Manager Development Planning – Process and Policy

Manager Development Planning – Process and Policy

Regular Full-Time

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 seeks a strategic, analytical, and forward-thinking planning leader to serve as Manager of Development Planning – Process and Policy, reporting to the Director, Development Services. In this role, you will shape how development planning work is delivered across the City, leading the review of development applications and the preparation, implementation, and continuous improvement of development-related policies, procedures, and application review processes.

You bring deep experience in municipal development planning and development application review, with a strong interest in urban design, systems thinking, process optimization, and policy development that supports timely, consistent, and high-quality development outcomes. You thrive in complex, high-growth environments where continuous improvement is essential, and you are skilled at assessing how planning systems function end-to-end, identifying inefficiencies or risks, and implementing practical, defensible solutions that improve service delivery for applicants, internal teams, and the broader community.

You are able to exercise independent judgment on complex planning and policy matters and provide clear, well-reasoned advice to senior leadership and Council. As a people-centred leader, you provide clear direction, mentorship, and support to a team of senior planning professionals. You value collaboration and work closely with internal partners across Community Planning, Building Permits, and Business Services to ensure development planning processes are integrated, modernized, and aligned with the City’s strategic priorities.

You are motivated by shaping the frameworks, policies, and systems that support the creation of complete, livable, safe, and sustainable neighbourhoods across Coquitlam.

What you will do:

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to a team of senior planning professionals within Development Planning
• Oversee the review, evaluation, and approval of complex development applications, including site planning and architectural review
• Lead the preparation, review, and implementation of development planning policies, guidelines, and frameworks in alignment with legislative and regulatory requirements
• Ensure development planning processes are efficient, consistent, and aligned with City policies, strategic priorities, and legislative requirements
• Collaborate closely with Community Planning, Building Permits, and Business Services teams to support integrated service delivery
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives, including the implementation of progressive practices and process enhancements
• Provide expert advice on development planning policy matters to senior leadership, internal stakeholders, and Council
• Map, analyze, and optimize development application review processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and service outcomes
• Lead or contribute to business improvement and digital transformation initiatives related to development planning
• Identify process risks, bottlenecks, and compliance gaps, and implement practical improvement initiatives
• Develop and maintain operating procedures, workflows, internal controls, templates, and guidance materials to support consistent decision-making
• Maintain responsibility for the Zoning Bylaw and other development planning policies and procedures
• Exercise independent judgment in resolving complex planning issues and making…