CAREERS

The Opportunity

This position is responsible for the strategy, planning, execution, and delivery of land development projects across commercial, industrial, residential, and strategic land uses, from concept through to completion.

At Western Irrigation District (WID), the term “Commercial” reflects the economic and strategic development of land assets across all land use types—not solely non-residential development. This role supports a broad portfolio that includes residential, industrial, irrigation-related, and multi-use development initiatives aligned with organizational growth objectives.

Depending on experience, this role may be filled at either the Manager or Senior Manager level.

• At the Manager level, the role focuses on execution, coordination, and delivery of projects within established frameworks.
• At the Senior Manager level, the role expands to include full lifecycle ownership, strategic leadership, complex negotiations, and direct accountability for project outcomes and financial performance.

This position works closely with Land & Business Development leadership and plays a key role in advancing WID’s land development strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Project Execution & Strategic Leadership

• Manage and/or lead land development projects from concept through completion
• Define (Senior) or support (Manager) project approach, timelines, and delivery frameworks
• Coordinate internal teams and external contractors to ensure milestones are met
• Identify risks, solve issues, and escalate or resolve as appropriate to level
• Support (Manager) or optimize (Senior) development processes and execution models

Municipal & Regulatory Coordination/Leadership

• Act as a key contact (Manager) or primary liaison (Senior) with municipal, provincial, and regulatory bodies
• Support (Manager) or lead (Senior) applications, approvals, and permitting processes
• Coordinate compliance with regulations and development conditions
• Interpret and anticipate regulatory changes (Senior) and communicate impacts to leadership
• Navigate complex or high-risk approval processes (Senior)

Land Assembly & Development

• Support (Manager) or lead (Senior) land acquisition due diligence and evaluation
• Coordinate (Manager) or structure and negotiate (Senior) land assembly and agreements
• Maintain accurate land and project documentation
• Contribute to long-term land development planning and readiness

Financial Tracking & Performance

• Track (Manager) or own (Senior) project budgets, timelines, and financial performance
• Support (Manager) or lead (Senior) financial analysis, investment assumptions, and development strategy
• Monitor KPIs and project performance
• Prepare reporting for leadership (Manager) or executive-level reporting (Senior)

Stakeholder Coordination & Leadership

• Support communication (Manager) or lead negotiations (Senior) with landowners, developers, and partners
• Coordinate across internal teams to ensure alignment
• Act as a senior liaison across departments and stakeholders (Senior)
• Prepare and present updates, risks, and recommendations (Senior level includes executive audience)

Key Accountabilities/Deliverables

• Delivery of land development projects aligned with timelines and budgets
• Advancement of strategic land development initiatives
• Achievement of approvals and required agreements
• Strong documentation and regulatory compliance
• Effective coordination and/or leadership of stakeholders and partners
• Contribution to WID’s long-term land development strategy (Senior emphasis)
• Financial performance and ROI alignment (Senior emphasis)

Qualifications

Must Have (Manager Level)

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Land Development, or related field
• 5–7+ years’ experience in land development or related field
• Experience coordinating projects and working with contractors and consultants
• Working knowledge of municipal and regulatory approval processes
• Experience with Alberta land titles system and land acquisition processes
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license

Must Have (Senior Manager Level)

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Land Development, or related field
• 8–10+ years’ experience in residential, commercial, and/or industrial land development
• Proven experience leading complex projects and multi-disciplinary teams
• Deep knowledge of municipal, provincial, and regulatory environments
• Strong experience with Alberta land titles system, land documentation, and acquisition processes
• Minimum 5 years direct leadership experience (employees and/or contractors)
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license

Skills

• Project coordination and/or leadership
• Strategic thinking and decision-making (Senior emphasis)
• Stakeholder communication and relationship management
• Problem-solving and risk management
• Financial tracking and/or financial ownership (level dependent)
• Ability to work through complexity and competing priorities

Assets (Nice to Have)

• Experience with utilities coordination
• Advanced knowledge of development approval processes (Senior)
• Professional designation (RPP, MCIP, Eng, P.Ag, PMP, or related)
• Experience with project management tools
• Experience improving or implementing development processes (Senior)

Leveling Approach

• WID is hiring this role at either a Manager or Senior Manager level, depending on the successful candidate’s experience and demonstrated capabilities.
• Leveling will be based on:
  • Scope of project ownership (partial vs full lifecycle)
  • Complexity of projects and negotiations
  • Level of strategic involvement and decision-making
  • Financial accountability and impact
  • Leadership experience and stakeholder influence
  • Candidates will be assessed throughout the recruitment process, and the final level will be determined prior to offer.

Reporting to - Senior Manager Capital Projects

Department - Capital Projects

Employment Type - Full-time, Permanent

Position Summary

This position is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing the successful execution of complex, multi- disciplinary civil construction projects. It provides strategic and operational leadership across construction and project management functions, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and meet high quality standards.

The role is accountable for managing construction teams, budgets, schedules, contractors, and stakeholder relationships, while driving innovation and continuous improvement in project delivery. It also plays a central role in fostering a high-performance culture through mentorship, team development, and the promotion of professional growth, contributing to strong project outcomes and organizational success.

Key Responsibilities 

Key Focus Areas

Lead and supervise labourers, equipment operators, and contractors

• Manage construction budgets, schedules, and resource allocation
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and suppliers
• Align project execution with corporate objectives and strategic priorities
• Promote and implement industry best practices to enhance efficiency and outcomes

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Promote innovative solutions by leveraging emerging industry trends
• Develop and implement construction strategies aligned with budget, timelines, and company objectives
• Streamline processes to optimize project delivery and performance
• Provide strategic input to identify growth opportunities and foster a culture of innovation

Operations Management 

• Oversee all phases of construction projects, with a focus on large-scale irrigation infrastructure
• Manage project scope, schedule, and budget
• Ensure efficient procurement, site logistics, and subcontractor performance

Compliance & Risk Management

•  Enforce adherence to all applicable codes, regulations, and safety
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks or
• Establish and implement engineering and design standards to ensure compliance with industry and regulatory requirements

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Strengthen communication between stakeholders, ensuring alignment across teams and objectives
• Maintain active communication and alignment with clients, leaders, engineers, and internal
• Resolve project-related conflicts and ensure satisfaction of project deliverables

• Foster a culture of excellence through mentorship and continuous improvement initiatives
• Lead and mentor cross-functional construction teams and contractors
• Encourage professional development and a culture of excellence

Financial Oversight

• Control project expenses and implement cost-effective strategies without compromising quality.

Key Accountabilities/Deliverables

• Deliver complex, multi-disciplinary projects on time, within budget, and to quality standards
• Maintain strong safety performance and regulatory compliance
• Effectively manage project budgets, schedules, and risks
• Ensure stakeholder satisfaction through clear communication and issue resolution
• Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency and performance
• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team
• Manage contractor and subcontractor performance and accountability
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and continuous improvement

Qualifications

Must have

• 10+ years of progressive experience in construction execution, with a strong background in infrastructure or irrigation projects
• Proven ability to manage construction projects from inception to completion
• Strong understanding of construction management principles, field leadership, design drawings, planning and scheduling, construction contracts, and regulatory frameworks in Alberta

Skills

• Leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience in implementing change management strategies and process optimization

Assets (Nice to have) 

• Experience in design, construction, development of water delivery systems