Vice President, Planning and Design
CreateTO is shaping Toronto’s future through impactful real estate solutions. A City of Toronto agency, CreateTO works collaboratively with internal stakeholders, external partners and community members to create more livable, sustainable and inclusive communities. CreateTO is here to increase the social, cultural and economic value of our city’s $27-billion real estate portfolio, ensuring positive impacts for residents and a bright future for Toronto. If you’re passionate about contributing to the best use of one of North America’s largest and most valuable real estate portfolios, we’d love to have you on the team.
THE OPPORTUNITY
- The Vice President, Planning and Design engages private and municipal sector partners in obtaining regulatory approvals for the development and provision of municipal services/ on City real estate with an emphasis on design excellence and maximizing city building benefits to regenerate Toronto's neighbourhoods.
- The Vice President Planning and Design will also initiate and guide strategic initiatives as part of the planning and design process, including a focus on sustainability/low carbon construction, innovative approached to design, development and urban design, and construction methodology.
- The VP Planning and Design will also advise on preferred approach for securing planning approvals based on preferred construction methodology, market conditions, and procurement strategy.
- This position is also instrumental in positive relationship management with City staff to ensure delivery of city building benefits in a timely manner. The VP will push the envelope with City staff where needed to ensure maximum community benefits are secured for city owned properties and development projects.
PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Leadership: Creates/maintains a working environment that encourages creativity and high productivity by demonstrating desired behaviours and outcomes and by setting an inspiring example. Leads, coaches and mentors all direct reports. Sets annual and long-term strategic goals for the Planning team
- Oversees the Agency’s strategic land use planning and design direction for the City’s real estate portfolio
- Oversees Agency’s procurement of architectural/design consultants to ensure consistency in scope, design approach, and quality
- Manages and co-ordinates Agency-wide communication/correspondence with City Planning ensuring adherence to corporate mandate to maximize city building benefits on municipal lands
- Provides strategic land use planning direction including the highest and best future uses on key city-wide initiatives, including sustainability
- Provides strategic direction on achieving design excellence and maximum City Building benefits on identified municipal and other projects
- Participates on Committees/Advisory Groups led by municipal partners to monitor CreateTO interests
- Oversees, manages and co-ordinates the accurate preparation of due diligence materials on development projects and monitors the City of Toronto planning approval process to ensure timely results
- Liaises directly or participates in discussions with members of the CreateTO Board, City Council, City of Toronto staff and external agencies to achieve planning approvals in a timely manner
- Represents and promotes CreateTO’s goals, mandate and City Building objectives at public meetings/meetings with external agencies
- Leads or contributes to responses to municipal and provincial policy initiatives as they may affect City real estate
- Management of Directors and Managers of Development Planning.
- Responsible for developing and implementing a solid strategy to promote all the above.
CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES
- Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience is required at a professional level
- Full membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners, with Registered Professional Planner designation
- Graduate degree in Planning, Urban Geography or other related discipline preferred.
- Significant working experience in the areas of municipal planning and detailed knowledge of City of Toronto development approvals process
- Current knowledge of legislative and regulatory land use planning issues in Ontario
- Strategic thinker with demonstrated project management experience and organizational skills with the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with challenging and conflicting priorities
- Ability to develop and implement plans to support a longer-term direction and ensure current programs and processes support the vision
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- Excellent negotiations skill in dealing with municipal staff and external stakeholders
- A positive attitude and ability and commitment to collaborate within a team environment
- Analytical, detail-oriented and able to use problem-solving skills to organize and analyze complex issues and effectively communicate results
- Recognized by professional colleagues as having proven experience and leadership skills in land use planning discipline
- Excellent leadership skills
- Excellent organizational and time and project management skills
RELATIONSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
- Works collaboratively and develops and maintains good working relationships within CreateTO
- Develops and maintains effective and positive working relationships with various City departments and agencies as well as external contacts, City Councilors, service providers, financial institutions, professional organizations, and clients.
- Develops and maintains positive relationships with community groups and stakeholders in the City of Toronto.
With a highly engaged team, CreateTO scores well above benchmarked organizations in terms of its employees’ passion, commitment, diversity and pride. As part of the organization’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027, “Inspire internal success” was named as one of five priority objectives.
CreateTO wants its team to reflect the city we represent, and we strive to provide an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective, all of which are proven to build better companies. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work and be themselves.
We provide equitable treatment and accommodation to ensure barrier-free employment in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Candidates can request accommodation related to the protected grounds at any stage of the hiring process.
Interested and qualified candidates are required to submit their resume and cover letter by Wednesday, May 21, 2025. This posting is for an existing vacancy. Submissions that don’t include the requirements noted above will not be considered. Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. No agencies at this time please.
Please note that this is a hybrid working environment. For more information on CreateTO, please visit our website at www.createto.ca.