Team Lead (Land Use Planning)

Job summary

Lead complex land-use planning files in Ontario's central region while providing strategic oversight and coaching to staff. Collaborate with municipalities, Indigenous communities, and partner ministries to ensure high-quality analysis and alignment with provincial priorities.

Job details

Play a central role in shaping land-use planning decisions that influence how some of Ontario's fastest-growing communities evolve. In this leadership role, you'll guide complex land-use planning files, support evidence-based decision-making, and collaborate with municipalities and partners across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Ontario is growing, and strong land-use planning plays a key role in building safe, strong and sustainable communities. At the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), we work closely with municipalities, Indigenous communities and partners across the province to support effective land-use planning, strong local economies and a high quality of life for Ontarians. About the Role As a Team Lead in the Municipal Services Office - Central Region - Planning Branch, you will lead complex, high-profile land-use planning files within Ontario's central region, while providing leadership, coaching and strategic oversight to staff to ensure consistent, high-quality analysis and well-reasoned recommendations that support provincial land-use decisions. You will also foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture aligned with OPS values, encouraging learning, growth and cross-disciplinary cooperation. About the job In this role, you will: • Provide leadership and direction to staff working on complex land-use planning files and implementation of Provincial land-use planning priorities • Ensure consistent, high-quality land-use analysis, communication, and development of recommendations for senior management that are aligned with provincial policy and priorities Lead or coordinate major land-use planning files, including reviews official plans and related amendments • Collaborate with municipalities, Indigenous communities, partner ministries and other stakeholders to tackle complex land-use issues • Support coordinated provincial input within the broader inter-ministry land-use planning framework • Contribute to branch planning, continuous improvement and cross-team initiatives Note: This competition will be used to fill permanent vacancies in four units within the Branch: • Municipal Services Office - Central Region - Planning Branch (Central-East Unit) (2 positions) • Municipal Services Office - Central Region - Planning Branch (Central-West Unit) (2 positions) • Municipal Services Office - Central Region - Planning Branch (Central-Urban) Unit (1position) • Municipal Services Office - Central Region - Planning Branch (Central-North) Unit (1 position) What you bring to the team Leadership and Relationship Management Skills You have: • Ability to coach, mentor and guide staff • Ability to lead projects and teams involving multiple stakeholders to achieve goals within defined timelines • Strength in building productive relationships with municipalities, Indigenous communities and partners • Sound judgment and a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach Technical Land-Use Planning Knowledge You have: • Strong understanding of Ontario's land-use planning system, legislation and provincial policy frameworks and provincial land-use planning priorities • Knowledge of planning principles and municipal planning processes Strategic and Analytical Expertise You have: • Ability to assess complex land-use planning proposals and provide well-reasoned, evidence-based recommendations • Experience navigating politically sensitive and emerging land-use planning issues Communication Skills You can: • Prepare briefing materials, correspondence, and policy products with accuracy and efficiency • Clearly explain complex land-use planning concepts in plain-language to non-technical audiences; and lead briefings for senior management, the Minister, and stakeholders through reports, and recommendations • Apply strong political acuity to provide strategic advice and develop options for decision makers Don't meet every qualification? If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate! How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us. Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives accessibility Anti-Racism Policy What we offer This role offers the opportunity to influence high-profile land-use planning files, develop leadership capability and contribute meaningfully to how Ontario's fastest-growing communities evolve. Many have found the Team Lead role to be an effective next step in developing experience for longer-term career growth in leadership roles in the OPS. If you're ready to contribute to provincial land-use planning outcomes and support effective decision-making across Ontario's Central Region, we encourage you to apply Additional information Address: 6 English Permanent, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region Compensation Group: Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario Schedule: 6 Category: Consulting and Planning Posted on: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Note: Less qualified applicants may be considered on an underfill basis. The information that you provide for the purpose of this competition and the results from this competition may be used to fill other positions. These positions may be of various tenures including short-term assignments. Your information and the results from this competition will be retained for the purpose of filling vacancies in accordance with the applicable collective agreement or policy provisions. T-MA-248277/26(4) How to apply: You must apply online. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours. All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment. Remember: The deadline to apply is Thursday, October 8, 2026 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted. We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted. The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer. Accommodation is available under the Ontario's Human Rights Code .

What you’ll do

Lead complex land-use planning files in Ontario's central region while providing strategic oversight and coaching to staff. Collaborate with municipalities, Indigenous communities, and partner ministries to ensure high-quality analysis and alignment with provincial priorities.

Requirements

Requires strong knowledge of Ontario's land-use planning system, legislation, and provincial policy frameworks. Candidates must possess proven leadership skills, political acuity, and the ability to communicate complex concepts to non-technical audiences.

Listed skills

• Leadership · Preferred
• Coaching · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred
• Relationship Building · Preferred
• Stakeholder Management · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Leadership
• Land Use Planning
• Stakeholder Management
• Coaching
• Mentoring
• Strategic Oversight
• Policy Analysis
• Relationship Building
• Political Acuity
• Briefing Material Preparation
• Project Management
• Evidence-Based Decision Making

Job areas

• Government & Public Sector
• Management & Leadership
• Environmental & Sustainability
• Consulting
• Administrative