Director, Port Lands Asset Management

Director, Port Lands Asset Management

CreateTO is shaping Toronto’s future through impactful real estate solutions. A City of Toronto agency, CreateTO works collaboratively with internal stakeholders, external partners and community members to create more livable, sustainable and inclusive communities. CreateTO is here to increase the social, cultural and economic value of our city’s $27-billion real estate portfolio, ensuring positive impacts for residents and a bright future for Toronto. If you’re passionate about contributing to the best use of one of North America’s largest and most valuable real estate portfolios, we’d love to have you on the team.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director, Port Lands Asset Management has primary responsibility for the Port Lands Asset Management function, which involves long-term strategies and business plans, budget management, as well as planning, due diligence, marketing, and implementation for projects involving TPLC properties. The Director will actively monitor risks and coordinate work with the CreateTO development, construction and legal teams, including on various capital projects, properties under license for the Port Lands Flood Protection Project, as well as landlord obligations for major development projects. The Director will work with the VP to maintain strong and constructive relations with all Port Lands and waterfront stakeholders, including City divisions, Waterfront Toronto, PortsToronto, tenants, community stakeholders and the local Councillor’s office.

PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategy:
  • Develop and implement strategic plans for the Port Lands portfolio to maximize financial performance, manage risks and advance objectives in the CreateTO 5-Year Strategic Plan, Board direction and City Council-endorsed public policy priorities.
  • Provide strategic direction and recommendations to VP and EVP for Port Lands Management regarding best use of CreateTO properties.
  • Identify and communicate to VP and EVP for Port Lands Management and other team members progress on strategic objectives, including identifying risks and recommending and implementing solutions.
• Leading People:
  • Build and mentor a high-performing team and ensure support and compliance for corporate objectives and HR policies.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Establish and maintain team communication and reporting protocols and act as team leader.
• Operations & Administration:
  • Prepare and manage the annual TPLC capital budget including capital expenditure plans. Provide regular financial and operational reports to senior management and stakeholders.
  • Lead business planning, feasibility and due diligence (including regulatory review and market analysis) to identify new projects, development and long-term leasing opportunities in the Port Lands portfolio.
  • Define scope of work, identify and monitor budget and coordinate delivery of individual projects, in coordination with CreateTO Development, Finance and Legal Team.
  • Present business plans, development plans, negotiated transactions and project schedules to senior management, Board, the public and Committee/Council.
  • Identify and mitigate risks associated with land, projects, infrastructure and other assets over which CreateTO has responsibility, including market, operational, legal and financial risks. Works with Legal and Development teams to develop and implement risk management strategies and contingency plans, including for the 9 km of CreateTO dockwalls and 150 acres of land under license for the Port Lands Flood Protection Project.
  • Direct and manage $15-20M annual capital program in the Port Lands, including defining and approving project budgets and scopes of work, coordinating funding and approvals from the Board, tenants and other involved parties, and coordinating project management services delivered by the CreateTO Development Team on individual projects.
  • Leverage technology and innovative solutions to enhance portfolio management efficiency and effectiveness. Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in property and asset management.
• Relationship Building & Partnerships:
  • Stakeholder Management: build consensus among various stakeholders and competing interests.
  • Serve as a cross-departmental project leader for major development/capital projects in the Port Lands, including coordinating work by internal departments and external partners, monitoring scope and budget performance, providing updates and recommendations to EMT and reporting to the Board and Council as required.
  • Prepare reports and deliver presentations to the TPLC and CreateTO Boards on Port Lands projects, including cross-departmental projects.
  • Work with Director, Communications and Marketing in the development of specific stakeholder management strategies for Port Lands initiatives and project.
• Structure & Governance
  • Effectively Manage stakeholder relations related to the Port Lands, including City divisions, Waterfront Toronto, PortsToronto, tenants, community stakeholders and the local Councillor’s office.
  • Facilitate and negotiate partnerships with local businesses, developers, senior levels of government, business associations and related agencies with respect to specific projects and initiatives in the Port Lands.
  • Represent CreateTO’s goals and mandate at Council meetings, public meetings, industry events, and conferences.

CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES

• Minimum of 10 years of experience and/or appropriate educational background in land use planning, real estate (in the private and/or public sector), finance or urban studies.
• A strong background in planning, real estate development, strategic planning, project delivery
• Strong experience in collaborating and managing a variety of stakeholders and interests including City Officials, City Councillors and residents
• Well-developed political acumen and the ability to work effectively with Councillors, City of Toronto Staff, CreateTO Executive Team and staff, Board members and relevant stakeholder groups.
• Ability to build relationships, engage and influence others and work with diverse internal and external groups and stakeholders.
• Thorough understanding of municipal policies and the planning regulation and approval process.
• Skilled in directing the design process to achieve excellence in architecture, landscape and public realm that will support good and sound urban planning and design.
• Experience with developing and analyzing financial proforma and land appraisal fundamentals is also required.
• Strong knowledge of financial aspects and project budgeting and strong financial acumen.
• Ability to engage and work with both internal and external stakeholders to build relationships, and positively influence the outcome for development that support city building priorities and initiatives
• Advanced level computer skills, specifically, Windows, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, e-mail, Internet, with experience with specific development software an asset.
• Proven organizational skills; able to cope with changing project needs and deliver successful results within agreed upon timeframes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Detail oriented; able to resolve problems using facts and sound reasoning.
• Self-motivated, professional and flexible; able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Proven ability to achieve goals using a strategic approach while encouraging and managing innovation.
• Proven leadership with ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

RELATIONSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works collaboratively and develops and maintains good working relationships within CreateTO
• Develops and maintains effective and positive working relationships with various City departments and agencies as well as external contacts, City Councillors, service providers, financial institutions, professional organizations, and clients.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with community groups and stakeholders in the City of Toronto.

With a highly engaged team, CreateTO scores well above benchmarked organizations in terms of its employees’ passion, commitment, diversity and pride. As part of the organization’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027, “Inspire internal success” was named as one of five priority objectives.

CreateTO wants its team to reflect the City we represent, and we strive to provide an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective, all of which are proven to build better companies. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work and be themselves.

We provide equitable treatment and accommodation to ensure barrier-free employment in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Candidates can request accommodation related to the protected grounds at any stage of the hiring process.

Interested and qualified candidates are required to submit their resume and cover letter by Friday, September 6. This posting is for a newly created position.

Submissions that don’t include the requirements noted above will not be considered. Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. No agencies at this time please.

Please note that this is a hybrid working environment.

For more information on CreateTO, please visit our website at www.createto.ca