THE OPPORTUNITY

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Manager, Planning and Development Services to join an innovative and growing municipality. Reporting to the General Manager, Development & Economic Services, the Manager, Planning and Development Services provides professional leadership and management of the department, including its personnel, services (such as long-range and regional planning, current planning, development and safety codes), projects, plans, policies, and processes. The Manager serves as a key leader supporting the delivery of planning and development services within the community, helping to ensure resident and investor confidence and satisfaction with those services. The Manager also provides expert advice to senior Administration, Council, and the community, with a focus on risk mitigation and customer satisfaction. This position works closely with community, regional, and provincial stakeholders, other municipalities and governments, and various agencies to deliver services and advice that reflect best practices, legislative requirements, and local interests.

THE ORGANIZATION

Sturgeon County, a sprawling municipal district located north of Edmonton. It covers an expansive 2,146 square kilometers and serves a diverse population of 20,945 county residents. Sturgeon County is a vibrant municipality comprising farmland, world-class industrial development, and residential acreage developments.

Sturgeon County provides residents with a high standard of living and a wide range of services, including recreational programming, community events, protective and transportation services and utilities. It is the home of the Alberta Industrial Heartland, one of the world’s most attractive locations for chemical, petrochemical, oil, and gas investments. The county also hosts a rapidly growing regional airport and Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, contributing significantly to the area’s economic strength and community character.

STURGEON COUNTY’S VISION

Offering a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and natural experiences, Sturgeon County is a municipality that honours its rural roots and cultivates desirable communities. Uniquely situated to provide world-class agricultural, energy, and business investment opportunities, the County prioritizes responsible stewardship and dreaming big.

To learn more about Sturgeon County, visit their website at: www.sturgeoncounty.ca

To view their Strategies and Plans, visit their website at:  https://www.sturgeoncounty.ca/government-engagement/strategic-planning/

Direct Reports (4)

• Financial & Administrative Coordinator
• Program Leads – Current Planning
• Program Leads – Development & Safety Codes
• Program Leads – Long Range and Regional Planning

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Management (30%)

• Act as a strategic advisor to other management and to leadership team to ensure that Council’s goals are met through effective land planning and development. 
• Develops and reports on progress in relation to the annual departmental and corporate business plan, in alignment with Council’s Strategic Plan.
• Leads corporate initiatives, department projects, and strategic objectives by fostering engaged teams to successfully executive project deliverables, including championing a culture of collaboration and support to achieve high customer satisfaction.
• Provides leadership, vision, and direction to align with corporate strategies in order to maximize service delivery. 
• Develops and manages operational plans and the longer-term direction for the function and activities of the department, as well as participates in the development of policies and standards, in accordance with the priorities of the organization. Sets annual and mid-term goals.  
• Develops and prepares annual operating and capital budgets in accordance with the objectives and policies of Sturgeon County. Monitors and controls the expenditure of funds in accordance with the approved budgets.
• Undertakes process reviews, documents processes, and communicates processes with intent to achieve improved Operational Excellence. This includes:
  • Customer service and customer experience assessment and improvements
  • New or enhanced service delivery channels
  • Process and policy development
  • Best practice incorporation and environmental scanning
  • Key performance indicators and measurement
  • General service innovation opportunities
• Maintains effective public relations with public and presents a positive image.
• Ensures compliance with safety legislation and County Health and Safety Management System.  
• Develops executive briefings, request for decisions, and presentations to leadership and Council.

People Leadership (15%)

• Acts as an internal role model for the desired organizational culture and provides direct leadership to department personnel.
• Creates an open, positive working environment to stimulate open discussion, which includes both in office, remote, or hybrid employees. 
• Invests time in managing and developing people through career planning and professional development. Provides insightful, motivating, and constructive feedback, coaching, and guidance.  
• Sets clear expectations, monitors, evaluates, and conduct annual performance reviews. 
• Sets and delegates broad work responsibilities for direct reports, managing through general oversight of direct reports.  
• Provides rewards and recognition in alignment with the County’s policies and procedures.
• Follows the HR policies and procedures when address performance or disciplinary or investigations and considerations.  
• Measures and reports on capacity and diversity to meet current and future needs of County within departmental program areas. 
• Makes hiring decisions within approved roles, working in collaboration with the HR team. 
• Manages, oversees, and leads the planning and development team.

