Senior leaders at Choice Properties actively collaborate with and mentor employees across the organization.Supplied
Elliot Sedgwick was new to real estate when he found work as a temporary receptionist at Choice Properties. He showed an interest in learning and got a position in the IT department. “I had no formal experience in project management when my manager offered me some project work,” says Sedgwick, now senior project coordinator. “Now, it’s something that’s developing as a career for me.”
Choice Properties is a Canadian real estate investment trust, and a part of the Weston Group of Companies headquartered in Toronto. It is a national owner, operator and developer of commercial and residential real estate.
Simone Cole, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, says she’s proof positive that the Weston group gives opportunities to people who don’t yet have all the traditional experience for a position. She worked within the Weston Group of Companies for over a decade before joining Choice Properties. Cole was the general counsel of Weston Foods, prior to its sale in 2021, and did not have an extensive background in real estate. Her transition to Choice Properties included time to shadow the legal department of the real estate company before becoming its general counsel.
Cole finds that the company believes in people who show commitment and dedication. “There is opportunity for people who want more,” she says. “Where there’s potential, we find a way for colleagues to develop and grow.”
The office for Choice Properties is open concept. “All the senior leaders are available — and whether through collaborating on projects or mentorship, we try to know who’s working on what and we’ll talk to them about it or invite them to present at a meeting,” says Cole.
A mentor herself in the organization, she is paired with someone with less experience who can gain insights and experience from her leadership.
There are also sponsorship opportunities for employees who are ready to go to the next level. These can take the form of secondments to other businesses of the Weston group, such as going from Choice Properties, a landlord, to Loblaws to experience business from a tenant’s perspective.
“We make a real effort to give people stretch assignments — whether a project, an initiative or a transaction,” says Cole. For instance, someone might move from developing commercial properties to gain experience in the residential portfolio. This year, the company launched a two-year graduate program where recent graduates complete four six-month rotations across core departments of the real estate company.
“Our mission as leaders, from the top down, is to bring in diverse talent and give them the conditions to succeed,” says Cole.
In his sixth year with the company, Sedgwick feels he has benefited from the support of his managers. “The leadership always sees if there is anything I’m interested in doing, or a new skill I want to learn,” he says. “I only realized I was interested in project management when I explored new opportunities and received the support from my manager and peers.”
Now Choice Properties is supporting Sedgwick to take his project management professional certification training which he hopes will pave the way to the next level of project management.
“I was looking for a place to challenge myself and grow,” says Sedgwick. “The innovative and collaborative culture at Choice Properties is a good fit for me. Where else would I get to say hello to the CEO every day? And he knows everyone by name.”
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Video: Choice Properties