Commissioner Development Services – City of Markham

The City of Markham, a municipality with more than 350,000 residents, centrally located in the Greater Toronto area, is home to over 400 corporate head offices and more than 1,100 high tech and life science companies. Founded in the 1790’s, Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada Gold Award for Organizational Quality and Healthy Workplace, and multiple heritage and environmental awards.

With an unwavering focus on quality, innovation and professional excellence, the City of Markham is working closely with its diverse and dynamic community to grow and enhance its reputation for municipal leadership, public service excellence and innovation. Join us and make a difference.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Western Management Consultants directly. Any communication and information received will be treated confidentially. Please call or email your resume to David Howes at WMC: davidh@wmc.on.ca or 416-362-6863 x230.

PROFILE:
This role will be attractive to a business leader who is a leader of people, a driver of results and a disciplined implementer, and who enjoys a visible profile, is a relationship builder and a networker.

The Commissioner, Development Services is the most senior development leadership position in the City of Markham and is responsible for providing enterprise leadership and strategic direction to the departments of Culture and Economic Development, Planning and Urban Design, Engineering, and Building Standards. This senior leader is responsible for developing robust multi-year business plans that support Markham’s strategic objectives and that drive business and financial results while ensuring cohesive implementation and delivery.
Working closely with Council, staff and varied stakeholders, this position is critical in setting and driving a vision for sustainable planning, development, transportation, infrastructure and capital projects, as well as for the economic health and cultural vibrancy of Markham, while ensuring risk management and compliance measures are in place. This leader is an effective relationship builder externally with the business community, different levels of government, planning and regulatory bodies and also works in close collaboration internally to ensure the effective integration of community, human and citizen services.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Strategic leadership: In partnership with the Mayor, Council, CAO and members of the senior executive team, provides leadership in identifying, addressing, balancing and delivering on the current and future needs and strategic priorities of the City and the Commission.

Prioritization and Planning: Provides leadership and advice related to the City and Commission’s priorities, and facilitates the development of clear, consolidated strategic and operational plans for the short and longer term.

Human Resources Management and Capacity-Building: Builds capacity, and ensures strong performance and effectiveness of staff at all levels of the Commission, and ensures development and succession strategies are in place. Builds employee satisfaction and creates a strong team by engaging and motivating staff at all levels.

Financial Management: Works collaboratively with the CAO and the senior executive team to develop effective plans and approaches to address current and future financial realities. Works with the Commission to set and meet appropriate financial targets and to ensure overall financial accountability and integrity.

Profile and Relationship-Building: Builds and enhances the profile of the City and Commission internally within the organization, and externally with key community partners and organizations. Engages and inspires staff and stakeholders about the City’s vision.

Customer Service and Excellence: Works with all levels of the Commission to deliver high quality customer service and satisfaction that meet the needs of the City’s diverse communities and groups. Drives continuous improvement and innovation at all levels to foster a culture that is defined by excellence, quality and innovation.

Sustainability: Builds and delivers a long-term plan and approach that drives sustainability and environmental accountability for the Commission’s assets and services.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS BUILDING:
Mayor and City Council: Establishes an open and positive relationship with the Mayor and members of Council that supports mutual respect, trust and communication.

Chief Administrative Officer and Commissioners: Works closely with the CAO and senior executive team to foster a cohesive, high-performing and engaged organization that delivers value for tax dollar and public service excellence to its community and stakeholders.

Staff: Provides strong leadership, direction and guidance to staff. Promotes an open and positive working environment that allows staff to work and achieve to the best of their abilities.

General Public: Plays a leadership role in facilitating and encouraging appropriate public participation in the development and refinement of City initiatives, services, programs and policies. Develops and nurtures strong relationships with external stakeholder groups.

Other Municipalities and Government agencies: Develops positive working relationships with senior staff in municipalities that share similar interests and/or that are in the same geographic area. Develops and maintains effective relationships with relevant levels of government, agencies, boards and commissions that affect the City.

QUALIFICATIONS:
A minimum of a Bachelor degree from a recognized university in a field relevant to municipal service delivery. A post-graduate degree or studies would be ideal.
7 to 10 years’ relevant experience as a senior executive in a complex municipal, public or private sector environment.
Strong fiscal management experience and business acumen.Demonstrated ability to ensure sound fiscal integrity and accountability.
Demonstrated success in developing and implementing multi-pronged strategic plans and business plans for diverse stakeholders with wide-ranging impacts.
Demonstrated success in leading teams to develop effective, efficient and responsive service delivery strategies and processes.
Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, influence and work collaboratively and effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals, in a large, complex salaried and unionized environment with multiple stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively and with credibility with a variety of professional disciplines.
Highly developed analytical, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
Effective organizational and time management skills. Ability to weigh competing demands, set priorities and goals and achieve objectives and results in a timely manner. Capable of balancing the internal and external demands of the role.
Solid communication and interpersonal (people) skills to effectively cultivate relationships (internally and externally) and foster a high-performing work environment.
Proven ability to effectively communicate and interface with the public and/or media as necessary or as required.
Ability to attend and/or participate in after-hours community events.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Western Management Consultants directly. Any communication and information received will be treated confidentially. Please call or email your resume to David Howes at WMC: davidh@wmc.on.ca or 416-362-6863 x230.

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