Added - 07/10/23 Director, Strategic Initiatives & Asset Management (Engineering & Environmenta[...]

Added - 07/10/23 Director, Strategic Initiatives & Asset Management (Engineering & Environmental Services) Administration Kitchener ,  Ontario  |  Contract

Reporting to the Commissioner, Engineering & Environmental Services as Director, Strategic Initiatives & Asset Management you will direct the administration, financial, and non-program related activities of the Department, including corporate performance, employee engagement, monitoring of strategic planning commitments, and policy development. You will support the Commissioner in managing departmental initiatives. You will have the responsibility of leading the corporate Asset Management Program and Project Management Office in partnership with other Departments within the Region who care for infrastructure assets. Apply your Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• You will supervise a Manager of Asset Management and a Manager of Communications &
Community Engagement and indirectly supervise additional staff.
• As subject matter expert you will develop and monitor the Department’s commitments in
the Region’s Strategic Plan, including coordinating activities with its divisions, identifying
milestones, and representing the Department at strategic planning meetings and training.
You will develop tracking systems to ensure ongoing commitments are on schedule and
inform the Commissioner regarding issues.
• Using your skills and experience you will lead the corporate asset management program,
meeting requirements of O. Reg 588/17, develop and implement the Region’s vision for
asset management and ensure strong working partnership with Corporate Finance and
other Departments to support the development of policies, strategic goals and actions,
linkages to the Capital Plan, and supports the corporation’s asset management
committees. You will continue to promote and reinforce asset management principles and
incorporate asset management thinking across the Region.
• You will work closely and collaboratively with the climate adaptation and mitigation work
in other Departments to support ClimateActionWR and the Corporate Energy Office.
• You will lead the development and implementation of a Project Management Office by
developing a vision and road map to support the vision. You will provide project
management guidelines, templates, and policies and support an internal project
management “think tank” that shares best practices across the corporation.
• You will direct and coordinate the Department’s involvement and rollout of employee
engagement and business improvement activities, including developing and monitoring
projects through project management practices. You will create measures to improve
efficiency and effectiveness and ensures alignment with corporate and departmental
strategic plans.
• You will review and update the Department’s policies, including developing a tracking
system and project plan to ensure policies are modernized per relevant legislation, in
collaboration with program areas. You will coordinate the Department’s comments to
proposed legislative changes, which are posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
• You will support the Department by developing SOPs and robust communication plans for
effective communication with the public and Council and ensure open houses and public
meetings are held.
• You will make presentations, develop survey forms, analyze data, and prepare reports. You
will lead a consolidated environmental community engagement and communication
program area to inform and educate the public on waste management, water and
wastewater programs and construction projects.
• You will have the opportunity to act as a chair for special projects and studies, as required,
including directing the activities of multi-disciplinary groups of area municipality and
regional staff and consultants, typically involving planning, engineering, environmental,
financial, and legal participants.
• You will administer operations of the Division, ensuring efficient use of human, physical,
and financial resources.
• You will represent the Department as a member of the emergency management team.
• Acting as the liaison with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team, you will help support
and ensure programs and projects in the Department follow the corporate policy of equity
and inclusivity.
• You will approve reports to the Environmental Coordinating Committee and Council.
• You will interact with public officials and the public to represent the Region's interests and views on specific initiatives.
• You will provide professional advice to senior management, other divisions, CAO, Regional Chair, and Council.
• You will negotiate approvals and funding, and exchange technical and policy information with area municipal staff, Councilors, Ministry officials, and developers. You will provide information to individuals, groups, committees, and the media.
• You will participate in intermunicipal groups, and comment on key reports and policies as requested by outside agencies. You will lead negotiations with the private sector as it relates to approval clauses in development agreements.
• Performs related duties as required. Apply Your Experience at the Region of Waterloo • Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a degree in a related field, plus progressively responsible leadership experience in a municipal strategic discipline. • Knowledge of the Department’s mandate and strategic direction to lead cross-functional initiatives. • Knowledge of strategic planning, business improvement techniques, change management, and business intelligence, usually accompanied by Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. • Knowledge of operations and management principles, relevant provincial standards, and relevant portions of the Regional Official Plan, Municipal Act, Planning Act, Occupational Health & Safety Act, and Environmental Assessment Act. Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, and collective agreements. • Leadership skills to develop, motivate, direct, and support staff. • Communication, human relations, and negotiation skills to defend priorities and balance objectives in a political environment; present to the public, elected officials, senior staff, and provincial Ministries; present reports to Standing Committees and Council; represent the Division and Department on committees; and participate as an effective team member. • Ability to make effective recommendations and decisions regarding program approaches, policies, and the Department’s mandate, involving interpretation of legislation, regulations, policies, procedures, and scientific data which carry health impact, and political, legal, and financial implications.
• Understanding of multiple cultural frameworks, values and norms and a demonstrated flexible style when faced with dimensions of culture in order to be effective across cultural contexts. Understands the dynamics of cross-cultural and inclusion-related conflicts, tensions, misunderstandings, and opportunities. In addition, recognizes and addresses one’s filters, privileges, biases, and cultural preferences with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement in diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence.
• Ability to lead transformative change in line with the vision and values of senior
leadership while delivering on the expectations of an evolving workforce and regional residents. Is able to discern when to inquire, advocate, drive, or resolve more decisively.
• Ability to synthesize unique, complex issues regarding engineering, economics, planning, environmental concerns, public perceptions, and politics, and make inquiries to obtain information to form opinions, make decisions, and advise. Ability to monitor news media to keep current on local and national issues, policies, and developments relevant to departmental programming. • Ability to write comprehensive technical reports to Standing Committees and Council. Ability to write policies, reports, letters, and other documents requiring complex descriptions and explanations to provincial Ministries, engineering and planning consultants, developers, and the public. • Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office and databases. • Ability to travel within Waterloo Region. • Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.
Additional Information: Compensation: In addition to offering a competitive compensation package, we have a strong focus on health and wellness, including fitness facilities and family-focused benefits. The salary of this position ranges between $132,587.00 - $165,729.20 per annum (Grade 10 on the Management & Management Support wage scale). Consideration will be given to candidates that are not fully qualified when no fully qualified applicants can be identified. We thank all applicants in advance; however, we will be corresponding only with those selected for an interview. We invite candidates to apply online at https://bit.ly/44sYIlT The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At the Region, we respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity. The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number 519-575-4400, or TTY number 519-575-4608 to request an alternate format.