SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER STRATEGIC PROJ RE

City of Toronto • Toronto, ON

4d • CA$115,672 - CA$160,649 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Project Manager, Real Estate Services, will be responsible for implementing assignments and initiatives within the Portfolio Management Unit of Real Estate Services. The incumbent will report directly to the Manager, Portfolio Management, and may act as Real Estate Services representative at Community Councils, Standing Committees and meetings with community groups, citizens, elected officials and managers of other divisions and departments. The incumbent will be an energetic, innovative, and resourceful problem solver who provides strategic leadership and oversight for multiple, large-scale real estate programs with City-wide or high-impact implications, ensuring alignment with City-wide programming objectives. Serves as a program leader specializing in real estate transactions including expropriations, complex acquisitions, lease negotiations and the execution of diverse real estate contracts, while ensuring strategic alignment, risk mitigation and seamless deal execution. Evaluates elements of compensation, ie business loss, injurious affection, in accordance with the provisions of the Expropriations Act and makes recommendations. Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements. Develops workflow process and facilitate policy development, if needed, related to various programs within their assigned portfolios. Delivers high-quality assignments and programs efficiently, ensuring adherence to deadlines while maintaining professionalism and effectiveness under pressure. Acts as a key decision-maker and escalation point for high-risk program issues, proactively addressing conflicts and delays to maintain program momentum. Act as lead for facilitating the resolution of portfolio management issues which includes property management, landlord relationship management and client relationship management with their assigned portfolio. Leads and coordinates cross-functional teams on a project basis, of real estate professionals, consultants, and partners to advance program objectives. Mentors and supports property officers and project managers, fostering professional development and a collaborative team environment. Builds a strong business/working relationship with assigned clients, including understanding their business needs and advising the client appropriately on all real estate matters. Develops and strengthens strategic business relationships with key stakeholders, including senior executives, council members and public-private partners, providing guidance on high-value real estate matters. Support all development projects within the portfolio that involves facilitating the preparation and submission of documents for municipal approval process including OPA/ZBA, CoA and OLT against identified timelines and budgets. Collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders such as Legal, Development Partners, Finance, Revenue Services, Project Management Office, Facility Management and Asset Management teams to assist as needed with a wide variety of assignments that may include confirming compliance with City policies, assistance with audits, resolution of legal or other contractual matters/disputes. Develops and negotiates contracts, project changes involving time, scope and budget, and documentation to ensure the effective delivery of program goals. Conducts due diligence, research, analysis, and reviews of City‑owned properties and Client’s real estate portfolio to develop effective disposition, acquisition and leasing strategies and portfolio management plans. Prepares and presents detailed, high-impact briefing notes, presentations and recommendations to senior management and Committees of Council. Serves as a Real Estate Services Division representative on joint interdivisional working groups and steering committees. Represents the division/organization at public consultations, council meetings and executive briefings, providing expert insight into real estate projects and policies. Maintains an awareness of industry trends, emerging practices and public-private partnership models to enhance the City's real estate portfolio and development strategies. Serves as the Manager’s delegate on project-related matters as required.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in planning, real estate, public administration, architecture, property management or commerce with relevant experience, or the approved equivalent combination of education and experience
• Extensive experience in real estate acquisition, with a strong focus on the expropriation process.
• Considerable experience conducting research, analysis, examination, and evaluation related but not limited to, leases, policies, and legislation.
• Strong project management skills and experience, including the ability to define and meet project purpose and objectives, undertake all project activities, define, and achieve milestones and deliverables, monitor and track progress, and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Thorough knowledge of the Expropriations Act, Planning Act, Municipal Act, Municipal Code, zoning and property standards regulations and by-laws as it relates to municipal real estate.
• Highly developed analytical, problem-solving and negotiating skills.
• Highly developed relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion and judgment and work independently, with a high degree of initiative and creativity in problem-solving.
• Excellent written and oral communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work cooperatively with others in an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Lived experience as an Indigenous, Black, or any other equity-deserving person and/or considerable experience in working with equity-deserving communities.

Nice To Haves

• A Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification or other similar professional qualification may be considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and oversight for multiple, large-scale real estate programs with City-wide or high-impact implications, ensuring alignment with City-wide programming objectives.
• Serves as a program leader specializing in real estate transactions including expropriations, complex acquisitions, lease negotiations and the execution of diverse real estate contracts, while ensuring strategic alignment, risk mitigation and seamless deal execution.
• Evaluates elements of compensation, ie business loss, injurious affection, in accordance with the provisions of the Expropriations Act and makes recommendations.
• Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements.
• Develops workflow process and facilitate policy development, if needed, related to various programs within their assigned portfolios.
• Delivers high-quality assignments and programs efficiently, ensuring adherence to deadlines while maintaining professionalism and effectiveness under pressure.
• Acts as a key decision-maker and escalation point for high-risk program issues, proactively addressing conflicts and delays to maintain program momentum.
• Act as lead for facilitating the resolution of portfolio management issues which includes property management, landlord relationship management and client relationship management with their assigned portfolio.
• Leads and coordinates cross-functional teams on a project basis, of real estate professionals, consultants, and partners to advance program objectives.
• Mentors and supports property officers and project managers, fostering professional development and a collaborative team environment.
• Builds a strong business/working relationship with assigned clients, including understanding their business needs and advising the client appropriately on all real estate matters.
• Develops and strengthens strategic business relationships with key stakeholders, including senior executives, council members and public-private partners, providing guidance on high-value real estate matters.
• Support all development projects within the portfolio that involves facilitating the preparation and submission of documents for municipal approval process including OPA/ZBA, CoA and OLT against identified timelines and budgets.
• Collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders such as Legal, Development Partners, Finance, Revenue Services, Project Management Office, Facility Management and Asset Management teams to assist as needed with a wide variety of assignments that may include confirming compliance with City policies, assistance with audits, resolution of legal or other contractual matters/disputes.
• Develops and negotiates contracts, project changes involving time, scope and budget, and documentation to ensure the effective delivery of program goals.
• Conducts due diligence, research, analysis, and reviews of City‑owned properties and Client’s real estate portfolio to develop effective disposition, acquisition and leasing strategies and portfolio management plans.
• Prepares and presents detailed, high-impact briefing notes, presentations and recommendations to senior management and Committees of Council.
• Serves as a Real Estate Services Division representative on joint interdivisional working groups and steering committees.
• Represents the division/organization at public consultations, council meetings and executive briefings, providing expert insight into real estate projects and policies.
• Maintains an awareness of industry trends, emerging practices and public-private partnership models to enhance the City's real estate portfolio and development strategies.
• Serves as the Manager’s delegate on project-related matters as required.

Benefits

• The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve.
• The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization.
• We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.
• Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree