Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor

City of Edmonton; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 250,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government is seeking an exceptional Chief of Staff for the Office of the Mayor. This strategic position involves advising the Mayor on key political issues, managing the Mayor's schedule and budget, and overseeing the office operations. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strategic leadership, political acumen, and a strong background in government relations. Applicants should possess relevant education or experience in large public sector organizations. Interested candidates should submit their resumes to [e-mail].

Qualifications

• Experience in Chief of Staff or similar role within a political office is preferred.
• Strong understanding of municipal, provincial, and federal policy issues.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary political advisor to the Mayor.
• Lead operations of the Mayor's Office and manage a team.
• Manage the Mayor's office budget and schedule.
• Oversee negotiations and government relations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Political savvy

Executive management

Government relations

Policy development

Education

Knowledge in policy, government relations, or communications

Job description

Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor

City of Edmonton

Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The City of Edmonton is seeking an exceptional and politically astute Chief of Staff to serve as the lead political and strategic advisor to the Mayor. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in advancing priorities, driving their execution and ensuring the Mayor's Office operates with maximum efficiency and impact. Your work will contribute to shaping City policy, government relations, and the Mayor's public engagement. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our vibrant city and make a significant contribution to municipal, provincial, and federal policy discussions.

The Chief of staff, Office of the Mayor will:

• Serve as the primary advisor to the Mayor, providing strategic counsel on municipal, provincial, and federal policy issues.
• Lead and oversee all operations of the Mayor's Office, including managing a team, to ensure seamless support for the Mayor's mandate.
• Lead complex negotiations and manage high‑level government relations on significant files on behalf of the Mayor and Council.
• Directly manage the Mayor's office budget, including staff structure, wages, benefits, and travel.
• Approve and manage the Mayor's daily schedule, including making crucial decisions about which activities and invitations the Mayor will participate in.
• Delegate work and provide public policy direction to office staff and communications on the Mayor's behalf, often with public and media consequences.
• Anticipate and proactively manage political risks and opportunities for the Mayor, particularly concerning media and public remarks.
• Provide advice to the Mayor on procedural approaches for Council meetings and how to manage relationships with fellow Councillors.

This role requires a unique blend of strategic leadership, political savvy, and executive management. You will be responsible for providing timely advice on policy and strategy. You will manage all office functions, including the oversight of the Mayor's Office staff, the Mayor's schedule, and the development and implementation of key policy initiatives. A crucial component of this role involves leading government relations and acting as the primary negotiator on key files to secure vital support and investment for the City.

As Chief of Staff, you will have at a minimum knowledge, training, or education in policy, government relations, political organization, economic development, staff management, and/or communications and media relations. Experience in a Chief of Staff or a similar executive leadership role within a political office or large public sector organization is preferred.

To explore this exciting opportunity further, please contact or submit your resume to [e-mail]

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process - to request an accommodation, please contact [e-mail].