Key Details

• Job Title: Senior Planner
• Report to: Managing Director, Programs, Planning and Policy
• Salary Range: $80,000–$90,000 commensurate with experience
• Location: Hybrid
• Status: Permanent, Full-Time

About the Canadian Urban Institute

The Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) is the heart of Canadian city building. We are a collaborative and inclusive platform where policymakers, urban professionals, leaders, activists, and academics from diverse backgrounds come together to shape vibrant and equitable urban communities across Canada.

Position Overview

CUI is seeking a highly motivated, experienced Senior Planner to support projects aligned with our mandate to advance healthy urban environments. The successful candidate will have experience coordinating complex planning, policy, and research assignments and initiatives.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Research, analysis and reporting:

• Investigate complex urban planning and policy issues; analyze findings and recommend solutions.
• Develop plans, strategies, and frameworks that build local partner capacity on issues such as climate change, housing, economic development, and main streets/downtowns.
• Oversee data analysis including demographic, geographic, and economic datasets.
• Synthesize research into clear, well-structured reports, memos, and other tools.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Design and deliver engagement activities (e.g., workshops, focus groups, advisory groups, surveys, and interviews).
• Plan, facilitate, and oversee meetings and other engagement activities.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to clients, communities, and stakeholders.

Project management:

• Develop and deliver project work plans from design through implementation.
• Manage budgets and resources to deliver on scope, schedule, and quality.
• Lead cross-disciplinary teams, including sub-consultants and stakeholder groups.
• Supervise and mentor junior staff and interns; coordinate consultant support as needed.
• Partner with communications staff to develop outreach materials (e.g., newsletters, web content, posters, press releases, and social media).
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with local partners and stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

• Post-secondary education in urban planning (or equivalent); graduate degree preferred.
• 8–10 years of experience leading and delivering complex planning, policy, and research projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage diverse stakeholder relationships.
• Knowledge of municipal, provincial, and federal planning laws and policies (e.g., Ontario Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Provincial Plans, and local planning regulations).
• Experience in the non-profit sector is an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice.
• Highly developed organizational, analytical, investigative, problem-solving, report writing, communication, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to build positive working relationships, work effectively in teams, and identify organizational opportunities and new ideas.
• French-English bilingualism considered an asset.

General requirements:

• A keen interest in urban issues.
• Interest in working across multiple projects, building relationships with stakeholders and doing what it takes to achieve project outcomes.
• Well-developed ability to effectively communicate with diverse and cross-cultural and cross-sector audiences.
• Commitment to team success, shared knowledge, highly ethical behavior and working for an organization whose mandate is to serve the public good.
• Ability to work flexible hours from time to time.

Work Settings and Conditions

This is a flexible position (hybrid or remote). The role requires availability during regular business hours (i.e., 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday), with the ability to work flexible hours from time to time. CUI has head offices in Toronto and maintains shared working space in Ottawa and Montreal. Location in any of these cities to provide opportunities for in-person work is considered an asset.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Canadian Urban Institute is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We place high value on diversity and encourage applications from all equity-deserving groups. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us and we will arrange for accommodation.

Compensation

Salary range is $80,000–$90,000 and commensurate with experience.

Apply today!

Submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@canurb.org with your full name and “Senior Planner” in the subject line by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern) on April 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed when submitted. Please include where you found this posting.

No telephone inquiries please. CUI thanks all applicants for their interest. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information about CUI visit www.canurb.org.