Manager of Planning Services

Job Title: Manager of Planning Services
Location: Truro, Nova Scotia
TP - MCC - 10174

Centrally located within Nova Scotia between two extraordinary coastlines, The Municipality of Colchester is a progressive rural municipality that offers an unparalleled work-life balance. It is a place that is affordable, welcoming, family focused, rich in diverse culture and natural beauty with thriving businesses and access to all the modern amenities typically found in an urban setting, without the common stresses of urban living.

The Municipality is experiencing significant growth and transformation, creating exciting opportunities to influence the future of communities across the region. From affordable housing initiatives and active transportation planning to infrastructure investments and the modernization of municipal services, Colchester is committed to building vibrant, sustainable communities while continuously improving how services are delivered.

Meridia Recruitment is pleased to partner with the Municipality of the County of Colchester in the recruitment of a Manager of Planning Services, a key leadership role responsible for overseeing planning operations, supporting a growing team, and helping guide the Municipality through an exciting period of growth, innovation, and change.


Role Description

Reporting to the Director of Community Development, the Manager of Planning Services provides strategic leadership for the Municipality's planning function, overseeing land use planning, development review, policy development, sustainability initiatives, and long-range growth planning.

Leading one of the Municipality's larger teams, including planning, development, and sustainability professionals, you will play a critical role in advancing strategic priorities, supporting organizational modernization, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture. While providing guidance on complex planning matters, your primary focus will be on leadership, team development, process improvement, and ensuring the department is positioned to effectively support the Municipality's continued growth and evolution.

As a trusted advisor to senior leadership and Council, you will help shape policy, guide planning initiatives, and balance community interests, development opportunities, legislative requirements, and long-term municipal objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning Leadership & Development Oversight

• Lead and oversee the Municipality's planning services function, providing strategic direction to planning, development, and sustainability staff.
• Oversee the review and evaluation of rezoning applications, development agreements, subdivision applications, and amendments to planning documents.
• Ensure the effective administration of the Municipal Planning Strategy, Land Use By-law, and Subdivision By-law.
• Guide the development, review, and implementation of planning policies, regulations, and procedures in accordance with municipal priorities and provincial legislation.
• Provide expertise and support on complex planning matters, emerging issues, and development opportunities.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, mentor, and support a multidisciplinary team through a period of growth, modernization, and organizational change.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and customer-focused service delivery.
• Coach staff through complex planning, development, stakeholder, and public engagement matters.
• Support employee growth and development by establishing clear expectations, encouraging professional development, and building team capacity.
• Empower staff to take ownership of their work while providing leadership, guidance, and strategic oversight.

Strategic Planning & Community Growth

• Lead long-range planning initiatives that support sustainable growth, infrastructure planning, housing, community development, and Council's strategic priorities.
• Research demographic, economic, environmental, and development trends to inform future planning decisions.
• Develop and implement community planning goals, policies, and programs that support the Municipality's vision and long-term objectives.
• Lead and support major planning projects, studies, and initiatives that address emerging opportunities and community needs.
• Champion innovative approaches to planning challenges and opportunities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Community Relations

• Build and maintain positive relationships with residents, property owners, developers, community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Provide professional planning advice regarding municipal policies, regulations, standards, and development processes.
• Support public consultation and community engagement initiatives related to planning projects and policy development.
• Respond to public inquiries and planning matters with professionalism, transparency, and a strong customer service focus.

Council & Corporate Support

• Serve as a trusted planning advisor to senior leadership and Council by providing strategic expertise and evidence-based recommendations.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, policy documents, and presentations for senior leadership, committees, and Council.
• Present planning proposals, studies, and policy recommendations to Council and advisory committees.
• Collaborate with municipal departments to ensure planning considerations are integrated into corporate projects and initiatives.
• Support the ongoing development and implementation of Community Development Department goals and priorities.

Financial & Operational Management

• Prepare and manage Planning Services budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of municipal resources.
• Support modernization initiatives, process improvements, and the continued transition toward digital service delivery.
• Monitor departmental performance, service delivery standards, and operational effectiveness, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ensure resources are effectively aligned with departmental priorities and service objectives.

Your Qualifications:

• Degree in Planning from an accredited university program.
• Full membership, or eligibility to become a full member within three months of hire, with the Licensed Professional Planners Association of Nova Scotia.
• 5+ years of progressive planning experience, preferably within a municipal environment.
• Strong knowledge of municipal planning principles, land use planning, subdivision regulations, planning legislation, and policy development.
• Experience managing planning projects, development applications, and regulatory review processes.
• Experience preparing reports, policy recommendations, and presentations for senior leadership and elected officials.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget preparation and resource management.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

Assets include:

• Master's Degree in Planning.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience with the ability to mentor, motivate, and develop teams.
• Experience working within a Nova Scotia municipal planning environment is an asset.
• Familiarity with the history, geography, and development trends of Colchester County.
• Experience leading major policy reviews, growth management initiatives, housing strategies, infrastructure planning, or community development projects.
• Experience supporting technology adoption, digital transformation, or organizational modernization initiatives.

Why Colchester?
This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future of one of Nova Scotia's growing municipalities. As Manager of Planning Services, you will influence land use policy, guide community growth, support major development initiatives, and contribute to projects that have a lasting impact on residents, businesses, and communities throughout Colchester County.

Colchester offers a collaborative and supportive work environment, competitive compensation, a defined benefit pension plan, comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to the region's long-term success. 

The Municipality of Colchester is committed to treating people fairly, with respect and dignity. Their goal is to continue to move forward as a diverse and inclusive community representative of the citizens they serve by offering equal opportunities free of biases. They have formed an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee to keep them accountable and to help them reach this goal.

The Municipality encourages all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify on their applications.