Director, Environment, Climate & Forestry

City of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 165,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Toronto is seeking a dynamic director to lead the Environment, Climate & Forestry Division, guiding strategy, program delivery and transformation across citywide climate initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role drives large-scale action with a focus on measurable public outcomes and equity.

The ideal candidate will align resources, people and systems around clear public outcomes, foster collaboration with City divisions and external partners, and nurture an

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Public Administration, Business Management, Urban Planning, Organizational Leadership or related discipline.
• Extensive experience leading a team in a complex diverse environment with strategic leadership and collaboration.
• Extensive experience in organizational transformation and program innovation moving ideas to large-scale action.
• Considerable experience in financial management, compliance and risk management.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills with City divisions, contractors and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Guides long-term strategy, program planning and delivery, and business transformation initiatives.
• Champions innovation and evidence-based decision-making to achieve objectives.
• Leads a diverse workforce, fostering high performance, creativity and resilience.
• Oversees talent management, succession planning, and workplace culture.
• Represents the division in intergovernmental committees and external partnerships.

Skills

Public Administration

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Relationship-building

Communication

Change management

Education

Public Administration degree

Business Management degree

Urban Planning degree

Organizational Leadership degree

Job description

• Work Location: Union Station, 65 Front St E
• Job Type & Duration: Full-Time, Permanent Vacancy
• Salary Range: $165,310.00 - $222,843.00
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 02-Sep-2026 to 17-Sep-2026

The City of Toronto is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and people-first leader to serve as our Director Environment, Climate & Forestry.

The Environment, Climate and Forestry Division (ECF) delivers programs and services that protect Toronto’s natural environment and respond to the City’s most urgent climate and sustainability priorities. Program Delivery is the Section responsible for turning the City’s ambitious climate priorities into practical, effective, and coordinated programs.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role leads strategic and operational planning for Program Delivery. The successful candidate will lead the implementation of major climate mitigation programs, strengthening how work is planned and delivered, and driving the move to implementation at scale. Success in this role will require strong judgment, steady operational leadership, and the ability to align people, partnerships, budgets and systems around clear public outcomes.

The ideal candidate will bring people-centred leadership, creativity, focus, and resilience to the challenge of delivering measurable results in a complex and rapidly changing civic environment.

Who You Are

You are an exceptional leader of people and change, able to bring clarity and momentum to complex work with significant public impact. You thrive in complex, multi-stakeholder, highly collaborative environments, balance strategic vision with operational excellence, and are skilled at building trust, leading transformation, and advancing equity and inclusion.

Major Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Guides long-term strategy, program planning and delivery, and business transformation initiatives to drive efficiency, accountability, and performance excellence.
• Champions innovation, evidence-based decision-making, and change management strategies to support the organization in achieving its objectives.
• Leads a diverse workforce, fostering high performance, creativity, and resilience.
• Oversees talent management and succession planning.
• Plays a leadership role in efforts to build a positive workplace culture.
• Promotes reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion as core values.
• Ensures alignment of services, resources, and reporting structures to support a modernized, functional‑matrix delivery model.

Operational & Program Management

• Directs all activities of the Section through subordinate management staff, ensuring clear delegation of responsibilities.
• Oversees Section budgets, ensuring alignment with corporate policies, fiscal accountability, and timely reporting.
• Ensures consistent application of risk and change management approaches.
• Oversees the preparation of staff reports to Council, and Standing Committees.
• Makes recommendations, and offers strategic advice to the Executive Director.

Government & Organizational Insight

• As a member of the Division’s Senior Management Team, demonstrates enterprise‑minded leadership, supporting a unified workplace culture, participating fully in centralized planning and budgeting, and aligning the work of the section with the Division’s operating model.
• Builds strong, collaborative relationships with other senior leaders within the Division and City, members of Council and their offices, and external partners to advance City‑wide solutions.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the governance, policy, and operational challenges within large public sector organizations.
• Represents the Division on intergovernmental committees, task forces, and corporate teams, helping position the City as a leader in climate and environmental action.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Post‑secondary degree in Public Administration, Business Management, Urban Planning, Organizational Leadership or related discipline.
• Extensive experience leading a team of skilled professionals in a complex diverse environment, with strong strategic leadership skills and the ability to motivate, develop, and foster collaboration while creating a culture that supports excellence.
• Extensive experience in leading organizational transformation and program innovation and turning ideas into large‑scale action that moves the needle.
• Considerable experience in financial management, compliance, and risk management skills
• Highly developed relationship‑building, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to establish effective partnerships and collaborate productively with City divisions, contractors, and external partners to achieve organizational objectives.
• Strong political acuity and judgement in addressing issues, concerns and complaints while maintain a customer service focus.
• Excellent strategic thinking and planning skills, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Highly developed communication and presentative skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences across all levels of the organization.
• Knowledge in environment, climate, sustainability, forestry, or related fields is an asset.
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, the Collective Agreements and related Labour Legislation, municipal programs and services.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier‑free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code‑protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability‑related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.