Markham, Ontario is one of the most vibrant, culturally diverse, and fast-growing cities in the Greater Toronto Region. With a population of over 353,000, Markham is Canada’s High-Tech Capital – home to more than 1,500 technology companies and a total of 10,400 businesses, including national and international headquarters for IBM, Aviva, Allstate, GE Energy, Honda and many others. Celebrating over 220 years of history, Markham offers a unique blend of heritage charm, progressive urban planning, and a dynamic, highly educated workforce. This thriving city is defined by its entrepreneurial spirit, pro-business environment, and commitment to cultural excellence.

The City of Markham is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to serve as Commissioner, Development Services. Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer and working closely with the Mayor and Council, the Commissioner will provide enterprise-wide leadership and strategic direction across the core functions of Planning and Urban Design, Engineering, and Building Standards. This role is central to shaping the future of Markham through integrated service delivery, long-term planning, and the advancement of the City’s strategic priorities.

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Commissioner will lead the development and implementation of robust multi-year business plans that drive business and financial results, while ensuring a cohesive and inclusive delivery service. A champion of sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence, the Commissioner will guide strategic initiatives in land use planning, infrastructure, transportation, and capital projects—ensuring Markham remains a livable, connected, and future-ready city.

You are a values-driven, inclusive leader who brings a collaborative and forward-thinking approach. With a proven track record in municipal development services, urban planning, engineering, or a related field, you are well-positioned to lead with impact and vision. You bring demonstrated experience in leading high-performing teams, managing complex portfolios, and delivering results in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment. With a deep understanding of planning legislation, infrastructure development, and municipal governance, you are skilled at navigating complexity and driving innovation. You are passionate about building sustainable communities and fostering inclusive growth, and you excel at building strong relationships with Council, staff, community partners, and other levels of government.

To Apply

To fill this position, the City of Markham has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online by August 22nd.

We thank all those who express an interest, but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements for the role.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The City of Markham is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with

Disabilities Act (AODA) and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation

will be provided by both Odgers and the City of Markham throughout the recruitment, selection and/or

assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.