When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

What we offer
We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service;
• Paid personal days;
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements;
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
• Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
• Employee and Family Assistance Program;
• Parental leave top up program;
• Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance;
• Employee recognition programs.

The Planning team is currently hiring a Project Manager of Urban Design. This position directs and undertakes urban design initiatives to achieve the vision and goals of the Official Plan and the City’s Strategic Plan. Reporting to the Manager of Policy Planning, the candidate will provide professional advice, guidance and direction and ensure stakeholder engagement for urban design projects and direct the overall project management of strategic urban design initiatives and capital projects.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Provides overall project management for strategic urban design initiatives and capital projects including design guidelines, demonstrations and visualizations, secondary plans, land use studies and corporate city-building projects.
• Develops City policy and implements guidelines related to urban design and city form to be incorporated into the Official Plan, Secondary Plans.
• Directs internal staff teams and consultants and effectively manages project deliverables.
• Develops formal project documents including project charters and work plans.
• Conducts research, develops recommendations, prepares reports and delivers presentations.
• Provides leadership and facilitates public consultation, stakeholder engagement and liaison in a positive and inclusive manner; including education, information and consultation.
• Builds effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders including the development community in order to advance projects.
• Prepares and oversees and is responsible for consultant contracts including managing the procurement process.
• Manages and monitors project budgets.
• Provide expert advice and interpretation of urban design policies and guideline documents.
• Recommends and implements creative site design solutions supportive of city’s urban design policies and guidelines.
• Leads the review of urban design master plans, provides recommendations and advice on implementation.
• Advises on municipal projects from a design perspective.
• Ensures all requirements of the Planning Act and other applicable legislation are met.
• Provides planning recommendations and advice to the department head, Council, and the public on a wide variety of planning matters from a design perspective.
• Provides evidence at Ontario Land Tribunal hearings and other tribunals, participate as an expert in facilitation, mediation and settlement of appeals.
• Supports continuous improvement initiatives and the building partnerships mandate of the corporation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and requirements

• Post-secondary degree in Urban Design, Urban and Regional Planning, or related discipline.
• Considerable experience in urban design.
• Experience in project management of major planning or design projects and/or the review of complex development applications.
• Full Membership in the Ontario Professional Planner’s Institute (OPPI) as a Registered Professional Planner.
• Ability to give evidence related to complex planning studies before the Ontario Land Tribunal.
• Knowledge and skills in the application and interpretation of the Planning Act and other relevant legislations, policies, guidelines and planning procedures.
• Knowledge and skills in the development and application of urban design policy and guidelines.
• Excellent graphic design skills and experience in computer programs with demonstrated ability to develop 3-D models (3-D Studio, Sketch-up, etc.)
• Excellent organizational, analytical and decision making skills.
• Ability to lead teams and influence, negotiate and mediate conflict and resolve issues.
• Ability to coordinate the efforts of multi-disciplinary project teams and consultants; including preparing and monitoring work plans.
• Proficiency in facilitating effective community/stakeholder engagement.
• Skilled in providing a solution oriented, customer service approach using good judgement, creativity and strategic thinking.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of staff, stakeholders, the media, Council and the general public.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access and Outlook).
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other applicable legislation.
• A valid Class G drivers licence with a good driving record. Successful candidates will be required to provide a current driver’s abstract prior to their start date to confirm their licence is held in good standing and that it has not been suspended or revoked under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) or Criminal Code of Canada in the last 5 years. The City of Guelph will take into consideration the number of demerit points and/or nature of the infractions to determine if it meets our requirement.
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Pay/Salary
Non-Union Grade: 6 $91,567.41- $114,459.27

How to apply
Qualified applicants are invited to apply using our online application system by May 15, 2024. Please note all applicants must complete the online questionnaire specific to this position at the time they submit their resume and cover letter in order to be considered.

Please visit the job posting listed on our City of Guelph careers page and click on the “Apply for this job” button. Instructions will follow.

The City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel welcome, valued and engaged. Our employment policies strictly prohibit all forms of discrimination on any of the grounds in relevant laws. All employment practices are solely based on individual merit, qualifications, and organization's needs at the time. In keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals in our job application procedures. If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, you may contact us to make your needs known in advance.

Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.