Manager of Planning & Development and Community Services

Canadian Institute of Planners; Town of Slave Lake; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Municipal District (MD) of Lesser Slave River No. 124 is seeking a Manager of Planning & Development and Community Services to lead a diverse portfolio and advance Council’s priorities.

Based around Slave Lake, the role reports to the Director of Human Resources and Corporate Services and supervises four staff. You will guide Planning & Development, community grants, FCSS, cemeteries, custodial services, and municipal libraries, ensuring compliant bylaws and effective service delivery, with

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Planning & Development or equivalent.
• Minimum two years in a senior leadership role in municipal/public sector.
• Experience collaborating with elected officials, boards, and community groups.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to work under pressure.
• Knowledge of MGA, provincial regulations, bylaws and planning policies.
• APPI membership or equivalent and RPP designation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and report preparation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Planning & Development and Community Services.
• Oversee programs including planning, grants, FCSS, cemeteries, custodial services, libraries.
• Supervise four staff and coordinate cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication & relationship

Policy interpretation (MGA)

Education

Post-secondary education in Planning & Development

APPI membership + RPP designation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Municipal District (MD) of Lesser Slave River No. 124

Manager of Planning & Development and Community Services

The Municipal District (MD) of Lesser Slave River No. 124 (www.mdlsr.ca) is a progressive rural municipality of approximately 3,000 residents in north-central Alberta (located approximately three hours north of Edmonton). The MD encompasses boreal forest, agricultural lands, lakes, rivers, and resource-rich landscapes surrounding the Town of Slave Lake, a key regional service centre. With administrative offices located adjacent to Slave Lake and in the Hamlet of Flatbush, the MD provides responsive and accessible services across its expansive region. Its economy is supported by forestry, agriculture, energy, transportation, tourism, and entrepreneurship, while its strategic location along Highway 2 strengthens regional connectivity and economic opportunities.

The Manager of Planning & Development and Community Services is a newly created leadership position responsible for advancing Council’s strategic priorities while safeguarding the MD’s assets through effective bylaws, policies, practices, and service delivery processes.

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources and Corporate Services, the Manager provides strategic leadership, operational oversights, and program management for a diverse portfolio of municipal services, including Planning & Development, community grants, FCSS, cemeteries, custodial services, and municipal libraries. The position directly supervises four staff members, including a Planning & Development Officer, Senior Peace Officer, and two Administrative Support roles.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Post-secondary education in Planning & Development or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two years of experience in a senior leadership role, preferably within a municipal or public-sector environment.
• Experience collaborating with elected officials, boards, and community groups.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship management skills with the ability to collaborate effectively under pressure and within a team environment.
• Knowledge of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), provincial regulations, environmental legislation, municipal bylaws, and related planning policies.
• Membership in the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI) – or membership in one of the Provincial or Territorial Institutes or Associations, and Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability to prepare and manage a variety of documents, reports, and spreadsheets.

A competitive compensation package will be provided to the successful candidate. Specifics will be discussed in a personal interview.