Manager, Space Planning

Job Summary

The Manager, Space Planning is responsible for the strategic leadership, planning, design, and implementation of space planning initiatives across the City’s 250+ facilities. The role oversees workplace strategy and implementation, space planning operations, and renovation projects, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, accessibility standards, space utilization targets, and the City's space strategy program. The position leads a team delivering portfolio-wide planning, project execution, accommodation strategies, facilitation, and change management to support organizational efficiency and service excellence.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide corporate leadership for workplace strategy development and implementation, as well as space optimization across all City facilities.
• Develop multi year accommodation strategies and portfolio wide space utilization plans.
• Advise Facilities and Property Management Leadership Team as well as corporate leadership on strategic facilities and workplace decisions, based on corporate space standards, stacking plans and utilization.
• Manage day to day operations of the Space Planning unit including furniture lifecycle, accommodation requests, repairs, small jobs, and new hire setups.
• Lead capital and operational projects such as relocations, rightsizing, redesigns, and interior renovation work.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, procurement documents, and implementation plans.
• Oversee external consultants (architects, engineers, cost consultants), service contracts and contractors.
• Lead business and financial planning for the Space Planning unit.
• Update and oversee corporate policies and standard operating procedures related to furniture, accommodations, and space standards.
• Ensure compliance with building codes, accessibility standards and legislation, procurement bylaws.
• Provide expert guidance and facilitation to divisions and City leadership.
• Respond to staff concerns and inquiries with tact, diplomacy, and conflict resolution skills.
• Prepare briefing notes, business cases, and leadership presentations.
• Manages and provides leadership to staff; prioritizes staff work plan assignments, coaches, develops and supervises team of professionals, inspires enthusiasm, motivation, and commitment of staff to achieve high levels of performance and overseeing the Section Performance Management Process.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

• Post Secondary education in Architecture or Interior Design or combination of a related discipline and years of experience. 
• Must be a registered member of  OAA (Ontario Association of Architects) or  ARIDO (Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario.
• 10 years progressive experience in space planning, facilities planning, or workplace strategy in complex multi site environments.
• Demonstrated success implementing workplace strategies and space standards.
• Advanced knowledge of architectural, design, planning, and workplace strategy disciplines.
• Experience managing capital projects, multi disciplinary teams, and organizational change initiatives.
• Strong ability to interpret complex technical documents, policy frameworks, and design standards.
• Operational understanding of project management methodologies and in‑depth knowledge of construction and/or procurement practices (preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, supervise, and develop staff.
• Skilled in preparing and presenting analysis, recommendations, and strategic insights to executives and customers.
• Political acumen and experience engaging effectively with senior leadership and a broad range of stakeholders.
• Excellent business acumen with strong analytical, decision‑making, organizational, problem‑solving, and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, influencing, facilitation, and conflict‑resolution abilities.