Job Summary

Salary Under Review

Reporting to the Director of Growth Management and Planning, the Manager of Growth Management and Analytics, is responsible for providing policy regional growth management leadership to local municipalities in support of Regional Council’s long term vision.  The role leads a team responsible for the development and of regional growth analytics (demographic, economic, and land use-related research and data analytics) to support regional and provincial policies and programs. 

Education

• Post-secondary degree in Planning or other related discipline.
• A Master’s degree in Planning or related discipline is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, experience and qualifications may be considered.

Knowledge

• 8 years of progressively responsible, relevant planning, growth management and analytics experience in a municipal setting; including at 3 years in a leadership capacity.   
• A comprehensive knowledge of the Provincial, Regional and Municipal legislation, including planning legislation policies, plans, guidelines and processes, such as the Planning Act & Regulations, Environmental Assessment Act, Municipal Act, Development Charges Act. 
• Knowledge and experience in any of the following is preferred: of GIS, project management, analytic modelling, forecasting, land use planning, statistical analysis, and database development and management.
• Good knowledge of various levels of government, their planning related functions and inter-relationships.
• A demonstrated record of strong leadership and guidance, team advocacy, staff delegation, empowerment, staff development and results orientation.
• Knowledge of project management practices, including project development, scheduling, monitoring, and control systems.
• Registered Professional Planner and a full member in good standing with both the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and Canadian Institute of Planners is preferred.
• Qualified as an expert in planning to provide independent professional opinion before tribunals is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide project leadership and direction on growth planning policy, growth management/ staging of development, data analytics and associated monitoring programs. (60% of time)

• Responsible for the preparation and review of the Regional growth management strategy/ staging of development that aligns location and timing of growth with future infrastructure planning across the region including the development of criteria associated with phasing of growth and infrastructure development to ensure that there is proper, orderly and fiscally sustainable development throughout the Region.
• Responsible for the development of population and employment forecasts and provides forecasting models and data sets for inclusion in master plans ensuring working aligns with corporate priorities.
• Collaborate and engage with the local area municipalities, development industry, regional departments, the public and other interested parties on the growth management strategy/staging of development.
• Responsible for the tracking of development and annual monitoring of the growth management strategy/ phasing of development and associated reporting.
• Responsible for the development and maintenance of growth-related information systems including the development portal for the planning and monitoring of growth including research, planning, evaluation and reporting activities (GIS and CityView).
• Provides strategic advice on Planning Act and planning legislative matters, particularly as it relates to growth management matters.
• Prepares reports to the Regional Council and the Provincial Tribunal, providing independent professional planning opinion and advice. 
• Develops and implements population and employment data products suitable for the needs of internal clients, including corporate-wide divisions and departments for infrastructure planning, human service planning, the Development Charges By-law and health planning.
• Manages responses to inquiries and information requests.

Leads growth planning initiatives with local area municipalities. (15% of time)

• Reviews growth management policy issues affecting the long-term sustainability of Niagara Region.
• Develops policy implementation programs.
• Ensures meaningful engagement of the development community and the general public in the policy development function.
• Ensures best practices in growth management are designed and implemented in Niagara Region.

Manages people resource planning for the division or operating unit, determining ideal organizational structures, identifying desirable role and skill mix requirements and ensuring ongoing work quality and deliverability of results. (10% of time)

• Enables results with the organization’s human capital strategy to foster employee engagement.
• Directs and provides leadership for the activities and coaching of direct reports, providing work direction, setting priorities, assigning tasks/projects, determining methods and procedures to be used, resolving problems, ensuring results are achieved, and managing staff recruitment, performance, and skill development activities.
• Ensures alignment and coordination of activity and quality of output between teams under their direction.
• Ensures focus is service excellence, communication/transparency, innovation, and data integrity and work flow integration.
• Ensures staff has the information and resources to make successful plans and decisions.
• Ensures all people related issues, including recruitment, grievances and labour relations issues, are aligned to HR and Corporate standards and practices.
• Helps to break down barriers to employee success, ensuring collaboration and cooperation with other teams within their division and department.
• Ensures Occupational Health & Safety policies, programs and practices are implemented, and maintained.  This includes workplace inspections, monitoring, accident reporting and investigations, and ensuring any observed hazards or lapses in the functioning of OH&S processes, and other OH&S concerns are responded to promptly.
• Ensures all individuals under supervision have been informed of hazards and instructed on the necessary risk control and emergency response measures.

Manages relationships with internal/external stakeholders. (10% of time)

• Represents the Department in growth planning policy matters before the Provincial Tribunal, Council, area municipalities and interested parties.
• Participates in and represents the division/department on inter-Departmental and inter-Regional initiatives.
• Works closely with Department staff, in the delivery of growth planning and analytic services and consultation to local municipalities and developers.
• Collaborates with development planning and implementation teams to obtain expert advice on all policy related matters, including policy development and project management.

Develops, manages, and administers annual and multi-year Capital and Operating budgets for the operating unit  ensuring  support of Council’s objectives, financial transparency and accountability, monitoring budget adherence, identifying and explaining variances, and financial reporting is effectively managed in compliance with corporate financial policies.  Ensure goods and services are acquired in accordance with the procurement policy.  Authorize, and administer the acquisition of goods and services for the operating unit and direct reports in accordance with the procurement policy and procedures. (5% of time)

Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.

Special Requirements

• Must maintain ability to travel in a timely manner to other offices, work locations or sites as authorized by the Corporation for business reasons.
• May be required to support emergency operations under the incident management structure, at the direction of the Emergency Operations Centre Director.
• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.