Manager, Culture, Heritage & Planning Information Services

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)is inviting applications for one full-time, perm position of Manager, Culture, Heritage & Planning Information Services with Strategic Project with Planning & Development.

HRM is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity & Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, & we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians & Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities & 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

The Manager, Culture, Heritage & Planning Information Services provides leadership to a team of professional and technical staff. The Manager is both the corporate lead on social and economic research as well as the Heritage Planning lead for the municipality.

The Manager oversees the preparation of projects related to the subjects of population, employment, demographics, socio-economic impacts, land use and economics. Further, the position is responsible for the implementation of the municipality’s Heritage Property Program and the Nova Scotia Heritage Property Act. The Manager also deals with strategic initiatives that implement corporate and departmental strategies and priorities as needed.

In this position the Manager will oversee high profile, multi-disciplinary projects, requiring a high degree of risk management and exceptional skills in project management and communications. These projects include creation of policy and regulatory frameworks and strategic initiatives or projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accountability to the Director, Strategic Projects for the effective administration, direction and management of the Social and Heritage Programs.
• Develops and leads a team of urban planning professionals, including Principal Planner(s), Planners and Planning Technicians, Civic Addressing Coordinators, Analysts and Researchers in the development and provision of social, economic, and heritage programs.
• Coordinates, monitors, and evaluates work performance.
• Accountable for the formulation of work programs which address the principal functions of the group, by undertaking surveys, studies, preparing projections, undertaking analysis of data, convening consultations, preparing terms of reference and undertaking all manner of research to achieve work program objectives.
• Leads special projects as required by the Director (i.e.: process reviews, planning projects, land use policy reviews, etc.).
• Oversees the collection and assessment of social, heritage, and economic programs to be used departmentally/corporately and ensures the reporting to council on various Plan indicators and statistics.
• Monitors forecasts against current trends and recommends corrective action if required.
• Oversees the development, maintenance and use of models and analytical tools as required to meet departmental and corporate objectives and priorities.
• Oversees the collection and maintenance of GIS spatial data departmentally and coordinates the further development of spatial data sets with other internal, provincial and federal departments.
• Provides advice to Regional Council, Committees of Council, other HRM business units and the public as required, primarily through the preparation and presentation of reports.
• Represents the organization in various public forums and is the media contact for matters under manager’s mandate.
• Provides professional planning advice to senior management, council or community groups within limits of area of responsibility.
• Maintains a positive public profile on behalf of the corporation, represents HRM in various public forums, and leads multi-stakeholder processes with community groups, development industry, advisory committees of Council, and governmental and non-governmental agencies to deliver community design and visioning programs throughout the region. Responsible for public and media relations in a high profile and controversial environment.
• Works with program managers in Planning and Development and managers of other business units to achieve departmental and corporate outcomes.
• Sets priorities on the delivery of services and ensures service level standards are met;
• Leads and develops standards for managing program risks.
• Oversees the development, management and the implementation of the operating and capital budget and monthly projections for the program area.
• Works directly with external partners on cost shared grants, funds and related activities;
• Effectively administers collective agreements.
• Responsible for implementing and complying with HRM Corporate Occupational Health and Safety policies, Business Unit (BU) specific safety policies, the NS Occupational Health & Safety Act and the safety regulations applicable to the work activity.
• Accountable and responsible for work safety environment of the division by: ensuring that equipment, machines, facilities and materials are maintained in a safe operating condition; reporting accidents, incidents and near miss events to the BU Director and the HRM Corporate Safety Group, ensuring workplace hazard assessment processes/procedures are carried out and that documents is completed which can be used to track/identify and monitor unsafe conditions as per established procedures and by taking appropriate corrective measures as needed and required.
• Supervises and advises staff on actual and/or potential workplace hazards for the development, implementation and monitoring of safe work procedures and practices and that appropriate training is available and required.
• Promotes and encourages staff participation, involvement and cooperation with management and the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) in the development of effective safe work procedures and practices resulting in a successful HRM Occupational Safety Program that is appropriate to HRM and any work activity that is unique to a specific Business Unit.
• Establishes and implements procedures to ensure overall efficiencies among development, engineering inspections and other approvals in the review of planning application.
• Monitors regulatory/policy changes within HRM and by other agencies which may have implications on development project approvals. Communicate changes to appropriate staff and provide training and coaching as required.
• Makes recommendations to the Director regarding changes to municipal land use policy and the implications of provincial legislation with respect to land use planning programs and policies.
• Through oversight, ensures staff performance meets corporate standards and those of the Licensed Professional Planners of Nova Scotia and the Professional Standards Board and Committee.
• Creates detailed work plans identifying project costs, deliverables, resource allocation, benefits and schedules for implementation and evaluation.

QUALIFICATIONS: Education & Experience

• University degree in Planning, or related field such as urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, heritage conservation / protection, urban geography, spatial analysis, or geographic information systems with specialization in urban planning.
• Minimum of two (2) years leadership/management experience in both the field of urban planning and heritage conservation / protection.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive experience in the urban planning field, which may include experience in the following related disciplines: architecture, heritage conservation / protection urban design, geographic information systems and landscape architecture.
• Membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners and/or the Atlantic Planning Institute (or related organization) is required.
• Experience conducting community engagement and the use of public presentations and facilitating community involvement in the design process.
• Experience with heritage applications and permits and drafting policy is considered an asset.
• Experience with geographic information systems (GIS) is considered an asset.
• Previous urban planning experience in the public sector is considered an asset.
• Must have proven progressive leadership experience.
• Demonstrated labour relations experience in managing both union and non-union work forces is considered an asset.

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities

• Successfully managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects, and facilitating planning solutions.
• A proven leader in achieving timely, economical, client-focused results.
• Excellent communicator and motivator with a proven record of fostering stakeholder partnerships and building consensus.
• Committed to customer service, promotes innovative ways to facilitate change.

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Competencies: Communications, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Decision-Making, Developing Others, Visioning, Strategic Thinking & Innovation, Teamwork & Cooperation, Value & Ethics, Valuing Diversity

HOURS OF WORK: Mon to Fri,8:30am to 4:30pm for 35 hours per week. Flex options to work outside of these hours & hybrid may be available

SALARY: NU 08:$89,570–$115,920. Salary will be determined based on relevant experience & qualifications related to the specified pay band/job.

WORK LOCATION: 3rd floor Duke Tower(5251 Duke St, Halifax)

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 pm on Sunday, May 31, 2026

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax