Principal Planner - Development Planning

Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville; Whitchurch-Stouffville; On-site; CAD 114,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

OMERS Pension

Employer funded benefits

Paid vacation

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is seeking a Principal Planner - Development Planning to lead the Development Planning team and manage Planning Act applications. You will coordinate staff, advise Council, and navigate complex, multi-stakeholder processes to shape growth and development within the community.

You will guide planning analyses, prepare recommendations, and present planning matters to elected officials and external partners, ensuring timely, compliant decisions.

Qualifications

• University degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies or related discipline.
• Current CIP membership with RPP designation is required.
• 6–8 years of progressive municipal planning experience.
• Experience in a municipal environment is mandatory.
• Strong knowledge of the Ontario Planning Act and Provincial policies.
• Ability to present at tribunals and manage multi-stakeholder processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead Development Planning team and oversee Planning Act applications.
• Oversee Committee of Adjustment work including minor variances and consents.
• Guide Development Planners and ensure timely, high-quality planning decisions.
• Prepare professional planning recommendations for Council and departments.
• Represent planning matters to officials, developers, and the public.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

Urban Planning degree

RPP designation (CIP)

Tools

Microsoft Office

ARC GIS

Job description

Scheduled Hours/Shifts: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: $113,608 - $138,222 annually

Flexible Working Arrangements: Yes

Vacancy Reason: New Position

WHY Stouffville:

Working for the Town of Stouffville means being a part of one of HRD Canada's Best Places to Work. Here, we foster a sense of belonging as a tightknit workforce. The Town is dedicated to supporting its employees, by providing competitive compensation, OMERS Pension, employer funded benefits, paid vacation, sick time, EAP and flexible work arrangements, to help you prioritize what matters most.

Shape a growing community. Lead with purpose. Drive impactful planning outcomes.

As Principal Planner - Development Planning, you'll play a key leadership role in guiding how the Town grows and evolves. This is an opportunity to lead a collaborative, high-performing team while overseeing complex Planning Act applications and shaping development outcomes that support vibrant, livable communities.

In this role, your expertise will directly influence planning decisions, enhance process efficiency, , and ensure timely, high-quality service in the processing of Planning Applications. You'll navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments, balance competing priorities, and provide clear, strategic advice that reflects both sound planning principles and community needs.

Join a municipality that is embracing growth, modernizing its approach, and committed to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Here, your leadership, insight, and ability to build strong relationships will have a lasting and visible impact on the community today and into the future.

Meet the Town of Stouffville's Planning Department

We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer, supportive of an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process and as we grow, it's important that our workforce reflect the citizens we serve. At the Town, we respect, encourage, and celebrate our diversity. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation.

Position Purpose:

Under the direction of the Director, Planning Services, the Principal Planner provides leadership and oversight to the Development Planning team and plays a key role in managing the Town's development review functions. This position is responsible for supervising staff, coordinating the processing of a broad range of planning applications under the Planning Act, and ensuring all applications are reviewed efficiently and within prescribed legislative timelines.

The Principal Planner oversees the administration of the Town's Committee of Adjustment portfolio, including the review of minor variance and consent applications, preparation of recommendations, and coordination with applicants, agencies, and Committee members.

A core function of this role is to guide and support Development Planners in managing, coordinating, and facilitating planning applications. The Principal Planner works closely with staff to ensure timely circulation, analysis, reporting, and provide guidance for decision-making, while maintaining high-quality planning outcomes and compliance with statutory requirements.

Additional responsibilities include preparing professional planning recommendations for departmental and Council consideration, resolving conflicts, negotiating with applicants, and presenting planning matters to elected officials, developers, internal departments, external agencies, and the public. The Principal Planner also oversees the administration and interpretation of the Town's Comprehensive Zoning By-law, related policies, and other strategic, town-wide planning initiatives.

The Principal Planner contributes to the development of service level standards, divisional procedures, and operational improvement strategies. The role also supports the Director, Planning Services, in managing day-to-day divisional operations and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• University degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies or related discipline.
• Current membership in Canadian Institute of Planners, accompanied by Registered Professional Planner designation required.
• Six to eight years of progressively more responsible relevant professional planning experience in a municipal environment including at least three years of responsibility involving the provision of guidance to and the review of the work of others.
• Experience in a municipal work environment is mandatory.
• Thorough knowledge of the Ontario Planning Act, Provincial Planning Statement and other relevant provincial policies.
• Advanced knowledge of land use planning and the land development processes gained through first-hand experience in administering these processes at the municipal level.
• Understanding and experience in dealing with managing complex and high-profile applications preferably with municipal background. Private sector experience is an asset.
• Ability to present evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and other Boards and tribunals.
• Ability to develop alternative and creative solutions within a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment and manage diverse internal and external stakeholders involved in the Planning Applications.
• Independent decision-making abilities, discretion and good judgement when handling confidential/sensitive information and communicating with individuals regarding controversial matters.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, communicating in a clear, professional and respectful way; demonstrates active listening.
• Excellent negotiation, dispute resolution and conflict management skills with demonstrated ability to manage large meetings in particular when conflicts and disputes arise.
• Ability to identify priorities, organize and coordinate a variety of job responsibilities having simultaneous deadlines and changing priorities.
• Passion to stay up to date on new trends for housing and employment development in the Town.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong partnerships and client relationships.
• Forward-thinking and innovative, with a progressive mindset and ability to develop creative solutions that remove red tape and barriers and streamline development processes
• Political acumen with the ability to collaborate and facilitate conversations between staff, land developers, residents, and relevant stakeholder groups.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office- Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint and knowledge of ARC GIS.
• Class G Driver's License in good standing and reliable vehicle to use on corporate business.
• Availability to attend evening meetings and/or work overtime to accommodate peak periods and workloads.
• Interacts with others in an inclusive, collaborative and respectful way that creates effective working relationships, with peers and colleagues, general public, community stakeholders, other governments/agencies, developers, businesses and elected officials.
• Respond positively and professionally to change and helps others transition through change.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.