Reporting to the Director, Housing Development, Renewal and Improvement within the Housing Secretariat, the successful incumbent will manage housing development programs, lead the planning and delivery of new housing development/revitalization projects and make recommendations on funding allocation to support programs delivery and strategic objectives of the Housing Secretariat. The successful incumbent will also help develop innovative solutions and strengthen partnerships across sectors to increase the supply of affordable housing across the city.
 

Major Responsibilities:
 

• Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies and programs that support the development of purpose-built rental housing.
• Manages, motivates and trains the unit's staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.
• Supervises the day-to-day operation of all assigned staff including the scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work. Authorizes and controls vacation and overtime requests. Monitors and evaluates staff performance, approves salary increments and recommends disciplinary action when necessary.
• Develops, recommends and administers the annual budget for the Development & Revitalization unit, and ensures that the unit's expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Manages the development of new rental homes by non-profit, co-operative and private sector organizations. Manages and/or oversees all aspects of assigned projects, including the project plan and schedule, progress, budget, risk management, issue management, change management, resource management, quality review/best practices.
• Works in collaboration with City divisions, agencies and corporations to plan and deliver major revitalization projects to transform aging housing infrastructure and build safe, accessible and sustainable homes within mixed-income, mixed-use, complete communities.
• Recommends and participates in competitive processes to allocate federal/provincial/municipal funding and financial incentives to support the creation of affordable rental homes.
• Works with City divisions, agencies, non-profit organizations and private sector developers to ensure that, to the extent possible, Council approved housing projects are delivered on time and within the Council-approved budget.
• Sets clear expectations for service delivery and monitors customer service for internal and external stakeholders in accordance with Housing Secretariat divisional goals and objectives. Manages data integrity related to project-specific information and supporting the divisional database system and reporting. Oversees the development of data collection, analysis, case study, business case development and reporting to ensure accountability, effectiveness, and appropriate evidence to advance revitalization initiatives.
• Leads the development of detailed scope requirements, assigned project budgeting, resource management, planning, scheduling, monitoring and reporting progress as well as managing issues, risks and change requests to ensure business continuity.
• Works closely with City divisions and approved housing proponents to facilitate client-focused project support to ensure expedited delivery of affordable housing developments.
• Responds to emergency and priority situations by anticipating problems, making decisions, resolving disputes, deploying appropriate financial and human resources to ensure successful delivery of approved housing developments.
• Liaises with key City officials, divisions, and agencies to ensure successful delivery of development projects.
• Liaises with the full range of affordable housing program and regulatory bodies to facilitate the successful development of approved projects.
• Manages the development and implementation of program and service delivery models, data systems, performance measures and benchmarks on affordable housing development. Oversees the development of partnerships with community groups, institutions, the private sector and government agencies to enhance programs and services. Liaises with stakeholder groups regarding issues relevant to affordable housing development and programs including participating in or leading planning groups, advisory committees, etc.
• Provides strategic advice to affordable housing proponents in the planning and development of proposed affordable housing sites.
• Works closely with CreateTO, Toronto Community Housing, Shelter, Waterfront Toronto and other public organizations in the development of new housing on public lands. Contributes to the implementation of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.
• Leads the management of issues and risk in the planning and implementation of housing projects, including coordinating Freedom of Information requests, reporting to senior management, and responding to media and public enquiries.
• Provides ongoing tracking and reporting of ongoing housing development projects to senior management and Council.
• Represents the division in resolving legal issues, including liaising with City Legal and external council, compiling evidence, attending discoveries and testifying in court or related tribunals. Provides strategic leadership on affordable housing issues supporting Toronto's strategic, city-building goals; establishes partnerships with non-profit groups, members of Council, members of the public, other orders of government; and ensures effective intergovernmental relations and advocacy.
• Ensures equitable access to service and improved access to housing options.
• Identifies best practices and service gaps and develops new program delivery models including staffing models, organizational structures, funding programs and business processes to improve service planning and client-centred program delivery.
   

Key Qualifications:
 

1. Post-secondary degree in planning, architecture, real estate, business administration or related degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Considerable experience facilitating residential housing development including directing multi-disciplinary teams with minimal direction while balancing political, community and other stakeholder interests.

3. Experience preparing and managing program budgets, including business case development, expenditure forecasting and control, interpretation of financial reports, and reporting on key performance indicators.

4. Considerable experience managing, coordinating, and motivating staff, conducting performance appraisals and managing labour relations matters.

5. Current knowledge of land use planning and development, construction, energy efficiency and environmental processes, practices and trends.

6. Ability to thrive in an environment with frequent and competing deadlines, multiple tasks and high performance expectations in a rapidly changing environment.

7. Well-developed negotiating, conflict resolution, organizational, project management and problem solving skills.

8. Highly developed interpersonal, public, labour and human relation skills to forge effective working relationships.

9. Ability to interpret and clarify complex service agreements, contracts, policies and procedures.

10. Ability to recognize and anticipate program inter-relationships and understand the potential consequences of policy/program recommendations.

11. Ability to develop effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders including members of Council, all levels of City staff, representative from other orders of government, non-profit and private sector developers, housing advocates and the public.

12. Ability to support housing development stakeholders in the development of new affordable housing and support the design and development of new policies and programs and foster innovation using performance measurements to ensure performance outcomes, service objectives, program priorities and targets are met.

13. Knowledge of municipal governance structures, services and programs, and the municipal relationship to other levels of government, other funders and the community

14. Familiarity with relevant employment legislation including Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Act, the Occupational Health & Safety Act.