Executive Director, Planning and Development

Help Shape One of Canada’s Fastest‑Growing Regions  Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is a vibrant, diverse, and forward‑looking municipality that serves as the economic, cultural, and educational hub of Atlantic Canada. Home to more than half a million residents across over 200 communities, the Halifax region combines urban energy, suburban growth, rural character, and over 400 km of coastline to create an exceptional quality of life.

HRM is experiencing one of the most sustained periods of population and development growth in its history. As the region evolves toward a future of greater density, mobility, and complexity, the importance of thoughtful, credible planning leadership has never been greater.

Key Responsibilities   Lead HRM’s planning and development mandate, translating Council direction and legislative frameworks into clear, implementable strategies that advance sustainable growth.
Advance major community‑building initiatives, including the Regional Plan, Suburban Planning Program, priority growth‑area master plans, and housing‑related initiatives aligned with federal and provincial programs.
Integrate land‑use planning with infrastructure capacity, servicing strategies, and long‑term fiscal sustainability to support resilient and affordable communities.
Oversee high‑volume, customer‑focused planning, permitting, and development services, ensuring timely, high‑quality outcomes in a growth‑pressured environment.
Drive modernization, continuous improvement, and the effective use of data, technology, and innovation within planning and permitting systems.
Advance equitable and inclusive community‑building by leading the delivery of Community Action Planning in African Nova Scotian communities, supporting commitments under the Road to Economic Prosperity for African Nova Scotian Communities, and implementing planning‑related actions within HRM’s Culture & Heritage Plan.
Lead, support, and develop a large, multidisciplinary workforce, fostering accountability, inclusion, resilience, and professional excellence.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and Regional Council, helping navigate complexity, trade‑offs, and competing narratives with credibility and clarity.
Build strong, constructive relationships with provincial and federal partners, the development industry, utilities, community partners, and the public.
Provide sound financial and risk stewardship, balancing ambitious growth objectives with fiscal constraint and infrastructure realities.
Ideal Candidate Profile   Deep experience in municipal planning gained through senior leadership roles within a medium‑to‑large municipality or comparable organization operating in a high‑growth and customer service‑oriented environment.
A high level of credibility, pragmatism, and resilience, with a proven ability to deliver results under sustained operational and political pressure.
A strong understanding of how a municipality functions in practice, including governance structures, Council‑driven decision‑making, and the realities of policy implementation.
Demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary teams through periods of change, political complexity, and competing priorities.
Strong political acumen, with comfort operating across multiple levels of government, competing mandates, and heightened public awareness and expectations.
The ability to build and sustain high‑performing teams focused on excellence, accountability, and efficiency in service delivery.
A level‑headed, confident leadership style, with the ability to navigate disagreement constructively and stand firm when necessary while maintaining trust with elected officials, staff, and partners.
Exceptional communication skills, enabling you to serve as a trusted advisor who translates complex planning, development, and technical concepts for both expert and non‑expert audiences to build alignment and shared understanding.
A professional planning designation is a strong asset.
Above all, you are a results‑oriented community‑builder who brings clarity to complexity, translates strategy into execution, and inspires confidence while shaping communities and improving quality of…