Manager, Policy & Program Planning

Role Overview

• Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements.
• Manages assigned projects, motivates and trains the unit's staff, ensuring effective teamwork and communication, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.
• Supervises the day-to-day operation of all assigned staff including the scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work.
• Authorizes and controls vacation and overtime requests.
• Monitors and evaluates staff performance, approves salary increments and recommends disciplinary action when necessary.
• Develops, recommends and administers the annual budget for the unit, and ensures that the unit's expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Manages the research, analysis, evaluation and preparation of recommendations concerning regulatory policy and by-law issues and the preparation of such reports to standing committees and Council.
• Develops processes for strategic planning and priority setting, review of governance structures, and establishing intergovernmental strategies.
• Identifies policy options related to governance structures and management practices and recommends changes to support management functions and improve efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability.
• Manages strategic and effective relations with City staff, Members of City Council, other governments, public agencies and partners.
• Provides strategic advice and recommendations, operational support and professional judgment on complex and contentious issues for the division's Senior Management Team.
• Oversees strategic issues in collaboration with senior management and anticipates high profile service area issues in the media or political domain and formulates appropriate responses.
• Develops options for policies, management practices, performance measures and recommends changes to support management functions and improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
• Identifies and manages emerging issues and priorities and reacts to unplanned opportunities or crises.
• Advises senior management of actual and anticipated problems and effectively gathers relevant background information with stakeholders, offering consultative advice on wide-ranging issues and drafts appropriate responses.
• Ensures the Director is kept fully informed of the matters before Council, its Committees and at Standing Committee Chair briefings.
• Represents the Director at Standing Committee briefings and supports the Director at City Council and related Standing Committee meetings.
• Provides organizational development support, identifies considerations for organizational reviews and coordinates both short and long term strategic and business planning for the division.
• Consults, advises and communicates with senior staff in the division and corporation, Members of Council and their staff, and other key stakeholders to facilitate issues resolution.
• Makes recommendations to the Director and gives direction to staff regarding the issues management process.
• Oversees complaint investigation for those received through the Office of the Ombudsman, Auditor General, general public and Council staff.
• Leads the division's agenda management process and manages divisional input into the Corporate Agenda Forecasting System.
• Drafts reports and responses for the Executive Director on divisional issues, projects, escalated complaints and related matters and provides guidance in the development of briefs, policy documents and other material.
• Prepares comprehensive reports and presentations to Committees of Council, and Council.
• Attends strategic meetings to ensure the interests of the Division are represented.
• Leads/coordinates/advises on the development and implementation of cross-divisional issues and reports by working with staff in various divisions.

Requirements

• Post-secondary degree in public policy, social science, urban planning, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Considerable experience leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of building and development-related policies, programs, and strategies, with minimal direction while balancing political, community, and stakeholder interests.
• Considerable experience conducting research and using data to develop comprehensive reports and recommendations to inform strategic planning, change initiatives, quality improvement and/or decision making.
• Experience leading, motivating, coaching, developing teams and building effective relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to cultivate and manage relationships/partnerships with diverse stakeholder groups, including elected officials, City divisions, industry and community partners, and members of the public.
• Excellent strategic and conceptual skills to develop creative solutions to complex operational policy and evaluation challenges, coupled with strong conflict resolution skills.
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills with the ability to coach and influence without direct authority.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate complex subject matters to all levels of staff, coupled with political acuity.
• You have successfully completed, in the process of, or able to successfully complete the Powers and Duties of a Chief Building Official exam, administered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.