Position
Commissioner, Planning & Building
Reports to:
City Manager & CAO
Direct reports:
- Director, Building & Chief Building Official (96 staff)
- Director, Policy Planning (33 staff)
- Director, Development & Design (52 staff)
- Director, Strategic Community Initiatives (9 staff)
- Executive Assistant
The Commissioner leads the Department with the support of 190 total staff.
Role and Responsibilities
Under the direction of the City Manager and CAO, the Commissioner will lead all Divisions of the Planning & Building Department and will champion corporate projects that support the City’s strategic planning priorities. You will use your experiences, insights, strategic mindset and practiced leadership to build relationships and define future vision, plans, goals and objectives of the Planning & Building Department.
As an executive level contributor, you will provide innovative, strategic and professional development advice, recommend and lead priorities for the City, and facilitate future development strategy. Partnering with community stakeholders and internal partners, you will liaise with all levels of government, municipal agencies, industry specific sectors, and the public to represent the City, build business relationships, and promote the City’s vision.
The successful candidate must possess the ability to inspire confidence in others, strategically set goals and foster a results oriented learning culture. Critical to the success in this role is the ability to mentor and mobilize teams to execute a comprehensive strategic plan; enhance performance and build public trust by understanding the impact of decisions, issues and outcomes to the City’s business needs and strategic priorities.
Priorities
As the Commissioner of Planning & Building, you will lead your team to develop policy initiatives to best service community interests; partner with external stakeholders to ensure City interests are protected and City building initiatives are achieved and create Departmental Strategic Plans which align with Corporate strategic goals. Your priorities are to:
- Ensure the City’s land use policies and planning frameworks are updated to leverage development along the LRT corridor and the waterfront; to deliver on the City’s vision of a complete city, one that is livable, walkable, promotes active transportation and facilitates employment growth;
- Engage the community in developing the vision for future city development which balances the community’s needs with the provincial expectations around growth and intensification;
- Inspire a diverse team of professionals and foster a culture of continuous improvement aligned to customer service outcomes;
- Support Economic Development initiatives to attract and retain business in Mississauga;
- Support Members of Council on complex and sensitive planning issues;
- Collaborate on City building initiatives, and be a role model for teamwork, breaking down silos and working across all lines of the organization; and
- Identify and mentor new talent, and support succession planning initiatives.
Candidate Profile
Qualifications
- University degree and the designation of a Registered Professional Planner in Canada or internationally.
- At least 15 years in executive-level leadership roles.
- Politically savvy, organizationally-wide thinker who can clearly link operational strategies to corporate priorities
- An inspiring and visionary leader, focused on developing relationships, advancing corporate excellence, and achieving strategic priorities.
- Exceptional leadership skills, business acumen, strategic planning, negotiating and communication skills contribute to your dynamic leadership capabilities.
- Approachable, hands-on, and an active contributor.
- Passionate about place making and urban development.
- Has led initiatives related to affordable housing, accessible transit, and the walkability of communities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills essential to work with all levels of staff, elected officials and members of the public, agencies and community groups.
- Ability to effectively manage staff; motivate, coach and mentor staff ensuring that appropriate development strategies and plans are in place to develop a high-performance team.
- Possess a high level of integrity and trust with proven success in developing and building relationships and professional networks.
- Knowledge and understanding of the role of Council and the municipal relationship with the regional and provincial levels of government.
- Knowledgeable in the requirements and implementation of the Ontario Provincial Planning Act, Municipal Act, Conservation Authority Act, the Provincial Policy Statement, the Growth Plan, Ministry of the Environment acts and regulations, and all area specific acts and plans applicable to Mississauga. For candidates coming from outside Ontario, we appreciate that these specific regulations and acts will need to be studied.
Apply Online
The City of Mississauga is partnering with the executive search firm Odgers Berndtson in this search. Submit your resume and related information online by February 8, 2018 to https://www.odgersberndtson.com/en/careers/14358
Please contact Julia Robarts for further information at julia.robarts@odgersberndtson.com or 1 866-962-1990
Confidentiality
Odgers Berndston respects the privacy and confidentiality of personal information provided by candidates in our search assignments.
Culture
Corporate Values
Our values are fundamental to the relationships we have with all our stakeholders.
They serve as the guiding principles for the City's corporate decision-making process.
Trust
The public trust we uphold. The open and responsive manner in which the City is governed.
Quality
The quality of life we provide Mississauga tax payers. Delivering the right services that add value to our citizen's lives.
Excellence
The delivery of excellence. Mississauga will Achieve excellence in public administration and deliver services in a superior way, at a reasonable cost.
Management Plan
The Mississauga Management Plan helps us tell the story of how we work here at the City of Mississauga. The plan helps us define our culture and describes the major elements that shape it, both day-to-day and over the long term.
Corporate Character
Our corporate character defines not only what we do but how we do it. Each character attribute provides an insight into how the City interacts, communicates and functions with its residents, youth, businesses and employers and business partners.
Social Responsibility
Our amazing team of dedicated employees together create the high-quality balanced lifestyle that Mississauga residents enjoy every day. Whether it's internal community minded projects or partnering with community businesses to provide free, community initiatives and programming; our employees are passionate about giving back to our community.
Click on the logos below to learn more about the ways we are involved.
Strategic Plan
The City of Mississauga's Strategic Plan was developed in 2009, in consultation with over 100,000 residents and stakeholders, and provides a sound framework for action and vision to move our city forward for the next 40 years.
Our Vision
Mississauga will inspire the world as a dynamic and beautiful global city for creativity and innovation, with vibrant, safe and connected communities where we celebrate the rich diversity of our cultures, our historic villages, Lake Ontario and the Credit River valley.
A place where people choose to be.
Strategic Plan
Our new Vision Statement is supported by five Strategic Pillars for Change.
Each of these Pillars has its own unique direction statement and principle,
along with specific strategic goals to ensure that this vision is achieved.
Learn about the progress we've achieved to date by clicking on each of the icons below.
To read the full Strategic Plan click here.
Detailed plans may be found in the 'learn more' section below.
Stay in touch
Stay in touch with the City of Mississauga
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Strategic Plan
Our new Vision Statement is supported by five Strategic Pillars for Change.
Each of these Pillars has its own unique direction statement and principle,
along with specific strategic goals to ensure that this vision is achieved.
Learn about the progress we've achieved to date by clicking on each of the icons below.
