Manager, Strategic Initiatives

Town of Oakville; Oakville; Hybrid; CAD 118,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Oakville seeks a Manager, Strategic Initiatives to lead high-impact projects and support the Executive Management Team. This permanent full-time role involves strategic planning, project management, and collaboration with various stakeholders to enhance the Oakville Public Library's mission and services.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in a relevant field.
• Project management designation preferred.
• Public sector experience is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and implementation of high-impact initiatives.
• Oversee management of capital and large-scale projects.
• Develop corporate performance metrics and reporting tools.

Skills

Problem Solving

Analytical Skills

Negotiation

Collaboration

Political Acuity

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Public Administration

Job description

Employment Status: Permanent Full-time (Non-Union)
Primary Location: Central Branch
Alternate Locations: This role will be required to travel to all site locations. As well, this role will have the opportunity to work from home (WFH) based on operational requirements.
Hours: 35 hours per week which consists of regular business hours with occasional evenings and/or weekends
Salary: $118,354 - $139,240

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Manager, Strategic Initiatives serves as a key support and thought partner to the Executive Management Team. The position will lead the planning and implementation of high-impact, cross-organizational initiatives that advance the Oakville Public Library’s strategic direction. This includes overseeing capital projects, aligning organization-wide initiatives, and supporting informed decision-making through performance measurement and organizational insight.

Oakville Public Library employees support and work within the policies and framework of the Library corporate culture as embodied in the Vision and Mission Statements, Values, Strategic Pillars, and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ position statements on Intellectual Freedom and Diversity and Inclusion, with particular emphasis on providing excellent customer service.

What you'll do
Strategic Initiatives
•Lead the planning, development, and implementation of high-impact, cross-organizational initiatives that align with Oakville Public Library’s strategic plan.
•Lead environmental scanning and strategic foresight activities to identify emerging issues, sector trends, and opportunities that inform library strategy and planning.
•Oversee the management of capital and other large-scale projects, ensuring timely delivery, alignment with organizational goals, and effective use of resources.
•Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Management Team, providing strategic insights, scenario planning, and recommendations on complex organizational decisions
•Collaborate with internal departments and external partners to define project scopes, success criteria, and implementation strategies.
•Ensure alignment of departmental and system-wide initiatives with the Library’s strategic goals, facilitating cross-functional collaboration and resolution of barriers.
•Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and accountability across the organization by identifying opportunities for organizational development and process improvement.
•Lead project governance structures, including the creation of business cases, risk assessments, budgets, and evaluation frameworks.

Reporting & Metrics
•Develop and maintain corporate performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools to measure and communicate progress toward the objectives of the strategic vision, operational plan, and organizational programs.
•Support executive decision-making by analyzing strategic risks, surfacing organizational interdependencies, and presenting evidence-based recommendations.
•Develop and deliver clear and succinct, targeted executive level reports, presentations, briefing notes and related documentation on the state of the organization’s projects and priorities.

Service Partnerships
• Act as a key liaison with the Town of Oakville and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with municipal planning and capital development initiatives

Your experience and educational background:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or suitable equivalent.
• 5 years of experience
• Project management designation is preferred
• Public sector experience is an asset
• Lean Six Sigma certification is an asset
• Training in performance measurement, change management is an asset
• Experience working in a unionized environment
• Highly proficient in problem solving, with strong analytical and critical thinking skills to manage and coordinate planning, development, and delivery of strategies to support the organization’s operations
• Demonstrated skills in negotiation, collaboration, partnership building and political acuity to effectively engage and influence key stakeholders
• Demonstrated understanding of emerging trends, new technologies and advancements in customer centered service
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the principles and practices of accounting, budgeting and financial planning.
• Experience in policy development
• Experience in facility and construction planning and development
• Experience in developing and maintaining service partnerships

Additional Requirements
• Hold a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle for travel to all OPL and Town of Oakville facilities as required.

Who are we?
Oakville Public Library strives to fulfill our mission of cultivating discovery and creativity in every phase of life. We are focused on exceptional customer service to meet the needs of the children, youth, adults, and seniors utilizing our physical or online services. We continue to be agile in our mandate to meet the needs of the residents of Oakville.

What's it like to work at Oakville Public Library?
It's challenging, stimulating, and hugely rewarding. Our positions offer tremendous diversity and excellent opportunities for professional growth. Every day, we commit to providing access to tangible resources and programs that inspire, encourage, and provoke thought for the residents of Oakville.

Applications will be accepted on-line at www.opl.on.ca in the current opportunities section no later than midnight on June 4, 2025.

The Oakville Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and is pleased to accommodate individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) within our recruitment process upon request. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].

A Security Clearance Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening will be required for all employees and volunteers of the Oakville Public Library. Successful applicants must submit the Security Checks (dated within the last six months) prior to or on the first day of employment.

The Oakville Public Library endeavours to provide a safe environment for all its employees. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.