Manager, Park and Trail Development

Position Details

• Service Area: Public Services
• Department: Parks
• Work Location: City Hall, 1 Carden Street
• Work Mode: Hybrid
• Job Type and Duration: Permanent, Full Time Vacancy
• Position Availability: 1 existing vacant position
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Posting Period: October 19, 2026 to November 2, 2026 11:59 p.m.

When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

What We Offer

We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid personal days
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching
• Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Parental leave top up program
• Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
• Employee recognition programs

Position Overview

Resumes are being accepted for the position of Manager, Park and Trail Development. Reporting to the General Manager, Parks, this position will provide overall leadership, direction and supervision to the Park and Trail division with a collaborative focus on Park and Trail development/redevelopment in creating quality community spaces. Guided by goals and objectives of the City of Guelph Corporate Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide visible and positive leadership to the Park and Trail Development staff, while developing and nurturing a work environment that is inclusive, respectful and motivating.
• Establish objectives and evaluate performance; monitor results and provide coaching, training and development opportunities as needed.
• Provide leadership in the development of standard operational policies and procedures, and best management practices to implement approved departmental and corporate strategies.
• Establish for the Park and Trail Development department annual goals and objectives, the work program, and areas of improvement and change. Annually forecast the growth needs and priorities of the Division for additional resources.
• Develop parks planning and development standards, policies, and procedures in consultation with both Parks Operations and Culture and Recreation staff to ensure the needs of the community are met within industry best practices.
• Develop short and long-term strategies, budgets, and forecasts related to parks planning, development, and programming.
• Lead and provide input into agreements to inform parkland acquisition and development agreements.
• Oversee the division's input to the development review process related to parkland and trail requirements including rezoning, official plan updates and amendments, secondary plans, plans of subdivision, site plans, etc. to ensure high quality parks, open space, and trails are delivered in compliance with City policies, agreements, legislated requirements, and sound park development standards and practices.
• Oversee the execution of the city’s parkland dedication bylaw and policies and update the bylaw as and when needed.
• Monitor the administration of the parks component of development agreements.
• Oversee a team of park practitioners to deliver park and trail capital projects.
• Ensure engagement with the community for the renovation, restoration, or creation of parks.
• Develop and revise standards for the development of public lands including parks and trails in collaboration with other relevant City departments.
• Responsible for annual operating budget requirements for Park and Trail Development including budget monitoring and financial control.
• Responsible for developing and recommending the capital budget forecast budget including managing the requirements of the Development Charges By-law and any other agreements as they may relate to parks and open space, including short and long-term financial forecasts for park development and park infrastructure/master plan renewal.
• Deliver project management and contract administration for planning/design and construction in a timely, cost-effective manner for all approved capital projects.
• Work in compliance with all health and safety policies and procedures, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Work collaboratively as a representative of the Department/Division on internal and external staff teams and committees as required, as well as, lead and represent the Parks department at Council meetings, as required, and effectively respond to public comments and inquiries.
• Participate in projects related to asset management, infrastructure management and PSAB requirements, and MPMP reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

Considerable experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through a post-secondary diploma or degree in Landscape Architecture or a related field, and experience related to open space planning and development. Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Leadership skills and experience managing staff or leading work teams preferably within a unionized environment.

Knowledge of the Ontario Planning Act, land use p...