General Manager, Engineering and Transportation Services

About the Role

The City of Guelph is seeking a General Manager for Engineering and Transportation Services to provide strategic, visible leadership for a key municipal department. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment, this role supports the delivery of infrastructure, transportation, development, environmental engineering, and asset management priorities that align with the City’s Strategic Plan and long-term community vision.

This is a permanent, full-time leadership role based at City Hall, 1 Carden Street in Guelph, Ontario. The position is part of a non-union environment and includes one current vacancy. The salary range is $171,113.49 to $213,891.86 per year.

What the Role Covers

The successful candidate will guide the department in planning, designing, delivering, and improving municipal engineering and transportation services. The role calls for strong leadership across operational, financial, regulatory, environmental, and project-delivery matters, with a focus on continuous improvement, performance management, and housing-enabling capital work.

The position also involves collaboration with internal leaders, Council, external partners, and the community to advance corporate priorities and support the City’s vision of being a city that makes a difference.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the department with an inclusive, respectful, and engaging leadership style that supports staff development and team performance.
• Serve as a mentor and role model for staff while encouraging growth and accountability.
• Provide detailed advice, reports, and presentations to Council, Committees, community representatives, and partners on engineering and transportation matters.
• Support the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Team with technical guidance, risk management insight, and problem-solving related to municipal engineering and transportation.
• Promote a risk-aware culture that helps the City deliver projects, support economic growth, and advance housing readiness.
• Develop and track performance indicators, analyze data, and use business intelligence and trend information to improve service delivery.
• Act as a principal spokesperson for the City on municipal engineering issues.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with Council, senior leaders, staff, the media, residents, and other community stakeholders.
• Identify and apply industry best practices through benchmarking, professional engagement, and conference participation.
• Recommend and lead continuous improvement initiatives to keep the department at the forefront of municipal engineering.
• Set the department’s long-term strategic direction in alignment with the Future Guelph Strategic Plan.
• Develop annual business plans, departmental objectives, and performance measures, and monitor results against key indicators and industry standards.
• Oversee quality assurance processes for engineering service delivery, including communications with stakeholders and resolution of customer concerns.
• Lead major capital programs for infrastructure renewal and growth, including housing-enabling work, with annual delivery exceeding $100 million.
• Ensure capital planning remains balanced, optimized, and aligned with long-term growth, state-of-good-repair needs, and enterprise risk management.
• Confirm departmental compliance with City policies, Council by-laws and resolutions, and applicable provincial and federal legislation.
• Direct preparation of studies, plans, guidelines, and technical specifications for municipal infrastructure.
• Review project designs, cost estimates, and contract specifications for significant infrastructure projects as needed.
• Respond to service-related issues raised by Council, the public, media, staff, departments, and customers in both written and verbal form.
• Create and maintain policies, operating procedures, standards, and work methods for the department and any contracted services.
• Prepare staff reports and presentations for senior leadership and recommend program changes where appropriate.
• Maintain working relationships with developers, government representatives, professional groups, and officials in other municipalities.
• Prepare, present, and manage capital and operating budgets for the department.
• Monitor budget variances and implement corrective actions when required.
• Review proposals, tenders, and purchase requisitions requiring approval in accordance with established policies.
• Act as a technical resource and build collaborative partnerships with agencies, utilities, adjacent municipalities, residents, property owners, developers, and contractors.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Extensive experience in duties similar to those listed, typically gained through a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering or a comparable engineering degree, or an Ontario College Advanced Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology or a related field, along with substantial management-level experience in municipal engineering.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer with the Professional Engineers of Ontario, or certification as a CET with OACETT.
• Proven leadership ability developed through significant experience managing and motivating staff.
• Strong capability to build and sustain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience using effective project and program management approaches.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report writing and presentation delivery.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and public relations skills.
• A commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and high performance.
• Ability to manage budgets successfully and deliver against performance targets.
• Strong project management, planning, and problem-solving ability.
• Commitment to culture-building, risk management, continuous improvement, and customer service.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and changing demands.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and project management software.
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• A valid Class G driver’s licence with a satisfactory driving record is required.
• Successful candidates must provide a current driver’s abstract before the start date to confirm the licence is valid and has not been suspended or revoked under the Highway Traffic Act or Criminal Code of Canada in the past 5 years.
• The City will consider demerit points and the nature of any infractions when assessing whether the record meets its requirements.

Work Schedule and Location

This role is based at City Hall, 1 Carden Street, with a hybrid work mode. The standard schedule is 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Evening or weekend work may be needed for meetings or urgent matters.

Benefits and Perks

• Paid vacation that increases with years of service
• Paid personal days
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
• Defined benefit pension plan through OMERS with 100% employer matching
• Extended health and dental coverage, including a Health Care Spending Account
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Parental leave top-up program
• Learning and development support, including tuition assistance
• Employee recognition programs

Application Process

Applications must be submitted by July 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. The City has stated that candidates who are interviewed will receive a hiring decision within 45 days of the interview, with notification provided in writing or through technology.

Diversity, Accessibility, and Privacy

The City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and is committed to an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and organizational needs. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified applicants throughout the hiring process in line with applicable human rights and accessibility legislation.

Personal information collected during recruitment will be used only to assess employment eligibility. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.