SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE FIRE CHIEF

City of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A major Canadian city is seeking a Special Advisor to the Fire Chief. This senior leadership role entails driving divisional priorities, managing complex projects, and ensuring operational effectiveness across fire services. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in emergency services, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage sensitive information with discretion. This position requires active engagement with various stakeholders to enhance service delivery and accountability.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in emergency services, military, or emergency management.
• Strong leadership experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated success in leading organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of headquarters.
• Manage high-impact initiatives and operational effectiveness.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Emergency services experience

Leadership

Project management

Public information and media relations

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Job description

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• Job Category: Emergency, Fire and Paramedics Services
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent Vacancy
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 22-SEP-2025 to 06-OCT-2025

Overview

The Special Advisor to the Fire Chief is a senior leadership role that serves as a strategic extension of the Fire Chief and General Manager, responsible for driving divisional priorities, managing high-impact initiatives, and ensuring operational and program effectiveness across Toronto Fire Services (TFS).

The Advisor leads the day-to-day business of headquarters, cultivating a high-trust, agile environment that enables effective decision-making and seamless coordination across the Command Team. This role is central to translating strategic vision into actionable plans, overseeing projects from ideation through execution, and ensuring alignment with City Council directives and corporate frameworks.

With a mandate that spans strategic planning, policy development, and line of sight into all TFS divisions, the Advisor plays a critical role in shaping the long-term direction of TFS. The Advisor designs and implements transformative programs and functional policies that enhance service delivery, organizational performance, and public accountability; entrusted with managing sensitive and confidential matters, including those related to labour relations, personnel investigations, and reputational risk, the Advisor exercises sound judgment and discretion in all aspects of work.

The role demands a high level of cross-functional leadership, including oversight of divisional initiatives, emergency response, and inter-agency collaboration. The Advisor liaises with internal and external stakeholders, including emergency services partners, elected officials, association leadership, and provincial/federal agencies, to ensure cohesive and responsive service delivery. Providing strategic counsel to the Fire Chief on emerging issues, operational risks, and divisional performance, the Advisor is responsible for briefing the TFS Command Team leadership on complex and time-sensitive matters.

Operationally, the Advisor manages the Office of the Fire Chief, oversees security programs, and ensures compliance with corporate policies and risk management protocols. The Advisor leads divisional efforts in organizational change and service integration, while also supporting the Fire Chief’s ceremonial and protocol responsibilities, including their role as Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor.

This role may have 24/7 on-call requirements to support the Fire Chief during major incidents, emergencies, and critical events, reflecting the continuous and high-stakes nature of fire service operations. The Advisor is expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism as a visible and trusted representative of Toronto Fire Services and its leadership.

Key Qualifications

• Extensive experience in emergency services, military, or emergency management.
• Strong leadership experience managing diverse, collaborative, cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated success in leading organizational change and operational improvements.
• Experience managing complex projects.
• Experience in public information and media relations.
• Experience managing highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Skilled in preparing formal reports and communications for senior leadership and Council.
• Strong business acumen and political awareness in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Visionary, adaptive leader with strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, including elected officials and senior staff.
• Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and respectful workplaces.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g., FPPA, OHSA, Toronto Municipal Code).
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain all required security clearances (CBRNE, HUSAR, Public Order Unit, special events).

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.