Leader, Special Projects
Top Benefits
About the role
If you are committed to public service, enjoy collaborating with others, share our values and have a desire to learn and grow, join The City of Calgary. City employees deliver the services, run the programs and operate the facilities which make a difference in our community. We support work-life balance, promote physical and psychological safety, and offer competitive wages, pensions, and benefits. Together we make Calgary a great place to make a living, a great place to make a life.
The City is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace which is representative of the community we serve. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and reconciliation. Applications are encouraged from members of groups that are historically disadvantaged and underrepresented. Accommodations are available during the hiring process, upon request.
In this position, you will provide senior level leadership on the City's most complex, high-risk, and high-profile land development initiatives that cannot be effectively managed within standard project delivery roles. These initiatives involve heightened political sensitivity, Indigenous engagement, complex land and servicing constraints, multi-departmental governance, and significant financial and reputational risk. You will ensure that projects are advanced in a manner that is technically sound, fiscally responsible, culturally informed, and aligned with Council direction, corporate priorities, and The City's land strategy, while building internal capability through mentorship and team development. Primary duties include:
- Provide direct people leadership and Labour Relations authority for assigned Project Managers, including defining work, setting priorities, conducting performance management, supporting development, and addressing performance issues in consultation with Human Resources.
- Mentor Project Managers and emerging leaders by transferring advanced land development knowledge, institutional context, and practical judgment developed through experience with complex, politically sensitive projects.
- Lead large-scale, multi-year land development projects from early concept, feasibility analysis, and business case development through to planning, design, approvals, construction, and transition to operations.
- Serve as the senior project authority for Aurora, responsible for navigating ambiguity, setting strategic direction, and resolving complex interdependencies between land use, infrastructure, financial models, and delivery sequencing.
- Act as a senior City representative with developers, landowners, utilities (for example: ENMAX), regulators, other orders of government, and external partners.
- Oversee multi-million-dollar capital and land development budgets (more than $200 million), ensuring strong financial controls, forecasting, and reporting.
- Monitor performance against scope, schedule, and budget, and take corrective action where required.
Qualifications
- A degree in Planning, Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related discipline.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in land development, municipal development processes, infrastructure delivery, or complex capital project leadership.
- A master's degree or Project Management Professional (PMP) designation will be considered an asset.
- Demonstrated experience leading large, complex, and politically sensitive projects with multiple partners and governance layers.
- Deep, practical understanding of municipal land development processes, including planning approvals, servicing strategies, real estate considerations, and financial modeling.
- Success in this position requires effective communication and interpersonal skills, strong analytical and critical thinking skills and conflict resolution.
Pre-employment Requirements
- Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.
Workstyle
- This position may be eligible to work from home for at least part of the time as one of several flexible work options available to City employees. These arrangements depend on the operational requirements of the role, employee suitability, and are subject to change based on operational needs and corporate direction.
Position and Pay Information
**Business Unit:**Real Estate & Development Services
**Union:**Exempt
**Position Type:**1 Permanent
**Compensation:**Level P4 $125,909 - 157,386 per annum
**Hours of work:**Standard 35-hour work week.
**Days of work:**This position works a 5-day work week with 1 day off in a 3-week cycle.
**Location:**323 7 Avenue SE
**Audience:**Internal/External
**Apply By:**April 15, 2026
**Job ID:**314122
Not the right fit? Search for Leader, Special Projects jobs in Calgary, AB
About City of Calgary
City of Calgary employees deliver the services, run the programs and operate the facilities that support a city of over one million people. If you are committed to public service, enjoy collaborating with others, and have a desire to learn and grow, join us and make a difference in the lives of Calgarians. We offer competitive wages, comprehensive health benefits and insurance, defined benefit pension plan, work-life balance, flexible work options, health-spending account, diverse and inclusive workplace, learning and development opportunities, wellness programs and more.
A common purpose guides all our choices and decisions - to make life better every day. We anticipate the future and are committed to fostering a culture of innovation, creativity and best practices. We are at our best when we take responsibility for our actions and work together for the benefit of the people of Calgary. Together we make Calgary a great place to make a living, a great place to make a life.
Make working for The City work for you, apply today at www.calgary.ca/careers.
To speak with a City recruiter, connect with Ashu Gandhi, David Fletcher or Jaci Spence-Eising on LinkedIn.
