Senior Specialist, Project Planning and Development

Job Requisition ID: 11930  

Position Status: Temporary Full Time 

Position Type: Hybrid with mandatory weekly presence 

Office Location: Vancouver (BC) 

Language Designation: English Essential 

Language Skill Levels (Read/Write/Speak): ZZZ 

Travel Requirement: Travel not required 

 Salary Range: Our salaries range from $101639.3 to $127049.13 and are based on qualifications and experience.

Granville Island is administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) on behalf of the Federal Government.  Its mission is to "to steward this public land for meaningful urban and social experimentation among diverse, creative, cultural and business models, engaging local first nations and communities, and welcoming the world." 

Granville Island and its 300 businesses greet approximately 10 million people per year, employ over 3,000 people full-time, and generate over $260 million in economic activity.  Granville Island is seen as one of the most successful waterfront development in North America aspiring to become the "most inspiring public place in the world".

You want to know more about Granville Island?  Read the Granville Island 2040: Bridging Past & Future report by clicking on this link: granvilleisland2040.ca

What’s in it for you

We’ve got the purpose, the people and the perks you need for a fulfilling career. Here’s what you get when you’re a contract employee:

• Accrued vacation. 
• Annual individual performance incentive.
• Support towards your personal and professional growth with training, mentorship and more.
• An inclusive workplace culture and environment. 

About the role
Join the Granville Island team, in the Senior Specialist, Planning & Development position. In this role, you will collaborate closely with the General Manager and the Planning team to advance Granville Island’s long‑term vision. Your work will focus on vacant site development, building retrofits, Island‑wide redevelopment, public realm improvements, tenant engagement, and mobility network planning—all contributing to the Island’s financial sustainability, viability, and vibrancy.

You will lead and manage planning initiatives across multiple Granville Island departments (including Leasing, Programming, and Operations). As a senior planning professional, you will ensure projects meet and exceed their objectives through effective scoping, scheduling, risk management, cost control, and performance monitoring, analysis, and reporting.

A key component of the role is leading stakeholder engagement and consultation processes, representing CMHC–Granville Island’s interests while embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into all projects.

As the People Leader for the Planning & Development department, you will also work directly with the Granville Island Council.

This is a temporary position for a duration of 13 months.  

What you’ll do: 

• Oversee and lead the development of plans and strategies in support of implementation of Granville Island 2040. 

• Be accountable for the operations and results of the Planning & Development Department.

• Direct/oversee technical research and analyses in support of key projects. 
• Organize public consultations and open houses with the Island community, tenants, and other stakeholders to obtain information to support planning. 
• As required, involve Granville Island Council, management and staff, tenants, public and stakeholders through informal and formal processes as part of all planning and development activities. 
• Manage external consultants engaged in planning projects and coordinate the work of internal staff working on planning and development activities. 
• Deliver presentations to stakeholders on the status of various planning projects. 
• Prepare reports on the status of activities, often dealing with issues of a particularly sensitive or complex nature. 

 
What you should have: 
  

• A master’s degree in urban planning or a similar discipline. A combination of education and/or equivalent years of experience will also be considered. 
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience managing and administering complex planning projects, leading consultation processes, managing projects, evaluating strategies and conducting cost-benefit analyses. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders. 
• Excellent communication skills, including presenting to the public. 
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, including the ability to multi-task and manage numerous projects concurrently. 
• Strong problem-solving, negotiating and decision-making skills, including experience identifying and resolving project conflicts related to resources, schedules, costs, etc. 
• Exceptional research and information gathering skills and the ability to synthesize data to provide sound technical and business-related advice to both the public and private sectors,  and to provide input on policy formulation and administrative matters. 

 
It would be great if you also had: 

• A membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Posting closing date: Note, the competition will remain active until filled.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion 

We’re committed to employment equity and encourage women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, veterans and persons of all races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions to apply. We also welcome applications from non-Canadians who are eligible to work in Canada.

CMHC is an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought – and of people – are recognized, valued, and considered essential to achieving our mission.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion 

What happens after you apply 

We know that applying for a new job can be both exciting and daunting, and we appreciate your effort. Learn more about our hiring process.  If you are selected for an interview or testing, please advise us if you require an accommodation.

If you applied before and you were not successful don’t worry – we're always posting new positions, so don’t hesitate to give it another shot. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table this time around!