IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING
This is a contract for services, not an employment position. Hive Developments engages independent contractors to deliver defined project scopes. There is no guaranteed ongoing work, no paid benefits, no set hours, and no employer-employee relationship of any kind.
You must operate as a registered business or sole proprietor, invoice for your services, and be responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and business expenses.
If you are looking for a permanent job or salaried role, this posting is not for you.
About Hive Developments
Hive Developments is a Calgary-based city-building consultancy working across sectors — private, public, and non-profit — on complex, multi-stakeholder projects spanning community engagement, real estate development, rezoning and development permits, and policy planning.
We operate on a consultant-based model, engaging experienced professionals on a project-by-project basis to deliver high-quality, outcome-driven work. You are not an employee — you are a specialist we contract with to deliver specific, scoped outcomes.
The Engagement
We are seeking a Senior Community Engagement Consultant to lead the strategy, structure, and delivery of community engagement processes — primarily in urban planning and real estate development contexts, with occasional institutional and organizational projects.
This engagement is best suited for someone who:
- Already works independently as a consultant or contractor, or is actively transitioning to that model
- Has hands-on experience leading engagement in rezoning, land use, or development permit contexts
- Can own outcomes end-to-end: strategy, facilitation, materials, synthesis, and reporting
- Thrives with autonomy, manages their own time and budget, and delivers without being managed
Calgary-area applicants are strongly preferred. Engagement work often requires in-person facilitation.
What the Work Involves
- Design and lead engagement strategies for planning and development projects
- Facilitate public open houses, workshops, and stakeholder sessions
- Structure engagement processes and materials (boards, presentations, surveys)
- Synthesize community input into clear, actionable themes and findings
- Coordinate with planning consultants, designers, and Hive project leads
- Deliver engagement reports and summaries that support approvals processes
- Manage your own scope, budget, and timeline — flagging risks early
Hive acts as the client. You are contracted to deliver defined scopes of work and are accountable for your outputs.
Minimum Qualifications
Applications will not be reviewed unless all of the following are met:
- 3–5 years leading engagement: You have independently led community engagement projects across a range of scales and stakeholder contexts — not just supported or assisted.
- Planning/development experience: Minimum 3 years delivering engagement specifically tied to rezoning, land use redesignation, development permit applications, or policy planning processes.
- Independent delivery: Demonstrated experience delivering scoped work (or leading discrete workstreams) on time and within budget, with minimal oversight.
- Facilitation under pressure: Proven ability to facilitate complex, contentious, or adversarial stakeholder environments with composure.
- Tool proficiency: Working proficiency with virtual facilitation platforms (Zoom/Teams), digital whiteboards (Miro/Mural), survey tools (SurveyMonkey/Google Forms), and basic CRM/communications tools.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Planning, Urban Studies, Communications, Public Policy, Sociology, or similar).
Preferred Qualifications
- IAP2 certification or equivalent
- Experience as an independent consultant or contractor (registered business/sole proprietor)
- Familiarity with Calgary and Alberta municipal planning and political context
- Ability to produce high-quality visual materials directly (presentations, diagrams, maps)
- Experience with equity-denied or marginalized community engagement
- Experience with communications architecture and digital engagement platforms
This Engagement Is NOT for You If…
You are seeking a permanent job, salaried role, or guaranteed ongoing work.
You have not led planning or development-related engagement projects independently.
You are not set up (or willing to set up) as an independent contractor — meaning you invoice for services, carry your own insurance, and manage your own business.
You need close supervision, daily check-ins, or employer-directed task management.
You have fewer than 3 years of experience in planning/development engagement contexts.
You are not available for in-person facilitation in the Calgary area.
Compensation
This is an independent consulting engagement. Compensation is based on scoped project work—there are no salaries, benefits, or guaranteed hours.
Typical billable rates are $65–$80/hour, negotiable based on experience and project complexity.
Work Format
- Project-based contract engagements; no guaranteed minimum hours
- Flexible scheduling — you manage your own time within agreed deliverable timelines
- Calgary-area candidates strongly preferred; in-person facilitation is often required
- Remote coordination and administrative work can be done from anywhere
How to Apply
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please submit all of the following:
- An up-to-date resume or project-based profile
- 1–2 professional references (recent, relevant, contactable)
- A sample of relevant engagement work (e.g. engagement report, facilitation summary, strategy document, presentation)
- A brief statement (max 100 words): Why are you pursuing independent consulting, and what specifically makes you suited to this kind of engagement work?
Applications that do not address the consulting-specific question will be screened out.
Next Steps
For packages that align with our needs, we will follow up with a detailed position profile and a conversation to discuss fit, scope, and next steps.
Pay: $65.00-$80.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Calgary, AB T2G 0S5
