Director, Build Waterloo Region at Region of Waterloo

Job Number: 4654

Job Type: Full-Time

Vacancy Reason: Backfill

Location: 150 Frederick St - Regional Admin Headquarters

Job Category: Administration

Number of Positions: 1

Department: Build Waterloo Region

Division: Planning, Development and Legislative Services

Hours of Work: 35

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, hybrid: 3 days in-office / 2 days remote

Grade: Management/Management Support Grade 11

Salary Range: $156,501.80 - $195,631.80 annually

Posting Date: July 20, 2026

About Us!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Directs the Build Waterloo Region Division to support corporate and community business interests, land development and housing priorities, and corporate innovation initiatives that contribute to economic growth in Waterloo Region. Partners with regional staff on business processes, development and investment prospects, innovation and culture. Leads and implements various actions in the Region’s Corporate Strategic Plan relating to economic development, investment and land development, housing, innovation, and social services. Directs the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy (WREDS) and related actions. Coordinates economic development, investment, and innovation initiatives with corporate partners, industry associations, post-secondary institutions, area municipalities, and senior levels of government. Directs economic data collection, analysis, distribution materials and media. Supports the Region’s annual credit rating review process. Leads aerospace and aviation investment and associated land development at the Region of Waterloo International Airport. Supports air service development and smart airport initiatives. Directs the development of current and future-focused economic growth initiatives, such as industry growth strategies, talent attraction and retention strategies, and strategic program partnerships with local, national, international, and government partners.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises the Associate Director, Development and Portfolio Management, and Manager, Business and Industrial Development. Indirectly supervises other non-unionized and unionized staff.
• Administers contracts with consultants and partnership agreements with corporate and community partners.
• Directs divisional operations, ensuring efficient use of human, physical, and financial resources.
• Participates on the departmental senior management team to set priorities, develop work programs, coordinate workload, participate in budget and purchasing decisions, and implement the strategic plan. Participates in senior management committees such as the Environmental Coordinating Committee and provides support and strategic advice to Council’s Standing Economic Development Committee.
• Leads the corporation’s involvement in economic development investment activities. Identifies and implements innovation activities in regional services that contribute to economic growth and social wellbeing. Directs the development of business support programming on behalf of the Region.
• Establishes performance measures for the Division and collaborative efforts of partners in the WREDS and monitors progress. Reports to the Commissioner, as necessary and makes strategic recommendations.
• Establishes and directs new partnerships with corporate partners, not-for-profits, industry associations, and post-secondary institutions to support economic growth, sector development, and business support programming. Directs regional response to prospective/new investment opportunities and coordinates with appropriate departments regarding employment lands, land assembly, infrastructure, transportation, financing, and briefing Council.
• Chairs and participates on committees, task forces, and special projects. Represents the Region on external committees, meetings, and forums (e.g., economic development, housing, land development and planning, innovation).
• Develops and presents recommendations and updates on economic growth and response initiatives to Council, Standing Committees, and senior management.
• Leads the Region’s strategic involvement with area municipalities and economic development stakeholders to coordinate the development and implementation of the WREDS. Ensures implementation is collaborative, progressive, and results oriented.
• For a full list of the duties and responsibilities, please see the job posting on our Region of Waterloo website.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a university degree in a related field (for example but not limited to economic development, business administration, planning) plus progressively responsible leadership experience including program, financial, budget administration, and human resources management.
• Knowledge and expertise in economic development strategies, negotiations, business acumen, problem-solving, tactics, organizational plans, and related legislation and policy.
• Knowledge of and to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, corporate strategic plans, and relevant legislation (e.g., Planning Act, Municipal Act, Business Corporations Act).
• Analytical, strategic thinking, innovation, issue resolution, and continuous improvement skills to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate data, and lead business and economic development strategies and projects/proposals with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to understand operating infrastructure and leverage the resources of large institutions.
• Project management skills, with ability to direct projects from concept to implementation, within budget and timelines.
• Leadership skills to train, develop, motivate, and support staff; classify and organize work; and select and coordinate staff to achieve goals and objectives.
• Human relations, facilitation, negotiation, public relations skills and political acuity to advance priorities and balance objectives in a political environment; present issues and reports to Committee and Council; represent the corporation on committees; establish networks and partnerships with stakeholders; chair and participate on committees, task forces, and special projects; make presentations to boards, the media, and the public; negotiate and resolve technical problems involving diverse and conflicting issues; and participate as an effective team member.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Experience, knowledge, and skill using equitable approaches to developing operational plans, service development, and delivery. Ability to apply an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and decolonization lens to identify best practice in municipal service and community engagement.
• Ability to lead transformative change in line with the vision and values of senior leadership while delivering on the expectations of an evolving workforce and regional residents, with ability to discern when to inquire, advocate, drive, or resolve.
• Computer skills using software such as Microsoft Office.
• Ability to adjust schedule or work additional hours on weekends and evenings to respond to emergencies, elected officials, and for public events and information sessions.
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

Region of Waterloo is committed to building a workforce through fair, equitable, and accessible hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
• persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions

For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact [email protected], or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process: Region of Waterloo may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance efficiency during the recruitment process. However, applications will also be reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team to ensure a fair and thorough assessment. AI does not make final hiring decisions.

• Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).