Project Manager of Design and Construction (Temporary Full Time for Approximately 18 Months)

Overview

(Temporary Full Time for Approximately 18 Months)

The city's Neighbourhood Development Office is looking for a passionate and dedicated candidate to join our team. Reporting to the Manager, the position leads the design, coordination, and delivery of neighbourhood placemaking projects that are uniquely resident‑led and community focused, requiring both advanced technical project management expertise and strong engagement skills.

The position manages the full lifecycle of capital and construction projects—from concept development and feasibility analysis through design, procurement, construction administration, commissioning, and close‑out, while navigating City processes, regulatory requirements, municipal bylaws, and industry standards. This role must also facilitate community visioning, manage competing expectations, and build consensus among residents, internal departments, elected officials, contractors, and external partners to keep projects moving forward.

The role provides expert guidance to resident groups, translating community‑driven ideas into constructible, code‑compliant, and maintainable designs. The NDO Project Manager ensures that resident‑led capital projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in ways that strengthen neighbourhoods and support the LoveMyHood strategy.

You might be interested in this role if:

• You have a passion for neighbourhood engagement and supporting resident-led ideas that may be unique and challenge the boundaries of what has been done before.
• You are committed to best management practices, standards, and data-driven decision-making which advance the design and construction of placemaking projects.
• You are committed to high standards of public space design and understand municipal planning process and legislation as they apply to parks, open spaces and roads.
• You thrive in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Leads project initiation and planning for resident-led and corporate placemaking capital projects between $50,000 - $250,000+ in scope, ensuring concepts are feasible, constructible, code-compliant, and maintainable.
• Supports and/or leads public-facing engagement for resident-led projects, including meeting planning, facilitation support, communications materials, and strategies to manage conflict and community expectations.
• Acts as a single point of contact to define scope, objectives, site suitability, and constraints, translating resident vision into preliminary design options.
• Develops and presents AutoCAD conceptual designs and visual materials to residents and internal stakeholders; incorporates feedback while balancing community expectations with technical, financial, and regulatory requirements.
• Supports drafting/preparation of legal agreements and project documentation (e.g., grant agreements).
• Produces detailed design deliverables (drawings, specifications, and construction documents) suitable for pricing, permitting, and construction.
• Plans and administers procurement processes: prepares bid/quotation packages, responds to bidder inquiries, conducts site walkthroughs, evaluates submissions, and recommends contractor selection.
• Ensures contractor’s work is completed in accordance with the contract, design standards, timelines and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
• Administers contracts and purchase orders; coordinates consultants (surveys, soils, structural reviews) as required to support due diligence and construction readiness.
• Secures permits and approvals and works with Building, Planning, Engineering and other internal technical divisions to resolve compliance issues and confirm acceptable alternatives.
• Conducts site inventory, analysis and meetings for resident-led capital projects and other placemaking initiatives.
• Reviews/approves as-constructed documentation and coordinates with contractors on-site to resolve technical issues and protect the City’s interests.
• Develops community engagement and communications plans to gather feedback from the public, with support from Corporate Communications and Marketing staff.
• Analyzes and incorporates public input into final construction drawings.
• Coordinates project milestone events/celebrations with residents and Corporate Communications, including logistics and support for Mayor/Council participation; supports events outside regular hours as needed.
• Develops and manages construction schedules and site activities in public-facing neighbourhood environments, monitoring progress to ensure scope, quality, timelines, and costs are controlled.
• Supports resident implementation days as appropriate (evenings/weekends) to assist with on-site layout and minor installation tasks, strengthening resident capacity and ensuring safe execution.
• Develops and improves tools, templates, and frameworks (standard details, specifications, design/maintenance guidance) to increase consistency, reduce risk, and improve project delivery.
• Presents to Council and CLT when required.
• Performs other job related duties as required.

Education

• 3-year degree or diploma in Architectural, Construction or Civil Technology or other related field.

Experience

• 2 - 4 years of related and relevant experience including an on-the-job period of adjustment.
• Experience leading capital or construction projects through all phases — concept development, feasibility review, design, procurement, construction, and closeout — within a municipal, public‑sector, or similarly regulated environment.
• Experience preparing and reviewing construction drawings, technical specifications, bid documents, cost estimates, schedules, and contract documents; ability to apply construction design principles and evaluate constructability.
• Experience administering construction contracts, including change management, payment verification, deficiency resolution, and contractor coordination.
• Experience preparing closeout documentation, warranty packages, and asset information to support long‑term maintenance and asset management systems.

Additional Requirements

• A valid class G driver’s license in good standing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including residents, internal departments, contractors, consultants, and external agencies, while managing competing interests and maintaining project momentum.
• Strong facilitation, leadership, communication, analytical, and problem‑solving skills; ability to chair meetings, delegate action items, and build consensus in high‑visibility or politically sensitive contexts.
• Working knowledge of construction codes, standards, bylaws, permitting processes, and regulatory requirements (e.g., Building Code, zoning, accessibility), and ability to integrate these into design and decision‑making.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, and AutoCAD; experience with project management or asset management systems.
• Problem solving skills to configure solutions to unique design problems .
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization and to participate as an effective team member.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical information to non‑technical audiences and senior leadership.
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.