Director, Build Waterloo Region

The Role

Directs the Build Waterloo Region Division to support corporate and community business interests, land development and housing priorities, and corporate innovation initiatives that contribute to economic growth in Waterloo Region. Partners with regional staff on business processes, development and investment prospects, innovation and culture. Leads and implements various actions in the Region’s Corporate Strategic Plan relating to economic development, investment and land development, housing, innovation, and social services.  Directs the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy (WREDS) and related actions. Coordinates economic development, investment, and innovation initiatives with corporate partners, industry associations, post-secondary institutions, area municipalities, and senior levels of government. Directs economic data collection, analysis, distribution materials and media. Supports the Region’s annual credit rating review process.  Leads aerospace and aviation investment and associated land development at the Region of Waterloo International Airport. Supports air service development and smart airport initiatives. Directs the development of current and future-focused economic growth initiatives, such as industry growth strategies, talent attraction and retention strategies, and strategic program partnerships with local, national, international, and government partners. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises the Associate Director, Development and Portfolio Management, and Manager, Business and Industrial Development. Indirectly supervises other non-unionized and unionized staff. 
• Administers contracts with consultants and partnership agreements with corporate and community partners.
• Directs divisional operations, ensuring efficient use of human, physical, and financial resources.
• Participates on the departmental senior management team to set priorities, develop work programs, coordinate workload, participate in budget and purchasing decisions, and implement the strategic plan. Participates in senior management committees such as the Environmental Coordinating Committee and provides support and strategic advice to Council’s Standing Economic Development Committee. 
• Leads the corporation’s involvement in economic development investment activities. Identifies and implements innovation activities in regional services that contribute to economic growth and social wellbeing. Directs the development of business support programming on behalf of the Region. 
• Establishes performance measures for the Division and collaborative efforts of partners in the WREDS and monitors progress. Reports to the Commissioner, as necessary and makes strategic recommendations. 
• Establishes and directs new partnerships with corporate partners, not-for-profits, industry associations, and post-secondary institutions to support economic growth, sector development, and business support programming. Directs regional response to prospective/new investment opportunities and coordinates with appropriate departments regarding employment lands, land assembly, infrastructure, transportation, financing, and briefing Council.  
• Chairs and participates on committees, task forces, and special projects. Represents the Region on external committees, meetings, and forums (e.g., economic development, housing, land development and planning, innovation). 
• Develops and presents recommendations and updates on economic growth and response initiatives to Council, Standing Committees, and senior management. 
• Leads the Region’s strategic involvement with area municipalities and economic development stakeholders to coordinate the development and implementation of the WREDS. Ensures implementation is collaborative, progressive, and results oriented.
• Directs research efforts to support economic development activities in Waterloo Region, including legislation, policy, and best practices, and uses information to provide strategic recommendations for continuous improvements to senior leaders. Directs related data collection, analysis, and distribution to key stakeholders.
• Directs and provides strategic insights into the development and maintenance of a Regional Employment Land Inventory. Works with leaders in Regional Growth, Development and Sustainability Services to lead the strategic assembly of employment lands to support increasing and large-scale investment opportunities in Waterloo Region. 

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Directs the development of lands at the airport relating to aerospace and aviation manufacturing. Negotiates and manages aerospace and aviation investment opportunities with prospective investors. Establishes research and development partnerships that support the growth of the aviation and aerospace sector. Directs the continued development and implementation of Waterloo Region Aerospace and Aviation opportunities assessment to further support growth of the sector at the Region of Waterloo International Airport and in Waterloo Region. 
• Directs and leads a cross-divisional team in collaboration with Housing Services to develop and implement Council’s affordable housing investment strategy. Directs the redevelopment and readiness of lands in the portfolio, including site assessments, urban planning and design considerations, public consultation, establishing partnerships with social service providers and working with the development community to increase the amount of affordable housing units in Waterloo Region. Directs the acquisition of new lands and disposal of sites in the portfolio to create a larger portfolio by maximizing financial returns to increase investment in more affordable housing. 
• Directs the development of information and participates in the annual credit rating assessment process for the corporation. Directs preparation of the Region’s economic profile and other materials. 
• Provides strategic support as it relates to development, development incentives, and stakeholder management. Facilitates meetings with developers and recommends incentives to Council. 
• Leads the formation of interdepartmental teams to secure investment opportunities, advance land assembly or site readiness, address economic development issues/mandates and strategic planning.
• Assists to develop corporate policies and directions as a member of the senior management team. 
• Directs and collaborates with departmental communications staff on the development and release of strategic communications (e.g., press releases, promotional material).
• Prepares, administers, authorizes expenditures, and monitors the divisional budget and special council-approved budget to support economic growth. Negotiates and monitors agreements with consultants.  
• Anticipates, identifies, and manages emerging issues and challenges, helps identify solutions that are flexible and responsive to evolving and changing needs, implements solutions, and monitors results.
• Negotiates partnership agreements and cost sharing with area municipalities and business groups. Consults with area municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, and stakeholder organizations for joint planning of service delivery development. Provides relationship management with external stakeholders, local municipal elected officials and staff, government and non-governmental agencies, post-secondary institutions, and the business community. Provides information to agencies, Ministries, regulatory bodies, the public, and the media, and responds to media inquiries.
• Performs related duties, as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a university degree in a related field (for example but not limited to economic development, business administration, planning) plus progressively responsible leadership experience including program, financial, budget administration, and human resources management. 
• Knowledge and expertise in economic development strategies, negotiations, business acumen, problem-solving, tactics, organizational plans, and related legislation and policy.
• Knowledge of and to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, corporate strategic plans, and relevant legislation (e.g., Planning Act, Municipal Act, Business Corporations Act).
• Analytical, strategic thinking, innovation, issue resolution, and continuous improvement skills to analyse, synthesize, and evaluate data, and lead business and economic development strategies and projects/proposals with multiple stakeholders. 
• Ability to understand operating infrastructure and leverage the resources of large institutions.
• Project management skills, with ability to direct projects from concept to implementation, within budget and timelines.
• Leadership skills to train, develop, motivate, and support staff; classify and organize work; and select and coordinate staff to achieve goals and objectives.
• Human relations, facilitation, negotiation, public relations skills and political acuity to advance priorities and balance objectives in a political environment; present issues and reports to Committee and Council; represent the corporation on committees; establish networks and partnerships with stakeholders; chair and participate on committees, task forces, and special projects; make presentations to boards, the media, and the public; negotiate and resolve technical problems involving diverse and conflicting issues; and participate as an effective team member.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Experience, knowledge, and skill using equitable approaches to developing operational plans, service development, and delivery. Ability to apply an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and decolonization lens to identify best practice in municipal service and community engagement.
• Ability to lead transformative change in line with the vision and values of senior leadership while delivering on the expectations of an evolving workforce and regional residents, with ability to discern when to inquire, advocate, drive, or resolve.
• Computer skills using software such as Microsoft Office.
• Ability to adjust schedule or work additional hours on weekends and evenings to respond to emergencies, elected officials, and for public events and information sessions. 
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region. 
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.