Senior Strategic Advisor

Are you a seasoned professional who is interested in providing your leadership skills to environmental land use planning? Do you possess the strategic acumen to navigate complex planning and policy initiatives, while also fostering positive relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders and partners?
Consider this opportunity with the Niagara Escarpment Commission.
Visit our website to learn more here.
Note that this position will require occasional driving to site visits and travel to meetings and hearings.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.
We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Policies and Advice: Evaluate and assess various provincial policies, initiatives, and legislation to manage Commission input, including those that are time and politically sensitive.
Relationship Management: Connect, consult and engage with stakeholders and Indigenous communities. Direct and participate in negotiations with various stakeholders. Present staff recommendations to the Niagara Escarpment Commission and represent the Commission before various boards, courts, tribunals, and decision-making bodies.
Team Leadership and Strategy: Lead a team of professionals, coordinating workflow and resolving issues through independent problem-solving. Collaborate with team members and management on continuous improvement initiatives to optimize processes and policies for effectiveness and efficiency.
Evaluation and Research: Undertake as well as oversee research, monitoring, analysis, and policy formulation to further the objectives of the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Direct field investigations to assess the environmental, visual, planning, and cumulative impact of proposed development applications.
Issues Management & Conflict Resolution: Proactively identify and manage developing issues; provide leadership and advice to the team on the best approach to addressing developing issues and conflicts with clients and partner organizations.

How do I qualify?

Team Leadership and Strategy

• You have leadership experience to lead a team of professionals and foster an inclusive work environment and a culture where collaboration is valued and celebrated
• You can work collaboratively with team members and partners on continuous improvement initiatives

Relationship Management and Consultation

• You have experience building and maintaining working relationships and collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders
• You have influencing and facilitation skills to resolve issues and be receptive to alternate resolutions
• You can participate and contribute to hearing tribunals, public meetings, academia and a variety of forums

Knowledge

• You have experience working in a policy environment and can interpret legislation (e.g., Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, Niagara Escarpment Plan, Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Greenbelt Act and Plan, Environmental Assessment Act)
• You understand land use planning at a landscape level and can assess the impacts of planning initiatives or applications on policy objectives including natural or cultural heritage or agriculture

Project Management

• You have project management experience to lead projects from start to finish within set timelines and budget.
• You can research and evaluate associated risks on strategic direction and new/ changed policy options

Issues Management and Evaluation

• You have experience in identifying and addressing a range of issues using risk management practices
• You can evaluate initiatives and proposed policies to make assessments in the context of a proposal or policy change and ensure consistency with the Niagara Escarpment Plan
• You can assess complex documents to determine what key issues need to be addressed

Communication

• You can prepare and present a range of materials such as technical and planning reports, public policy recommendations/Cabinet submissions, conduct meetings, present at hearings, public, stakeholder and academic forums, and provide briefing/advice to senior management