Director Development Services

About Us

One of BC’s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam offers meaningful career opportunities to make a difference within the local community. As the sixth largest city in BC, we are home to more than 150,000 residents. Our diverse municipality is a great place to work as it continues to grow through innovative urban design, inspiring arts, culture and recreation programs, and state-of-the-art transportation systems.

Our brand is built on managing our resources in a responsible and sustainable manner, while supporting a vibrant, growing regional urban centre.

We envision a bright future in Coquitlam that we hope includes you!

About You / What We Are Looking For

The City of Coquitlam is seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking leader to join our Planning and Development team as Director, Development Services.

Reporting to the General Manager, Planning and Development, this highly visible executive leadership role is responsible for guiding the City’s development approvals function and helping shape the future of one of British Columbia’s fastest-growing communities. As a key member of the department’s senior leadership team, you will provide strategic direction on growth management, development approvals, housing initiatives, city-building priorities, and organizational transformation while supporting Council’s vision and corporate objectives.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a leader who combines strategic thinking, political acumen, and strong execution capabilities. You understand that successful development services is about more than processing applications—it is about facilitating great city-building outcomes, supporting housing and employment growth, balancing competing interests, and building strong partnerships that help communities thrive.

We are looking for a collaborative and influential leader who can navigate complex issues, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and lead organizational change within a dynamic and evolving legislative environment. The successful candidate will bring a systems-thinking approach, a passion for continuous improvement, and a proven ability to lead high-performing teams through complexity and transformation.

This role offers the opportunity to influence some of the most significant development and city-building initiatives in the region while helping shape the future growth of a vibrant and rapidly evolving municipality.

Main Responsibilities

· Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Development Services Division, ensuring alignment with Council priorities, corporate objectives, housing initiatives, and long-term city-building goals.

· Lead the City’s development approvals framework, guiding complex development applications and growth-related initiatives that support community objectives, housing supply, economic development, infrastructure planning, and environmental stewardship.

· Serve as a trusted advisor to the General Manager, Chief Administrative Officer, and Council on development approvals, growth management, development finance, housing initiatives, and emerging planning issues.

· Provide executive leadership in navigating complex development proposals, negotiations, and strategic initiatives with significant community, financial, and policy implications.

· Champion organizational transformation, process modernization, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, transparency, customer service, and development outcomes.

· Foster a culture that supports proactive problem-solving, collaboration, accountability, innovation, and service excellence while advancing the City's commitment to being a facilitator of development and city-building.

· Lead and develop a high-performing team through coaching, mentorship, succession planning, and employee development.

· Build and maintain productive relationships with Council, development industry representatives, Indigenous communities, senior government agencies, regional partners, and community stakeholders.

· Support strategic decision-making through analysis of development trends, housing market conditions, growth forecasts, and development finance considerations.

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