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Leader, Special Projects
Top Benefits
About the role
If you are committed to public service, enjoy collaborating with others, share our values and have a desire to learn and grow, join The City of Calgary. City employees deliver the services, run the programs and operate the facilities which make a difference in our community. We support work-life balance, promote physical and psychological safety, and offer competitive wages, pensions, and benefits. Together we make Calgary a great place to make a living, a great place to make a life.
The City is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace which is representative of the community we serve. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and reconciliation. Applications are encouraged from members of groups that are historically disadvantaged and underrepresented. Accommodations are available during the hiring process, upon request.
In this position, you will provide senior level leadership on the City's most complex, high-risk, and high-profile land development initiatives that cannot be effectively managed within standard project delivery roles. These initiatives involve heightened political sensitivity, Indigenous engagement, complex land and servicing constraints, multi-departmental governance, and significant financial and reputational risk. You will ensure that projects are advanced in a manner that is technically sound, fiscally responsible, culturally informed, and aligned with Council direction, corporate priorities, and The City's land strategy, while building internal capability through mentorship and team development. Primary duties include:
- Provide direct people leadership and Labour Relations authority for assigned Project Managers, including defining work, setting priorities, conducting performance management, supporting development, and addressing performance issues in consultation with Human Resources.
- Mentor Project Managers and emerging leaders by transferring advanced land development knowledge, institutional context, and practical judgment developed through experience with complex, politically sensitive projects.
- Lead large-scale, multi-year land development projects from early concept, feasibility analysis, and business case development through to planning, design, approvals, construction, and transition to operations.
- Serve as the senior project authority for Aurora, responsible for navigating ambiguity, setting strategic direction, and resolving complex interdependencies between land use, infrastructure, financial models, and delivery sequencing.
- Act as a senior City representative with developers, landowners, utilities (for example: ENMAX), regulators, other orders of government, and external partners.
- Oversee multi-million-dollar capital and land development budgets (more than $200 million), ensuring strong financial controls, forecasting, and reporting.
- Monitor performance against scope, schedule, and budget, and take corrective action where required.
Qualifications
- A degree in Planning, Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related discipline.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in land development, municipal development processes, infrastructure delivery, or complex capital project leadership.
- A master's degree or Project Management Professional (PMP) designation will be considered an asset.
- Demonstrated experience leading large, complex, and politically sensitive projects with multiple partners and governance layers.
- Deep, practical understanding of municipal land development processes, including planning approvals, servicing strategies, real estate considerations, and financial modeling.
- Success in this position requires effective communication and interpersonal skills, strong analytical and critical thinking skills and conflict resolution.
Pre-employment Requirements
- Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.
Workstyle
- This position may be eligible to work from home for at least part of the time as one of several flexible work options available to City employees. These arrangements depend on the operational requirements of the role, employee suitability, and are subject to change based on operational needs and corporate direction.
Position and Pay Information
**Business Unit:**Real Estate & Development Services
**Union:**Exempt
**Position Type:**1 Permanent
**Compensation:**Level P4 $125,909 - 157,386 per annum
**Hours of work:**Standard 35-hour work week.
**Days of work:**This position works a 5-day work week with 1 day off in a 3-week cycle.
**Location:**323 7 Avenue SE
**Audience:**Internal/External
**Apply By:**April 15, 2026
**Job ID:**314122
Not the right fit? Search for Leader, Special Projects jobs in Calgary, AB
About City of Calgary
City of Calgary employees deliver the services, run the programs and operate the facilities that support a city of over one million people. If you are committed to public service, enjoy collaborating with others, and have a desire to learn and grow, join us and make a difference in the lives of Calgarians. We offer competitive wages, comprehensive health benefits and insurance, defined benefit pension plan, work-life balance, flexible work options, health-spending account, diverse and inclusive workplace, learning and development opportunities, wellness programs and more.
A common purpose guides all our choices and decisions - to make life better every day. We anticipate the future and are committed to fostering a culture of innovation, creativity and best practices. We are at our best when we take responsibility for our actions and work together for the benefit of the people of Calgary. Together we make Calgary a great place to make a living, a great place to make a life.
Make working for The City work for you, apply today at www.calgary.ca/careers.
To speak with a City recruiter, connect with Ashu Gandhi, David Fletcher or Jaci Spence-Eising on LinkedIn.