Manager of External Relations

Township of Muskoka Lakes; Delta; On-site; CAD 134,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Municipal Pension Plan

Earned days off

Job summary

The City of Delta is seeking a strategic, collaborative leader to serve as Manager of External Relations. This role provides leadership across intergovernmental and Indigenous relations, business development, tourism and government advocacy, reporting to the Director of Corporate Services.

The Manager develops and maintains relationships with Indigenous Nations and all levels of government to advance Council priorities.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in public administration or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in municipal/public sector environment.
• Strong understanding of intergovernmental relations, Indigenous relations, and economic development.
• Experience supervising or managing in a unionized environment.
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver's Licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead intergovernmental relations, Indigenous relations and reconciliation, business/economic development, tourism, and strategic partnerships.
• Develop and implement strategies that support Council priorities and strengthen external partnerships.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with Indigenous Nations, government levels, Crown corporations, utilities, and community organizations.
• Coordinate advocacy initiatives with associations such as LMLGA, UBCM, FCM, and Metro Vancouver.
• Prepare Council reports, briefing notes, correspondence, and strategic communications.

Skills

Leadership

Public administration

Intergovernmental relations

Communication

Strategy & planning

Negotiation

Policy analysis

Diplomacy

Education

Post-secondary degree in public administration

Driver's licence (Class 5 BC)

Job description

One of the sunniest regions in BC's Lower Mainland, Delta embraces three unique communities - Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen. The City of Delta is looking for dedicated individuals to join our team and share in our commitment to lead the way in public service excellence.

City of Delta

Manager of External Relations

Are you a strategic and collaborative leader with a passion for building relationships and advancing community priorities? The City is seeking an experienced professional to join our leadership team as Manager of External Relations. This key role provides strategic leadership in building strong relationships with Indigenous Nations, all levels of government, business and community partners, and external agencies, while advancing initiatives that support the City's strategic priorities and long-term success. Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services, the Manager of External Relations leads the City's external relations portfolio, including intergovernmental relations, Indigenous relations and reconciliation, strategic partnerships, business and economic development, tourism and government advocacy. The Manager of External Relations develops and maintains relationships with Indigenous Nations, senior levels of government, businesses, community organizations, and external agencies to advance Council's strategic priorities. The position provides strategic advice and recommendations to senior leadership and Council, develops and coordinates advocacy initiatives, and represents the City on a wide range of corporate matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads the City's Intergovernmental relations, Indigenous relations and reconciliation, business and economic development, tourism, and strategic partnerships portfolios.
• Develops and implements strategies that support Council priorities and strengthen relationships with external partners.
• Builds and maintains strategic relationships and represents the City in negotiations and discussions with Indigenous Nations, all levels of government, Crown corporations, regulated utilities, business organizations, community partners, and other external agencies.
• Coordinates the City's advocacy initiatives through organizations including LMLGA, UBCM, FCM, Metro Vancouver, and other government associations.
• Prepares Council reports, briefing notes, correspondence, presentations, and other strategic communications.
• Provides advice and recommendations to the Director of Corporate Services, City Manager’s Office, and Council on matters related to the portfolio.
• Leads or supports complex corporate initiatives involving multiple departments and external stakeholders.
• Supervises staff within the External Relations portfolio.

Portfolio Responsibilities

• Intergovernmental Relations
• Government Advocacy
• Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
• Strategic Partnerships
• Business and Economic Development
• Tourism
• Port and Marine Issues
• Fraser Valley Regional Library
• Relationships with BC Hydro, FortisBC, and other external agencies
• Special projects and initiatives as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to provide direction and lead initiatives effectively in a municipal environment.
• Sound knowledge of municipal government, public administration, and applicable local government legislation, policies, and processes.
• Demonstrated understanding of intergovernmental relations, Indigenous relations, economic development, public policy, and the broader municipal operating environment.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, collaboration, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and initiatives from planning through implementation, including managing scope, timelines, resources, and competing priorities.
• Ability to provide sound advice and recommendations to senior leadership and elected officials on complex and sensitive matters.
• Demonstrated ability to develop clear, concise reports, recommendations, briefings, and presentations for a range of audiences.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex information, identify risks and opportunities, and develop practical solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and political acumen when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across departments, levels of government, community partners, and other diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing circumstances, and deliver results in a fast-paced municipal environment.

Education and Experience

• A post-secondary degree in public administration, political science, business administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience preferably within a municipal or public sector environment including in the areas of intergovernmental relations, Indigenous relations and economic development.
• Demonstrated experience showing a strong understanding of political environments, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated supervisory or management experience, preferably within a unionized environment.
• Valid Class 5 B.C. Driver's Licence.

The City of Delta provides a competitive salary of $134,218 - $160,058 (commensurate with experience) and an excellent benefits package including Municipal Pension Plan as well as an earned-days-off system. Interested applicants are requested to apply online at www.delta.ca/employment, to competition number 26-181 EX B by September 29, 2026. At the City of Delta, we are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce that is representative of our community, providing equal opportunity and fostering an inclusive workplace where our individual differences are recognized, valued and celebrated.