Director, Realty Services

Summary of Duties:

Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, this Director position provides advice on property matters to City Service Areas and supports the management of the City’s asset portfolio by managing property acquisition, industrial land marketing and sales, disposition, property management, lease administration and negotiations.  Realty Services contributes towards the effective and efficient management of the City’s land portfolio.  It also furthers the City’s initiatives under a variety of plans and strategies, including the Industrial Land Development Strategy, the Growth Management Implementation Strategy, the Transportation Master Plan, the W12A Community Enhancement and Mitigative Measures Program, Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Floodplain Protection.  The Director is an insightful and effective people leader, adept at leading the transformation of Divisional culture aligned with the Council’s strategic priorities.

Work Performed:

• Direct the planning, management, and administration for the Realty Services Division; develop and maintain comprehensive policies, programs, procedures and protocols that inform and support City services. 
• Develop and implement the work plan and direction for the Realty Services Division to meet the organization’s strategic plan and effectively deliver the business responsibilities of the unit.
• Provide advice to the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports on strategic priorities with responsibility to operationalize those goals and strategies.
• Provide professional opinion and information to the Senior Leadership Team, Committees and Council on policies, programs and services as required.
• Identify and develop internal controls in the form of policies, procedures, practices in relation to the general and specific risks of the Corporation.  Ensure internal controls are implemented and adhered to within the Division.
• Oversee a team of experienced Managers; delegate authority and accountability for the execution and delivery of services and programs.  Provide leadership in the following areas of accountability:
  • Oversee realty service-related activities, including real estate and property appraisals, transaction management, project management, property and lease negotiations, and budget preparation and administration. 
  • Assume leadership and provide strategic advice based upon experience and expertise for high profile real estate projects as directed by the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, or the City Manager.  
  • Oversee realty data base and inventory for Municipal Industrial Land Development. Maintain an inventory of industrial land for marketing in tandem with the London Economic Development Corporation.   
  • Provide advice to senior management and Municipal Council on strategic acquisition and disposal of corporate real estate assets.    
  • Recommend the purchase of property, expropriation of property to support large-scale and strategically significant projects and initiatives, and the sale and rental of Corporately owned property.
  • Lead negotiations for office leasing and review of unsolicited proposals, property disposal and property redevelopment.
  • Serve as an expert resource to the Municipal Tax Sale Committee and provide support for disposal of real estate.
  • Give evidence on behalf of the Corporation in legal proceedings regarding realty matters and at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal and the Board of Negotiations, as required. 
• Lead and encourage Divisional employee participation and commitment to organizational objectives. 
• Actively mentor, provide development opportunities and build team performance with direct report leaders; ensure managers within the division are providing the same among their direct reports.
• In consultation with Human Resources, develop a divisional succession planning program and other related programs.
• Direct the Realty Services team, including hiring, administration and performance aspects of reporting staff. Respond to sensitive and confidential human resource issues as required.
• Liaise with respective unions on issues that affect bargaining unit members. Promote and foster constructive working relationships with employees and bargaining units and monitor collective agreement compliance.
• Administer provisions of various Collective Agreements to promote resolution of grievances and provide representation at mediation and arbitration proceedings.
• Build and encourage employee commitment to strive for consistently high levels of performance in all areas of service delivery. 

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• Create and maintain a culture of enterprise-wide collaboration.  Seek opportunities to work across Divisions and Service Areas in support of the strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrate commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and Human Rights through interactions with community partners, employees and individuals and ensure that policies, programs and protocols reflect this commitment.
• Champion commitment and adherence to Health & Safety legislation and programs; demonstrate commitment to the Corporation’s culture of safety.
• Prepare or delegate the preparation of written reports and correspondence as required to advise Council and Committee; seek direction from Council and Committee on related issues as required.
• Implement proactive progressive change in redesign and implementation of business processes; support organizational change-management projects, communications, and transition plans.
• Provide direction, guidance, processes and tools needed to increase efficiencies and improve the effectiveness of services provided by the Division.
• Build capacity across the Division for evidence-informed decisions supported through strong analytics and community engagement.
• Adhere to the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy; includes the responsibility of delegation of procurement initiation approval authority and delegation of approval authority for professional consulting services as per policy amounts.
• Establish, administer, forecast and monitor the annual capital and operation budget for the Division. 
• Ensure that the expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget; manage and promote stewardship of financial and organizational resources.
• Represent the Division on the various boards and committees of external organizations, associations and government partners to promote the City of London as a leader, share best practices, build relationships, and recommend solutions.

Qualifications:

• Completion of an Honours University degree in Business Administration or equivalent in a specialized related discipline.
• Member in good standing in the Appraisal Institute of Canada and either membership in the Institute of Municipal Assessors of Ontario or the International Right-of-Way Association or equivalent.
• Ten years of senior management experience in real estate including property management, negotiations and appraisals, including progressively responsible project management experience. Several years of progressively responsible experience supervising staff.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the above identified areas of accountability with an in-depth understanding of the Division’s programs and services.
• Realty expertise involving property valuations and appraisals, market analysis expertise, delivery of large-scale realty projects, portfolio management, property management, land development and acquisition.
• Politically astute, persuasive and an excellent communicator. Exceptional ability to develop strong working relationships.     
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and related legislation, such as the Municipal Act, Assessment Act, and related regulations and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to co-create a vision for the Division aligned with strategic priorities, build common purpose and direction, and deliver outcomes to strengthen overall organizational performance.
• Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for long-term visioning and big-picture thinking.
• Demonstrated successful experience in a management role; positive and proactive leadership capabilities, adept at leading a diverse group of employees, contracted services and consultants; demonstrated commitment to developing high performance teams.
• Ability to be a trusted advisor and/or advocate in sensitive and/or emotionally charged situations.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire the people they lead through productive and honest dialogue, with personal integrity and actions.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex issues to a wide and varied audience including facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills; political acumen to identify and manage issues.
• Proven ability to establish purposeful relationships and work effectively with senior leaders, elected officials, representatives of other levels of government, bargaining units, management, peers, employees, business community and the public.
• Strong financial management skills and accountability for operating and capital budgeting.
• Proven commitment to the safety of employees with knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position.
• Ability to provide a high level of attention to detail, make sense of data and solve problems.
• Ability to understand the vital importance of internally and externally focused service delivery and develop and implement initiatives that support customers in a timely and effective way.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office, and related software and database applications, including JD Edwards, Kronos, and point of sale systems.
• Demonstrated successful experience in leading continuous improvement and change management initiatives and projects that shape culture and enhance service delivery.

Compensation & Other Information:

$130, 451 - $171, 411

This posting is for 1 permanent full-time position.

Current hours of Work: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Work Arrangement: Hybrid. 

These hours of work and work arrangements are subject to change in accordance with business requirements.

Police Record Check

The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.