MANAGER STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research

Division & Section: Deputy City Manager Office – B, Infrastructure & Development Services

Work Location: City Hall, 100 Queen Street

Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Temporary Vacancy, 12 months

Salary: $110,965.40-$130,366.60, PSG #TM5151 and wage grade 8.

Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Affiliation: Non-Union

Number of Positions Open: 1

Posting Period: 29-JUL-2021 to 13-AUG-2021

Major Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Deputy City Manager (DCM) Infrastructure & Development Services (IDS) the Manager, Strategic Initiatives provides strategic advice and support on a range of divisional/multi-divisional/service area/corporate projects, initiatives and issues and coordinates projects with the IDS senior management team and other City divisions. The incumbent will provide oversight of priority projects (e.g. emergency preparedness, inter-agency response, emerging issues coordination) to ensure efficient service delivery and cross-corporate alignment and collaboration.

Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements.

Manages, motivates and trains the unit’s staff, and staff from the Division, 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 unit, and ensures that the unit’s expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.

Conducts research into assigned area ensuring that such research takes into account developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.

Directly develops and manages projects that are not routine in nature related to divisional/multi-divisional/service area/corporate strategies and issues assigned by the Deputy City Manager.

Oversees and provides strategic direction on the development, planning, resource allocation and implementation of strategic initiatives, acting as an oversight and managerial support to the DCM-IDS, including ensuring the appropriate communications and stakeholder management is undertaken.

Identifies and manages emerging issues and responds to unplanned crises/events, effectively gathering relevant background information and performs analysis on wide ranging and often high profile, issues for the Deputy City Manager. Liaises with senior management and divisional staff in the co-ordination of responses and resolution of sensitive, complex and contentious issues using conflict resolution and negotiation skills to successfully manage controversial matters.

Manages various projects affecting the City, ensuring alignment across the corporation with direction and execution and leads issues management, communications and oversight, including providing direction to the team on appropriate actions to be taken, including legal or enforcement matters, stakeholder and Council engagement, etc., as required.

Develops project plans, including identifying resource needs, and leads applicable staff to undertake reviews of City bylaws, policies and accountabilities, etc. related to the City’s response on various matters.

Develops and manages program reviews, through subordinate staff and in consultation with various agencies, boards and commissions, to identify alternative, streamlined approaches, opportunities, strategies and resources to delivering and facilitating enhanced public safety to community/public/special events, managing risk and mitigating costs.

Creates and manages interdisciplinary and interagency teams and consultation processes to respond to emerging issues and complex projects while addressing political, community, business and other stakeholder interests.

Deals with confidential and sensitive information affecting operations, assets and resources. Makes recommendations to senior divisional management with regards to service optimization and business process simplifications that could result in restructuring, changes in staffing levels, and resource allocation.

Delivers strategic advice, options and recommendations for projects, policies, initiatives, and issues including strategy, analysis, and messaging, as well as identifying and mitigating risks and concerns of City staff, members of City Council and local stakeholders.

Resolves policy, political, community and business issues on behalf of the Deputy City Manager by liaising directly with senior staff across the organization.

Executes effective implementation of new programs, policies, legislation on various issues and projects affecting City matters.

Drafts/develops reports and presentations for the Deputy City Manager on divisional, service area and corporate issues, projects and related matters.

Drafts responses and provides guidance in the development of briefings, policy documents and other materials.

Develops and maintains project and approval tracking mechanisms to ensure compliance with policies, procedures and deadlines.

Assumes responsibility for engaging and managing relationships with the applicable external and internal stakeholders, divisions, agencies, project dependent, etc., as representative of, and on behalf of the DCM, as required, and ensures project team is supported and resourced to undertake their actions.

Represents DCM-IDS and participates on various committees and task forces as the service area representative, including setting agenda, issues for escalation and decision.

Provides liaison between the Office of the Mayor, Councillors’ offices, the Deputy City Manager’s office, and IDS Division Heads’ offices.

Ensures that the Deputy City Manager is fully briefed on matters, in a timely, accurate and comprehensive manner.

Maintains a continuous and thorough knowledge of current corporate and other divisional and service area issues and initiatives.

Acts as the Deputy City Manager’s designate when appropriate at meetings with key stakeholders, Councillors, and other orders of government.

Key Qualifications:
Post-secondary education in a professional discipline pertinent to the job function (i.e. public administration, management, emergency management support) or an equivalent combination of relevant training and/or experience.

Extensive experience in managing complex issues, with a high level of ability to influence and negotiate outcomes and achieve consensus among parties having different objectives with a broad spectrum of diverse stakeholders, while balancing political, community and public interests.

Extensive experience making critical and strategic decisions, demonstrating innovation and results oriented leadership, fiscal accountability and strong customer service orientation.

Considerable experience in managing staff by conducting performance reviews, appraisals and plans, effectively managing labour relations matters, and mediating and resolving conflicts within an environment that promotes and fosters teamwork.

Highly developed interpersonal, human relations, conflict resolution and problem solving skills with the ability to interact and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization. Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, client departments, outside agencies and/or politicians and other levels of government

Highly developed interpersonal, human relations, written and oral communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, project management, analytical, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.

Experience in compiling facts and information from various sources and developing resolution focused actions. Proficiency in various competencies that include strong oral/written communication, report and correspondence writing.

Strong ability to be flexible and manage multiple tasks in an environment with shifting priorities, firm deadlines and high performance expectations.

Ability to develop and administer budgets to ensure unit fiscal accountability and effective use of resources.

Ability to foster an organizational culture that emphasizes innovation, continuous learning, collaboration, transparency, accountability and trust while promoting a strong code of ethics and integrity to support public service excellence.

Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity, and respectful workplaces. Knowledge and understanding of relevant policies and government legislation including Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (MFIPPA), Occupational Health and Safety, Ontario Human Rights and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.