Associate Director, Development and Portfolio Management
Our Story:
Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving, and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect, and innovation.
This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people’s lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.
Our Team:
Come join the Region of Waterloo’s land development team. You will have the opportunity to lead some of the Region’s largest and most strategic industrial and affordable housing development projects with a technical team to support bringing these projects to life. As the Region’s land development arm, this division is responsible for building the Region’s land portfolio and industrial land reserve. Adding to the industrial and affordable housing priorities is the leadership this provides on strategic regional development projects such the redevelopment of the former Charles Street bus terminal and the mixed-use component of the King-Victoria Transit Hub. If you think like a developer but want to work on the priorities of the community, this is the team you want to help lead.
The Opportunity:
Reporting to the Director, Innovation & Economic Development, you will provide senior level guidance to staff, regional departments, and partner organizations on land development projects related to industrial, housing, and strategic regional development projects. You will also liaise with senior levels of government, municipalities, land developers, not-for-profits, and companies looking to invest in the Waterloo Region. You will work with your Director to provide leadership for the development of Region-owned land for housing, industrial, and strategic projects as part of the Region’s land portfolio.
Apply Your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- You will supervise a Supervisor of Urban Design, Land Inventory Coordinator, Senior Development Planner, and Development Expeditors, and indirectly supervises a Manager of Land Development, and has “dotted line” supervision of engineers, project managers, and financial and data analysts reporting into other departments and teams.
- You get to support the development and management of the Region’s land portfolio and industrial land reserve for redevelopment opportunities with an emphasis on affordable housing, industrial uses, and strategic regional projects, and collaborate with Finance and Real Estate to increase the size of the land portfolio and industrial land reserve though a revolving investment model.
- You will provide human resources and technical direction to staff on land development projects, project management, partnerships, report development, presentations, and briefings while you oversee multi-departmental development projects and working groups to advance land development projects and ensure provincial and municipal policies are integrated and applied into development projects.
- As delegated by the Director, you will support or lead stakeholder management with senior management from companies, senior levels of government, and other relevant development partners, and manage consultant contracts relating to technical work associated with land development projects and respond to the media.
- At the request of the Director, you will present briefing materials, reports, and information to Council relating to strategic land development projects, the Regional Land Portfolio, Affordable Housing, Industrial Land Reserve, and investment opportunities.
- You will support investment, site readiness, technical, and site visit meetings that relate to new investment opportunities in Waterloo Region.
- You will provide senior-level leadership to staff and management on issues management, and problem solves complex land development challenges, approvals, and timelines.
- You will potentially oversee development analysis for regional lands relating to regional services and priorities, and for regionally owned and partner-owned lands related to regional services, housing and community services.
- You will identify and pursue opportunities from senior levels of government for affordable housing funding and assemble funding and development incentives for properties in the portfolio and develop different financing models to support the disposition of lands.
- You will back up the Director and management as needed.
- Performs related duties as required.
Apply Your Experience at the Region of Waterloo
- Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a degree in a related field such as engineering, economic development, or planning, plus progressively responsible related experience.
- Knowledge of land development processes, detailed planning processes, development standards and practices, strategic land development, and technical analysis associated with land readiness.
- Knowledge and skills in urban design criteria and best practices.
- Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, and legislation associated with planning, municipal land disposition processes, appraisal and land transfer processes.
- Knowledge of financial modelling approaches to support the development of proformas and business plans. Ability to conduct cost/benefit and return on investment analyses.
- Research, analytical, organizational, problem solving, and continuous improvement skills to analyze and assess program compliance with policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, and legislation; develop program plans, procedures, policies, and frameworks; analyze data and make property recommendations; and take a broad view of issues, events, and activities and their long-term impacts/implications.
- Leadership skills to manage, develop, motivate, and support staff; classify and organize work; and select and coordinate staff to achieve goals.
- Human relations, communication, negotiation skills and political acuity to build and maintain partnerships and develop agreements with area municipalities and other stakeholders; conduct presentations and promote concepts and programs to government committees and the media; provide advice and recommendations on controversial, complex initiatives/projects; respond to media inquiries; and participate as an effective team member.
- Ability to read and interpret legislation, reports, publications, journals, and research papers. Ability to write, compile, and summarize data and research, and prepare technical and administrative reports, articles, policies, procedures, correspondence, specifications, and standards.
- Understanding of multiple cultural frameworks, values, and norms and a demonstrated flexible style when faced with dimensions of culture in order to be effective across cultural contexts. Understands the dynamics of cross-cultural and inclusion-related conflicts, tensions, misunderstandings, and opportunities. In addition, recognizes and addresses one’s filters, privileges, biases, and cultural preferences with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement in diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence.
- Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office and program-related databases.
- Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region.
- Ability to adjust schedule to attend evening/weekend meetings and respond to issues.
- Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.
Additional Information:
Consideration will be given to candidates who are not fully qualified when no fully qualified applicants can be identified.
We thank all applicants in advance; however, we will be corresponding only with those selected for an interview.
The Region of Waterloo is an equal-opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At the Region, we respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity. The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number 519-575-4400, or TTY number 519-575-4608 to request an alternate format.