Chief Administrative Officer

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Village of Clyde, Alberta

 

More Than a Stopping Point. A Starting Point.

Nestled in the heart of Alberta's agricultural landscape and located less than an hour north of the Edmonton region, the Village of Clyde is a welcoming and connected community where affordable living, entrepreneurial opportunity, and authentic small-town values come together.

Founded as a pivotal stopping point on the historic Athabasca Landing Trail, Clyde today is a community of approximately 420 residents that proudly embraces its heritage while building toward an ambitious future. With affordable housing, a strong sense of belonging, easy access to urban amenities, and a commitment to supporting families, entrepreneurs, and business investment, Clyde is a place where people can truly put down roots, grow a business, and build a meaningful life.

Guided by the vision of being a connected, welcoming, and opportunity-focused community, Clyde is seeking an energetic, collaborative, and forward-thinking Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to lead the organization into its next chapter.

 

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Mayor and Council, the Chief Administrative Officer serves as the administrative head of the Village and is responsible for providing strategic leadership, organizational direction, and operational oversight in accordance with the Municipal Government Act (MGA), Village bylaws, and Council policies.

As the principal advisor to Council, the CAO plays a critical role in advancing Council's vision, implementing strategic priorities, and fostering meaningful relationships throughout the community and region.

The Village of Clyde operates with a lean, highly engaged team. The CAO directly oversees:

• Finance Officer / Executive Assistant
• Administrative Assistant
• Public Works Foreman

 

As well as providing leadership and support to a:

• Part-Time Public Works Employee

 

This position requires a leader who is comfortable working strategically while remaining engaged in day-to-day municipal operations.

The successful candidate will thrive in a hands-on environment and appreciate the unique opportunities and rewards of leading a small urban municipality.

Key Responsibilities

Council Relations and Governance

• Provide professional advice, recommendations, and strategic guidance to Council.
• Support Council in establishing and achieving strategic priorities and community goals.
• Ensure Council receives timely, accurate, and balanced information for decision-making.
• Attend Council meetings and provide administrative leadership during governance processes.
• Develop and implement policies, bylaws, and procedures approved by Council.
• Maintain effective, transparent, and respectful working relationships between Council and Administration.

Strategic Leadership

• Lead implementation of Council's strategic priorities and community development objectives.
• Facilitate planning and organizational goal setting.
• Identify emerging opportunities, risks, trends, and challenges affecting the municipality.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, and excellent customer service.
• Promote a workplace that reflects Clyde's values of connection, collaboration, respect, and community pride.

Financial and Corporate Management

• Provide overall leadership for the Village's financial planning and management.
• Direct the preparation of annual operating and capital budgets.
• Monitor financial performance and ensure strong fiscal stewardship.
• Identify grant opportunities and oversee grant applications, reporting, and compliance.
• Ensure effective management of municipal assets, infrastructure, records, technology, and resources.

Organizational Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and support a small team of municipal professionals.
• Build employee engagement through coaching, empowerment, and professional development.
• Promote workplace safety and ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety requirements.
• Foster a collaborative culture where employees are valued, supported, and equipped to succeed.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability measures, and performance standards.

Community and Economic Development

• Champion initiatives that support Council's vision for sustainable growth and community vitality.
• Work with regional partners, businesses, developers, and community groups to advance economic development opportunities.
• Support entrepreneurship, business attraction, housing development, and investment readiness initiatives.
• Promote partnerships that strengthen the Village's long-term sustainability.
• Actively contribute to community events, celebrations, and public engagement opportunities.

Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Relations

• Develop positive relationships with neighbouring municipalities, provincial and federal agencies, community organizations, and regional partners.
• Represent the Village's interests in regional discussions and collaborative initiatives.
• Advocate for community priorities through respectful and effective relationship-building.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Village of Clyde and its vision for the future.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate is an approachable and authentic leader who understands the unique opportunities and challenges of municipal government.

They demonstrate a balance of strategic thinking, financial management expertise, relationship-building skills, and operational leadership. They are comfortable rolling up their sleeves when needed, while maintaining focus on long-term community success.

Key Competencies

Leadership

• Inspires trust, confidence, and collaboration.
• Develops and supports high-performing teams.
• Leads organizational change positively and effectively.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

Political and Organizational Experience

• Understands municipal governance and Council-administration relationships.
• Recognizes political implications of recommendations and decisions.
• Exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Understands strategic planning and organizational development.

Communication and Community Engagement

• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Builds productive relationships with Council, staff, residents, businesses, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrates transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness.
• Skilled in conflict resolution and consensus-building.

Financial and Administrative Excellence

• Strong knowledge of municipal budgeting and financial management.
• Experience with grant funding, reporting, and accountability.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and organizational effectiveness.

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Post-secondary education in Public Administration, Business Administration, Local Government Studies, Commerce, or a related field.
• Progressive senior leadership experience, preferably in municipal government.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with elected officials and community stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of the Municipal Government Act and relevant municipal legislation.
• Experience in strategic planning, budgeting, project management, and organizational leadership.
• Experience with grant acquisition and administration.
• Certified Local Government Manager (CLGM) designation or equivalent municipal leadership training is considered an asset.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

 

Why Clyde?

The Village of Clyde offers something increasingly rare: connection.

Residents describe Clyde as safe, affordable, welcoming, family-oriented, and community-minded. Here, neighbours know one another, volunteers make a difference, and local government has a direct impact on everyday life.

Clyde's strategic vision focuses on:

• Supporting entrepreneurs and small business growth.
• Attracting families through affordability and quality of life.
• Building partnerships for economic development.
• Enhancing community spaces and amenities.
• Growing responsibly while preserving the community's character.
• Strengthening connections among residents, businesses, and regional partners.

If neighbourly connection had a name, it would be Clyde.

This is an opportunity to lead a community with significant potential and help shape a future where families, businesses, and ideas can thrive.

We are small, but not too small to raise a family, build a business, or spend a whole career making a difference.