SUMMARY

Reporting to the Mayor and Council, the Chief Administrative Officer provides strong, strategic leadership to the senior management team in the administration of all Departments and services of the Municipality ensuring accountable, results based, timely delivery of innovative programs and services. As the key advisor to Council, the CAO helps Council to establish/update and implement strategic directions to achieve Council’s objectives and priorities.  The CAO provides business, policy guidance and technical advice to Council. In addition, the CAO will be responsible for the oversight of municipal Economic Development and HR services. 

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Management and Leadership 

• Provide leadership to members of the senior management team to ensure the efficient, economical and effective organization and administration of all departments and committees as determined by the by-laws of the Corporation, the effective and efficient implementation of Council’s policies and programs in line with Council strategic priorities and ensure corporate compliance with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements. 

• Work with Council to establish and/or update, the strategic directions for the Municipality and provide periodic updating of the Strategic Plan with Council, including Senior staff and the community as appropriate. 

• Provide leadership, guidance and advice in determining departmental level strategic plans, goals, objectives and annual workplan priorities, based on Council priorities and direction.

• Utilize municipal resources effectively and efficiently in the best interest of the community. 

• Anticipate, identify and understand broad issues, problems, and opportunities 
  and recommend action.

• Ensure that effective financial management, information systems, planning, risk management policies and procedures are in place; review the annual business plans and budgets (operating and capital) prepared by the Treasurer/Departments 

• Provide leadership of the business plan and budget approval process with Council. Links business decisions with the strategic direction and long-term sustainability of the municipality.

• Monitor the performance of departments against business plans/budgets; review variance reports and initiate corrective action where necessary. Submits to Council on a regular basis, an analysis of progress in achieving objectives established in the strategic plan.

• Direct periodic reviews of the Municipality’s structure, programs and services and initiate organizational, management and communication changes as required and reports the outcome of these reviews to Council. 

• Act as key management representative responsible for the coordination/cooperation among departments; provide timely problem-solving/decision making advice to the members of the Senior Management Team.

• Co-ordinate and direct the preparation of plans, programs and viable policy alternatives for submission to the Council for the development and improvement of corporate property, resources, facilities and services. 

• Develop and recommend to Council a comprehensive program of governmental relations to promote and secure the interests of the Municipality.

• Provide Senior Leadership to Economic Development, Business Retention, and other major economic/growth opportunities that may come to the Municipality’s attention and  ensure that the appropriate measures are in place to allow the municipality to take advantage of the right strategic economic development opportunities.

Human Resource Management

• Ensure that effective human resources policies, practices, procedures and reporting are in place that will attract and retain high caliber staff to meet short and long term staffing and organizational requirements, ensure legislative compliance and establish a positive climate of employee and employee relations.

• Ensure policies and practices reflect current legislative requirements and best practices in areas such as recruitment/selection, compensation/benefits, employee relations, performance management, talent management, succession planning, working conditions and  health and safety  in order to foster a workplace culture that  aligns with the values of the Municipality.

• Determine appropriate organizational structure, delegates, empowers staff within reasonable limits and ensure the Municipality has appropriate succession plans.

• Recommend to Council agreements concerning wages, salaries and working conditions

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• Keep Council informed on the appointment, employment, suspension or dismissal of Department Heads.

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Council Support:   

• Provide timely proactive insight, advice and guidance to Council on identified issues and potential areas of conflict and pecuniary issues, including plans for mitigation and resolution.

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• Provide business and technical advice to members of Council regarding decisions and actions requiring their approval.

• Foster an open, timely, and honest dialogue with members of Council in regards to municipal decision making, issues, and problems.

• Act as the primary conduit and mediator between staff and Council to address expectations, needs and issues.

Technical:

• Prepare and present reports of results of the strategic and business plans of the Municipality, based on a frequency established yearly and prepare an annual report of results, on behalf of the Municipality for the public. 

• Ensure that Council receives staff reports on agenda items that provide a background, technical analysis, alternatives and recommendations sufficient for Council to make an informed decision.

• Review matters of concern to any committees created by Council prior to placement on Council’s agenda. Recommend procedural changes to committees and Council and the preparation and management of agendas and organizational arrangements of Council and its committees. 

• Ensure a process is in place to identify and track best practices and trends/advances in the municipal field and track pertinent legislation impacting on Municipal operations, administration and service delivery, providing technical advice to Council.

• Provide input to, and approval of, quality assurance programs covering the delivery of services to the public by various municipal departments; ensure effective methods of assessing and responding to feedback are in place.

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• Ensure the coordination and administration of contracted legal services by the Municipality; oversee claims settlement and litigation with recommendation to Council on cost effective resolutions. 

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• Required to fulfill the statutory duties of the Deputy Clerk in the Clerks absence, pursuant to the requirements of the Municipal Act or other Acts.

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• Participate as a member of the Corporation’s Emergency Management Program Committee in a designated role through the Emergency Control Group.

• Champion a culture of customer service within the Municipality.

Communication and Representation

• Establish liaisons and positive relationships with the business community and with other boards and authorities and upper levels of government and acts as a spokesperson on behalf of the administration

• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of an ongoing comprehensive proactive communication strategy within the Organization and in the broader community.

• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of programs aimed at marketing/promoting the Municipality and enhancing its image and visibility.

• Develop and maintain a contact network of counterparts in other municipalities; direct on-going efforts to explore and optimize sharing/partnering of services. 

• Liaise with regulatory officials/agencies at the federal, provincial and municipal levels as required including the Emergency/Contingency Plans for the Municipality.

Skills and Knowledge

• Degree in Business/Public Administration, Economic Development or related discipline with applicable professional designation or a combination of related equivalent education, training and experience.

• Ten (10) years of progressive experience in the public sector, working with elected officials, of which five (5) years are as a senior executive or an acceptable combination of education and experience. 

• Working knowledge of Economic Development in the public sector.

• Working knowledge of the Ontario Municipal Act, Planning Act and Regulations, municipal affairs, business principles.

• Demonstrated skills in Financial Management of major budgets and generating, accessing and/or applying for new sources of revenue.

• Working knowledge of Clerk’s function-AMCTO accreditation or CMO designation an asset.

• Strong Human resource management skills

• Politically astute, visionary leader who is creative and innovative.

• Demonstrated understanding of municipal operations and  related municipal and provincial legislation.

• Ability to build high performing teams, employee engagement and development.

• Record of accomplishment in achieving administrative, financial and customer service excellence.

• Strong communication (written, oral, computer and interpersonal skills), organization, analytical, problem-solving, coaching, leadership, motivation and staff development, time management, employee relations & public/media relations skills.

• Excellent complex problem solving and critical thinking.

• Working knowledge of strategic planning and long-term thinking skills along with development of yearly business plans. 

• Experience in evaluating programs, measuring results and reporting on recommendations.

• Understand the need to focus on results in a climate of transparency and accountability.

• Ability to develop and foster positive and productive working relationships between governing bodies and administration, understands and manages pressures, expectations of all parties.  

• Collaborative leadership style with excellent inter-personal skills.

• Understands the need to handle confidential and sensitive information with a high degree of judgement and discretion.

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