Director, Development Planning

Position Details

• Job ID: 32268
• Job Description ID: A13715
• Close date: Wednesday October 21, 2026
• Vacancy type: This posting is for an existing vacancy
• Department: Planning and Economic Development

Director, Development Planning

Contribute to the City of Hamilton, one of Canada’s largest cities - home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Join our diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody our values of sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged empowered employees. Help us achieve our vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully.

Summary of Duties

Reporting to the Director of Planning and Chief Planner in the Planning Division, Planning and Economic Development Department, provides strategic leadership, through subordinate management, to a multi-functional workforce engaged in development review and development approvals.

The Director of Development Planning is one of the City’s foremost city-builders, responsible for a range of services and functions related to managing and ensuring the city’s sustainable growth and development.

The role requires both a strategic, long-term outlook, as well as an ability to meet the demands of a fast-paced environment related to development approvals.

Recommends broad policies and long-range strategies with respect to ensuring the efficiency of the City’s development review process and to meet mandated goals and objectives.

Accountable for establishing and achieving Divisional goals and objectives, as established by the Director of Planning and Chief Planner, through the effective and efficient use of financial and staff resources.

Uses a "best practices" approach in developing and delivering quality services in a timely and cost-effective manner. Instills a customer service focus within the Development Planning Section of the Planning Division.

Pursues continual improvements to ensure that the City’s development review process is timely and efficient.

Evaluates and reports on the Development Planning Section's service, financial, administrative and staff performance against internal and external benchmarks. Designs and implements strategies to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Sets above average standards and leads by example.

Acts and behaves to demonstrate a strong leadership and guidance, customer focus, innovation / creativity, team building / team advocacy, staff delegation, empowerment and staff development and are results oriented.

Is a member of the Planning Division Management Team, providing strategic direction for the Division as a whole.

Responsibilities

• Ensure excellence in the quality of new development in the City of Hamilton.
• Assume lead accountability and responsibility for the Development Planning Section within the Planning Division.
• Develop goals and objectives and ensure delivery of development review and development approvals, including but not limited to Official Plan Amendments, zoning approvals, subdivision/condominium approvals, and part lot control.
• Ensure compliance with Provincial and Federal statutes and regulations and Municipal by-laws and policies.
• Assist the Director of Planning and Chief Planner in responding to various Corporate, community, Provincial or Federal proposals for service initiatives, changes or enhancements.
• Assist the Planning Division and the Planning and Economic Development Department in delivering on the City’s climate change objectives.
• Assist the Planning Division and the Planning and Economic Development Department in delivering on the City’s objectives with respect to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Provide professional advice, including reports, to Council and its Committees.
• Exercise delegated authorities for development approvals, as authorized by City Council, the General Manager of Planning and Economic Development, and the Director of Planning and Chief Planner.
• Ensure cost effective delivery of services and provide regular tracking and reporting on revenues and budgets.
• Provide leadership and support to staff, and implement engagement and recognition efforts, within the Development Planning Section.
• The Director is accountable to the Director of Planning and Chief Planner for ensuring the development review and development approvals program is provided in accordance with City and Provincial guidelines and in the most effective and efficient manner consistent with the City of Hamilton’s and Department’s Mission, Vision and Values.

General Duties

• Participate in strategic planning and direction of the Division as a member of the Division Management Team.
• Provide coaching and advice to subordinate managers / supervisors to optimize performance.
• Develop and monitor the annual Capital / Operating Budget for the Section.
• Ensure compliance with Provincial and Federal statutes and regulations and Municipal by-laws and policies.
• Respond to various Corporate, community, Provincial or Federal proposals for service initiatives, changes or enhancements.
• Implement customer service improvement initiatives and create a customer-focused culture.
• Effectively manage the approved financial and staffing resources of the Section.
• Provide professional planning advice and consultation, including reports, to Council and its Committees, the business community and the public.
• Establish and complete goals and objectives and initiate projects...

Interested applicants please submit your application online at www.hamilton.ca/city-council/jobs-city.

Internal applicants should apply with your work e-mail address. External applicants are considered only after the internal posting process has been completed. Only applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.