Strategic Projects Manager

District of Saanich; Saanich; On-site; CAD 117,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The District of Saanich is seeking a Strategic Projects Manager to lead high-impact engineering initiatives across departments. You will oversee planning through implementation, manage scope, budgets, schedules, and risk, and present technical options to senior leaders.

Reporting to a Senior Manager, this role requires a licensed engineer with at least 10 years of combined project and operations experience in municipal settings, strong leadership, and a PMP is preferred or obtainable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Engineering or related field required.
• Professional Engineer in British Columbia eligibility required.
• 10 years of combined project and operational-management experience on complex technical projects and teams.
• PMP designation preferred or ability to pursue certification.
• Municipal engineering experience including transportation, water and wastewater systems, and geotechnical work; experience writing and presenting technical reports to Council.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic, high-visibility engineering initiatives from planning through implementation.
• Provide advice, briefing materials, and recommendations to senior leaders; prepare and present technical reports to Council.
• Support strategic decisions through clear analysis of options and evidence.
• Coordinate with staff, consultants, contractors, and other District departments; oversee work programs, procurement, and contracts.
• Promote transparent communication and ensure adherence to policies, standards, and safety practices.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Procurement

Contract Administration

Negotiation

Conflict Resolution

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Strategic Projects Manager

DISTRICT OF SAANICH

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

1 Temporary Full-Time Exempt Position – 24 Months

The District of Saanich is a vibrant, diverse municipality where public-service excellence, responsible stewardship, and thoughtful infrastructure planning help sustain safe, connected, and resilient communities. The Engineering Department supports Council priorities through practical, forward-looking solutions that serve residents, businesses, and visitors.

The Transportation Division and development services is seeking a Strategic Projects Manager to lead strategic, highly visible, cross-organizational engineering initiatives. Reporting to a Senior Manager, this opportunity is suited to an accomplished municipal engineering professional who brings sound judgement, collaborative leadership, and disciplined project delivery to complex public-sector work.

You will lead projects from planning through implementation, using established project-management practices to manage scope, resources, schedules, budgets, and risk. You will provide advice, briefing materials, and recommendations to senior leaders; prepare and present technical reports to Council; and support strategic decisions through clear analysis of options and evidence.

Working with staff, consultants, contractors, community stakeholders, and other District departments, you will set work programs and priorities, facilitate decision-making and issue resolution, oversee procurement and consultant contracts, and promote transparent communication. You will support the consistent application of District policies, standards, occupational health and safety practices, and project-management controls.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or another related field; eligibility for registration as a Professional Engineer in British Columbia; and 10 years of combined project and operational-management experience involving complex technical projects and teams. A Project Management Professional (PMP) designation is preferred, or the ability to pursue certification. Significant municipal engineering experience, including transportation, water and wastewater systems, and geotechnical work, and experience writing and presenting technical reports to Council are required.

The successful candidate will bring strong leadership, budgeting, procurement, contract-administration, negotiation, conflict-resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. They will lead staff in a unionized environment; build effective relationships with employees, consultants, contractors, the community, and senior leaders; and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences. A thorough knowledge of occupational health and safety standards and practices, preferably in the public sector, is required. A valid B.C. Class 5 Driver’s Licence and a personal vehicle available for work use are required.

The successful candidate will work Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week, for a temporary term of 24 months. As a component of the selection process, testing will be conducted. Although we thank all applicants for applying, only those under consideration will be contacted.

This is a temporary full-time exempt position with an annual salary range of $117,135 – $137,800. The District of Saanich offers a competitive total compensation package, including benefits. Additional details, including the job description and competition information, are available at www.saanich.ca. 11:45pm on September 9, 2026, quoting competition 26218.

The District of Saanich is proud to once again be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers for 2026. As an inclusive, supportive, and high performing organization, we are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We aim to attract and retain passionate, skilled individuals from all backgrounds, demographics, and life experiences, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can contribute and thrive.

If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] in confidence. We are here to support your full participation.