Manager, Urban Design

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Development and Design, the Urban Design Manager will lead, manage and support a team of professionals to promote the City’s urban design and streetscape program, including advancing the planning and implementation of urban design guidelines and standards.
Through the carrying out of duties, the successful candidate will seek innovative solutions to problems, challenge the norm, embrace change, demonstrate a high degree of competency in developing staff, promote customer service and make sound business decisions.
Proactively building and maintaining relationships with clients, you are able to provide clear, timely and transparent communication of information to facilitate timely development application approvals. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in all forms of communication and strong organizational skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

•    Demonstrates leadership and coaching to multi-disciplinary teams providing design, public realm and streetscape advice on development applications
•    Consult with other disciplines and negotiate with developers and their consultants on development applications to find acceptable urban design solutions and strategies
•    Actively participate in the establishment and leadership of a Streetscape and Public Realm Team comprised of staff from across the City and various commenting agencies
•    Lead and manage teams undertaking special studies, commenting on City Projects and developing Urban Design Guidelines and Built Form Standards ensuring that public and private buildings and spaces adhere to City building objectives
•    Lead and manage a complement of staff who review development applications from a parkland and open space perspective to ensure protection, preservation and expansion of the City’s parks and forestry system.
•    Oversee staff who review building permits and other development applications for cash-in-lieu of parkland applicability and liaise with City departments as required to ensure responsible collection, management and allocation of all cash-in-lieu of parkland funds.
•    Ensure compliance with Corporate and Department policies and procedures
•    Conduct research in areas of Urban Design such as Green Development Standards
•    Maintain an awareness and understanding of current planning, urban design and landscape architecture trends and best practices
•    Contribute positively to the City’s Leadership Team and the City’s Strategic Plan
•    Oversee bi-annual Urban Design Awards Program
•    Oversee monthly Mississauga Urban Design Advisory Panel
•    Manage site development inspections and sign variance functions
•    Develop and build professional and strategic relationships to further advance our City Building Initiatives
•    Liaise with communities, City Departments, Outside Agencies, Mayor and Members of Council to effectively convey and gather information required to provide context sensitive design solutions
•    Appear as an expert witness at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and other government bodies
•    Manage the Division in the absence of the Director

Skills and Qualifications

•    Recognized degree in Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning or related discipline; minimum 7 years development experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory capacity; membership in the Ontario Association of Architects, Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, Canadian Institute of Planners or related professional association
•    Strong leadership and excellent written and verbal communication skills
•    Ability to negotiate complex/controversial issues related to land development
•    Experience managing consultant teams and resolving complex technical and design issues
•    Proven ability to provide excellent client service and leadership
•    Working knowledge and experience in implementing planning legislation pertaining to design related matters
•    Familiarity with current urban design, public realm and landscape architecture trends and best practices
•    High level knowledge of Ontario Building Code
•    Be proactive and adaptable with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities
•    Knowledge of development application process, Mississauga Official Plan and Mississauga Zoning By-law is highly preferred
•    Demonstrated experience in project management
•    Capable of reading and understanding technical drawings/plans
•    Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines and manage workload independently as well as in a team environment
•    Strong computer literacy required with experience in MS Office, Adobe Acrobat; experience with MAX, CATS, EDMS, Words, Electronic Plan Submission software (ePlans) will be considered an asset
•    Valid driver's licence and use of a personal vehicle are essential
•    Training in LEAN is an asset