Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Summit Search Group has been retained by the RM of West St. Paul on the executive recruitment of their next Chief Administrative Officer. Reporting to Mayor and Council, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is responsible for providing corporate leadership for the general management and stewardship of the municipality. The CAO works cohesively with elected officials, residents, community organizations, industry, agencies, neighbouring municipalities, and other stakeholders to advance the strategic priorities of the municipality as defined by Council and articulated through the Strategic Plan.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Create and foster a supportive work culture that embraces health and safety, efficiency, succession planning, innovation, and service-oriented attitudes;
• Provide direction to senior administration to ensure all municipal operations are functioning in alignment with the strategic goals and objectives;
• Invite diverse perspectives in a respectful environment and facilitate impactful and innovative outcomes;
• Confront challenges in a direct, constructive manner that addresses such matters as resource limitations, environmental and climate change issues, infrastructure renewal, managing rising debt and financial deficits and continued population growth;
• Promote employee engagement by cultivating a safe, supportive high-performance work environment;
• Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and services via continuous process improvement;
• Deliver municipal services and programs that achieve and support a safe and healthy community;

Support for Council:

• Maintain a positive and productive relationship with Council based on trust, commitment, and open communications;
• Regularly update Council on progress, recommended changes, and new matters that relate to the strategic plan;
• Prepare and submit reports and recommendations as required by Council and Council committees;
• Provide effective advice and support to Council in developing, implementing and executing by-laws, policies and strategies to realize the goals and objectives Council puts forth;
• Advise and inform Council of issues and developments and opportunities of an operational, legislative, economic development or political nature that relate to the interests of the municipality;

Budget and Finance:

• Prepare and monitor the financial plan along with the Director of Finance through the development, presentation and management of operational and capital budgets;
• Comply with Provincial and Federal filing and reporting requirements;
• Oversee, review, advise and inform Council on the Municipality's assets, debentures and investments;
• Strategically pursue grant funding in support of Council’s objectives and/or budget needs;

Municipal Administration and Development:

• Create and implement business plans, overseeing capital works and infrastructure programs;
• Build a multi-dimensional service organization with focus and leadership to adapt and integrate planning, policy, and program initiatives;
• Coordinate long-term land-use, economic development, financial, and capital planning;
• Ensure well-planned, limited, and predictable population growth;
• Deliver well-managed infrastructure, expanded facilities and the right resources to be able to meet the needs of the diverse community;
• Attract, select, and recruit professional staff to ensure an effective and well-run municipality and superior service delivery;
• Promote stewardship of the environment maintaining green space and protecting the natural environment;

Legislative Responsibilities:

• Ensure that the directions of Council are implemented efficiently and effectively;
• Develop and implement policies and procedures dealing with the operation of the Municipality;
• Attend meetings of Council as well as boards, committees, commissions, or other bodies as may be required;
• Ensure an alignment between Council’s approved strategic and business plans and goals, and operations;
• Ensure all powers, duties and functions prescribed under The Municipal Act are fulfilled;
• Interpret and apply by-laws, policies, and Provincial and Federal legislation/regulations;
• Analyze problems, implement solutions and make effective, timely decisions;
• Ensure that the Municipality is compliant with all applicable Provincial and Federal legislation and its own by-laws and policies;
• Ensure that staff are appropriately trained and certified as required, with all applicable Provincial and Federal legislation.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 6 years of extensive and/or progressive senior leadership experience in a local government setting or an equivalent combination of training and experience in other relevant settings;
• Post-secondary degree in a relevant discipline such as Business Administration, Commerce or Public Administration or a degree in a related municipal function such as Planning, Engineering, Recreation or Social Services;
• Master’s Degree in Business or Public Administration an asset;
• Certificate in Manitoba Municipal Administration an asset;

Summit Search Group has a strong commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion. We strive for continuous development, modeling, inclusive behaviors and proactively managing bias throughout our process.