Project Manager II

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo; Fort McMurray; On-site; CAD 129,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in Fort McMurray seeks a Project Manager II to lead municipal projects and programs within a defined portfolio. You will drive project delivery from initiation to closure, ensuring standards are followed and reporting progress to senior leaders.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, KPI tracking, risk management, and cross‑department coordination with staff, contractors, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical, project management, and strategic planning/implementation experience.
• Ability to take initiative and manage multiple projects simultaneously, including tracking KPI.
• Innovative problem-solving skills with diplomacy under pressure in a demanding environment.
• Ability to oversee and guide staff, contractors, and consultants as required.
• Knowledge of local government operations, policy development, and decision-making processes.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, evaluation, and reporting on outcomes.
• Ability to work in a politically sensitive environment with confidential matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interdepartmental leadership.

Responsibilities

• Project Management: lead municipal initiatives, set standards for planning, support, and execution; report to senior leaders; facilitate reviews.
• Departmental Advice: collaborate with departments and partners; organize meetings; build strategic partnerships and provide timely information.
• Operational Guidance: oversee program delivery; assess risks; assist with council updates, briefing notes, and council reports; support confidential matters.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Strategic planning

KPI tracking

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Public sector knowledge

Education

Technical degree or diploma related to project management or municipal infrastructure

P.Eng., P.L. (Eng.), or P.Tech. (Eng.) designation

PMP and/or PgMP designation or willingness to obtain

Equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered

Job description

Position Type: Permanent Full Time

Bi-weekly Working Hours: 70 hours bi-weekly

Shift/Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm

Job Location: Fort McMurray

Starting Salary Range*: $129,438 - $136,834

• The Municipality offers a competitive compensation package, including an attractive base salary, excellent benefits, retirement plans, and more. The starting salary for this position is within the range listed above and will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

We strive to make our hiring process accessible to all candidates. If you require accommodation for the interview or any other part of the application process, please let us know.

About The Department

Project Management Office & Facility Services

Building the future while taking care of today.

The Project Management Office & Facilities Services at the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is where strategy meets stewardship. This team drives progress through innovative project delivery while ensuring our municipal facilities remain safe, sustainable, and efficient. From leading large-scale initiatives that shape the region’s growth to managing the day-to-day operations of the spaces our community depends on, the team plays a vital role in supporting residents, staff, and partners.

If you’re motivated by the challenge of balancing long-term vision with practical solutions and you thrive in an environment that values coordination, communication, and results this is where you can make a lasting impact.

General Description

The Project Manager II is responsible for overall management, administration, and direction for Municipal projects, programs, and initiatives under their assigned portfolio. The incumbent provides project management stewardship; manages the development of the projects through the entire project life cycle; and ensures project management principles are maintained with the aim of creating efficiencies between projects and successful project delivery. Utilizing consistent and standard approaches, the incumbent will be responsible for monitoring progress and contributing strategic, administrative, and operational leadership under their assigned portfolio. The work may also include leadership initiatives such as organizational strategic support, process analysis, and improvement implementation. The Project Manager II is distinguished from the other project manager levels based on its assigned project portfolio’s scale and budget. The Project Manager II is developing leadership experience and requires more advanced experience in delivering projects and overall project portfolios of a larger scale and budget, and more complex and/or sensitive nature.

Primary Responsibilities Include

• Project Management: Provides strategic guidance and leadership in support of municipal initiatives, ensuring standards for planning, support, and execution are met. Provides regular reporting and updates to senior leaders, analyzing information from a variety of sources and presenting in a concise manner. Facilitates meetings and conducts reviews to ensure objectives are met. A critical thinker, the incumbent is expected to identify emerging issues, recommend effective responses, share complex information in an accessible and understandable manner, as well as assist with overall project management and service delivery.
• Departmental Advice: Manages complex issues that may include political consideration. Works collaboratively with other departments and community partners, providing advice that is consistent, innovative, and strategic. Organizes and chairs meetings with internal and external parties. Recognizes opportunities to meet municipal objectives through partnerships with internal and external collaborators. Ensures interested parties receive timely, professional, and comprehensive information on emerging issues. Anticipates and responds to issues and shares pertinent information in an effective manner while upholding confidentiality, displaying professionalism, and maintaining the values of the Municipality.
• Operational Guidance: Responsible for overall program delivery with direct involvement in daily operations and overall administration, the incumbent will work collaboratively to identify risks and opportunities across multiple projects/initiatives within the organization. Identifies and analyzes potential issues that may develop and recommends effective responses. Assists with the moderation, facilitation, and hosting of public events, such as community engagement sessions in collaboration with the other departments. Assists in the preparation and delivery of Council updates for assigned portfolio. Prepares briefing notes, presentations, and reports as required for Council and the Senior Leadership Team. This position may potentially be involved in confidential matters including committee participation, operational reviews, and business planning.

Skills Requirements

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

• Strong analytical skills, with project management and strategic planning/implementation experience.
• Ability to take initiative and manage multiple projects simultaneously, including experience defining and tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
• Innovative problem-solving skills, with the ability to maintain composure, diplomacy, and a positive outlook during periods of stress in a demanding work environment.
• Ability to oversee and provide guidance to staff, contractors, and consultants as required.
• Knowledge of local government operations, including policy development and decision-making processes.
• Knowledge of all facets of strategic planning, evaluations, and analysis; including reporting on metrics and outcomes.
• Ability to operate within a politically sensitive environment and deal with sensitive and confidential issues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide interdepartmental leadership and build relationships with diverse interest groups such as industry, government, Indigenous groups, and members of the public.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively prepare and present in a variety of settings.
• Ability to respond effectively to rapidly changing situations, priorities, and simultaneous demands.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Education

• Technical degree or diploma related to project management or municipal infrastructure is required (i.e., Construction Management, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or related discipline).
• A Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Professional Licensee Engineering (P.L. (Eng.)), or Professional Technologist (P.Tech. (Eng.)) designation is required. Other professional designations through ASET may be considered.
• A Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or a Program Management Professional (PgMP) designation, or a willingness to obtain, is an asset.
• An equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered.

Experience

• Five (5) years of experience with a degree or eight (8) years of experience with a diploma in delivering projects in a similar environment is required. Experience to include:
• Two (2) years of leadership experience. This includes leading projects and providing guidance and coaching to team members.
• Managing project(s) valued between $3M and $15M.
• A minimum of three (3) managing an annual project portfolio valued between $10M and $30M.
• Experience working in a municipal environment with unionized and non-unionized employees is an asset.

Other Requirements

• The incumbent must be prepared to work in both the office (with frequent interruptions) and field environments, in all weather conditions. Incumbent must be flexible to perform duties after regular working hours and on weekends as required in meeting the department needs. May be required to have on-call availability to provide support to staff after regular working hours and on weekends.
• Criminal Record Check is required.
• Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License is required.

Safety

As an employee of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the incumbent is responsible and accountable for knowing and working in accordance with the organization’s Occupational Health and Safety Administrative Directive. As per section 2 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the incumbent shall ensure while in the employ of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo the health and safety of employees, contractors and the public.