Senior Development Planner

Bruce County; Walkerton; On-site; CAD 102,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

OMERS pension with equal employer

EFAP

Paid vacation days

Paid health and wellness Leave

Parental leave top up

Employee recognition programs

Job summary

Bruce County, located in Southwestern Ontario, is seeking a Senior Development Planner to provide leadership in social, physical, economic and environmental planning across a sub-region. You’ll advise municipalities, coordinate policy development, and guide development proposals toward council objectives.

We offer a competitive salary ($101, 793-$119, 756 per year), 35 hours per week, OMERS pension, EFAP, generous vacation, health and wellness leave, parental leave top-up, and recognition

Qualifications

• University Degree in Planning or Community Development
• Full membership in Ontario Professional Planning Institute
• Five years of progressive experience in land use planning

Responsibilities

• Provide social, physical, economic and environmental planning services in a defined sub-region
• Advise lower-tier municipalities and the County on planning matters
• Coordinate review of development proposals and negotiate with proponents
• Support policy development and public consultation programs
• Mentor and lead staff on complex files across sub-regions

Skills

Diplomacy and conflict resolution

People management

Leadership

Delegation

Analytical thinking

Prioritization

Strategic problem solving

Change management

Education

University degree in Planning or Community Development

Tools

Ontario Professional Planning Institute

Job description

Welcome to Bruce County! We are located within the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which includes the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. We are a community where excellence, opportunity, and exploration come together amidst the natural beauty of Southwestern Ontario. Nestled between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, our community thrives in stunning landscapes, from tranquil rivers and iconic lighthouses to bright starry skies. Home to nearly 75,000 residents in predominantly rural communities, Bruce County offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big opportunities, Bruce County is a place where you can work, live, and explore to no end.

Guided by our vision of being a welcoming, thriving community committed to the well-being of current and future generations, Bruce County fosters innovation, sustainable growth, and collaboration. As an upper-tier municipality, Bruce County provides essential services that shape the daily lives of our residents across 12 towns and communities. Our responsibilities include housing, childcare, Ontario Works, infrastructure, paramedic services, and long‑term care homes, as well as cultural and recreational programs through our libraries and museum. In everything we do, we uphold our core values: excellence, welcoming community, good governance, environmental stewardship, and financial sustainability.

As one of Southwestern Ontario’s Top Employers, joining our team means becoming part of a dedicated group of public servants committed to making a meaningful difference. At Bruce County, you’ll find opportunities to grow your career, contribute to impactful solutions, and help shape a sustainable future—all while enjoying the exceptional lifestyle this remarkable region offers. Explore with us—your journey starts here.

What You’ll Do

Reporting to the Development Planning Manager, the Senior Development Planner provides social, physical, economic and environmental planning services in a defined sub- region of the County, including advising lower-tier municipalities and the County in respect of planning matters within their sub‑area. The Senior Development Planner acts as liaison for the sub‑region and assists both the County and local municipalities in the delivery of key identified strategies; and supports policy development and public consultation programs, coordinates the review of development proposals, and negotiates with proponents to guide projects towards policy objectives. This role supports the Division with expertise and leadership in complex files which may include files in other sub-regions.

What We’re Looking For

Education & Experience

• University Degree in Planning or Community Development
• Full membership in Ontario Professional Planning Institute
• Five years of progressive experience in land use planning

Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of, and experience in, a municipal setting
• A well‑defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills
• Effective leadership skills, with a strong focus on mentoring and motivation of employees
• Ability to delegate, set expectations, and monitor progress of all direct reports
• Ability to identify issues and implement creative and strategic solutions to overcome problems
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills
• Ability to identify measures of performance and actions needed to improve or correct performance
• Strong formal and informal leadership skills
• Ability to initiate and model positive change

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: $101, 793-$119, 756 per annum
• Hours per week: 35 hours
• OMERS pension with equal employer match
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid health and wellness Leave
• Parental leave top up program
• Employee recognition programs

Join Us!

Your Career, Our Community: Let’s build a Welcoming and Sustainable Bruce County Together!

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be the ideal candidate for this or other opportunities. At Bruce County, we celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive, and genuine workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We are dedicated to fostering an equitable, accessible, and welcome environment where all individuals feel valued and supported. Bruce County provides equal employment opportunities to all candidates, including those with disabilities, ensuring that our recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes are barrier free and fully accessible. If you require accommodations at any stage of the hiring process, please contact us at [e-mail].

The successful candidate for this opportunity will be chosen based on their relevant education, experience, knowledge, and skills, as well as a competency‑based interview and formal background reference checks. We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.