assign, and supervise work to meet objectives.
- Ability to manage a portfolio of complex development applications and projects.
- Ability to read, interpret, and understand design drawings (e.g., subdivision plans, site plans, building elevations, condominium plans, surveys, construction details, reference plans) and assess and analyze potential implications/issues. Ability to express ideas effectively verbally and in writing.
- Facilitation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills with ability to maintain composure in high pressure situations and demonstrate agility in adapting to an evolving planning framework and community expectations.
- Leadership skills to train, mentor, develop, motivate, and support staff.
- Communication and human relations skills to provide politically astute customer service to the development and business communities; message complex planning matters in plain language; provide expert testimony at tribunals; interact with the media including interviews on complex, controversial matters; and participate as an effective team member.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, professionals and the public, and to clearly convey the principles and requirements of sound planning and development.
- Ability to read and interpret statistical reports, manuals, legislation, and journals. Ability to prepare clear, concise policies, procedures, reports, and funding proposals.
- Is occasionally called outside regular hours to deal with problems.
- Ability to travel within and sometimes outside Waterloo Region.
- Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.
