Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)is inviting applications for one full-time, term position (up to 9 months) of Manager Planned Growth with Planning & Development.

HRM is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity & Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values.We have an Employment Equity Policy,& we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians & Other Racially Visible Persons,Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce,Indigenous/Aboriginal People,Persons with Disabilities & 2SLGBTQ+ Persons.Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Projects, the Manager, Planned Growth provides leadership & supervision to a team of professional and technical staff.

The Manager, Planned Growth oversees a multidisciplinary planning team,ensuring the management of complex, planning projects.The team’s focus is on projects within areas dedicated to expected growth within the Regional Centre & master planned communities within the municipality,& to ensure the approvals,reports & recommendations for those projects further the vision,goals & objectives of the organization.The team provides leadership on other strategic projects as directed.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Accountable to the Director of Strategic Projects for the effective administration & management of the Planned Growth team
• Accountable for performance of staff & ensuring work programs implement corporate & departmental strategies
• Acts as Senior Subject Matter Expert in application of the HRM Charter, Heritage Property Act, Municipal Planning Strategies, Land Use By-Laws and Subdivision By-Law
• Maintains knowledge base on best practices & develops processes that support good planning & design emphasizing regulatory mechanisms
• Develops & fosters the vision of the Regional Planning framework articulating the goals & objectives through the urban & rural application programs
• Ensures consistent, fair & reasoned interpretations of municipal land use policies & bylaws related to the review of Land Development & Subdivision applications
• Perform duties including involvement in community planning processes,report preparation & formulating recommendations related to planning strategy amendments/reviews,re-zonings,land use by-law amendments,development agreements,permits,inspections,implementation & special projects
• Negotiates with affected parties on land use planning & development matters
• Ensure legislative & corporate procedures as well as processes related to public consultation for development or discretionary approvals are followed
• Participates with the Director & other managers in the preparation & implementation of strategic action plans and business processes to ensure that services provided meet the goals of the BU
• Resolves conflicts resulting from business unit activities (i.e. interpretive & procedural disputes with client, between other groups of divisions, non-compliance, etc)
• Responds to media enquiries, as authorized by the Director, in relation to specific projects
• Directs the development of policy options & analysis on complex development issues for the BU &/or organization
• Develops annual work program ensuring that it reflects corporate & departmental strategies & priorities. Responsible for budgets, deliverables, resources & related schedules.
• Provides input into business plans for the unit
• Maintains standard operating procedures within programs areas
• Works with program managers in P&D & managers of other BU to achieve departmental & corporate outcomes
• Collaborates in the development of the strategic direction for the division
• Sets priorities on the delivery of services & ensures service level standards are met
• Ensures employees have a clear understanding of their roles & responsibilities
• Sets goals through consulting others with a vested interest & provides a supportive environment to achieve deliverables
• Oversees the development, management & implementation of the operating & capital budget & monthly projections for the program area
• Manage operational aspects of the operating budget by reviewing & authorizing travel expense reports, purchasing within prescribed guidelines
• Manages external consulting projects as requested by the Manager
• Monitors & evaluates service delivery/plans & implements improvements
• Develops & leads a team of professional staff
• Provides direction, support & coaching to employees in achieving service deliverables
• Recruits & makes hiring decisions based on HR Policies
• Evaluates employee performance & take corrective action, including disciplinary action, as required
• Makes recommendations with regards to termination of employment
• Administers collective agreements
• Responsible for training & development plans, performance objectives & review of the section staff; sets & recommends performance measures for the staff & department
• Provides leadership in the development of a positive work environment & promotes professional behaviour in relationships
• Mediates conflicts between employees & between employees & clients
• Provides on-going leadership by coaching,& empowering staff to advance operational objectives;accountable for staff awareness & adherence to corporate policies
• Responsible for implementing & complying with HRM Corporate Occupational Health & Safety policies, BU specific safety policies the NS Occupational Health & Safety Act & the safety regulations applicable to the work activity
• Accountable & responsible for work safety environment of the division by: ensuring that equipment, machines,facilities & materials are maintained in a safe operating condition; reporting accidents, incidents & near miss events to the BU Director & HRM Corporate Safety Group, ensuring workplace hazard assessment processes/procedures are carried out and that documents is completed which can be used to track/identify & monitor unsafe conditions as per established procedures & by taking appropriate corrective measures as needed & required
• Supervises & advises staff on actual &/or potential workplace hazards for the development, implementation & monitoring of safe work procedures & practices & that appropriate training is available & required
• Promotes & encourages staff participation, involvement & cooperation with management & Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC) in the development of effective safe work procedures & practices resulting in a successful HRM Occupational Safety Program that is appropriate to HRM & any work activity that is unique to a specific BU
• Seeks advice from Corporate Safety Group as required
• Lead & supervise professional, technical & support staff in the fulfillment of their assigned duties; coordinate work assignments,& preparation of staff reports & recommendations to Councils
• Ensures employees provide reliable & timely advice to clients,members of Council & public relative to processes & procedures & the content of proposed development agreements & amendments to municipal planning strategies/land use by-laws
• Leads special projects as required by the Manager
• Establishes & implement procedures to ensure efficiencies among development engineering inspections & other approvals in the review of planning application
• Monitors regulatory/policy changes within HRM & by other agencies which may have implications on development project approvals.Communicate changes to staff & provide training as required
• Establish & maintain positive & effective relationships with the public,development industry,& industry clients, other municipal & provincial staff and Council,in support of business unit goals & objectives
• Make recommendations to the Manager regarding changes to municipal land use policy & the implications of provincial legislation with respect to land use planning programs/policies
• Through oversight, ensures staff performance meets corporate standards & those of the Licensed Professional Planners of NS & the Professional Standards Board & Committee
• May perform other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

