General Manager, Public Works

City Of Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a visionary General Manager of Public Works to shape Hamilton's infrastructure and services. This role involves leading a diverse team to enhance public accountability, drive operational excellence, and ensure high-quality services for the community. The ideal candidate will champion customer experience, promote sustainability, and foster strong relationships with stakeholders. Join a dynamic environment where your leadership will have a meaningful impact on the lives of over half a million residents, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for Hamilton.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in a complex public sector environment.
• Extensive knowledge of municipal operations and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong financial management and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic and operational planning for high-quality services.
• Develop expert advice for the City Manager and Council.
• Monitor departmental performance using clear metrics.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Customer Experience Excellence

Innovation and Change Management

Operational Accountability

People Leadership

Relationship Building

Public Trust and Transparency

Education

Post-secondary degree in Engineering

Post-secondary degree in Business Administration

Post-secondary degree in Public Administration

Job description

THE CITY

As one of Canada’s largest cities, the City of Hamilton is home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more.

With a culture of collective ownership, steadfast integrity, courageous change, sensational service and engaged empowered employees, the City is seeking talented and ambitious individuals who embody these values to join their team.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As General Manager of Public Works, you will play a critical role in shaping Hamilton’s infrastructure, services, and public spaces - improving the daily lives of more than half a million residents. Reporting directly to the City Manager, you will lead a crucial department, overseeing essential services that drive Hamilton’s vision, vibrancy, and growth.

The Public Works portfolio includes technical and professional staff across Transportation Operations & Maintenance, Engineering Services, Hamilton Water, Transit, Environmental Services, Corporate Facilities and Energy Management, Waste Management and Corporate Asset Management.

In this role, you will advance the department’s goals of operational excellence, service innovation, and enhanced public accountability, ensuring that Hamilton delivers high-quality, reliable services residents can trust.

Overseeing both technical and professional staff, you are a visionary, strategic, and results-driven leader who brings bold ideas, high integrity, and a collaborative management style. You champion customer experience excellence, drive continuous improvement, and lead with transparency and accountability - building public trust while delivering real, measurable outcomes for the community.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to help shape the future of Hamilton — leading key public works initiatives that enhance quality of life, promote sustainability, strengthen public confidence, and deliver exceptional service experiences to residents, businesses, and visitors.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Lead strategic and operational planning to deliver high-quality, customer-focused services that align with the City's vision and strategic priorities.
• Champion a culture of customer experience excellence, continuous improvement, transparency, and accountability within the department and across all operations.
• Develop and deliver expert advice to the City Manager, Mayor’s Office, Council, and Standing Committees on departmental policies, programs, risks, and emerging opportunities.
• Develop, recommend, and implement strategic policies and new program directions as approved by Council, ensuring transparency and public engagement where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with applicable provincial and municipal statutes, regulations, and policies, proactively managing operational risks and safeguarding City assets.
• Lead the development and oversight of departmental business plans, operating budgets, and capital budgets, fostering fiscal transparency, responsible resource management, and alignment with community needs.
• Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing leadership team committed to service excellence, innovation, public accountability, and staff engagement.
• Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including other levels of government, the business community, developers, and residents to enhance service responsiveness and community trust.
• Monitor, measure, and report departmental performance using clear, transparent metrics, with a focus on outcomes, service quality, and continuous improvement.
• Promote a healthy, safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace that meets all applicable legislative and corporate standards and fosters a positive employee experience.
• Serve as Acting City Manager on a rotational basis with other members of the Senior Leadership Team.

CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Leadership: Sets a clear, customer-centered vision aligned with corporate priorities; anticipates challenges and opportunities in a dynamic environment.
• Customer Experience Excellence: Prioritizes service quality, responsiveness, accessibility, and innovation to continuously improve the customer journey and public satisfaction.
• Innovation and Change Management: Fosters a culture of creativity, data-driven decision-making, and continuous learning; leads staff and the organization through change and growth.
• Operational Accountability: Drives operational excellence, financial stewardship, and clear, transparent performance reporting that builds public trust.
• People Leadership: Builds a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team culture focused on staff engagement, learning, professional growth, and service delivery.
• Relationship Building and Political Acuity: Navigates complex political and stakeholder environments with credibility, transparency, and integrity.
• Public Trust and Transparency: Makes decisions that are evidence-informed, clearly communicated, and aligned with public expectations and long-term strategic objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven senior leadership experience in a complex, multi-service public sector environment, supported by a post-secondary degree in a relevant field such as Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive knowledge of municipal operations and regulatory frameworks related to infrastructure, transportation, water and wastewater management, environmental services, waste management, fleet, and facilities.
• Demonstrated success in long-range strategic planning and big-picture thinking, as well as operational delivery, continuous improvement, and performance accountability.
• Strong financial management and accountability with operating and capital budgeting, revenue and investment opportunities in a manner which supports economic growth and sustainable services.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to explain complex issues clearly to diverse audiences including Council, media, vendors, unions, and the public.
• Skilled relationship builder with experience engaging elected officials, other levels of government, unions, business leaders, and community organizations.
• Commitment to leveraging technology and digital solutions to enhance service delivery, transparency, public engagement, and operational efficiency.
• Strong knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations, with a demonstrated leadership record in fostering a safe, respectful, and healthy workplace.

SALARY: Grade 13

Hours: 35 per week

THE INCUMBENT SHALL COMPLY WITH ALL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR THIS POSITION AND THE WORKPLACE.

The City of Hamilton is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. Consistent with our Values and Corporate Culture Pillars, the City of Hamilton is committed to providing equitable treatment to all with respect to barrier-free employment and accommodation without discrimination. The City will provide accommodation for applicants in all aspects of the hiring process, up to the point of undue hardship. Should you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the hiring process, please communicate your needs to the LHH Knightsbridge project team: [e-mail] or 416-928-4558.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are interested in being considered for this exciting and impactful senior leadership position, please forward your cover letter and resume to Lindsay Millard at [e-mail] The deadline for submission is May 30, 2025.

About LHH Knightsbridge – www.lhhknightsbridge.com