Campus Planner

University of Waterloo•Waterloo, ON

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Campus Planner leads and supports campus-wide planning initiatives that guide the University’s long-term physical development. The role provides expert analysis on land use, zoning, environmental compliance, and regulatory impacts; manages planning projects; and serves as a primary liaison with municipal authorities. Working closely with Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Real Estate units, the role supports informed decision-making to ensure campus development aligns with institutional priorities, regulatory obligations, and principles of accessibility, sustainability, and responsible land stewardship.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in urban planning, environmental planning, architecture, geography, environmental studies, or a related field required.
5–10 years of progressive experience in urban planning, campus planning, municipal planning, land-use planning, or related fields.
Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying planning policy, zoning regulations, development approvals, and environmental or heritage considerations.
Experience managing complex planning projects, consultant teams, and multi-stakeholder engagement processes.
Strong knowledge of land-use planning, zoning and regulatory frameworks, environmental planning, sustainability practices, site planning, campus mobility, and infrastructure context.
Ability to analyze planning policy, interpret regulatory changes, and develop recommendations that support institutional priorities.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with accuracy and attention to detail.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to assess complex planning scenarios and propose viable solutions.
Excellent communication skills (written, visual, and verbal), including the ability to prepare planning documents, briefing notes, presentations, maps, and diagrams.
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, senior administrators, consultants, and external agencies.
Ability to manage high workload, competing deadlines, and sensitive or confidential information with sound judgement.
Proficiency with planning and mapping tools (e.g., GIS, CAD, or spatial analysis software).

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in planning or a related discipline preferred.
Additional training or certifications in planning, GIS, sustainability, environmental assessment, or municipal regulatory frameworks are considered assets.
Eligibility for or membership in a professional planning association (e.g., OPPI, CIP) is an asset.
Experience working in public-sector, institutional, or municipal environments is an asset.
Familiarity with university operations and the intersection of planning with research, space management, sustainability, transportation, and facilities is an asset.

Responsibilities

Leads and oversees the implementation, maintenance, updating, and monitoring of the Campus Plan and other strategic land use planning and campus development initiatives, including North Campus and R+T Park.
Translates the Campus Plan into actionable and prioritized initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, clear ownership, appropriate resourcing, and coordinated partnerships to support implementation.
Monitors and evaluates progress of the Campus Plan, identifies progress and barriers, and supports integrated reporting and continuous improvement to inform decision-making and future planning.
Analyzes campus land use, building footprint, site circulation, open space, infrastructure, and environmental context to guide long-term campus growth and use.
Prepares regulatory analyses, feasibility studies, data reviews, and planning reports; determines when environmental assessments are required and coordinates assessment processes as needed.
Collaborates with internal teams (e.g., Space Planning, Plant Operations, Sustainable Transportation, Legal and Immigration Services) and external consultants to coordinate planning, design, and development efforts.
Project manages planning initiatives, including management of schedule, budget, deliverables, internal and external engagement.
Reviews site plan proposals, supports development review processes, and contributes to the preparation of requests for proposals (RFPs) for development projects.
Manages multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
Facilitates communication between project teams, consultants, and stakeholders.
Works with relevant stakeholders to review capital project proposals for alignment with the Campus Plan, design guidelines, accessibility standards, sustainability commitments, and land-use objectives, and identified opportunity to advance Campus Plan objectives through existing projects.
Supports GIS mapping to develop maps, diagrams, presentations, and planning visuals to support planning recommendations.
Supports land acquisition and disposition processes by reviewing and revising reports, topographical maps, and land surveys to inform planning and development decisions.
Participates in the President’s Advisory Committee on Design (PACOD) and other relevant internal committees, providing expertise on campus planning, development, and land use to support informed decision-making and design guidance.
Monitors and provides guidance on municipal, regional, and provincial planning, zoning, environmental, or regulatory changes as it relates to land use, planning, and campus properties.
Acts as a University’s liaison with municipal authorities to support campus planning, development, and regulatory compliance.
Provides expert guidance on how external regulatory changes impact campus operations, property leases, future development, and long-term strategy.
Liaises with municipal planning and transportation staff on matters related to land-use policy, zoning conformity, infrastructure upgrades, and development approvals.
Supports the preparation of municipal submissions, transportation studies, environmental impact reviews, and other documentation required for regulatory processes.
Stays abreast of university and government policies related to development, sustainability, or any other policies that impact the University from an urban planning perspective.
Establishes and maintains strong relationships with other units internal to the University to consult on urban planning that overlaps with other enterprises at the University.
Ensures planning activities comply with municipal bylaws, provincial legislation, environmental requirements, heritage considerations, and campus sustainability standards.
Contributes to the development and refinement of campus planning policies, and design guidelines.
Integrates accessibility, equity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship into campus planning practices and recommendations.
Manages storm water monitoring and compliance obligations for North and North-West Campus, ensuring alignment with campus growth and development initiatives.
Supports storm water management planning in coordination with campus growth and development projects.
Prepares required reporting and liaises with relevant municipal and regulatory bodies to maintain compliance.
Identifies emerging storm water risks and opportunities to improve monitoring, mitigation, and infrastructure planning.