Director of Planning

Cambridge is a thriving emerging and modern city with a diverse population of 140,000. It is located within the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and is a part of one of Ontario's fastest growing and economically prosperous regions. With its perfect position being located along Highway 401, only 45 minutes from the provincial capital of Toronto, Cambridge is well poised to continue to grow and flourish into a prosperous metropolis and one of the best places to live in the Province of Ontario.

As part of the Planning & Growth Department, the City of Cambridge is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as Director of Planning. This pivotal role reports to the General Manager of Planning & Growth and provides strategic leadership to the Planning Services Division, aligning divisional priorities with the City’s broader strategic goals.

As Director, you will lead a talented and motivated team to direct the activities and operation of the Planning Services Division by aligning divisional policies, procedures and work plans with the corporate strategic plan. You will work closely citizens, developers, regulatory authorities, consultants and all levels of government to achieve the community’s goal of building a vibrant and growing City while respecting the City’s multitude of heritage assets.

You will be responsible for preparing and presenting the division’s operating and capital budget, and ensures adherence to the approved budget. As part of the City’s senior management team, you will participate in creating and providing a workplace environment which fosters continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will bring a collaborative and strategic leadership style, with proven experience guiding complex planning initiatives and motivating high-performing teams. They will possess excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and be able to navigate legislative requirements, budget oversight, and stakeholder engagement with confidence. A university degree in Planning, Geography, or a related field is required, along with a Registered Professional Planner designation. The role also demands 8–10 years of experience in development and long-range planning, including 5–7 years in a management or supervisory capacity.

DOWNLOAD Full Candidate Brief (PDF)

If you wish to be considered for the role, please email your cover letter and resume in PDF format to Kartik Kumar at careers@lesp.ca by September 18th, 2025.

Please be assured that any information shared with Legacy Partners will be treated with the strictest confidence and shared only with the client for the purposes of this search.

Thank you once again for your interest.

Legacy Partners and the City of Cambridge are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and recognize that a diverse staff is essential to organizational excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity to confidentially self-identify at the time of application. In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodations will be provided by Legacy Partners and the organization throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If you would like to self-identify during the recruitment process, please fill out the IISD’s Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire and submit it with your application.