City of Coquitlam

One of BC’s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam offers meaningful career opportunities to make adifference within the local community. As the sixth largest city in BC, we are home to more than 150,000residents. Our diverse municipality is a great place to work as it continues to grow through innovative urban design, inspiring arts, culture and recreation programs, and state-of-the-art transportation systems. Our brand is built on managing our resources in a responsible and sustainable manner, while supporting a vibrant, growing regional urban centre. We envision a bright future in Coquitlam that wehope includes you!

The City of Coquitlam is currently seeking a passionate and forward-thinking leader to join our Parks,Recreation, Culture and Facilities Department as Park Planning and Design Manager!

Reporting directly to the Manager Park Planning and Forestry, this position will provide overallleadership and management to the Park Planning & Design section overseeing a team of ParksPlanners, Parks Designers and GIS staff. The Park Planning and Design Manager will be instrumental in leading the City’s park planning process to undertake projects and deliver plans and policies related to the development and implementation of the City’s parkland acquisition strategy and parkimprovement program. The role will be responsible for navigating capital project delivery and planning processes and will be working closely with our Strategic and Capital Projects team to deliver exceptional parks projects. As well, the Park Planning and Design Manager will partner with theDevelopment Planning division to ensure transit-oriented development in the City incorporatesexceptional park spaces and elements.

Our next Park Planning and Design Manager will look forward to setting team priorities that are aligned with City and Departmental priorities as well as develop and implement processes, policies and tools tomaintain high quality planning and design standards, monitor project progress and control spending inorder to ensure efficient and effective use of allocated funds and approved budgets. Overseeing the Park Planning team will require considerable independent leadership, innovation and judgment and requiresa professional with excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. The successfulapplicant will have the ability to work effectively with other divisions and departments, external consultants, agencies and stakeholders, including citizen groups and the Coquitlam community.

In addition to academic accreditation and professional qualifications in Planning, LandscapeArchitecture, Public Administration, Recreation or Parks Administration, Business Administration and/oranother relevant discipline, the successful candidate will possess a minimum of 5 years of related leadership experience, preferably within a municipal or regional government setting. Designation as aPlanner, Landscape Architect or equivalent professional is considered an asset. Knowledge andexperience of current trends, technologies and opportunities in the parks, recreation and culture sector is preferred.

Other Requirements include:

• Ability to foster a team focused, inclusive, collaborative and creative workplace.
• Experience managing staff teams in a unionized work environment including coaching,mentoring, and probationary and performance reviews.
• Experience working within or alongside municipal teams, other public sector organizations andexternal stakeholders including local organizations and multi levels of government.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to negotiate, influence, and liaise effectively with colleagues, members of the public and external agencies including report writing, meeting facilitation and the ability to prepare and present powerful public presentationsto the public, City Council and Council Committees.
• Strong financial management skills with the ability to manage capital and operationalbudgets.
• Familiarity with public engagement processes and the ability to effectively manage projectissues.
• Track record of success in promoting and maintaining a work environment which fosters andrewards teamwork, initiative, accountability, diversity and innovation.
• An understanding of the strategic direction of the City.