Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Permanent Full-Time

The Summer Village of Ma-Me-O Beach, located on the south shore of Pigeon Lake, is seeking an experienced, highly organized and community-minded professional to serve as its Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

Reporting directly to Council, the CAO is the administrative head of the municipality and Council’s principal advisor. The CAO is responsible for providing leadership to municipal administration, implementing Council’s direction, ensuring legislative and financial accountability, overseeing municipal operations and helping position Ma-Me-O Beach for long-term success.

A Hands-On Municipal Leadership Role

Ma-Me-O Beach is a small municipality with a highly engaged community and a broad range of municipal responsibilities. Council is therefore looking for more than an executive administrator.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on municipal leader who is comfortable moving between strategic and operational responsibilities. On any given day, the CAO may be advising Council, preparing a budget or Council report, coordinating a capital project, working with Public Works, responding to a resident, managing a contractor, reviewing a development matter or communicating with the Province.

A regular and visible presence within the community is an important requirement of the position.

Key Responsibilities

The CAO will be responsible for:

• Providing professional, objective and evidence-based advice to Council;
• Preparing Council agendas, reports, recommendations and minutes and ensuring timely follow-up on Council decisions;
• Implementing Council’s strategic priorities, bylaws, policies and resolutions;
• Ensuring compliance with Alberta’s Municipal Government Act and other applicable legislation;
• Leading annual operating and capital budgeting, financial reporting, taxation, audit preparation and financial controls;
• Overseeing municipal administration, employees, contractors and service providers;
• Providing administrative oversight of Public Works, municipal facilities, roads, beaches, parks and other municipal infrastructure;
• Coordinating capital projects, procurement and contract administration;
• Maintaining and implementing the municipality’s long-term capital priorities and 10-Year Capital Plan;
• Supporting continued implementation and reporting associated with the municipality’s Viability Review Action Plan;
• Identifying and administering provincial and federal grants;
• Coordinating planning, development and Land Use Bylaw matters;
• Maintaining strong relationships with Alberta Municipal Affairs, neighbouring municipalities and regional partners;
• Supporting emergency management responsibilities;
• Ensuring effective records, information technology and privacy practices;
• Maintaining clear, accurate and timely municipal communications; and
• Building respectful and responsive relationships with residents and community organizations.

Who We Are Looking For

Council is seeking an experienced professional who combines strong municipal knowledge with practical leadership, sound judgment and a commitment to public service.

The successful candidate will be:

• Highly organized, accountable and attentive to follow-through;
• Practical, resourceful and solutions-oriented;
• Financially responsible and comfortable managing municipal budgets and financial reporting;
• An excellent written and verbal communicator;
• Comfortable working independently in a small municipal organization;
• Able to effectively prioritize competing demands;
• Proactive in identifying risks and emerging issues;
• Confident providing candid professional advice to elected officials;
• Politically neutral and respectful of the distinction between governance and administration;
• Calm and professional when managing difficult or contentious situations;
• Responsive and approachable while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries; and
• Committed to integrity, transparency, confidentiality and responsible municipal government.

Qualifications

The preferred candidate will possess:

• Relevant post-secondary education in public administration, business, finance, management or a related field;
• NACLAA certification, CLGM designation or comparable municipal administration education or professional designation;
• Significant municipal administration experience, preferably within Alberta;
• Previous experience as a CAO, Deputy CAO, senior municipal administrator or comparable municipal leadership role;
• Strong knowledge of Alberta’s Municipal Government Act and municipal legislative framework;
• Experience with municipal budgeting, financial reporting, taxation and audit processes;
• Experience with Council reports, bylaws, policies, procurement, contracts and project management;
• Knowledge of municipal planning and development processes;
• Strong leadership, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills; and
• Strong computer skills, with MuniWare experience considered an asset.

An equivalent combination of education, professional development and demonstrated municipal experience may be considered.