Join Onward: Transforming Lives through Affordable Housing and Community Engagement

At Onward, we stand for more than just housing; we represent affordability, community, and the fostering of personal growth. Our commitment to creating affordable homes and empowering individuals to thrive is what drives us. With over five decades of history, Onward stands as a leading not-for-profit dedicated to affordable housing in Calgary.

Our Mission: Onward focuses on creating, renovating, and expertly managing properties to provide homes for over 3,000 individuals, predominantly with lower incomes. We work closely with over 50 social service agencies to introduce residents who require support. Our buildings, spread across the city, cater to individuals, families, seniors, Indigenous persons, newcomers to Canada, and others who benefit from personalized agency support for various needs, including mental health, addictions, and mobility challenges.

Our People, Our Strength: To fulfill our mission, we rely on an exceptional team of dedicated employees. We seek team members who value results, leadership, and inclusive practices, believing in the power of collaboration and demonstrating courage where needed.

If you resonate with our vision and share our values, we invite you to join us on our mission to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

What We Need from This Role

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Planning & Development Approvals Lead is responsible for managing all technical and procedural components of Onward’s development approval processes. This role ensures projects align with the City of Calgary’s planning and regulatory frameworks, coordinates multidisciplinary consultant teams, and drives the timely and accurate completion of all municipal approval requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity for a planning professional who combines strong technical knowledge with confident communication and presentation skills — someone who can navigate the complexities of planning while advancing Onward’s development goals.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Planning and Development Approvals

• Lead preparation and submission of land use, subdivision, and development permit applications.

• Act as primary liaison with the City of Calgary Planning & Development department.

• Review architectural, civil, and landscape drawings for regulatory compliance.

• Interpret the Municipal Government Act, Land Use Bylaw, and Area Structure Plans.

• Oversee consultant teams to ensure timely, coordinated submissions.

Technical Coordination & Quality Assurance

• Maintain submission matrices and approval tracking tools.

• Conduct zoning and policy due diligence on development sites.

• Support design teams with density, access, and servicing analysis.

• Coordinate subdivision and servicing plans for endorsement and permit issuance.

Stakeholder & Agency Engagement

• Represent Onward in meetings with City staff, Council, and community associations.

• Present applications at public hearings and the Calgary Planning Commission.

• Maintain professional relationships with municipal reviewers and partner agencies.

Project Coordination & Reporting

• Lead the coordination of internal teams and external consultants to align project schedules, deliverables, and approval milestones.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive approval tracking and reporting tools to monitor progress, anticipate risks, and ensure timely resolution of issues.

• Provide clear, data-informed updates and forecasts to senior leadership on approval timelines, dependencies, and potential impacts to project phasing.

• Facilitate proactive communication across design, engineering, and construction teams to maintain alignment through all stages of the approvals process.

• Identify process improvements and implement best practices in reporting, documentation, and interdepartmental coordination to enhance efficiency and transparency.

• Support executive decision-making by preparing concise progress summaries, status reports, and visual dashboards highlighting key milestones and risks.

• Apply strong design and planning expertise to support proposed developments, ensuring projects are effectively coordinated across multiple disciplines.

Policy & Research

• Monitor updates to bylaws, policies, and technical standards.
• Provide interpretations and summaries of policy changes.
• Prepare internal briefs and planning reports to support strategic decisions.

What You Bring

To be successful in this role, you will need to have:

• Degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Architecture, or related field.

• Full or Candidate membership with CIP/APPI.

• 5–7 years’ experience in development or municipal planning.

• Proven success navigating Calgary’s planning and approvals processes.

• Skilled in reading and interpreting technical drawings.

• Strong communication, organization, and presentation skills.

You Will Have an Advantage if You Also Have:

• Experience with mixed-use, infill, or redevelopment projects.
• Familiarity with project management and stakeholder coordination tools.
• Demonstrated experience in multi-family residential (MF) projects, including planning, approvals, and coordination throughout construction.

Working Environment and Conditions

This role combines office-based work with periodic site visits and attendance at public or stakeholder meetings. The environment is fast-paced, requiring excellent time management, adaptability, and composure under pressure. Occasional evening meetings or public presentations may be

required.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive salary ($110,000 – $140,000)
• Potential annual performance bonus
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits package
• Employer-paid RRSP contribution (up to 7%)
• $1,800 annual health spending account
• Three weeks’ vacation plus five flex days per year
• A collaborative and mission-driven work environment focused on improving Calgary’s urban landscape

Our Commitment

Onward is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Join Us

Help shape the future of Calgary’s communities. Apply today and make a lasting impact through thoughtful, sustainable urban development.

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