Project Manager, Permit, Licenses & Approvals

Metrolinx; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Metrolinx, an Ontario transit agency, seeks a Project Manager to lead PLA planning and approvals across multiple capital projects. You will coordinate with municipal, provincial, and federal authorities to secure permits and drive project timelines.

You will develop, manage and monitor PLA processes, liaising with internal stakeholders to ensure compliance and successful delivery of transit infrastructure initiatives.

Qualifications

• Completion of a degree in Planning, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience in construction, engineering, or municipal planning.
• Knowledge of permit/approval processes for transit infrastructure and large projects.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings/reports and communicate technical information.
• Knowledge of municipal, regional, provincial, and federal decision-making structures.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation governing permits/approvals (e.g., Ontario acts).
• Negotiation, diplomacy, and political acumen to manage multi-stakeholder projects.
• Excellent interpersonal, time management, collaboration, and oral/written communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with diverse delivery methods (PPP, progressive design-build) and contract development/administration is beneficial.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and project management software.

Responsibilities

• Develop PLA plans to identify and mitigate permitting risks and align with long‑term transit program strategies.
• Assist in planning submissions and obtaining permits, licenses and approvals.
• Support PLA application prep, submittal, and tracking for delivery teams.
• Track PLA status and risks; report weekly/monthly and improve tracking systems.
• Liaise with municipalities, provincial and federal authorities to manage PLA issues.
• Implement PLA procedures, processes, standards and systems for infrastructure delivery.
• Document lessons learned and support efficiency initiatives for permit processes.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders essential to PLA requirements.
• Participate in meetings to define PLA requirements and pre-consultations.
• Serve as a focal point to develop and monitor permit processes through project lifecycle.

Skills

Project management

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Communication

Presentation skills

Collaboration

Education

Planning degree

Environmental Studies degree

Engineering degree

Architecture degree

Construction Management degree

Tools

Project management software

Microsoft Office

Visio

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

This role is an in‑office position based at our 111 Richmond Street. Our team is highly collaborative, and much of our work benefits from in‑person co‑creation, relationship‑building, and hands‑on partnership with leaders across the organization.

Our Capital Projects Group workforce is made up of driven and dedicated professionals who care deeply about working together to deliver infrastructure and make a positive impact in our communities. Join us as we build a knowledgeable and collaborative team that courageously changes how transit projects will be delivered.

The Operational Planning & Interface Management Team within the Capital Projects Group (CPG) is seeking a Project Manager to support the planning and coordination of pre‑construction activities across a variety of capital projects. The successful candidate will review project submissions and obtain the permits, licenses, and approvals (PLA) required prior to construction. This role will liaise with municipal, provincial, and federal approval authorities while serving as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders. The Project Manager will be responsible for developing, managing, and monitoring permitting and approval processes throughout the lifecycle of multiple projects.

What will I be doing?

• Develop and implement PLA plans that outline approaches to identify, manage, and mitigate permitting risks, aligning with overall long‑term transit program strategies.
• Assist in planning, reviewing submissions, and obtaining permits, licenses, and approvals required in advance of construction.
• Assist project delivery teams with PLA application preparation, submittal, and tracking.
• Track and provide reports on PLA status and risks on a weekly/monthly basis and implement improvements to tracking and reporting systems.
• Support project delivery teams with liaison between approval authorities including municipalities, provincial and federal authorities to manage issues and risks related to acquisition of PLAs.
• Liaise with approval authorities, including municipalities, provincial, and federal authorities.
• Implement PLA procedures, processes, standards, and systems to enable effective infrastructure delivery.
• Document lessons learned and support initiatives to improve the efficiency of permit and approval processes.
• Build, develop and maintain excellent relationships with key internal and external stakeholders critical to the successful delivery of program‑wide permit and approval requirements.
• Participate in weekly/monthly progress meetings with project delivery teams, provide updates on PLA status and escalates PLA issues as necessary.
• Participate in meetings with approval authorities to identify and define PLA requirements, including pre‑consultation meetings.
• Serve as a key point of contact with internal stakeholders to develop, manage and monitor permit and approval processes through the project lifecycle.

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Completion of a degree in the field of Planning, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a combination of education, training, and experience deemed equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience within a construction, engineering, or municipal planning environment.
• Knowledge of permit and approval processes and requirements for construction of transit infrastructure and large infrastructure projects is essential.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings/reports and effectively communicate technical information is essential.
• Knowledge of public sector decision‑making structures and processes at the municipal, regional, provincial and federal level.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and requirements governing permits and approvals, including but not limited to Ontario Environment Assessment Act and Transit Projects & Metrolinx Undertakings (O. Reg., 231/08), Ontario Water Resources Act, Ontario Building Code Act, Planning Act, Ontario Heritage Act, Municipal Code and By‑laws, Environmental Protection Act, railway corridor infrastructure, and related construction projects.
• Negotiation skills, diplomacy, and political acuity to develop and recommend project plans, manage multi‑stakeholder projects/initiatives, and make recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal, time management, collaboration, and oral/written communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with projects delivered via diverse delivery methods (e.g., public/private sector partnerships, progressive design‑build, etc.), including knowledge of contract development and administration, would be highly beneficial.
• Proficiency in using project management software, Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio), Adobe Acrobat, and other computer applications is considered an asset.

Don’t Meet Every Requirement?

If you’re excited about working with Metrolinx but your past experience doesn’t quite align with every qualification of this posting, we encourage you to apply. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are always looking for great talent to join our team.

Accommodation:

We value the unique skills and experiences each person brings to Metrolinx and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment. We are committed to the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and other applicable legislation so if you require accommodation during the hiring process, please let our Recruitment team know by contacting us at: 416‑202‑5601 or email [e-mail].

Application Process:

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.