Job ID: 65631
Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
Division & Section: Parks & Recreation, P&R Policy & Strategic Planning
Work Location: North York Civic Centre (5100 Yonge St) - Hybrid in accordance with the City's Hybrid Policy
Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent
Salary and Wage Grade: $105,241 - $160,649
Affiliation: Non-Union
Number of Positions Open: 1
Posting Period: 26-OCT-2026 to 09-NOV-2026
Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Are you interested in contributing to the quality of life in Toronto by providing decision makers with sound evidence? As part of the Research and Analytics Unit in the Policy and Strategic Planning Branch of Parks & Recreation, you'll join a team focused on turning data into actionable insights.
You have a background in performance measurement and program evaluation with strong expertise in quantitative and qualitative methods, great project management skills, and excellent communication and relationship-building skills. You excel at defining indicators, storytelling with data, and integrating evidence into decision-making.
You’ll be the lead for the division’s performance measurement framework, work on program and policy evaluations, and work on service levels for the budget. You’ll be a senior member of a team that is also responsible for data analytics, data governance, and data engineering.
Major Responsibilities:
- Develops, reviews and implements detailed plans, implements resources and tools, and recommends policies/procedures and guidelines regarding divisional performance measurement and program and policy evaluations to ensure compliance with Council, corporate and divisional directives. Assesses current practices and make recommendations to improve operational efficiencies.
- Leads the design, implementation, and utilization of performance measures for the branch and division.
- Recommends to Manager for the overall scheduling of projects. Communicates to Manager any potential situations of media attention; makes recommendation on course of action and ensures the Manager is apprised of issues impacting the service delivery of operations.
- Prepares and/or authorizes administrative forms such as DPO and purchase orders.
- Provides project management support and leadership within the branch as a member of a self-directed work team internally and externally.
- Represents the division/branch by providing leadership and technical expertise at project, community consultation, partnership and Committee meetings with Members of Council, service providers, various levels of government, outside agencies and community groups, and other stakeholders to support strategic divisional and corporate initiatives.
- Responds to emergency and priority situations by anticipating problems, making decisions, and deploying appropriate financial and human resources.
- Cultivates effective working relations, represents the division and consults with Members of Council and their staff, internal and external stakeholders, other divisions and members of the public on community and project committees, programs, and services.
- Investigates internal/external complaints, where required, and implementing actions for satisfactory resolutions. Ensures quality customer service by providing timely, cost effective and optimum delivery of services.
- Ensures the quality of work and service meets corporate and divisional standards and in compliance with all legislative regulations that apply, such as the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
- Develops briefing notes and reports for presentation to senior management, standing committees, partners, and Council for strategic decision making; prepares and submits correspondence to the Director, General Manager, various Council Committees and Board of Management.
- Develops and implements service standards, fiscal management strategies, and effective operational plans, and works collaboratively with partner branches within the Parks and Recreation Division and other divisions, in the form of planning modules or Service Level Agreements, to ensure the delivery of quality service to efficiently and effectively meet customer service needs and requirements and achieve division's mission and goals.
- Participates in ongoing strategic planning and development of city-wide service direction, functional standards, policies and procedures, in consultation with other City divisions, government agencies and community stakeholders.
- Facilitates contract management for various services and products including but not limited to RFQ/RFP, valuations of bids, recommendation of vendor, contract monitoring, communication with vendor, renewals, and problem solving with staff. Develops, prepares and negotiates agreements with suppliers, contractors, other divisions, partner organizations, and user groups.
- Plans and leads complex organizational, operational and culture change projects, develops and manages project plans for the same.
- Conducts research into performance measurement and evaluation ensuring that such research considers developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
- Exercises good judgement and discretion with confidential human resources information pertaining to any transitions.
Key Qualifications:
Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:
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Master's degree in program evaluation, epidemiology, anthropology, social sciences, ecology or public health or social services research, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
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Considerable experience in coaching and mentoring staff in facilitation of logic model co-creation, measurement framework development, and sound knowledge translation practices.
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Considerable experience in leading a team to conduct program evaluations and/or public health, ecosystems or social science research in a public service context.
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Considerable experience with leading a team using quantitative research methods, including sampling design and statistical analysis.
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Considerable experience in project management, relationship management, and balancing a variety of stakeholder interests (i.e. political, community, and city staff).
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Creative collaboration skills, ability to manage ambiguity and adapt to changing workload
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Excellent project management skills with the ability to multi-task, effectively prioritize responsibilities, and produce results.
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Excellent written, oral, and visual communication skills with an ability to convey complex concepts to lay audiences at all levels in the organization.
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Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in handling matters of confidential, proprietary or sensitive nature as they relate to other senior staff, public and personnel matters.
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Strong analytical, conceptual, problem-solving/negotiation and the ability to generate creative alternatives to identify issues.
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Excellent organizational and planning skills to execute/manage multiple and competing deadlines, and to facilitate the implementation of projects within established timeframes.
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Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive working relationships, manage through influence, develop solutions, drive change and interact and communicate effectively with divisional and agency staff.
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Highly proficient in technology and analytics tools including Miro, R, Python, Nvivo, Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.
Accommodation
The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.
