Interim Director of Urban Planning

LHH Knightsbridge; London; Remote; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading municipality is seeking a Director of Urban Planning for a 6-12 month virtual assignment. The position requires an experienced professional to guide urban development initiatives, collaborate with stakeholders, and lead modernization projects to ensure sustainable growth and regulatory compliance. Ideal for a semi-retired professional passionate about driving change.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in urban planning.
• At least 7 years in a leadership role.
• Membership in a recognized planning institute preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess current state and propose modernization strategies.
• Lead complex, multi-stakeholder urban planning projects.
• Ensure compliance with planning laws and regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Communication

Negotiation

Public Presentation

Project Management

Education

Master's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Reports to : Chief Administrative Officer

Duration : 6-12 Months

Location : Toronto, ON

100% virtual

Our client is a highly respected municipality; they are looking for an experienced urban planning professional to add critical capacity and capability to their team as they embark on a major modernization of the function. This is an exciting assignment as you will be working alongside the current Director on a specific project to objectively assess the current state and drive through a transformation to improve the output and impact of the function. This is a perfect assignment for a semi-retired professional who loves a challenge and driving change

The Director of Urban Planning is a visionary leader responsible for shaping the physical, economic, and social development of the city. This role oversees the strategic planning, design, and implementation of urban development initiatives, ensuring sustainable growth, livability, and compliance with municipal, provincial / state, and federal regulations.

Key Accountabilities :

• Assess current state and provide key insights to the Chief Administrative Officer
• Gain alignment on a strategy to modernize and elevate the impact of the urban planning function.
• Propose a new structure to support the future state strategy of the department.
• Provide insight into technology solutions to improve efficiency and the ability of the team to drive faster outcomes.
• Lead the modernization projects execution managing all the stakeholders and navigating through obstacles to ensure a successful outcome.

Strategic Leadership & Policy Development : :

• Develop and implement long-term urban planning strategies aligned with the city's vision, sustainability goals, and community needs.
• Lead the creation and revision of zoning bylaws, land use policies, and urban design guidelines.

Project Oversight & Stakeholder Engagement :

• Manage major planning projects including downtown revitalization, transit-oriented development, affordable housing, and green infrastructure.
• Collaborate with government agencies, developers, community groups, and the public to ensure inclusive and transparent planning processes.

Regulatory Compliance & Data-Driven Planning :

• Ensure all planning activities comply with applicable laws, environmental regulations, and heritage preservation standards.
• Utilize GIS, demographic data, and urban analytics to inform planning decisions and performance metrics.

Qualifications & Education :

• Master's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in urban planning, with at least 7 years in a leadership role.
• Membership in a recognized planning institute (e.g., CIP, RPP, OPPI) preferred.
• Strong knowledge of land use planning, zoning, transportation, housing policy, and environmental sustainability.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and public presentation skills.
• Proficiency in planning software (e.g., ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Strategic thinker with a passion for sustainable and equitable urban development.
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Experience working in a municipal or regional government setting.
• Familiarity with smart city technologies and climate resilience planning.

PLEASE SEND YOUR CV (AS A WORD DOC) TO : (Subject : Job Title)

LHH Knightsbridge Interim Management is a service to help our clients address a wide range of scenarios including leadership support due to sudden departures, driving key change initiatives or leading transformation projects. Our interim executives step in with minimal downtime to meet specific objectives and deliver results. All have held senior positions in the past and have now chosen to offer their unique depth and breadth of experience to organizations on a limited engagement basis.

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Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge Corp. is committed to providing equitable treatment and accommodation to ensure a barrier-free recruitment process. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and our AODA policy, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the hiring process. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please provide your accommodation needs in advance to the Recruitment Lead for this opportunity.

We thank all interested candidates in advance; however, only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

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Director Of Planning • London, Ontario, Canada