Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school division whose mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. The Division is comprised of over 50,000 students and 5,000 employees in 95 schools plus other sites.

Strategic Planning Analyst

Requisition ID: 10331

Hours Per Week: 35

Position: New

FTE: 1

Department: Planning & Leases

No Months Per Year: 12

Position Status: Permanent

Employee Group: OOS

Rate of Pay:

Posting Closing Date: 9/10/25

The Strategic Project and Process Analyst is responsible for analyzing, developing, and optimizing business processes and strategic projects to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness within the Educational Planning Services department. This role involves conducting research, data analysis, and process mapping to identify opportunities for improvement and support decision-making. By collaborating with various stakeholders, the Analyst contributes to the successful implementation of strategic initiatives and continuous improvement efforts, aligning with ECSD’s mission and goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

Project and Process Coordination (30%)

• Plan and manage strategic and operational projects from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment with Division goals and timelines.
• Develop project plans, timelines, and resource schedules; track milestones, monitor risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Analyze and document departmental processes to identify inefficiencies, support improvement initiatives, and drive operational effectiveness.
• Review and update department practices, administrative procedures, and policies to reflect current operations and best practices.
• Create workflow and process maps to support clarity, consistency, and training.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to implement process improvements and evaluate outcomes for continuous refinement.

Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

• Facilitate meetings and workshops to gather input and feedback from stakeholders.
• Communicate project updates, process changes, and improvement initiatives to relevant parties.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide training and support to staff on new processes and tools.

Playground Build Coordination and Support (20%)

• Assist with the coordination and delivery of new playground builds, including scheduling, communication with vendors and consultants, and coordination with schools and parent groups.
• Support principals and school councils in selecting equipment, reviewing layouts, and preparing documentation.
• Collaborate with the Manager and City of Edmonton to ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, and zoning regulations.
• Assist with site assessments and integration of new playgrounds into Division properties.

Grant Writing and Fund Development (15%)

• Identify and monitor grant and cost-sharing opportunities related to playgrounds, site enhancements, community partnerships, and capital-related initiatives.
• Collaborate with department managers, Senior Planners, schools, parent groups, and Finance to draft and submit high-quality grant applications.
• Track grant milestones, reporting deadlines, and eligible expenditures to ensure compliance and timely submission of interim and final reports.
• Maintain a grant status log and support stewardship activities, including reconciliation, reporting, and planning alignment.

Capital & Strategic Planning (15%)

• Provide research, and data compilation to Senior Division Planners and related planning leads (enrolment modeling, growth area scans, boundary scenarios, program accommodation options).
• Attend internal and external planning meetings (municipal growth coordination, provincial capital planning discussions).
• Prepare briefing, presentations, maps, and summary reports to support decision processes at the Manager and Superintendent levels.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data to support process improvement and strategic decision-making.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to track key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Present findings and recommendations to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity in all analyses and reports.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & COMPETENCIES

Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, science, or a related field, and at least 3 years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, or equivalent, is an asset.
• Experience supporting grant development, budgeting inputs, or funding compliance reporting.
• Working knowledge of process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma), as well as project management principles and practices.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools and techniques.
• Awareness of industry trends and best practices in process improvement and project management.
• Familiarity with playground standards, and other relevant standards and legislation, and/or the ability to learn quickly.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple small capital/amenity projects on tight timelines.
• General knowledge of the Division’s operations and business and general understanding of the Division’s mission and vision in a faith-based environment.
• Knowledge of records management principles, the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), and the Access to Information Act (ATIA).
• Knowledge of workplace safety and awareness of Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
• Knowledge and alignment with the Division's administrative procedures.

Skills:

• Excellent time management skills and the ability to balance competing priorities and conflicting demands.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and consultation skills with the ability to build partnerships and influence decision making.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in process mapping and documentation tools.
• Excellent project management skills, including planning, execution, and monitoring.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective communication and presentation skills and the ability to tailor and modify information and content for a variety of audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Competencies:

• Continuously seek innovative and creative ways to improve work performance, anticipate and respond to change, and challenge the status quo.
• Act with integrity, seek personal growth opportunities, and develop a personal vision of leadership based on core values and principles.
• Build emotional resilience, seek feedback, and develop soft skills to positively impact others' performance and foster a collaborative environment.
• Develop effective, cooperative relationships, actively listen to diverse viewpoints, and treat people with fairness and respect to create a supportive and inclusive work environment.
• Make decisions based on future trends, inspire a compelling vision, and align actions with organizational mission and values to drive continuous growth and improvement.
• Adaptability to changing environments and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, with a focus on strategic and long-term planning.
• Leadership in managing stakeholder engagement and fostering collaborative relationships.
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory and policy environments.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and staying current with industry trends.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Make a real difference: Your expertise directly impacts the success of the division’s administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

• Be part of a dynamic team: Be part of a collaborative team that works with many diverse groups and builds meaningful connections.

• Continuous learning: Embrace new technologies and challenges, growing your technical skillset through provided training opportunities.

• Competitive salary and pension.

• 100% employer-paid benefits, including: Health, Vision, and Dental.

• A Health/Wellness Spending Account.

• EFAP – Employee and Family Assistance Program.

• Paid Time Off, including vacation time, personal days, and Christmas break.

• 7-hour workdays, 35 hours per week for a 1.0 FTE.

• Please note that the classification for this position is currently under review. Final classification details, including salary range, will be confirmed prior to the closing date or during the interview process.

Edmonton Catholic Schools is committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace that welcomes and values candidates from diverse backgrounds. We hire employees of all faiths for non-teacher positions.

As a Catholic School Division receiving public funding, our schools and departments are imbued with our Catholic Faith. Candidates are expected to exhibit respect and sensitivity towards our Catholic beliefs and practices embraced by both students and staff.

Edmonton Catholic Schools offers a comprehensive benefits program based on contract status as part of its total compensation package.

Before employment, successful candidates will be required to submit a Police Information Check and Intervention Record Check dated within six months of hiring.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only qualified candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.