Overview

Dillon's Community Planning (Central and Eastern Ontario) operating team is looking for a Engagement Specialist/Planner to join our multidisciplinary team of planning and stakeholder engagement professionals in our Toronto (North York or Downtown), or Kitchener, offices.

We are looking for someone who wants to help continue to grow our engagement work and lead community-based consultation programs for high-profile, planning and infrastructure projects that will shape the future of our cities and neighbourhoods.

The ideal candidate has the interest, technical background, and skills needed to be able to design, facilitate and lead a wide range of meetings and consultation activities with organizations, agencies and the public. With a desire to take a leading role in project delivery, they enjoy teamwork and want to support junior staff in their technical growth. As someone with excellent communication skills, a genuine passion for community engagement and a solid sense of business acumen, the ideal candidate will thrive in our fast-paced business environment. Candidates with strong client awareness and interest in participating in portfolio growth are preferred.

We work in a collaborative team environment where a diversity of opinions and thoughts are welcome. As a consulting firm, we are always looking for new opportunities to connect with clients and communities. We welcome applicants who also enjoy entrepreneurship and innovation in a flexible work environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the stakeholder engagement programs for planning and infrastructure projects
• Develop engagement plans demonstrating knowledge of stakeholders and project issues
• Prepare communication and engagement materials
• Plan, attend and facilitate engagement events of various sizes and complexity
• Leverage digital tools and technologies in the delivery of engagement activities
• Prepare consultation summary reports based on analysis and synthesis of input
• Evaluate engagement programs and identify areas for continuous improvement
• Support project management activities (e.g., coordination, preparation and/or review of project budgets, expenditure reports, invoicing, etc.)
• Collaborate with technical and professional staff from across the company and sub-consultants
• Support client relationships and business growth in Ontario, including business development activities and proposal writing
• Travel for business to project locations in the GTA or other Dillon offices upon request
• Lead teams and support the career development of junior staff

Learning and Development

• Commit to self-development, ongoing learning, and professional development.
• Drive continuous learning and mentor junior staff in data science and digital project delivery methodologies, developing the next generation of tech-forward leaders.
• Contribute to Dillon's corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees.

Please note that this role will require in-person attendance at meetings or events held at various locations across Ontario.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's or graduate degree in planning from a planning program accredited by the Professional Standards Board is preferred, however related technical fields will be considered
• Full membership in the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), or eligibility to achieve full membership within two (2) years of accepting the position
• 10+ years of professional experience in stakeholder engagement or communications, preferably in the consulting environment

Experience

• Experience in the successful delivery and management of project-based work as a project manager or project coordinator (or equivalent role)
• Experience leading the development and implementation of communications and engagement programs for a range of audiences and project types
• Experience in the design and facilitation of meetings, workshops, and advisory group sessions
• Experience in the application of online and virtual engagement methods including social media, remote engagement tactics, survey design, and more (e.g. SurveyMonkey, Mentimeter, Engagement HQ, Social Pinpoint, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx)
• Experience in networking with clients to understand their needs and seek new consulting opportunities
• Demonstrated understanding of consultation and engagement requirements in Ontario
• Strong written skills, with particular emphasis on report writing and external communications
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to think critically and strategically
• Responsible, organized, accountable and committed to excellence
• Able to work in a self-directed, multidisciplinary team setting
• Experience with Indigenous community engagement is an asset
• Experience working with Adobe Creative Cloud applications (InDesign and Illustrator) is an asset
• IAP2, CPRS, IABC membership or certification is an asset

Compensation:

$120,000 - $142,000

Dillon is including the salary range that we in good faith believe may offer for this position. It will be dependent on the successful applicant's education, experience, and skills, in addition to internal equity and geographic region. Dillon reserves the right to pay outside of the posted range, contingent on factors unrelated to an applicant's gender or other status protected by provincial and/or federal law.

In addition to a competitive base salary, Dillon offers:

• Flexible work hours and hybrid work arrangement options to help balance the competing demands of work and personal life
• Employee share purchase plan
  • Dillon is 100% employee-owned, and share ownership is open to all employees.
  • Our annual share dividends have historically outperformed the market average
• Dillon's Overtime Directive.
  • This Management Directive establishes a firm-wide 40-hour weekly overtime threshold, after which premium pay applies, ensuring consistent and fair compensation across all Canadian offices.
• Competitive benefits package, including:
  • Comprehensive health benefits
  • Generous retirement savings plan with employer matching up to 5.5%
  • Student loan repayment assistance
  • Wellness allowance and enhanced mental health benefits
  • Ample paid vacation
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
  • Goodlife Fitness Corporate Membership rates
• Early Career Development (ECD) program
  • At Dillon, we build careers. Designed for technical professionals with less than three years of consulting experience, the ECD program accelerates the transition into entrepreneurial consultants through monthly 'Level Up' sessions that build both technical and consulting capabilities. Own your success; we provide the blueprint.

Health & Safety at Dillon

Prospective employees are expected to fully align with Dillon's core commitment to Health & Safety. This includes active, ongoing engagement with our Health & Safety processes and platform, and the active, ongoing identification and reporting of health and safety hazards.

Technology enablement and the use of AI at Dillon

Please be advised that Dillon uses AI-assisted tools to support aspects of our recruitment process to increase efficiency and fairness. While AI supports the process, all hiring decisions are made by our human recruiting team. By applying, you acknowledge and consent to this use.