Careers

CURRENT CAREERS 

• Director of Planning

• Intermediate Planner / Project Manager

Director of Planning, Full-Time Position
Salary: $130,000-145,000

POSITION OVERVIEW

Polocorp is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and design-minded Director of Planning to lead the company’s planning division and support the continued growth of our integrated land development business.

Reporting directly to the Co-CEOs, the Director of Planning will oversee a multidisciplinary team of planners, designers, and technical staff while serving as a key thought leader across the organization. This individual will play a central role in shaping planning strategy, guiding complex development projects, mentoring emerging professionals, and fostering collaboration between departments including development, construction, marketing, sales, and finance.
The ideal candidate is both visionary and practical — someone who can lead high-level planning initiatives while remaining engaged in project execution, stakeholder relationships, municipal coordination, business development, and team leadership.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Polocorp is an integrated land development company focused on building communities. For over 40 years, Polocorp has been part of the Kitchener-Waterloo community. As a family-built company, we understand how the urban form can impact a community. Polocorp is committed to creating thoughtful, lasting communities for people and their families.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT

• Lead, mentor, and support a progressive team of planners, designers, and technical staff;
• Foster a collaborative, creative, and accountable team culture;
• Provide strategic guidance, coaching, and professional development opportunities to team members;
• Serve as a thought leader within the organization on planning, urban design, and community-building initiatives;
• Assist in recruitment, performance management, and team growth planning.

PLANNING & PROJECT LEADERSHIP

• Oversee and manage a broad range of planning and development applications including Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-law Amendments, Draft Plans of Subdivision, Site Plans, and related approvals;
• Lead complex development files from due diligence through approvals;
• Provide strategic planning advice on land acquisition, development opportunities, and entitlement strategies;
• Demonstrate proficiency in Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) processes, including strategy development, expert coordination, and participation in hearings where required;
• Coordinate internal and external consultant teams including architects, urban designers, landscape architects, legal counsel, environmental consultants, and municipal stakeholders;
• Review and contribute to planning justification reports, urban design briefs, development concepts, and presentation materials;
• Support municipal approvals, public consultation processes, and Council presentations.

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Work closely with all departments to align planning objectives with overall business goals;
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic initiatives, long-term growth planning, and project prioritization;
• Actively engage and cultivate new clientele, industry relationships, and business development opportunities;
• Demonstrate strong business development acumen, including identifying and advancing new land and partnership opportunities;
• Act as a key liaison with municipalities, agencies, consultants, landowners, and community stakeholders;
• Support the advancement of innovative and sustainable planning and urban design practices within the company.

FINANCIAL & STRATEGIC ANALYSIS

• Review, analyze, and provide planning input into development budgets, financial models, and project proformas;
• Collaborate with finance and development teams to ensure alignment between planning strategy and project financial performance;
• Provide strategic insight on risk, timing, and approvals impacts on project viability.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree or graduate degree in Urban Planning, Land Use Planning, Urban Design,
• Registered Professional Planners Accreditation (RPP) required and membership in Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) preferred;
• Minimum 10+ years of progressively responsible planning experience, preferably within land development or consulting;
• Demonstrated experience leading planning approvals and multidisciplinary project teams;
• Strong understanding of Ontario planning legislation, municipal approval processes, and development frameworks;
• Proven leadership, mentorship, business development, and relationship management abilities;
• Class “G” driver’s license.

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills;
• Strong leadership, organizational, and strategic thinking abilities;
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust across teams, clients, municipalities, and stakeholders;
• Proficiency in Ontario Land Tribunal processes and planning appeals;
• Experience reviewing development proformas and financial feasibility considered a strong asset;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite;
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, GIS, SketchUp, or related design/planning software considered an asset;
• Strong understanding of urban design principles and community-building practices.

WHY JOIN POLOCORP

• Opportunity to shape meaningful communities across Southwestern Ontario;
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial work environment;
• Direct involvement with senior leadership and strategic company initiatives;
• Ability to mentor and influence the next generation of planning professionals;
• Long-term growth opportunity within an established and respected organization.

Intermediate Planner / Project Manager

Polocorp Inc / Urban Initiatives is seeking an Intermediate Planner to join our growing and evolving team in Kitchener. This role is well suited to a planner with strong private-sector experience who is comfortable working across a range of development contexts and approvals processes, and who is interested in contributing to projects from early-stage analysis through to implementation.

As an Intermediate Planner, you will work within a multidisciplinary environment that integrates planning, design, and land development expertise. You will play an active role in advancing development applications, coordinating consultants, and engaging with municipalities and stakeholders, while contributing to the broader evolution of the company.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

For over 40 years, Polocorp Inc. has been active in land development and land use planning across Southern Ontario, delivering projects ranging from high-density urban infill to low-rise greenfield communities. This work continues today through active development and approvals files that reflect a practical, experience-based understanding of how projects move from concept to construction.

Building on this foundation, the firm has recently expanded through Urban Initiatives, reflecting an evolution toward a more integrated land development consultancy. Together, the companies draw on a diverse set of planning, technical, and development skill sets to provide holistic, outcome-focused support to projects across the development spectrum.

Key Responsibilities:

• Participate in a broad range of development projects, including high-density infill, mixed-use, and greenfield communities
• Contribute to all stages of the planning and design process, from early property analysis and visioning through to detailed development plans and regulatory approvals
• Prepare and manage a full range of planning applications, including:
• Prepare written planning materials, including Planning Justification Reports, support letters, and technical memoranda
• Review and provide professional input on development concepts, site plans, and subdivision layouts
• Coordinate and manage subconsultant teams in support of planning and development applications
• Liaise with clients, municipal staff, approval agencies, and project consultants
• Attend and support presentations to Council, Committees of Adjustment, and other approval bodies
• Undertake policy and regulatory due diligence for prospective development properties, identifying opportunities, risks, and constraints
• Monitor and interpret changes to planning policy, legislation, and municipal regulatory frameworks
• Prepare for and facilitate public and stakeholder consultation processes

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional planning experience, preferably in a private-sector or development-focused environment
• Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related discipline from an accredited university or college
• Membership in OPPI / CIP (full or provisional) is considered an asset
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing and presenting professional planning materials
• Working knowledge of graphic communication and the ability to review and contribute to visual materials
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment
• Self-motivated, organized, and capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) and virtual meeting platforms such as Teams and Zoom
• Strong understanding of Ontario’s planning framework, including the Planning Act, municipal policy, and urban design principles

WHY THIS ROLE

This position offers an opportunity to play a meaningful role in real development projects, work closely with experienced professionals across disciplines, and contribute to a company that is actively evolving its practice. The successful candidate will have the latitude to take ownership of files, help shape project outcomes, and make a tangible impact within a stable yet growth-oriented organization.