Engineering & Building Development Manager - THOMPSON COUNTRY - CANADA

Engineering & Building Development Manager
 
- THOMPSON COUNTRY 
- CANADA
 
Position Overview:
The Engineering & Building Development Manager is a high-impact municipal leadership role responsible for overseeing both civil engineering development and building services, including permitting and inspections. This is not a conventional engineering role — it operates in a dynamic and politically complex environment where interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and conflict resolution are just as important as technical competence.
 
The successful candidate will manage development applications, ensure code compliance, represent the municipality with external stakeholders (e.g., developers, homebuilders), and coordinate closely with internal departments. A core responsibility is to build and maintain trust with the development community while making decisions that are technically sound and align with municipal policies and bylaws.

This position requires a unique blend of technical understanding, regulatory knowledge, and personal resilience. The political, development, and internal landscapes are highly complex and demand a manager with the right experience, presence, and emotional intelligence—not just technical credentials.
 
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Hard Skills & Background:

• Broad civil engineering background with exposure to multiple disciplines
  (transportation, water, drainage, wastewater, geotechnical, operations).
• Deep understanding of municipal engineering principles, including asset ownership
  and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to collaborate across internal departments such as planning and
  operations.
• Experience with development application reviews and project evaluation.
   Preferred: P.Eng. (Civil); however, Engineering Technologists with exceptional
  experience and soft skills are welcomed.
• 7–10 years of progressive municipal experience, ideally including team leadership.
   Still energized and motivated, with at least 10 years remaining in their professional
  career.
• Familiarity with working within legislative and regulatory municipal constraints.

• Relationship Building: Must develop productive relationships with developers and
  internal teams.
• Conflict Resolution & Diplomacy: Skilled at navigating tensions and difficult
  conversations with professionalism.
• Communication: Able to deliver tough messages clearly and respectfully.
• Emotional Intelligence: Resilient and able to shift between thick and thin skin as
  situations demand.
• Leadership & Accountability: Decisive, self-directed, and grounded in integrity.

• Building and sustaining relationships with diverse and sometimes adversarial
  stakeholders.
• High visibility and scrutiny from developers, industry groups, and municipal
  leadership.
• Balancing competing interests while making timely, informed decisions.
• Adapting to a technically complex setting, especially regarding water systems and
  geotechnical conditions.
• Navigating a fast-paced, high-pressure municipal work culture.
• Full acclimatization to the complexity of the role may take 1–2 years.

• Preferred: Civil Engineering Degree and P.Eng. designation.
• EGBC or ASTTBC membership (or eligible for transfer from another province).
• Engineering Technologists with strong municipal and interpersonal experience are
  strongly considered.
• Building experience is less critical and can be delegated or learned over time.
• Candidates must be prepared to work with engineers from other disciplines (e.g.,
  structural).

• 100% on-site, Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM (expect longer hours as needed).
• Office-based with consistent in-person collaboration.
• Free on-site parking and access to an on-site fitness facility.
• Management role within a unionized organization (non-union position).

• Planning & Development – Land use, zoning, and development permits
• Engineering Department – Long-term infrastructure planning and standards
• Civic Operations / Utilities – Post-development infrastructure operations and maintenance
• Chief Building Official & Building Inspection Team – Coordination on code compliance and fire department issues.

•  Salary: $165,000 – $179,000 (Grid 5)
• Vacation: 4 weeks, negotiable up to 5
• Earned Days Off: 12 annually
• Relocation Assistance: Up to $7,500
• Pension & Benefits: Comprehensive municipal package, including training and dues
  coverage
• Other Perks: Local business discounts, gym on-site, full training budget