Job descriptionCOMPANY DESCRIPTION Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) is a master planner, a developer, and a project manager. They build parks and pathways as carefully and earnestly as they build relationships with developers, community partners, residents and so many others. They are a sales and marketing force, a strategic land planner and a passionate community-builder. They curate public art and neighbourhood programming. They liaise, consult, cooperate and engage. They listen. They learn. They lead. They are placemakers. CMLC VALUES Trust the Team We’re better together. We’re purpose driven, we want to make places better, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we value the quality, depth, and authenticity of relationships we form with CMLC teammates, partners, stakeholders, and community members. We trust, respect and rely on one another and our collaborators to deliver to a consistently great standard. We do it together—by showing up for one another and bringing our whole selves to our work. Break Through Innovation makes us exceptional. We love nothing more than boundary-pushing opportunities, projects for which there’s no template, and we’re proud of our reputation for getting things done as leaders in best practice. We confidently bring our creativity and adaptability to creating a custom approach to projects and to inspiring our peers and our community to dream big and take smart risks with us to create beautiful, meaningful places. Make it Count Make a difference, start to finish. Our projects may be inventive, beautiful and award-winning, but their true purpose is only realized when they’re brought to life by the community that lives with them. Every project, small to large and beyond, is conceived and designed to enhance everyday life for everyone that encounters it. Build the City. Better the City Elevate everything. We're privileged to shape the future of the city where we live, work and raise our families. That's why good enough isn't good enough—it's why we bring world-class ideas to the table, passionately steward funds and budgets, and work to create international best in class places. We build the city to better the city: we want to create meaningful places for the good of us all, now and for the future. We commit to deepening our understanding of the vast diversity of human experiences, backgrounds and cultures and to ensuring that all perspectives are valued and reflected in our workplace and in the communities we’re building. Giving equal voice to all people, groups and viewpoints will ensure our organization’s work reflects and respects the changing social landscape while upholding our dedication to the betterment of our city. It is one more way CMLC nurtures engagement and belonging, builds deeper connections across our communities, empowers innovation and enables long-term resilience. To learn more, visit calgarymlc.ca. SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Vice President, Development is accountable for establishing and leading CMLC’s development function as a scalable, enterprise‑integrated capability that supports increasing project complexity, portfolio growth, and long‑term city‑building outcomes. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across the full development lifecycle—from land acquisition, concept development, feasibility, and deal structuring through to project delivery alignment—while serving as CMLC’s senior development voice with the City of Calgary, development partners, and key stakeholders. The Vice President, Development plays a critical role in exercising independent judgment, strengthening front‑end development discipline, and integrating development activities across the organization. A core priority is advancing CMLC’s Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) program while enabling broader development initiatives across the portfolio. Specific Responsibilities This is a critical role in CMLC’s continued success and growth. In the First Year, the Vice President, Development should: - Have developed a strategic plan on how to deliver and execute on CMLC’s land development function over the next five years; - Have built and grown a high-performing team to successfully deliver key land development projects; - Have reinforced strong industry relationships and credibility that have increased confidence in CMLC’s ability to deliver land development; - Have advanced and shaped CMLC’s relationships with the City of Calgary, development partners, and key stakeholders; - Have clearly advanced TOC development as a major business function for CMLC; and, - Have become a trusted advisor to the President and CEO and a key, trusted member of the Executive Leadership Team. The role is accountable for the following: Development Strategy & Feasibility - Ability to originate, assess, and advance development opportunities from land acquisition through feasibility and concept development. - Expertise in evaluating development economics, market conditions, land use potential, and value creation drivers. - Skilled in translating strategic objectives into viable development concepts and delivery pathways. Transaction Structuring & Partnerships - Strong capability in structuring and negotiating development agreements, joint ventures, and public private partnerships. - Experience aligning commercial, financial, and public interest considerations within complex deal structures. - Ability to oversee due diligence and manage risk across transactions. Municipal & Regulatory Navigation - Deep understanding of municipal policies, approvals, planning frameworks, and regulatory environments. - Proven ability to navigate complex public sector processes and multi stakeholder approval pathways. - Effective engagement with municipal leaders, agencies, and regulatory bodies. Portfolio & Program Leadership - Ability to lead and balance multiple concurrent development initiatives across a diverse portfolio. - Experience advancing large scale, long term programs (e.g., transit oriented or master planned communities). - Skilled in setting priorities, sequencing work, and aligning resources to strategic outcomes Cross Functional Integration. - Strong ability to integrate development activities across planning, design, finance, construction, and operations. - Ensure clarity around roles, decision ownership, and lifecycle handoffs across projects. - Build alignment between development strategy and delivery execution. Financial & Commercial Acumen - Deep understanding of real estate finance, pro formas, and financing. Stakeholder & Partner Management - Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with developers, consultants, community stakeholders, and government partners. - Skilled in balancing competing interests while maintaining focus on organizational and project objectives. - Effective communicator in high profile, high scrutiny environments. DESIRED CANDIDATE ABILITIES, BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE Given the role this individual will play in CMLC’s continued growth and success, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following education, experience, and personal characteristics: Education - Post-secondary degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Engineering, or a related field. Experience - 15+ years of progressive experience in real estate development, including senior leadership responsibility. - Senior‑level experience leading real estate development initiatives across the full development lifecycle, from land acquisition and feasibility through to delivery alignment. - Demonstrated experience overseeing complex, mixed‑use or urban development projects involving multiple stakeholders. - Experience working within municipal planning, approvals, and regulatory environments. - Proven experience structuring and negotiating development agreements, partnerships, or public‑private transactions. - Experience leading or coordinating development portfolios or programs with multiple concurrent projects. - Experience representing an organization with senior government officials, development partners, and industry stakeholders. - Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams and integrating work across functions. Personal / Professional Attributes Critical Competencies: - Organizational-Level Perspective: Prioritizes organization wide outcomes over functional ownership. - Strategic and Operational Balance: Thinks long term while executing with discipline at the project level. - Independent Decision Making: Exercises sound judgment and reduces unnecessary escalation. - External Credibility: Recognized as a peer by municipal leaders, developers, and industry stakeholders. - Integrator: Aligns competing priorities and leads effectively across functions. - Systems Builder: Builds repeatable processes, governance, and scalable development practices. - Resilient Leadership: Calm, thoughtful, and effective in high stakes, high complexity environments. ATTRACTIONS This role provides an opportunity to join a company that is poised for continued growth. Other attractions include the opportunity to: - To be part of Calgary’s go-to city-building placemakers; - To truly leave a lasting impact on creating vibrancy and community in one of Canada’s leading cities; - To work with a collaborative team that takes passion and love of what they do to the next level; and, - To work with the city’s largest portfolio of development opportunities. Calgary Municipal Land Corporation has engaged the Executive Search Firm, DHR Global, to manage this search. For more information or to apply, please reach out to VPDCMLC@dhrglobal.com. Applications should include a letter addressing how the candidate’s experience matches the position requirements along with a current CV.
