THE OPPORTUNITY
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Manager, Development Engineering, to join Sturgeon County, an innovative and growing municipality. Reporting to the General Manager, Development and Economic Services, the Manager, Development Engineering provides strategic leadership and expert advice on development-related infrastructure and municipal servicing and supports near- and long-term infrastructure planning to advance Sturgeon County’s planned growth objectives. Through effective people leadership, operational excellence, fiscal stewardship, risk management, and customer-focused service, the position oversees development engineering reviews, servicing requirements, developer-contributed infrastructure, and off-site levies, while providing key input into development agreements and related securities. Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, the Manager serves as the County’s principal advisor on technical development matters, infrastructure capacity, and development risk, ensuring development activities support long-term municipal priorities and sustainable growth. The position serves as the County’s Municipal Engineer, with associated responsibilities regarding GMSS maintenance, development agreement approvals, and third-party contributed assets.
THE ORGANIZATION
Sturgeon County is located in the northern Edmonton Metropolitan Region, covering approximately 2,100 square kilometres and serving approximately 21,000 residents. The County encompasses agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial areas, with major development areas including Sturgeon Valley, Sturgeon Industrial Park, Villeneuve Airport and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.
Sturgeon County is focused on responsible growth and economic development while maintaining its strong agricultural and industrial base. Its current strategic direction emphasizes aligning land use, infrastructure and servicing decisions to support financially sound and balanced growth.
STURGEON COUNTY’S VISION
Thriving communities, responsible growth, and a vibrant future connecting with land, people, and opportunity.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Accountability & Transparency
Council decisions are based on sound reasoning, evidence, and measured results. Decisions and results are shared clearly with residents and partners.
Respectful Relationships
Council sets the expectation for respectful and constructive relationships. Work is carried out carefully with residents, Indigenous communities, regional partners, industry, and other orders of government.
Adaptability & Future Readiness
Council considers long-term impacts, risks, and opportunities when making decisions. Policies, services, and infrastructure adapt to remain strong over time.
Innovation & Pursuit of Excellence
Council encourages innovation and meets its financial and legal responsibilities. Services are consistent, high quality, and cost-effective, supported by a capable workforce and modern approaches.
Additional information about Sturgeon County and key resources relevant to this opportunity are available below:
- Sturgeon County Website
- 2026–2029 Strategic Plan
- General Municipal Servicing Standards (GMSS)
- Planning Documents & Studies
- Sturgeon County Projects
Direct reports include:
- Senior Development Engineer
- Senior Industrial Engineer
- Development Engineers
- Crossing Agreements Coordinator
RESPONSIBILITIES
People Leadership (20%)
- Manage, oversee, and lead the Development Engineering team.
- Focus on advancing the County’s strategic plan and outcomes related to planned growth through defined customer-centred processes and complex multi-disciplinary efforts.
- Create an open, positive working environment to stimulate open discussion that engages in-office, remote, and hybrid employees.
- Invest time in managing and developing people through career planning and professional development.
- Provide insightful, motivating, and constructive feedback, coaching, and guidance.
- Set clear expectations, monitor, evaluate, and conduct annual performance reviews with clear development plans.
- Set and delegate broad work responsibilities for direct reports.
- Provide rewards and recognition in alignment with the County’s policies and procedures.
- Follow human resources policies and procedures when addressing performance, disciplinary matters, investigations, and other employment considerations.
- Measure and report on capacity to meet current and future needs of the County within departmental program areas.
- Make hiring decisions within approved roles, working in collaboration with the human resources team.
Department Leadership and Management (25%)
- Provide strategic leadership and direction aligned with corporate priorities to improve service delivery.
- Develop and manage operational plans and the longer-term direction for the activities of the department, as well as participate in the development of policies and standards, in accordance with the priorities of the organization.
- Set annual and mid-term goals for the department.
- Develop and prepare annual operating and capital budgets in accordance with the objectives and policies of Sturgeon County.
- Oversee the procurement and contract management activities of the department in line with County policies and procedures.
- Monitor and control the expenditure of department funds in accordance with the approved budgets.
- Undertake process reviews, document processes, and communicate processes with the intent to achieve operational excellence.
- Maintain effective relations with the public, council, and present a positive and professional image.
- Ensure compliance with safety legislation and County Health and Safety Management System.
- Recognise and develop opportunities for inter-departmental collaboration.
- Develop materials that provide timely information on emergent issues relating to department focus areas, including stakeholder changes, new legislative/regulatory changes, communication impacts, and other items of importance.
- Develop comprehensive and timely Requests for Decision documents and briefings for the General Manager, other executive management, and Council consideration.
