Director of Reconciliation and Social Justice

Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) have the education, ethics and experience to help guide the public, elected officials and the private sector on the journey to inspired communities. The Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) is the recognized voice of Ontario’s planning profession with over 4,600 members working in government, private practice, universities, and not-for-profit agencies in the fields of urban and rural development, community design, environmental planning, transportation, health, social services, heritage conservation, housing, and economic development.

OPPI’s student members attend undergraduate and graduate planning programs at six accredited Ontario universities. Members must meet quality practice requirements and are accountable to OPPI and the public to practice ethically and to abide by a Professional Code of Practice. Only full OPPI members are authorized by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute Act, 1994, to use the title Registered Professional Planner (or RPP).

OPPI welcomes applications and nominations for its Director of Reconciliation and Social Justice (“Director”). OPPI staff operate in a hybrid work environment; if the successful candidate resides outside of Ontario, OPPI can support a remote work model.

OPPI strongly encourages applications from members of Indigenous and racialized communities and all equity-deserving groups including Women, Persons with Disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

This position will act in concert with OPPI’s commitment to Indigenous Peoples’ and Aboriginal Title Rights, and resolutions to anti-Black racism and systemic racism and barriers to entry to the profession for equity-deserving groups. Reporting to the Executive Director of OPPI, the primary role of the Director is to continue the implementation of the approved recommendations from OPPI’s 2019 Indigenous Planning Perspectives Task Force (IPPTF) and its 2021 Anti-Black Racism in Planning Task Force (ABRPTF). The Director will develop a multi-year strategy outlining goals, metrics, priorities, and approach to the continued implementation of IPPTF and ABRPTF recommendations over short -medium- and long-term. The Director will build upon OPPI’s existing efforts to design and implement new, actionable, and measurable initiatives that have the potential to create meaningful change within the planning profession and the Institute. Additionally, the Director will guide OPPI on DEI programs, policies, and initiatives in alignment with the OPPI Strategic Plan 2025 and ensure the goals and metrics of the Strategic Plans’ five strategic directions are achieved as it relates to DEI. Drawing from the OPPI’s Strategic Plan, the Director will provide customized guidance to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion into OPPI governance, practices, services, policies, and procedures.

The position will foster an environment of collegiality, respect, and inclusiveness with OPPI staff, members, volunteers, and the broader community to contribute to and benefit from efforts in reconciliation and social justice. The Director will champion the importance and value of a diverse and inclusive planning community; connecting with industry and community leaders to promote collaborations, programs and training that will lead the planning profession and OPPI to this envisioned future. The Director will act as staff liaison and/or participate on internal and external committees; prepare regular reports to Council on progress; author articles, forum or blog posts, or facilitate webinars to engage in dialogue, plan continuous learning and industry events to bring people together, and keep the membership informed. They will, at times, advocate for changes to federal and provincial government legislation, planning practices, and public engagement. The Director will also identify and apply for research funding to advance inclusion initiatives with a goal to develop reports and guidebooks that inform planners and the planning community.

This appointment calls for a consensus builder with a growth mindset, and exceptional interpersonal, facilitation, mediation, and analytical skills. As the ideal candidate, you have progressive experience(s) in cross-cultural relationship building, policy development, project management, and facilitating large-scale and systems change. Lived experience of encountering and addressing complex equity, diversity, and human rights issues is strongly preferred. Candidates will have a record of successfully engaging with a diverse group of partners and Indigenous-knowledge-keepers to achieve targeted goals. You have proven experience in anti-oppression, equity, diversity, anti-racism, accessibility/UDL and inclusion frameworks including the ability to proactively identify challenges and opportunities related to these areas to support future planning and strategy.  A lifelong learner, you have understanding of, and curiosity about, the legislative, socio-political, and legal frameworks related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization. The incumbent will have demonstrated experience successfully communicating with and educating a broad range of individuals on difficult and complex issues with empathy.

To apply or explore this impactful opportunity with the OPPI, please submit a curriculum vitae along with a cover letter in confidence to Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca) and Noshina Choudhary (noshina@griffithgroup.ca).

In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Griffith Group and the OPPI throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact sam@griffithgroup.ca.