Job Description

Director, Public Works

Reports To: Chief Administrative Officer
Salary Range (2026): $162,688 – $190,320 annually

Location: Lindsay, Ontario
Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week (7.5 hours/day) | Core hours 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Additional Requirements: Occasional travel, attendance at meetings/conferences, and response to emergency situations outside normal business hours

Shape the Infrastructure That Keeps a City Moving

The City of Kawartha Lakes is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking leader to serve as our next Director, Public Works

This is more than an operational leadership role — it is an opportunity to influence the long-term infrastructure strategy of a growing municipality. Reporting directly to the Chief Administrative Officer, you will lead a diverse and highly skilled team responsible for the essential services that residents rely on every day.

From roads and fleet to water, wastewater, transit, utilities, and waste management — you will oversee the systems that keep our community safe, sustainable, and moving forward.

What You Will Lead

You will provide overall leadership, direction, and strategic oversight for:

• Roads Operations
• Utility Maintenance
• Fleet Services
• Transit Services
• Waste Management
• Municipal Water and Wastewater facilities, distribution, and collection systems

You will champion operational excellence while ensuring regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, and long-term infrastructure sustainability.

What You Will Do

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide clear leadership and strategic direction to Public Works Division Managers aligned with the City’s Corporate Vision and Council priorities
• Ensure compliance with provincial legislation, municipal bylaws, standards, and policies while proactively managing operational risks
• Safeguard City assets through strong governance, planning, and lifecycle management
• Lead departmental performance measurement, KPI development, and continuous improvement initiatives

Senior Leadership & Corporate Contribution

As a key member of the Senior Management Team, you will:

• Develop and implement strategic goals, priorities, and measurable outcomes
• Conduct research and analysis of industry trends and emerging infrastructure challenges
• Provide expert advice and recommendations to the CAO and Council
• Prepare and present comprehensive Council reports and departmental updates
• Develop and manage multi-million-dollar operating and capital budgets
• Contribute to corporate-wide initiatives including workforce planning, financial strategy, and organizational development

Partnerships & Public Engagement

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with community partners, agencies, legislators, neighbouring municipalities, and provincial bodies
• Represent the department in public forums and stakeholder meetings
• Foster a cohesive and high-performing internal leadership team

People Leadership & Accountability

• Lead, coach, and develop a diverse workforce across unionized and non-unionized environments
• Ensure effective labour relations practices and collective agreement compliance
• Act as a Supervisor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Model organizational values and hold teams accountable for results

What You Bring

Education & Professional Credentials

• Post-secondary degree in Civil Engineering (P.Eng. designation preferred), Construction Management, or a related field
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience, ideally within a municipal environment
• Eligibility for full membership with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) or Ontario Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT)

Leadership & Municipal Expertise

• Deep understanding of municipal governance, infrastructure planning, and public sector financing
• Strong experience managing in a unionized environment
• Demonstrated ability to develop KPIs and leverage Business Intelligence tools to drive performance
• Proven experience presenting to Council and engaging in public consultation
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills

Operational & Financial Acumen

• Expertise in capital planning, lifecycle asset management, and operational budgeting
• Demonstrated success managing complex infrastructure portfolios
• Knowledge of environmental compliance and public works regulatory frameworks

Personal Leadership Qualities

• Strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset
• Collaborative and relationship-focused leader
• Strong communicator with exceptional written and presentation skills
• Sound judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Highly organized with strong follow-through

Additional Requirements

• Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s Licence and ability to travel to various sites within the municipality and Ontario
• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check upon conditional offer

Why Join the City of Kawartha Lakes?

This is a rare opportunity to lead a diverse, essential services portfolio within a municipality that values innovation, accountability, and community impact.

You will help shape long-term infrastructure strategy, influence corporate planning, and ensure that services delivered today are sustainable for generations to come.

If you are ready to lead at a strategic level while staying connected to operational excellence, we encourage you to apply.