Senior Engagement Specialist/Planner

Overview

Dillon’s Community Planning (Central and Eastern Ontario) operating team is looking for a Senior 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 connecting with clients and growing our portfolio of projects.

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.

About Dillon

Dillon Consulting Limited (Dillon) is a proudly Canadian, 100% employee-owned professional consulting firm specializing in planning, engineering, environmental science, and management. With over 25 offices and more than 1,100 employees across Canada, we offer a wide range of services related to building and improving facilities and infrastructure, protecting the environment, and developing communities. 

At Dillon, we strive to remain at the forefront of technology and innovation and thrive on interdisciplinary collaboration, empowering our people to challenge conventional thinking and build careers focused on creating a lasting impact in our communities. We are committed to ongoing professional development and celebrate the unique perspectives that each team member brings to the table.

Employee ownership is available to all Dillon team members, and over 60% of our employees’ own shares in Dillon. Through employee ownership, we return the financial benefit created by our project work to the very people who created that value. Because we are an employee-owned firm, your voice will be an essential part of our shared success. 

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of stakeholder engagement programs for planning and  infrastructure projects
• Actively build stakeholder engagement business growth through client networking and proposal writing
• 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
• Lead teams and support the career development of junior staff
• Travel for business to project locations in the GTA or other Dillon offices upon request

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

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in stakeholder engagement or communications, preferably in the consulting environment
• 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 is preferred
• IAP2, CPRS, IABC membership or certification is an asset 

Experience

• 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
• Experience in the successful delivery and management of project-based work as a project manager or project coordinator (or equivalent role)
• 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

Compensation:

$105,000 - $130,000

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.

Employment Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Dillon

Dillon is committed to employment equity and an inclusive, diverse workplace where opportunities are based on skills and abilities. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.

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.

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