Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Town of Nanton; Town of Nanton; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government is looking for a Chief Administrative Officer to provide administrative leadership in Nanton, Alberta. The CAO will be responsible for guiding municipal operations, advising the Council, and ensuring effective service delivery. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in financial management and project oversight, with a focus on community impact. This role offers a salary range of $125,000–$150,000 depending on experience, and applications are due by January 16, 2026.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of senior leadership experience in municipal government or public sector.
• Strong knowledge of municipal legislation and governance.
• Proven experience in budgeting and financial management.

Responsibilities

• Advise Council and support good governance.
• Lead municipal operations and provide executive oversight.
• Manage financial and budgetary processes.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Public communications

Project management

Education

Post-secondary degree in public administration, business, or related field

Job description

Town of Nanton, Alberta

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

The opportunity

The Town of Nanton is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer to serve as the municipality’s administrative head and a trusted, clear voice to Council and staff. A steady, politically neutral professional, the CAO will support good governance and deliver Council’s decisions efficiently. Supported by an established and dedicated management team and committed staff, the CAO will lead strong administration, disciplined financial stewardship, and effective execution across the organization.

Nanton Council is collaborative, solutions-oriented, with a mix of experienced members and new perspectives. Council is community-focused, engaged and accessible, and ready to deliver an active portfolio of upcoming projects. The CAO will provide leadership across municipal operations, implement Council-approved policies, programmes, bylaws, and plans, and keep work aligned with Council’s direction.

We are seeking an innovative, practical leader: a clear and focused planner, confident and adaptable, and an exemplary communicator. Someone who can align teams, maintain momentum, and help Nanton stand out for how it gets things done.

Why this role stands out

This is a CAO opportunity with real scope, momentum, and community impact. Key priorities include:

• A proposed treated waterline from High River (currently in design and viability stage)
• A new medical clinic in collaboration with the MD of Willow Creek, MD of Ranchland, AHS, and the Government of Alberta
• Relocation of the Administration Office to the THRC Recreation Centre, and the RCMP move to the current Administration Office (including renovations to both spaces)
• Road upgrades and expansion of Nanton’s industrial area
• New residential development in Westview, focused on enabling development led by developers.

About Nanton

Located on Highway 2, Nanton is roughly 40 minutes south of Calgary offering the ease and friendliness of small-town living with straightforward access to big‑city services, employment, and international air travel.

Nanton is proud of its heritage character and strong sense of place, from its iconic grain elevators and the Bomber Command Museum of Canada to its specialty shopping and local food producers. With a population of just over 2,300, Nanton combines a close‑knit, rural lifestyle with a practical, service‑focused municipal environment.

What truly sets Nanton apart is its people: a strong business community, active service groups, and a deep culture of volunteering. The Town is self‑sufficient while genuinely collaborative with neighbouring municipalities and organizations, and it hosts a full calendar of community events throughout the year. It’s a community shaped by families who have been here for generations and those relocating from larger centres, bringing fresh energy and new perspectives.

Key responsibilities

1. Advising Council and supporting good governance
   • Provide professional, objective, and timely advice to Council on municipal matters, policy, and strategic initiatives.
   • Ensure compliance with the Municipal Government Act and all applicable legislation, regulations, and bylaws.
   • Monitor legislative changes and advise Council on operational and strategic implications.
   • Prepare clear reports, briefings, and options‑based recommendations to support informed decision‑making.
   • Keep Council informed on operations, emerging issues, and key decision points, maintaining political neutrality.
   • Support agendas and follow‑through to ensure Council direction is implemented.
2. Organizational leadership and service delivery
   • Lead municipal operations and provide executive oversight of financial and human resources, infrastructure, facilities, and assets.
   • Provide leadership to the senior management team and ensure effective coordination across departments.
   • Build and sustain a respectful, collaborative workplace culture focused on safety, performance, and public service.
   • Lead corporate planning, goals, and performance measures; prepare an annual work plan aligned with Council’s priorities.
   • Review services and policies and recommend improvements to effectiveness and efficiency.
   • Guide long‑term planning for growth, infrastructure, service delivery, and organizational capacity.
3. Financial and budgetary management
   • Direct annual and multi‑year capital and operating budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting with the Director of Corporate Services.
   • Ensure financial decisions are transparent, defensible, and focused on affordability and value for taxpayers and ratepayers.
   • Strengthen cost management, procurement discipline, and operational efficiencies while maintaining service levels.
   • Monitor performance against budgets and policies; address variances promptly.
   • Provide Council with clear trade‑offs, risks, and recommendations for operating and capital priorities.
4. Project and contract management
   • Oversee major projects from planning through delivery, managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, and community impacts.
   • Lead procurement and contract administration, setting clear expectations for consultants and contractors.
   • Ensure transparent reporting, risk management, and accountability, with proactive communication to Council and stakeholders.
5. Community relations and intergovernmental affairs
   • Represent the Town in intergovernmental, regional, and external relationships, advancing Nanton’s priorities and funding opportunities.
   • Maintain positive relationships with residents, businesses, and community organizations through visible, responsive leadership.
   • Support community engagement and ensure timely, clear communication that builds trust and accountability.

Qualifications

• Post‑secondary degree in public administration, business, planning, engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum 3–5 years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in municipal government or a comparable public‑sector environment.
• Strong knowledge of municipal legislation, governance, and Council–administration roles and responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, financial management, and multi‑year planning with a focus on value for taxpayers and ratepayers.
• Proven project leadership, including capital delivery, asset management, procurement, contract administration, and risk management.
• Experience with planning and development and long‑term service and infrastructure planning.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor staff, develop leaders at all levels, and foster a respectful, accountable workplace.
• Demonstrated strength in public communications, stakeholder engagement, and community relations.
• Experience pursuing grants, sponsorship opportunities, and external funding partnerships to advance municipal priorities.

Compensation

Salary range: $125,000–$150,000 (commensurate with experience)

How to apply

Send applications to:
Mayor Jennifer Handley
[e-mail]

Application deadline: January 16, 2026

Anticipated start date: February 2026 (negotiable)