Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Position Details:

Employer: Town of Didsbury

Location: Didsbury, AB

Industry: Municipal Government

Position Outline:

The downtown offers a unique walk-through history as the Town continues to preserve the historical buildings and focus on maintaining its heritage through the effective design of new buildings.  You will find quaint boutique shops, local and franchise restaurants, coffee shops, a growing commercial sector…..and the list goes on. 

In addition to the playgrounds, parks, green spaces, and an extensive pathway network….the Town is host to many local events such as the Trade Show, Vintage Car Show - Didsbury Show & Shine, Annual Elks Parade, Didsbury Ag Society Annual FCA Rodeo, and Country Christmas.

Didsbury is a vibrant town focused on advancing diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as enhancing the local quality of life of our residents and visitors alike!

             

VISION

A vibrant and inclusive character community with small-town connection.  We support innovation and we celebrate the beautiful and the unique in our community while thoughtfully embracing growth and change.  THE PLACE TO GROW

MISSION

Creating the Place to Grow

VALUES

- Demonstrated leadership - Integrity at the Core - Collaborative Culture - Diversity and Inclusion - Innovation

 

Reports to:                    Seven Elected Officials (the Mayor and six Councillors)

Direct Reports:             Assistant CAO/Chief Financial Officer

        Director of Community Services

        Director of Engineering & Infrastructure

        Legislative Coordinator

        Economic Development & Strategic Operations Officer

        Community & Council Relations Coordinator

Staff:                               66 FTE’s (100+ total staff including paid-on-call firefighters)

Budget:                          Operating - $13.7M

        Capital  - $2.4M

 

 

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is the administrative head of the municipality, and provides effective support and advice to the Mayor and Council within the framework of relevant statutes, legislation (i.e., Municipal Government Act - MGA), policies, and bylaws.

The incumbent will provide strategic direction and leadership to all employees of the Town, and will be instrumental in developing, implementing, and executing policies, strategies, and objectives (as approved by Council) to address the immediate and long-term needs of the Municipality. 

Vital to this role is the ongoing open communication and effective relationships between Council, administration, neighbouring municipalities, the Province, local businesses, potential investors, key stakeholders, ratepayers, and the general public.

Additionally, the CAO will provide:

• Council Relations
  • Advise and interact with the Council in an open, transparent, honest, timely, and professional manner.
  • Provide Council with balanced, sufficient, concise, complete information, and clear recommendations in order for Council to make effective decisions, and set the best course forward for the Town and its residents.
  • Attend all Council meetings, or arrange for a designate to be in attendance.  Make recommendations on matters requiring Council action, by providing accurate and complete information and reports as required, to ensure that sound decisions are made.
• Leadership
  • Practice leadership in a manner that is viewed positively, and has the support of those with whom the CAO works most directly. 
• Fiscal Responsibility
  • In conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), ensure that the Town operates in a fiscally responsible manner, including adherence to professional accounting practices.
  • Direct the preparation and presentation of the Town’s annual operating and capital budget.
  • Ensure that Council is kept in the loop from a financial standing perspective (i.e., through quarterly reports and variance analysis).
• Personnel/Organizational Management
  • Develop and uphold an effective organizational structure for the staff that reflects operational needs, and that is directed towards accomplishing Council objectives.
  • Monitor, and ensure adherence to OH&S requirements and guarantee that the safety of all employees remains a priority.
• Economic Development & Community Growth
  • Work closely with the Mayor and Council, as well as regional partners, to implement an economic development strategy in order to promote local businesses, and attract new businesses to the Town of Didsbury. 
  • Promote a “make it happen” mindset and always strive for new and innovative ways of doing things.
  • Ensure the Town of Didsbury is a community of choice and place where residents have the opportunity to thrive at any stage of life.
• Communications & Community Relations
  • Take appropriate actions to ensure open, transparent, and positive internal and external communications are developed, practiced, and maintained.
• Strategic Planning & Reporting
  • Facilitate the strategic planning process, including the Council’s development of goals, and supporting budget.
  • Implement approved plans and report regularly with achieved results to Council.
• Legislation & Policy
  • Provide guidance and leadership in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of Council Bylaws and Policies.
  • Ensure adherence to, and compliance with, relevant statutes and legislation.
  • Make sure that the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPP) Act is adhered to, and enforced.  

The CAO is expected to demonstrate the following competencies and behaviours in order to successfully meet the requirements of the position:

• Solid leadership and direction through personal example while demonstrating professionalism and a sound work ethic at all times. 
• The ability to lead and contribute to a cooperative and participative environment with a cohesive team that promotes and sustains a productive workplace and excellent customer service. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and public relations skills.  Transparent and accessible to elected officials, staff and the public.
• A comprehensive understanding of municipal finance and the budgeting process.
• Unimpeachable ethical and moral standards, personal integrity, is trustworthy and honest, and willing to follow applicable legislation and Council bylaws and policies.
• A high degree of personal initiative, ability to prioritize tasks, work in high pressure and challenging situations, meet tight deadlines, keen sense for accuracy and attention to detail, and work both as part of a team as well as independently.
• A commitment to ongoing strong regional working relationships and the willingness to always promote and support the Town of Didsbury, as well as the overall region positively.
• Being actively involved in the community, as well as be motivated and driven to grow the Town through economic development and other long-term sustainable initiatives.
• Politically savvy with the ability to know and understand legislative and regulatory processes coupled with the intuition to read the political implications of recommendations and actions.
• The ability to interpret bylaws, legislation, and policies as required.  Previous experience applying for, managing, and reporting on grants.
• Personal and professional stability, and is invested in promoting the same for the organization through professional development opportunities, coaching, mentoring, and empowering staff, with the goal of resource retention and ultimately succession planning.
• An approachable, welcoming, and calming demeanor, coupled with effective conflict management skills. 
• Self-confidence and effective assertiveness with decision making.
• The ability to research and implement best practices, policies, and procedures.
• The capacity to maintain confidentiality and deal with highly sensitive information.
• Competent managing information and making decisions, negotiating with people, and finding innovative solutions to problems.
• The ability to build consensus, lead change, and think creatively.  Innovative and open to consider alternative approaches.
• A progressive and dynamic outlook with the ability to recognize and interpret shifting global, national and provincial realities and their potential impact on the local community.

The successful candidate will possess the following, or an acceptable combination focused on administrative leadership:

• A post-secondary degree or diploma in Public Administration and/or significant and relevant direct involvement in senior management, coupled with executive leadership experience in a dynamic organization within a municipal environment.
• A proven record of working effectively with elected officials, local government staff, community volunteers, boards and committees, the school board, key stakeholders, and public participation processes.
• Solid fiscal management experience and expertise, especially around planning and budgeting.  The ability to convey financial information in a manner that can be clearly understood by others.
• Experience with planning and land development practices, as well as implementing capital works and infrastructure improvement programs.
• Working knowledge of the MGA and other relevant municipal legislation, as well…a CLGM designation would be an asset.
• An understanding of, and appreciation for, good governance.

A competitive compensation package will be provided to the successful candidate.  This includes an attractive and competitive base salary, a comprehensive municipal benefits package, and participation in LAPP (Local Authorities Pension Plan).  Details will be discussed in further conversations.

James Davies                               

Managing Director

DCG Executive Search Services Ltd.

Phone: (780) 758-9796

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.daviescg.com