Project Manager II

Main Purpose and Function

Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability (PDS) develops Council’s direction into community plans, policies and programs and then ensures conformance to those plans through the issuance of rezoning and development permits. Under the Vancouver Charter, the Director of Planning has broad authority for city wide planning and the approval of development applications. PDS staff liaise with Metro Vancouver staff on regional planning and sustainability matters.

The Senior Project Manager, Continual Process Improvement, is responsible for leading and managing large and complex policy implementation and process initiatives, strategies and service delivery projects within PDS as it relates to continuous process improvement. The Senior Project Manager, Continuous Process Improvement manages a variety of projects that results in changes to internal processes and operations or how the Rezoning Centre delivers service to the public and applicants, while ensuring high-quality results within budget and on time. The Senior Project Manager plays an integral role in projects focused on revenue generation (permit fees review), business transformation, housing legislation compliance and PDS’s 4 Year Work Plan implementation, and will work closely with other service groups within PDS and across other departments also involved in continual process improvements.

The Senior Project Manager manages a portfolio of projects that often involve significant financial interests, risks to manage, cross-departmental project teams and a range of stakeholders. The role manages projects from initiation through to project sustainment, including developing key performance indicators and service metrics, reporting on project performance, and delivering high-quality results within budget and on time.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

Senior Project Manager, duties will vary from project to project, but will most often include:

Working with policy teams (PDS, and other departments) during the preparation/development of new rezoning enabling policy to ensure the appropriate language and policies are included that may be readily implemented through rezoning.
Developing new tools/submission requirements and resources to implement new policy (e.g. submission check list, procedure documents, report templates, etc).
In accordance with PDS established vision and Strategic Plan, lead the development of new tools and process improvements to transform the rezoning process to meet those objectives.
Lead the development and reporting of operations excellence, regulatory compliance and Council driven Work Plan strategic projects.
Working closely with PDS subject matter experts & management and multiple City of Vancouver Departments including Finance, DBL, Engineering, ACCS, Legal Services, REFM, and others as needed.
Responsible for project initiation including developing project charters and project plans, assembling project teams and communicating project purpose, objectives and desired outcomes.
Responsible for project execution following approved project plans – ensuring project team meets timelines, scope, budget, risk mitigation and quality/performance standards, including:
Organizing and leading meetings with project teams, stakeholders and consultants, and managing actions arising from these meetings.
Maintaining appropriate project documentation over the life of a project, e.g., risk register, issues log, decision/action logs, etc.
Facilitating stakeholder discussions to arrive at optimum solutions, strategies and/or action plans.
Identifying and proactively managing project issues, risks and costs.
Regularly reporting on progress against project plan and on specific deliverables to senior leadership
Ensuring proper project closeout at completion, including post-project evaluation, recommended changes for future similar projects, and appropriate documentation.
Represent the PDS’s interests in meetings, and on City committees and projects as required.
Provide leadership and guidance to direct report staff including assigning responsibilities, evaluating performance, coaching, mentoring and training and development.
Manage cross-departmental project teams, ensuring all involved are aware of their respective responsibilities and are delivering high-quality work according to established schedules and budgets, facilitating conversations to make sure all involved in a given project, deliverable or decision are appropriately aligned.
Manage external consultants to support projects, if required. This includes leading the selection and engagement of consultants, working closely with that consultant to ensure work is on time, on budget and sufficiently high-quality, and making recommendations to extend or terminate a contract.
Advise on business strategy, such as developing business/project plans, options analysis, strategy recommendations, policy development, business model and/or service delivery design.
Lead business process-improvement projects, including developing performance management frameworks, business metrics, productivity tools and reports to communicate objectives and outcomes to leadership.
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned


Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Planning, or other relevant discipline. Experience managing complex multi-stakeholder teams.
Proven and progressive experience in business advisory and/or project management, involving complex and multi-faceted teams, operations and/or service delivery projects.
Formal training in Project Management methodologies preferably consistent with those provided by PMI (Project Management Institute) or Scrum Project Management principles.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification/Scrum Master certification is preferred but not required.
Experience working directly with and/or reporting to senior management in a large organization and/or within a business-consulting firm.
Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt, Agile or Chartered Professional Accountant designation is preferred but not required.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Strategic problem solver. An analytical thinker who can systematically frame and analyse an issue, opportunity or policy problem, and arrive at a solution supported by a balance of facts and good judgment.
Ability to present analyses and solutions in clear and compelling terms, via superior written communication, verbal communication and presentation skills.
Strong leadership qualities, with the ability to align and unify a diverse set of individuals to a singular objective, to motivate peers and superiors using indirect influencing skills, and to help reconcile diverging perspectives and resolve interpersonal difficulties among peers.
Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to concurrently manage multiple tasks and competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to consistently and effectively manage their own significant to-do list, and as well, help others with theirs.
Considerable knowledge of project management methodologies, processes, standards and policies, with a high level of competency in office productivity tools and technology.
Skills in developing and maintaining strong working relationships with technical, professional and operational staff, as well as with senior management.
An aptitude for and interest in learning about a wide variety of topics.
Knowledge of the City of Vancouver, the PDS and the rezoning process is an asset.