Job Summary
The Senior Project Manager will lead complex initiatives that plan, secure, deliver, sustain and evaluate equitable community infrastructure, including community spaces, hubs, community centres and related social infrastructure strategies. Working across City divisions, agencies, community organizations, elected officials and external partners, the role will advance community infrastructure priorities through evidence-based planning, real estate and development processes, community engagement, partnership development, governance and operational model development, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement.
Major Responsibilities:
- Leads, develops, monitors, evaluates, and implements detailed plans for complex, large scale community infrastructure programs, and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements.
- Manages assigned projects, ensuring effective cross-divisional teamwork and communication, high standards of work quality, health and safety and organizational performance and continuous learning.
- Conducts research into assigned area ensuring that such research takes into account developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
- Allocates Capital and Operating budget funds, develops business cases, and ensures that the project expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
- Provides lead project management and strategic advice for all projects, activities and assignments to deliver assigned projects and programs in a complex municipal environment. Coordinates inter-divisional programs, including implementation of the Association of Community Centres (AOCC) Expansion Framework, Community Space Tenancy Policy and related initiatives, as well as program development, resource allocation, monitoring service standards and delivery levels.
- Acts as resource person for public inquiry on assigned projects and program activities.
- Reviews development and real estate opportunities with relevant City divisions and partners to identify and advance opportunities for community service space.
- Supervises the work of multidisciplinary and inter-divisional project teams, as required, including the scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work. Establishes, maintains and develops linkages to other City divisions, agencies, boards and commissions, and other orders of government to ensure effective partnerships.
- Creates and manages interdivisional, interdisciplinary and interagency teams and consultation processes to plan toward and support community infrastructure planning, delivery and activation, while addressing political, community, business and other stakeholder interests. Negotiates and coordinates with both internal and external stakeholders on various committees and provides advice to community groups.
- Develops, plans, administers, monitors and coordinates planning and community infrastructure planning activities, including the preparation and review of needs and feasibility assessments, service and operating models, space requirements and technical reports.
- Coordinates with responsible City divisions and partners to obtain required environmental, planning and other approvals/requirements, using both consultant and/or in-house resources.
- Advises and responds to requests from senior management and Division Head on project issues, status and technical matters.
- Maintains awareness of developments and advancements in the areas related to projects, and researches best practices, policies and procedures from equivalent municipalities concerning the Division.
- Works effectively and independently with City Councillors, staff and all City divisions, citizen groups, businesses, individuals, property owners and other stakeholders, as required, on behalf of the City in order to achieve and implement program and policy objectives.
- Represents the Division regularly at meetings for large scale, complex initiatives concerning divisional projects.
- Works with consultants, staff, and other key partners/stakeholders to develop and produce design concepts, governance and operating models, and policy guidelines for assigned projects.
- Provides advice, guidance and technical assistance to community groups in undertaking community infrastructure projects. Provides lead project management and strategic advice for various projects applying the project management body of knowledge (e.g. Project Management Institute) to the planning and execution of assigned community infrastructure projects in a complex municipal environment. Manages time, budget and scope to ensure successful project execution.
- Monitors projects and related operating arrangements with the help of other City divisions to ensure implementation in accordance with approved plans, agreements, and ongoing operating requirements.
- Facilitates requests from elected officials and the public, and generates a range of options for programs and policies, assessing the implications and feasibility of these options and recommends viable solutions and implementation strategies for various projects.
- Coordinates public consultation meetings in collaboration with elected officials concerning impacts of largescale and complex projects.
- Researches and reports on a range of new projects and initiatives as they arise, including writing and preparing reports to City Council and Standing Committees.
- Organizes and delivers presentations to Committees of Council and/or senior management, and at conferences, seminars and events, as required.
- Develops Terms of Reference, scope of work, specifications and materials for projects and consultant requirements for all purchasing call documents including RFQ, RFP, REOI, and RFI, ongoing liaison between Purchasing & Materials Management Division and program staff, undertaking briefings and site inspections during the proposal stage, evaluation of proposals, recommendation of the selection of consultants, tenants or operators, as applicable, for assigned projects, execution of legal agreements and contracts and ongoing contract management with selected vendors.
- Regularly updates documentation on project initiatives, including the website, newsletter, and various media.
- Ensures excellent customer service is provided to both external and internal clients.
Key Qualifications:
- Extensive experience leading complex, large-scale projects or programs from concept and feasibility assessment through approvals, implementation, evaluation and ongoing stewardship, while balancing political, community, organizational and stakeholder interests.
- Extensive experience planning or delivering initiatives related to community infrastructure, social infrastructure, community services, public policy, municipal planning, real estate, land development, community development or a related field.
- Extensive experience developing and managing partnerships and leading engagement processes with multidisciplinary teams, government partners, community organizations, public-benefit service providers, elected officials, and other diverse stakeholders, including facilitating discussions on complex or contentious issues using equity-focused and community development approaches.
- Considerable experience developing and administering policies, programs, procurement or allocation processes, contracts, funding arrangements, governance or operating models, and legal or partnership agreements.
- Considerable experience conducting research and analysis and preparing evidence-based recommendations, Council or governing-body reports, briefing notes, business cases, policy documents, presentations and other materials for senior decision-makers.
- Post-secondary education in urban or social planning, public policy, public administration, community development, real estate, urban planning, architecture, non-profit management or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Excellent report writing, communication (verbal and written), presentation, stakeholder and partnership management, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to define and meet project purpose and objectives, undertake all project activities, define and achieve milestones and deliverables, as well as monitor and track progress.
- Ability to manage and motivate interdisciplinary project teams towards a common goal through setting clear directions, designing terms of reference, work processes, and managing issues.
- Ability to work on complex assignments demanding critical judgment, analytical thinking, and balancing of stakeholder interests.
- Ability to deal effectively with the public, media, political representatives, diverse community stakeholders, and staff at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to thrive in an environment with frequent and competing deadlines, multiple tasks, and high-performance expectations in a rapidly changing environment.
- Familiarity with relevant employment legislation, including the Employment Standards Act, the Human Rights Act, and the Occupational Health & Safety Act.
- Ability to work flexible hours, which may include evening and weekend community meetings at various locations.
- Ability to use various software packages such as Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.
Membership in good standing with a relevant professional body, such as designation as a Registered Professional Planner, licensure as an architect with the Ontario Association of Architects, or Project Management Professional certification, would be considered an asset.
Note To Current City of Toronto Employees
City of Toronto employees are eligible to apply for the posted job opportunity, but cannot hold two different jobs. To be considered for this job posting, you must indicate that you are a "Current City of Toronto employee" on the on-line application form, and provide your "Employee Number".
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.