- Research leading best practices and successful collaboration models that could support focus areas and strategic objectives.
- Provide correspondence, regular executive briefings, and other corporate reporting requirements (including for Council and committee meetings, where required).
Development Engineering (20%)
- Ensure the development and maintenance of the County’s General Municipal Servicing Standard, and, in consultation with the General Manager, is the final approver of any variances and updates to the GMSS.
- Oversee development engineering business requirements, including rural, residential, and commercial/industrial, to ensure that clients are served in a responsive and proactive manner.
- Ensure engineering considerations are reflected throughout the development planning and implementation process, including all levels of planning (i.e., area structure plans, neighborhood structure plans, outline plans), Master Plans, functional studies, design reports, supplementary reports, local and provincial technical standards, and any other relevant documents.
- Lead the preparation of cost estimates for municipal infrastructure improvements and the development of off-site levies for local improvements.
- Communicate and liaise with internal and external stakeholders on issues related to development engineering.
- Lead the development and continuous review of local engineering standards for rural and urban development areas, ensuring both technical and competitive alignment.
- Ensure compliance with legislated requirements.
Strategic Growth Initiatives (20%)
- Serve as the County’s key point of contact on any development related matters in Sturgeon’s Industrial Heartland.
- Participate in the interdepartmental/interdivisional Integrated Growth Team to ensure ongoing alignment and coordination on growth related development.
- Lead and coordinate complex, sensitive, and multi-disciplinary growth readiness initiatives and teams. Recommend long-term organizational/service actions as required.
- Identify and provide recommendations on strategic issues related to processes, legislation, regulations, directives, and guidelines related to development engineering matters through extensive research and context.
- Research leading best practices and successful development models that could support corporate strategic development objectives.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives for the department or division, as required.
- Develop and recommend detailed project plans, including project scope, timing, resourcing, governance, communications, and other requirements.
- Ensure project-specific communications and engagement plans for all initiatives are in place.
Representation, Engagement and Other Responsibilities (15%)
- Act as a liaison between the County and the development community, engineering consultants, shallow utilities groups, government agencies and other external agencies, for new development and to properly plan new projects.
- Liaise regularly with the provincial government, municipal governments, industry associations, contractors, businesses, residents, and County staff to provide updates on emerging issues or new developments to existing issues or to assist with requests for information and/or decision.
- Where required, represents the organization on external committees, engagements, or interfaces, working to actively observe, evaluate, articulate, and report on matters of importance.
- Support organizational relationships that demonstrate a positive, accountable, and future-focused orientation.
- Solicit feedback and respond to key stakeholder input. Promote awareness and literacy on development matters among County personnel, residents, and key stakeholders.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of related experience in a private or government setting (or a suitable combination of experience and education).
- Post secondary degree in engineering, public/business administration, or another related field.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) or a related designation, P.Eng. or related engineering designation, and/or master’s degree are considered assets.
- Experience in urban and rural settings is preferred.
- Extensive knowledge of land development practices and departmental service lines.
- Working knowledge of Civil Engineering design principles and practices associated with municipal infrastructure, including construction methodology, procedures and materials.
- Knowledge of municipal business practices and private sector development practices, as they relate to land development and stewardship.
- Strong understanding of economic conditions and development practices and trends within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.
- Familiarity with the current legislative and regulatory environment, bylaws, policies, and procedures, government structure and political relationships.
- Fully competent in using Microsoft Office suite applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Experience working with the development community; experience in municipal government or familiarity with municipal government practices is considered an asset.
- Experience integrating cross-functional processes. Ability to navigate well throughout organization; analyze financial, operational, and business environment information.
- Experience innovating to respond to new expectations driven by stakeholders, civil engineering design principles and practices, and the use of new technology to advance corporate priorities.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- High-level communication skills to create and deliver verbal presentations, prepare written materials (briefings, reports, and publications), and achieve buy-in and agreement.
- Well-developed research, business analysis, and project management skills.
- Sound interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Solid political acumen with the ability to think critically and recognize and anticipate issues that could significantly impact the division, organization, and community.
- Facilitation skills with the ability to effectively include stakeholders in the process of information sharing, planning and decision making.
- Strong proactivity and self-starter tendency, with the ability to work effectively, whether independently or in groups.
- Well-developed ability to plan, set priorities, identify tasks, set achievable timelines, and delegate work to available resources.
- Proactive planning and time management skills, with ability to respond to often heavy and shifting workloads and communicate status of program work plans and decision points.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
SANDY JACOBSON | T: 780.944.1327| E: sandy.jacobson@richardsonsearch.ca | www.richardsonsearch.ca
