Manager, Strategic Projects

City of Ottawa; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 121,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Ottawa is seeking a Manager, Strategic Projects to oversee contract management for the Rail Construction Program. The role requires leadership, project management acumen, and extensive experience with contracts and compliance. You will manage resources, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure alignment with city policies and strategic objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of related project management experience.
• 5 years management of human and financial resources.
• PMP certification is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and support for the Rail Construction Program.
• Manage multiple project team's human and financial resources.
• Oversee contract compliance and claims-related matters.

Skills

Contract Management

Project management principles

Community consultation principles

Education

4 year university degree in business administration

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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Requisition ID: 17856
Department: Transit Services Dept.
Service: Rail Construction Program Service
Branch:RCP - Stage 2 Project Controls Branch
Employment Type: 1 Full-time Temporary-Until December 31, 2026
Work Hours: 35.00hours per week
Affiliation: MPE
Salary Information: $121,708.86- $153,879.18 annually (2025 rates of pay)
Location:Gillin Building,141 Laurier Avenue
City: Ottawa, ON
Job Category: Transit Services - OC Transpo
Application Close:12/06/2025

JOB SUMMARY

As Manager, Strategic Projects, overseeing the Contract Management Branch of the Rail Construction Program, you are responsible for ensuring that proper contract management and administration procedures are developed, implemented, and maintained in accordance with City policies and procedures and the specific project requirements.

You work on multiple project initiatives with various business units using a partner-driven, collaborative, strategic approach with various project partners across the organization and external partners including vendors. You ensure commitment and adherence to the City’s core values, foster effective and engaging working relationships with staff, management and other partners.

You will provide leadership and support to your team as well as the broader Rail Construction Program in all areas of contracts administration, compliance, and claims-related matters relating to all active projects. You will work with internal and external stakeholders (staff, contractor representatives, legal counsel, other City departments, etc.) on commercial or contractual matters.

This will include, but not be limited to direct involvement in claims and dispute management including escalated claims, change management oversight (variations), commercial communications, research, analysis and providing recommendations related to commercial matters, issues management and escalations, cross-functional collaborations, risk identification and management of contract compliance.

You are responsible for managing multiple project team/work unit’s human and financial resources, including developing and monitoring operating budgets and the hiring, termination, performance management and discipline of staff as necessary. You will establish and maintain client, stakeholder and partner relationships to achieve the desired outcomes of the projects.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of a 4 year university degree in business administration, public administration or other related field.
Minimum of 7 years of related experience and relevant experience managing major projects of a complex nature including contract management and a minimum of 5 years in the management of human and financial resources

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is an asset

KNOWLEDGE

• Contract Management
• Project management principles, methodologies and practices
• Contract document preparation and the tendering process
• Community consultation principles and practices as required
• The City of Ottawa’s organizational, governance and administrative structures
• Legislation, regulations, policies, standards and guidelines relevant to the work
• Industry trends and developments
• Business administration concepts, theories, principles and methodologies
• Corporate policies, guidelines and practices
• The various Collective Agreements in place at the City
• Understanding of the programs/services and operations of other City areas, and the inter-relationships between them and own work area
• MS Office and other software applications related to the project as required
• Must be familiar with applicable health and safety legislation, have knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the work place, and have knowledge of appropriate actions to be taken in order to ensure the health and safety of staff in accordance with applicable legislation and City policies and procedures

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Core Behaviours
Core behaviours define the City's expectations of the behaviours employees should demonstrate in performing their work. They are reflective of the City's culture and values and guide all our present and future activities. Every employee is encouraged to learn, embody, and demonstrate these core behaviours.

Leadership Competencies
The City has defined key competencies that leaders are expected to embody and demonstrate to successfully move the organization towards achieving its strategic objectives and create an organizational culture that supports and empowers employees to excel, grow and reach their full potential. These leadership competencies and associated behaviours are expected to be demonstrated by leaders at all levels of the organization.

• Language Requirement:English oral, reading, writing
• Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability may substitute for stipulated academic requirements.
• Please save a copy of the job poster. Once the closing date has passed, it will no longer be available.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The City of Ottawa promotes the principles of diversity and inclusion and adheres to the tenets of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and non-binary persons, persons of all ethnic origins, religions, sexual orientations, classes, gender identities and expressions.
Candidates are encouraged to self-identify as a member of one or more designated employment equity groups in the self-identification questionnaire.

The City of Ottawa provides accommodation to applicants during all parts of the hiring process, upon request. If contacted to proceed to the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. Please contact the Employee Service Centre at 613-580-2424 extension 12211 or via email at [e-mail] .