Manager of Infrastructure Program Delivery and Innovation at City of Kitchener

Overview

The Manager, Infrastructure Program Delivery and Innovation is responsible for leading analytical and operational support functions across the Roads and Traffic division as well as Parks and Cemeteries. This role ensures compliance with legislative standards, oversees risk management data collection practices, and coordinates with internal teams—to optimize operational programs, mitigate risk and enhance shared service delivery for the Roads &Traffic and Parks & Cemeteries divisions. The manager provides strategic guidance to the directors of both divisions, promotes core service delivery of the Roads and Traffic and Parks and Cemeteries divisions and supports maintenance, planning, and asset management programs.

(This position is under review)

Responsibilities

Infrastructure Program Delivery and Planning

• Provides leadership to Project Manager Infrastructure Operations, Operations Technologists (2) and Infrastructure Operations Program Co-ordinator.
• Collaborates with management teams in Roads and Traffic and Parks Maintenance and Operations to drive operational performance, innovation and best practices, monitor resource utilization, including staff, contracted services, equipment, and materials.
• Develops and implement service improvements for program delivery, innovations, best practices into divisional policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Provides leadership in the use of diagnostic and condition assessment methods to determine the current performance of infrastructure including roads and sidewalks. Recommends road maintenance, repair and reconstruction investments.
• Participates in negotiations with the Region of Waterloo for the Area Maintenance Agreement (AMA).
• Strategy/policy development, planning for municipal service delivery, process analysis, and change management.

Management of Program Delivery and Compliance

• Oversees legislated compliance activities for risk management.
• Ensures divisional practices meet regulatory requirements and internal standards.
• Manages contracts for inspection and maintenance programs.
• Leads divisional risk assessments and contribute to corporate risk registers.
• Research innovation to enhance program delivery and customer service.

Data Analytics & Reporting

• Provides direction to direct reports on requirements for data collection.
• Analyzes operational data to identify trends, performance monitoring, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provides data-driven insights and prepare reports to support asset management planning, strategic planning, budget development, and Council decision making.
• Liaises with various departments and divisions to maintain accurate infrastructure inventories and ensure mapping produced by direct reports is accurate.

Training

• Collaborates with management teams in Roads and Traffic and Parks Maintenance and Operations to design training programs.
• Reviews, develops, and delivers of training required to ensure legislated and corporate compliance for programs delivered by the divisions.
• Revises training programs due to changes in operating tasks, legislation and identified safety risks
• Supports succession planning and career development initiatives, including development of equivalency pathways for frontline staff.
• Updates and maintain training records, coordinate training schedules for front line staff.

Interdepartmental & External Collaboration

• Liaises between Roads and Traffic and Parks and Cemeteries and other departments/divisions and external agencies such as Waterloo Region Municipality Insurance Pool, Region of Waterloo, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
• Participates in divisional planning, budget planning, and reorganization efforts, including staffing reviews and resource allocation.

Supervision

• Supervises the work of 4 permanent FTE and 2- 3 students with full responsibility for hiring, orientation and training, guidance and direction, and performance management, up to and including recommending termination.
• Provides direction and recommend action to all supervised staff on health and safety issues
• Assists the Director, Roads and Traffic and Director, Parks and Cemeteries in setting overall divisional priorities, annual work plans, divisional budgets, service delivery program reviews, and development/delivery of associated reports to Corporate Leadership Team and/or Council.

Education

• Minimum 3-year degree or diploma in Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, Public Works or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum 4 years of progressive supervisory experience in municipal operations, compliance, or infrastructure services.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong understanding of risk management frameworks, SOP development, and legislative compliance in the field of municipal public works.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex operational programs.
• Understanding of managing in an unionized environment.
• Proficiency in data analytics tools and asset management systems (e.g., Work Management Systems (Cityworks), GIS, Budget Software (Questica)).