Corporate, Committee and Client Communication (25%)

• Shares expertise through timely reporting (divisional and corporate) and proactive recommendations to supervisor and at times other leadership members or Council. Provides clear and concise background and strategic recommendations.
• Represents the department and/or organization at the Subdivision Authority and Development Authority, public advisory committee meetings, industry meetings, regional committees, association meetings, and other forums as required.
• Provides advice, guidance and accurate response to the general public, consultants and other agencies regarding planning and development matters.
• Discusses new development plans and major proposals with representatives of the development industry.
• Discusses inputs on County land use plans and/or regulations with stakeholders and residents.

Planning and Development Service Delivery and Project Management (20%)

• Develops, amends, and stewards the County’s Municipal Development Plan, Land Use Bylaw, and other key long-range planning documents.
• Ensures concierge support services are offered to land and community developers submitting statutory plans for consideration.
• Oversees the County’s interface into regional planning matters and related obligations.
• Ensures highly efficient and customer-centric processing of current planning and development applications. Ensures customers receive regular progress updates where required, and clear / positive communication of requirements.
• Ensures a collaborative and efficient relationship and arrangement is maintained with the County’s contracted safety codes provider.
• Protects the County’s interest and manage risk through advice from County solicitors and others where required.
• Recommends and advances both departmental and corporate projects that align to priorities, including required resources and staging.
• Ensures effective project management and reporting of all projects, focusing on scope, time and cost management, staff qualifications and capacities, required governance, etc.
• Oversees contract development and progress regarding assigned plans and projects.
• Implements the County’s project and change management framework to support successful project implementation and acceptance.
• Oversees or interfaces into regional projects and joint efforts.

Other Related Duties (10%)

• May be required to backfill and provide project management support on key projects, including on major strategic initiatives, events, and organizationally focused reports.
• Participates in divisional activities and acts or represents the divisional head when required.
• Adheres to applicable responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in the Sturgeon County Health and Safety Management System.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in planning or a related discipline; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in municipal planning and development, including supervisory or managerial responsibilities.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation.
• Active membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP); membership in other relevant professional associations is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and administering public policies and procedures, with strong knowledge of the functions and operations of municipal government.
• Financial management and budgeting experience, including the ability to establish appropriate municipal fees and charges.
• Advanced knowledge of planning and development legislation and regulations in Canada, Alberta, and at the municipal level.
• Comprehensive understanding of municipal planning and development best practices, both in Canada and internationally.
• Strong awareness of current trends and issues across local, regional, provincial, and federal levels, including academic research and positions of other organizations.
• Experience with rural and major industrial development is preferred.
• Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related tools is considered an asset.
• Understanding of private sector development practices, market realities, and economic trends and conditions.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills with a proven ability to effectively influence others, with the ability to discuss and reach an agreement on issues in an objective, logical and sensible manner.  
• Ability to proactively identify and analyze complex situations/issues and in a large multi-stakeholder organization to recommend sound solutions that are based on experience, research and understanding of the organizational goals and priorities. 
• Ability to regularly engage and collaborate with stakeholders to facilitate open and thought-provoking discussions to address current and future needs of the County.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a visionary leader that develops and fosters a community of collaboration and teamwork promoting innovation and continuous improvement. 
• Proven leadership and management skills with ability to mentor, coach, motivate, and develop individuals to achieve individual and department goals.
• Ability to manage change effectively and proactively.
• Ability to deal with confidential information with a high degree of diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a team environment or independently. 
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage time effectively, working well and effectively under pressure while meeting deadlines, with often conflicting priorities or projects.
• Ability to read, research, create, interpret, and explain policies, directives, procedures, bylaws, meeting minutes, software manuals, and relevant work-related legislation. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of office products.

The salary range for this position is $140,782 to $184,204 annually.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

SANDY JACOBSON | T: 780.944.1327| E: sandy.jacobson@richardsonsearch.ca | www.richardsonsearch.ca