Muskoka Lakes is set in one of the most beautiful natural settings in Canada and delivers an exceptional quality of life without the big city stresses.  This premier outdoor recreation region is home to welcoming small communities and supports a four-season lifestyle – providing more time for family and personal pursuits, and the opportunity to live and work in the same stunning environment, all within a 2.5-hour drive from Toronto.

The municipality is the permanent home of approximately 7,652 permanent residents and grows to 27,000 seasonally between May and October. In addition, the Township also sees tens of thousands of additional visitors each year, from all around the world.

Muskoka Lakes’ vision is to be a “thriving community where generations live and gather in a breathtaking natural environment worth protecting”.

The mission is to be “Leaders in public service value, excellence and stewardship”. In support of the mission and vision three strategic goals have been created that include: enhancing our natural environment, strengthening our cultural and community fabric, and delivering sustainable public services and infrastructure.

Inspire our Future

The Township of Muskoka Lakes, is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Director of Development Services and Environmental Sustainability. The Township continues to evolve and as a result offers an exciting opportunity to drive forward our strategic vision and spearhead growth that is consistent with community values. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a track record of fostering planning, quality developments and economic growth where environmental sustainability is a key pillar, while cultivating robust customer service strategies, and high-performing teams.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, as an integral strategic partner, and a member of the Strategic Leadership Team, the Director of Development Services and Environment Sustainability leads the Building Services, Planning Services, Bylaw, and Economic Development functions.

You will use your strong leadership, technical and financial skills to guide the Township of Muskoka Lakes through interesting and challenging projects. In addition to leading your respective departments, you will instill corporate values and strategically tie your departments to the municipality’s strategic goals and objectives.

Working with stakeholders and Township Council, you will provide information on emerging policy and relative professional and departmental issues as well as options and recommendations enabling the municipality to make informed decisions on behalf of the community.

Why Join Our Team

The Township of Muskoka Lakes strives to be an employer of choice and provides a professional, safe, and inclusive workplace where employees are supported to achieve their full potential. We offer the following:

• Compensation: Competitive compensation of $143,169 - $167,505 (based on skills and experience).
• Benefits: A robust employer-paid benefits package with a 100% employer-matched defined benefit pension plan with OMERS.
• Vacation and Time-Off: Support for paid time off, including personal days, paid vacation, holiday office closure and 13 paid public holidays.
• Flexible work arrangements including work from home to support and nurture work-life balance.
• Staff Development and Recognition: Internal and external development opportunities, including support for professional designations and staff recognition and appreciation programs.

How to Apply

To explore this opportunity please apply via email with a covering letter and resume by June 15, 2026, or sooner to careers@waterhousesearch.net quoting project ML-DD-ES. Note: Qualified candidates may be considered in advance of the closing.

Should you wish to speak to our Executive Recruiter or to receive a detailed position description please contact Amy Oliveira at 416-214-9299 x4, amy@waterhousesearch.netJon Stungevicius at 416-214-9299 x1, jon@waterhousesearch.net.

If you require disability-related accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please advise our recruiter. Accommodation may be provided in all steps of the hiring process.

We appreciate all applications, however, only those candidates invited for an interview will be acknowledged. Personal information contained in your resume is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used strictly for employment assessment purposes. The Township of Muskoka Lakes is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.

Key Qualifications

• Education and Designations: A University degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, Geography or a related field with emphasis on urban, rural or environmental studies or resource management. Professional designation such as Registered Professional Planner (RPP), Certified Engineering Technologist, (CET), etc.
• Management/Leadership Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible municipal leadership experience in a related field. Ideal experience will include professional experience in planning, growth, building services, economic development and/or environmental sustainability.
• Professional Practices and Legislation: Thorough knowledge of principles, practices and procedures related to urban, rural and regional planning and zoning administration, including applicable laws and regulations such as the Planning Act, Ontario Building Code, the Provincial Offences Act, and other related regulations and standards.
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional business acumen and critical thinking skills, ability to understand strategic directions, and make independent evaluations and recommendations to apply this knowledge to achieve departmental strategies and business plans.
• People Leadership: Experience in a senior management position in a public sector setting including a track record of coaching, mentoring, and inspiring staff while maintaining a work environment that fosters teamwork, initiative, accountability, and innovation.
• Operational Excellence: Proven leadership abilities, emphasizing a culture of innovation, efficiency, continuous improvement, and accountability within a team.
• Interpersonal Abilities: Outstanding interpersonal skills for effective negotiation, influence, and collaboration with internal departments, government agencies, developers, consultants, and other external stakeholders.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication skills for providing strategic advice, preparing reports, presenting proposals, and delivering recommendations to Council and executive-level staff.