Regular Full Time

About Us

One of BC’s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam offers meaningful career opportunities to make a difference within the local community. As the sixth largest city in BC, we are home to more than 150,000 residents. Our diverse municipality is a great place to work as it continues to grow through innovative urban design, inspiring arts, culture and recreation programs, and state-of-the-art transportation systems. Our brand is built on managing our resources in a responsible and sustainable manner, while supporting a vibrant, growing regional urban centre. We envision a bright future in Coquitlam that we hope includes you!

About You / What We Are Looking For

The City of Coquitlam is seeking a strategic, analytical, and forward-thinking planning leader to serve as Manager of Development Planning – Process and Policy, reporting to the Director, Development Services.

In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for shaping how development planning work is delivered across the City — leading the review of development applications as well as the preparation, implementation, and continuous improvement of development-related policies, procedures, and application review processes. You bring deep experience in municipal development planning and development application review paired with a strong interest in urban design, systems thinking, process optimization, and policy development that supports timely, consistent, and high-quality development outcomes.

You thrive in complex, high-growth environments where continuous improvement is essential. You are skilled at assessing how planning systems function end-to-end, identifying inefficiencies or risks, and implementing practical, defensible solutions that improve service delivery for applicants, internal teams, and the broader community. You are comfortable exercising independent judgment on complex planning and policy matters and providing clear, well-reasoned advice to senior leadership and Council.

As a people-centred leader, you provide clear direction, mentorship, and support to a team of senior planning professionals. You value collaboration and work closely with internal partners across Community Planning, Building Permits, and Business Services to ensure development planning processes are integrated, modernized, and aligned with the City’s strategic priorities. You are motivated by the opportunity to help shape the frameworks, policies, and systems that support the creation of complete, livable, safe, and sustainable neighbourhoods across Coquitlam.

What you will do:

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to a team of senior planning professionals within Development Planning

• Oversee the review, evaluation, and approval of complex development applications, including site planning and architectural review

• Lead the preparation, review, and implementation of development planning policies, guidelines, and frameworks in alignment with legislative and regulatory requirements

• Ensure development planning processes are efficient, consistent, and aligned with City policies, strategic priorities, and legislative requirements

• Collaborate closely with Community Planning, Building Permits, and Business Services teams to support integrated service delivery

• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives, including the implementation of progressive practices and process enhancements

• Provide expert advice on development planning policy matters to senior leadership, internal stakeholders, and Council

• Map, analyze, and optimize development application review processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and service outcomes

• Lead or contribute to business improvement and digital transformation initiatives related to development planning

• Identify process risks, bottlenecks, and compliance gaps, and implement practical improvement initiatives

• Develop and maintain operating procedures, workflows, internal controls, templates, and guidance materials to support consistent decision-making

• Maintain responsibility for the Zoning Bylaw and other development planning policies and procedures

• Exercise independent judgment in resolving complex planning issues and making recommendations on development matters

• Maintain and strengthen effective working relationships with internal departments, external agencies, consultants, developers, and community stakeholders

• Provide strategic advice, guidance, and recommendations to senior management and, as required, boards and City Council

• Conduct and oversee research, analysis, and reporting related to development planning issues, trends, and emerging matters

• Support and promote the City’s strategic direction related to growth management, neighbourhood development, and city-building objectives

Minimum Qualifications

• A degree in Planning, Urban Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressive experience in a senior planning role, including responsibility for complex development applications

• Demonstrated experience in site planning and architectural review

• Thorough knowledge of municipal planning principles, land use planning practices, and development review processes

• Knowledge of applicable legislation, policies, and standards governing development planning in British Columbia

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous leadership experience as a manager and/or supervisor

• Experience working within a municipal government environment

• Qualification or eligibility to become qualified as a Subdivision Approving Officer in British Columbia

• Full membership, or eligibility for full membership, with the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP)

Other Requirements include:

• Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate and guide a professional planning team

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports and presentations for senior management and elected officials

• Experience with policy development, process improvement, or business optimization within a development planning environment

• Advanced research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities

• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment on complex and sensitive planning and policy matters

• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with diverse internal and external stakeholders

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth municipal environment

• Ability to interpret emerging planning issues and translate them into actionable recommendations

• Commitment to supporting the strategic direction and objectives of the City

What We Offer:

This excluded position has an annual salary range of $ 142,820 - $160,654 (2025 rates). The rate of pay is based on a variety of factors including qualifications, knowledge, experience and skills.

You will have the chance to join a rapidly growing and diverse team dedicated to supporting the local community, and be able to engage in variety of learning and development opportunities. Additionally, there is an opportunity to participate in an earned day off/flex day program. This position is based in Coquitlam with some flexible, hybrid work options available. The City offers an attractive vacation and extended benefits package, including the ability to contribute to the Municipal Pension Plan.

Accessibility / Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Coquitlam is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer working towards enhancing equitable practices in our recruitment and retention processes. As an organization we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment to support our growing and diverse work force. To learn more about what equity, diversity, and inclusion means, and the City’s efforts in support of these principles, please visit coquitlam.ca/edi for more information.

If at any time during the application or recruitment process you require additional assistance or an accommodation, please contact our team for confidential support. Staff can also provide in-person support if required.

Applicants under consideration may be required to undergo and submit an acceptable police information check.

Good people make Coquitlam great, sign up for career alerts through our recruitment portal to stay up to date about opportunities within our team, or follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about how #YouCouldWorkHere too!

Please apply online at www.coquitlam.ca/careers by 11:55 pm on February 27, 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.