Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Town of Oyen, AB

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to lead the organization and support the Mayor and Council in delivering effective and sustainable municipal services.

The Town of Oyen (www.townofoyen.com) is located at the crossroads of Highways 9 and 41, Oyen is a resilient, community-focused town of approximately 960 residents, offering an excellent quality of life, strong medical services, and a diverse regional economy rooted in agriculture, energy, and transportation.

Reporting to the Mayor and Council, the CAO is the municipality’s administrative head and Council’s sole employee. This role provides strategic leadership to a dedicated team of 12 FTE and 5 PTE, is responsible for a $550K operating budget, and will oversee a $2M capital program over the next three years.

As the CAO, you will:

• Provide strategic, ethical, and collaborative leadership to the Council and the organization.

• Lead and support through coaching, mentorship, and staff development.

• Ensure sound financial stewardship and effective management of public monies and resources.

• Drive strategic planning, economic development, and organizational evolution.

• Build and strengthen local, regional, provincial, and federal partnerships and external stakeholder relationships.

• Ensure compliance with Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (MGA) and related legislation, bylaws, etc.

• Be a visible community leader, making a meaningful difference in residents’ lives.

You are a confident, politically astute municipal executive with:

• Senior leadership experience in local government collaborating with elected officials, staff, regional partners, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders.

• Strong financial acumen and experience in fiscally restrained environments.

• A solid understanding of Alberta’s municipal legislative framework.

• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and conflict-management skills.

• A strategic yet practical mindset with a focus on results.

• Exposure to economic development, land development, and land-use planning.

• High ethical standards, integrity, and professionalism.

• A collaborative leadership style suited to a small, rural community environment.

You will possess:

• Post-secondary education in public administration, business, or a related field.

• A CLGM designation is considered an asset.

• Minimum five (5) years of progressive senior leadership experience in local government.