How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team:
The Senior Manager, Government and Community Relations, Toronto / Durham Waterfront, works as a senior relationship manager communicating the corporate vision, creating awareness and communicating with external stakeholders to maximize the impact of TRCA work and create opportunities for TRCA. The Senior Manager leads a geographical team in responding to Board of Director and political official requests, and updates and finalizes Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) and Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) with municipal and government partners, as well as additional key stakeholders, as per updated Conservation Authorities Act requirements.
Major Responsibilities:
Works with stakeholders within all levels of government, their partner agencies, community organizations, and members of the public in the process of fulfilling TRCA’s mandate.
Communicates on a regular basis with senior federal, provincial and municipal government staff, elected representatives, provincial and federal government and agency staff and other partners and stakeholders to increase their knowledge and support for TRCA initiatives
Acts as a liaison between the public and external stakeholders and TRCA staff to respond to government and community initiatives, issues and activities related to the appropriate part of TRCA’s jurisdiction
Tracks and follows up on communications and requests from elected officials across all levels of government, as well as municipal and provincial staff and agencies and citizens across TRCA’s jurisdiction in close coordination with the CEO and relevant members of the Senior Leadership and Management Teams
Develops and executes project proposals, agreements, and related correspondence as part of the corporate effort to formalize relationships with stakeholders, as required, by coordinating and leading meetings with municipalities and other partner organizations and agencies and developing resources
Leads the preparation of updates on TRCA and partner programs and projects of interest within our jurisdiction for CEO, SLT, Communications, and relevant TRCA staff, Board Members and elected officials, to ensure that they receive relevant information to be shared with their constituencies
Serves and represents the Authority on relevant governmental and partner committees, public forums, advisory panels and working groups where a cross-divisional TRCA perspective is needed
In partnership with relevant TRCA staff, municipal partners, and other organizations and stakeholders, identifies and cultivates business development/funding opportunities and specific strategies in support of TRCA initiatives, projects and objectives
Leads a team of staff and ensures that team members understand expectations; communicates schedule, tasks and discusses priorities of items
Responsible for overseeing specific area / business unit annual budget and supporting overall financial planning processes within the organization; controlling own area budget and supporting the fiscal responsibilities of the organization
Builds and maintains external stakeholder relationships; working strategically with internal and external stakeholders, utilizing networks to establish and activate connections to achieve organizational goals and to explore new business development opportunities
Leads and manages the initiation and strategic discussions and partnerships related to prospective waterfront planning projects, strategies, and related waterfront studies
Investigates and prepares proposals for non-traditional funding from multiple sources including all levels of government and various stakeholders
Education (degree/diploma/certifications/licenses)
University degree in Environmental Studies, Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, or a related field
Valid Ontario Class G2 driver's license
Experience
7+ years of experience in the environmental sector, including project and program management experience and in-depth experience working with various levels of government, including elected officials
3+ years of progressive managerial experience
Experience in developing Memorandums of Understanding, Service Level Agreements, project intake proposals and other agreements with a variety of partners and stakeholders
Demonstrated experience forming partnerships and sustaining strategic long-term business relationships
Knowledge of watershed ecosystems, municipal, provincial and federal legislation relevant to urban and environmental land use planning within watersheds and along the waterfront
Extensive experience with the initiation, stakeholder engagement, funding and scoping of complex waterfront planning projects
Knowledge/Skill/Ability - Competencies
Working knowledge and understanding of topics that include watershed ecosystems, urban sustainability, flood mitigation, climate change, greenspace management and/or land use planning
Knowledge and understanding of environmental legislation and municipal responsibilities, operations and general practices; well versed in legislation and regulations concerning TRCA’s mandate
Ability to communicate technical information to a non-technical audience
Excellent written and verbal communication skills to communicate project status for various audiences
Influential communicator able to facilitate discussions between parties with different perspectives of competing interests and resolve conflicts
Demonstrated expert at interacting diplomatically with others in public forums
Effective problem-solving skills and leadership skills, including staff coaching and managing performance and working collaboratively with other divisions
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team member to coach staff and work with stakeholders (internally and externally) and negotiate project variance/timelines; ability to deal tactfully and courteously with stakeholders, public officials
Proficiency in MS Office suite including online software such as MS teams, WebEx, and SharePoint
Demonstrated knowledge of waterfront planning including and related legislation
Demonstrated ability to anticipate and proactively manage organizational and stakeholder impacts of emerging waterfront programs and activities
In depth knowledge of municipal processes including board, committee, and council engagement, reporting, and meetings
