Director of Planning & Design

Toronto - Canada

Monthly Salary: $ 100000 - 110000

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Position Title:Director of Planning & Design

Reports To:CEO

Location:Toronto ON (Hybrid)

Status:Full-time Permanent

Salary:$

Deadline to Apply:MondayFebruary 2at 5pm

Position Summary

The Director of Planning and Design leads The Bentways planning design and public realm initiatives shaping the organizations strategic growth along the Gardiner Expressway corridor and across all Bentway sites. This role oversees the Planning and Design department directing the development and implementation of long-term framework planning large-scale capital projects public space enhancements pilot programs and community engagement strategies. The Director will set multi-year departmentalobjectivesfor projects and initiatives ensuring strategic growth of the Bentway is coordinated across other internal divisionsis aligned with theobjectivesof stakeholders and is supported by the Bentways leadership team.

In addition the Director will support capital campaign planning sectoral network development and revenue-generating initiatives to sustain and expand Planning and Design activities. This includes offering project insights developing design concepts andprovidingstrategic guidance to secure funding foster collaborations and build organizational capacity. As a key member of the senior team the Director also advances organizational priorities and ensures The Bentwayremainsa leading site for public-space innovation and civic imagination.

This is a hybrid role consisting of 2 days in office and 3 days work from home. Additional days in office/on-site may be required.

About The Bentway

The Bentway is a dynamic civic organization dedicated to enhancing urban life through the design and implementation of innovative public spaces public programming and site operations. Deeply rooted in Torontos urban fabric The Bentway leads a creative movement to re-imagine the possibilities of the Gardiner Expressway. We believe in thepower of art and culture to spark the urban imagination transformcommunitiesand foster vibrant inclusive cities.

The Bentway Conservancy is a non-profit organization and registered charity that works closely with the City of Toronto artists & creatives and local communities to bring our work to life.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Collaborate with the CEO and senior leadership to define the long-term vision and strategic priorities for The Bentways Planning and Design department
Translate organizational goals into actionable strategies for public realm enhancements capital projects and urban design initiatives
Represent The Bentway in municipal civic and professional forums advocating for design excellence community engagement and the organizations mission
Proactively seek out andidentifyopportunities for alignment with external agencies and stakeholder projects to bolster the Bentways network financial position and capacity forimpactinglarge scale change
Contribute to organization-wide initiatives including sustainability accessibility equity and brand development

Capital Project Oversight

Oversee all major capital projects ensuring alignment with organizational priorities budgets timelines and quality standards
Report on capital projects asrequiredto the Bentway Board and Board Sub-Committees to maximize effectiveness and minimize risks
Approve project scopes budgets RFPs/RFQs and contracts; monitor compliance with procurement policies building codes and sustainability standards
Guide project teams in delivering projects from feasibility through construction and occupancy
Work collaboratively with Bentway Facilities & Production teams to ensure that ongoing planning for capital projects accounts for the needs and practices of daily operations and programming

Public Realm & Urban Design

Lead the development and implementation of public realm strategies design guidelines framework plansprogramming initiativesand visual communications to engage stakeholders and the public
Apply best practices and champion innovative approaches to public space design that integrate sustainability accessibility programming and multi-use functionality
Integrate planning design and programming initiatives to enhance urban experience and community engagement
Ensure that projects are supported through with succinct brand-forward communications and visuals that build consensus in the Bentways vision across private and public sectors

Capital Campaign & Fundraising Support

Partner with the CEO and development teams to support and inform capital campaigns and fundraising initiatives
Working with the Senior Managerdevelop feasibility studies cost estimates renderings and design concepts to support campaign materials donor presentations and investment proposals
Participate in donor briefings site tours and presentations to advance funding goals for strategic growth projects
Identifyand steward planning and design-related funding opportunities including grants sponsorships consulting cost-share programs and in-kind partnerships

Sectoral Network Development

Foster partnerships with civic non-profit and private sector organizations to strengthen The Bentways influence in urban design public realm and cultural sectors
Develop andmaintainsectoral networks including the Gardiner Corridor Alliance tofacilitateknowledge sharing collaboration and advocacy
Represent The Bentway in sectoral forums advisory committees awards submissions conferences publications advisoryboardsand professional networks

Departmental Leadership & Management

Lead mentor and evaluate Planning and Design staff ensuring collaboration professional growth and high performance.
Oversee departmental staffing plans budgets resource allocation and operational planning.
Promote cross-departmental collaboration to align Planning and Design initiatives with programming operations and fundraising strategies
Establish clear performance metrics project tracking and reporting systems for the department.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

Cultivate strong relationships with government agencies community partners design consultants contractors and other key stakeholders
Provide direction to Senior Manager and staff team on consultations and public engagement processes to ensure projects reflect community needs priorities and equity considerations.

Other Responsibilities

Performadditionalduties as assigned including supporting special projects partnerships pilot initiatives and organizational growth strategies

Qualifications

Professional degree in architecture landscape architecture urban planning/design construction management or a closely related field with a minimum of 810 years of professional experience in similar or a related discipline.
Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing complex capital and public realm projects from feasibilityand site planning through designstagesconstruction and occupancy with accountability for budgets schedules quality and risk management
Strong designleadership with a portfoliodemonstratingdesign excellence and the ability to steward a clear design vision across multiple projects and collaborators
Proven ability to work collaboratively across sectors and disciplines including municipal and other government agencies private-sector partners consultants cultural institutions funders professional organizations and community stakeholders
Deep understanding of public-realm planning and urban design best practices including sustainability standards and codes climate resilience universal design accessibility equity multi-use programming and operations-informed design
Evidencedtrack recordof runningmeaningfulengagement withlocal residents equity-deserving groupsbusiness improvement areas (BIAs/BIDs)and city partners
Demonstrated experience supporting capital campaigns and fundraising initiatives through feasibility studies cost estimates design concepts visual materials and donor-facing presentations
Experience leading and managing teams including staff supervision mentoring performance evaluation resource planning and departmental budgeting
Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously whilemaintainingquality and consistency
Exceptional communication and presentation skills including the ability torepresentthe organization publicly in meetings design reviews and professional forumstranslatingcomplex planning and design concepts into clear compelling materials for diverseaudiences.
Workingknowledgeofvisualcommunication and design tools; including Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software; knowledge of rendering software is considered an asset

Applications

The Bentway is committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment that promotes equity and diversity. We encourage applications from equity deserving groups including IndigenousBlackand racialized applicants persons with disabilities and women.

In accordance withthe Ontario Human Rights Code Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known to The Bentway Conservancy at

We kindly ask that no phone calls or emails are made to staff members. All questionsregardingthe position must be sent to

To Apply

Apply with a resume and cover letter via The Bentways job board: to Apply:MondayFebruary 2at 5pm

Application Components:

Resume (PDF format no more than three pages)
Cover Letter (PDF format no more than three pages)
Portfolioconsisting of three recent projects.

The Bentway does not use AI to sort candidates each application will be reviewed by a person.

We thank all applicants for their interest and will endeavour to contact all applicants whether successful or not.

Required Experience:

Director

Position Title:Director of Planning & DesignReports To:CEOLocation:Toronto ON (Hybrid)Status:Full-time PermanentSalary:$Deadline to Apply:MondayFebruary 2at 5pmPosition SummaryThe Director of Planning and Design leads The Bentways planning design and public realm initiatives shaping the organization...