Join a creative and capable planning team whose award-winning work attracts worldwide attention. Reporting to Build Nova Scotia's Manager of Planning, the Planner is responsible for delivering a wide range of land use planning, infrastructure, and development projects in the execution of our mandate.
Within our project-based environment, you'll join an accomplished and interdisciplinary team that brings a planning lens, design thinking, and a collaborative approach to everything we do. In this multifaceted role, you will be working alongside engineers, consultants, property managers, and our marketing/communications staff, and providing expertise on initiatives including land use, master planning, the evaluation of plans and proposals, property acquisitions/disposals, and long-term strategy.
Description of the opportunity
Build Nova Scotia is the crown corporation responsible for leading the sustainable development of high-potential properties and infrastructure across Nova Scotia. Even as we've grown and changed, we remain steadfastly committed to the sustainable redevelopment and revitalization of underutilized properties for the benefit of all Nova Scotians.
To support this mission, Build Nova Scotia is seeking a strategic and well-rounded planning and design professional to join the team as a Planner based here in Halifax. Reporting to the Manager of Planning, the Planner is responsible for delivering a wide range of land and infrastructure planning projects in the execution of Build Nova Scotia's mandate.
Within a project-based environment, you'll work as part of an interdisciplinary team to deliver a wide variety of projects, bringing a planning approach and design thinking to everything you do. You will provide planning and project management expertise to strategic and tactical-level projects including land use planning, master planning, the evaluation of plans and proposals, strategic property acquisitions & disposals, and long-term planning. Additionally, you'll liaise with key stakeholders at all levels of government, along with community groups, consultants, developers, and other partners, to coordinate our projects and programs-while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and professional discretion throughout all engagements.
As the ideal candidate, your degree in planning or urban design is coupled with proven experience in leading land use planning projects from conception through to successful implementation in complex environments, while navigating a variety of challenges and effectively steering projects through their lifecycle. You have a natural ability to see the whole picture and understand how pieces fit into an overall strategy, and you are skilled at synthesizing complexity into implementable strategies, plans, and recommendations. You've built a career out of understanding planning policy and being able to communicate complex issues, and you enjoy presenting those solutions to a variety of audiences, internal and external. You are known for seeing the strengths in others on your team, allowing them to shine when needed, and you appreciate the opportunity to lend your expertise when required.
By joining Build Nova Scotia, you will become part of a nimble organization that is making a difference in the lives of Nova Scotians by building the infrastructure that drives our economy forward and improves our quality of life. You will be given the opportunity to work on high-profile and diverse projects that are shaping our province for generations to come.
This is an organization that offers you flexibility, a dynamic work environment, and the chance to be involved with some of the most interesting and highest-profile projects taking place in our province. In exchange for the knowledge and experience you bring, you will be rewarded with a comprehensive compensation, benefits, and pension package.
- Providing planning and project management expertise in support of strategic infrastructure and development projects.
- Developing order-of-magnitude cost estimates and budgets.
- Procuring outside professional planning and design services when required.
- Maintaining close relationships across Build Nova Scotia's other divisions including our Engineering, Marketing, Communications, Operations, and Maintenance teams.
- Supporting the development and implementation of long-term planning, development, and infrastructure strategies on behalf of Build Nova Scotia.
- Assisting colleagues in the development of a wide range of planning, master planning, and strategic land projects to support the management of Build Nova Scotia's property portfolio and corporate objectives.
- Interpreting planning policies and regulations and preparing planning and policy documents, reports, background studies, and other analyses.
- Advising and supporting the Manager of Planning in the evaluation of plans, proposals, strategic land acquisitions/disposals, and the assessment of alternatives to inform recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team.
- Liaising and building relationships with key stakeholders at all levels of government, along with community groups, consultants, developers, and other partners, to coordinate our projects and programs while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and professional discretion throughout all engagements.
- Analyzing the results of public and stakeholder engagement and consultation activities.
- Supporting the creation of maps and graphics for the purposes of spatial analyses and communications.
- Carrying out regulatory, site, and context analyses for projects.
- Providing other planning subject matter expertise as required.
- Undergraduate or graduate degree in planning, landscape architecture, architecture, and/or urban design. Equivalent or complementary training and experience (with an emphasis on land use planning, urban or community design, and property development) may be substituted.
- At least 2 to 4 years of related professional experience in the public and/or private sectors, with demonstrated experience in project management, including budgeting and financial analysis.
- Demonstrated track record in achieving project goals and successfully managing complex projects to completion, within a professional team environment.
- Skills in land use planning, master planning, urban design, property development, and facilitation.
- Exceptional written, oral, and visual communication skills.
- Fluency with business, graphics, design, and visualization software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, GIS).
- A demonstrated ability to work independently and within a fast-paced team environment.
- A driven, perpetually positive attitude.
Additionally, the following would be considered an asset:
- Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Licensed Professional Planners' Association of Nova Scotia (LPPANS)
- Professional project management training (e.g., PMP)
- Proven experience engaging with both internal and public stakeholders, including conflict management skills