Campus Planner

Primary Purpose

The Campus Planner leads and supports campus‑wide planning initiatives that guide the University’s long‑term physical development. The role provides expert analysis on land use, zoning, environmental compliance, and regulatory impacts; manages planning projects; and serves as a primary liaison with municipal authorities.

Working closely with Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Real Estate units, the role supports informed decision‑making to ensure campus development aligns with institutional priorities, regulatory obligations, and principles of accessibility, sustainability, and responsible land stewardship.

Key Accountabilities

Planning and Project Management

• Leads and oversees the implementation, maintenance, updating, and monitoring of the Campus Plan and other strategic land use planning and campus development initiatives, including North Campus and R+T Park.
• Translates the Campus Plan into actionable and prioritized initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, clear ownership, appropriate resourcing, and coordinated partnerships.
• Monitors and evaluates progress of the Campus Plan, identifies progress and barriers, and supports integrated reporting and continuous improvement to inform decision‑making and future planning.
• Analyzes campus land use, building footprint, site circulation, open space, infrastructure and environmental context to guide long‑term campus growth and use.
• Prepares regulatory analyses, feasibility studies, data reviews, and planning reports; determines when environmental assessments are required and coordinates assessment processes as needed.
• Collaborates with internal teams (Space Planning, Plant Operations, Sustainable Transportation, Legal and Immigration Services) and external consultants to coordinate planning, design and development efforts.
• Project‑manages planning initiatives, including management of schedule, budget, deliverables, internal and external engagement.
• Reviews site plan proposals, supports development review processes, and contributes to the preparation of requests for proposals for development projects.
• Manages multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Facilitates communication between project teams, consultants and stakeholders.
• Reviews capital project proposals for alignment with the Campus Plan, design guidelines, accessibility standards, sustainability commitments, and land‑use objectives, and identifies opportunities to advance Campus Plan objectives through existing projects.
• Supports GIS mapping to develop maps, diagrams, presentations and planning visuals.
• Supports land acquisition and disposition processes by reviewing and revising reports, topographical maps and land surveys to inform planning and development decisions.
• Participates in the President’s Advisory Committee on Design (PACOD) and other relevant internal committees, providing expertise on campus planning, development and land use to support informed decision‑making and design guidance.

Municipal Liaison and Regulatory Monitoring

• Monitors and provides guidance on municipal, regional and provincial planning, zoning, environmental or regulatory changes as they relate to land use, planning and campus properties.
• Acts as the University’s liaison with municipal authorities to support campus planning, development and regulatory compliance.
• Provides expert guidance on how external regulatory changes impact campus operations, property leases, future development and long‑term strategy.
• Liaises with municipal planning and transportation staff on matters related to land‑use policy, zoning conformity, infrastructure upgrades and development approvals.
• Supports the preparation of municipal submissions, transportation studies, environmental impact reviews and other documentation required for regulatory processes.

Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensures planning activities comply with municipal bylaws, provincial legislation, environmental requirements, heritage considerations and campus sustainability standards.
• Contributes to the development and refinement of campus planning policies and design guidelines.
• Integrates accessibility, equity, sustainability and environmental stewardship into campus planning practices and recommendations.
• Manages storm water monitoring and compliance obligations for North and North‑West Campus, ensuring alignment with campus growth and development initiatives.
• Supports storm water management planning in coordination with campus growth and development projects.
• Prepares required reporting and liaises with relevant municipal and regulatory bodies to maintain compliance.
• Identifies emerging storm water risks and opportunities to improve monitoring, mitigation and infrastructure planning.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Undergraduate degree in urban planning, environmental planning, architecture, geography, environmental studies or a related field.
• Graduate degree in planning or related discipline preferred.
• Additional training or certifications in planning, GIS, sustainability, environmental assessment or municipal regulatory frameworks considered assets.
• Eligibility for or membership in a professional planning association (e.g., OPPI, CIP) is an asset.

Experience

• 5–10 years of progressive experience in urban planning, campus planning, municipal planning, land‑use planning or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying planning policy, zoning regulations, development approvals and environmental or heritage considerations.
• Experience managing complex planning projects, consultant teams and multi‑stakeholder engagement processes.
• Experience working in public‑sector, institutional or municipal environments is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of land‑use planning, zoning and regulatory frameworks, environmental planning, sustainability practices, site planning, campus mobility and infrastructure context.
• Ability to analyze planning policy, interpret regulatory changes and develop recommendations that support institutional priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills, including ability to assess complex planning scenarios and propose viable solutions.
• Excellent communication skills (written, visual and verbal), including the ability to prepare planning documents, briefing notes, presentations, maps and diagrams.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, senior administrators, consultants and external agencies.
• Ability to manage high workload, competing deadlines and sensitive or confidential information with sound judgement.
• Familiarity with university operations and intersection of planning with research, space management, sustainability, transportation and facilities is an asset.
• Proficiency with planning and mapping tools (GIS, CAD or spatial analysis software).

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of its work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. The University’s work towards reconciliation, through research, learning, teaching and community building, is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

Equity, anti‑racism and inclusion are integral to academic excellence and are central to the University’s climate. The University encourages applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalised, including those who identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuk, Black, racialised, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates legally entitled to work in Canada are welcome.

The University is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If applicants require accommodation for any stage of the application, interview or workplace, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519‑888‑4567, ext. 45935.

#J-18808-Ljbffr