Position

Mandate

To advance the implementation of the Strategic Plan by leading strategic projects (as directed by the City Manager and Leadership Team) with the additional responsibility for providing guidance and input on projects having significant community impact, recommending actions and reporting on progress.

• Champion the Corporation's Strategic Plan
• Shepherd long term strategic projects from creation to implementation
• Direct the Strategic Community Initiatives Division
• Manage and control the division's financial and human resources

Key Priorities

The Director, Strategic Community Initiatives leads critical corporate projects with City-wide implications for the purpose of building a global city as outlined in the Corporate Strategic Plan.

Short Term Priorities

• Performance toward achieving 2017 Business Plan
• Development of divisional 2018-2021 Business Plan
• Launch refresh of Downtown21 Plan
• Launch Corporate Community Engagement Strategy
• Facilitate public access to Western Waterfront Pier and development of an Innovation Corridor at Lakeview
• Facilitate the implementation of Inspiration Port Credit plans

Long Term Priorities

• React to new opportunities that support city building as they arise
• Creation of vibrant, urban downtown
• Facilitate development of public marina as per Inspiration Port Credit
• Facilitate implementation of new forms of sustainable infrastructure opportunities such as district energy, alternative waste collection systems, etc.
• Attract new post-secondary institution, major tourist attraction
• Obtain funding support for major city building projects through partnerships, sponsorships, grants, etc.

Key Deliverables

• Champion major, critical corporate projects that support the City's Strategic Plan, and require multi-year, multi-party negotiation and input to implement such as public access to the Western Pier at Lakeview, attracting new post-secondary institutions, creation of major tourist attraction, innovative and sustainable infrastructure opportunities, etc. to Council, Leadership Team, the public and private land owners
• Using project management model take long term strategic projects from creation of a community vision to final approval by Council and develop implementation plans through collaboration with all divisions within the Corporation
• Complement and have regard for legislative framework, while fostering innovation and unique approaches for future major projects that drive forward plans for a vibrant internationally renowned city
• Foster strong relationships with all levels of government and their agencies to develop multi-level partnerships as demonstrated through negotiation of MOUs, funding agreements, etc., to deliver complex strategic priorities
• Champion the Strategic Plan vision through leadership, collaboration and participation in cross-departmental teams and committees that have impact on the overall City vision and to facilitate consensus on achievement of the vision in all projects, including chair of inter-departmental Partnership Panel
• Monitor Corporate progress towards achieving goals of the Strategic Plan and report to Council on an annual basis
• Responsible for leadership of multi-discipline team of professionals in a manner consistent with the City's Leadership Principles, including hiring and evaluating and for management of capital budgets that support projects
• Utilizes talent management and succession planning strategies to ensure that a depth of talent is developed within the Division
• Undertakes business planning, budget and work plan preparation for the Division
• Fosters a progressive culture of engaged, high-performing employees

Candidate Profile

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field such as Public Administration, Business Administration, Engineering, Planning or other related education
• Minimum of ten years progressively responsible municipal experience, including management of major projects and at least five years at a senior strategic management level, are required
• Politically savvy, organizational-wide thinker who can clearly link strategies to community, Departmental, team and individual contributions
• Must practice strategic agility in daily decision making processes and be able to balance a variety of interests, professional, political and business
• Be a leader in driving innovation and assume risks associated with applying new practices, strategies
• Inspiring and visionary leader who is continually focused on developing relationships, advancing corporate excellence and energizing and inspiring staff through a strong vision and expertise
• Experience with managing and coaching people including a variety of professional disciplines
• Ability to foster good communication, develop strong teams by leveraging team dynamics
• Demonstrated project management skills including how to build business cases, how to balance risks and benefits financially and operationally
• Must be a confident public speaker and facilitator with an ability to be persuasive and build consensus in both passive and confrontational situations
• Ability to apply fiscal responsibility to financial plans, project proposals and budgets

Success Factors

• Management of major projects
• Strategic thinking and agility
• Politically savvy with strong communication skills
• Inspiring and visionary leader who drives innovation
• Organizational-wide thinker