• University Degree in Planning or a degree related to land development

• Must be Licensed Professional Planner of Nova Scotia

• Minimum eight (8) years of related professional planning experience, including supervisory experience, in an urban municipality

• Proven planning experience in a rapid growth environment is preferred

• Must have proven progressive leadership experience

• Demonstrated labour relations experience in managing both union and non-union work forces is considered an asset

• Graduation from HRM's Aspiring Leaders Program is considered an asset, and completion of the program is equivalent to one year of leadership experience

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Strategic thinker with ability to relate areas of responsibility to corporate & departmental strategies & produce work programmes, policies, & standards to implement said strategies
• Advanced knowledge of planning practices & community design & theories & principles achieved through education or experience or combination of both
• Knowledge of municipal zoning by-laws & standards.
• Analytical thinker with the ability to seek out information from disparate sources & authorities. Ability to create viable plans,policies & standards based in research
• Knowledge of secondary plan preparation with related experience,preferably in a municipal environment
• Knowledge of organizations, organization dynamics, supervision & HR administration
• Extensive & practical knowledge of planning theories & practices related to urban & rural development
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple assignments based on agreed upon priorities
• Ability to exercise sound, independent, judgement & reach appropriate conclusions both from broad policies & guidelines & from research
• Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of management, staff, applicants, public, development community, elected representatives, community representatives, consultants & media
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically & develop strategically-focused work programs with deliverables within prescribed time limits
• Excellent communication skills, especially in written & oral forms with good public presentation skills
• Ability to influence all levels of management & politicians through presentation of sound, fact-based materials & plans
• Broad knowledge of federal & provincial legislation, standards & protocols, HRM Charter, municipal by-laws, & regional planning principles & plan preparation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead groups within an organization with integrity & enthusiasm while demonstrating trust & mutual support
• Experience in conflict resolution & facilitation

**Security Clearance Requirements:**Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check

**Please note–**Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical & job specific knowledge.Candidates,who are selected for testing,may be tested in a group setting,scheduled at the employer’s discretion

**COMPETENCIES:**Communication,Conflict Management,Decision Making,Managing Change,Developing Others, Valuing Diversity,Values & Ethics

**WORK STATUS:**Term Full Time Position

**HOURS OF WORK:**Mon to Fri,8:30am to 4:30pm for 35 hours per week.Flex options to work outside of these hours & hybrid may be available

**SALARY:**NU 08:$89,570–$115,920.Salary will be determined based on relevant experience & qualifications related to the specified pay band/job.Placement above the midpoint of the pay band is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the minimum qualifications,such as those with exceptional experience,specialized skills,or demonstrated achievements relevant to the role.This ensures fair & consistent compensation practices across the organization

**WORK LOCATION:**3rd floor Duke Tower(5251 Duke St,Halifax)

CLOSING DATE:Applications will be received up to11:59 pm on Thursday, April 2, 2026

**Please note:**We thank all applicants for their interest in this position.Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted

To ensure a fair & equitable hiring process,candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments,& interviews independently & without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance.The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted & may result in disqualification from consideration

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of their qualifications,including,but not limited to,educational credentials,professional licenses,& relevant certifications

During the recruitment process,applicants have the right to request an accommodation.Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) & who require an accommodation,should discuss needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process.For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

(position #78627629)