Director, Assessment & Tax

Strathcona County is seeking a highly accomplished municipal assessment and taxation leader to serve as Director, Tax and Assessment. This senior leadership role is responsible for providing strategic direction, statutory authority, and professional oversight of the County’s assessment and taxation functions within a large‑scale, complex municipal environment.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and CFO, the Director ensures the delivery of an accurate, equitable, legislatively compliant, and defensible assessment roll, along with the effective administration of taxation, collection, and recovery processes that support the County’s Strategic Plan. Decisions are informed by sound technical expertise, statutory requirements, and an understanding of economic, valuation, and regulatory impacts.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director establishes strategic alignment for assessment and taxation within the broader corporate framework and serves as the County’s authority on a broad range of assessment and tax matters. The Director provides leadership that promotes excellence in customer service, transparent communication, and a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement, while ensuring the independence and integrity of the assessment function

The Director must be eligible for appointment as the Designated Municipal Assessor for Strathcona County and, when appointed by the Chief Administrative Officer, will exercise statutory authority under the Municipal Government Act, including assessing all property in the municipality, issuing assessment notices, and maintaining the assessment roll.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and communicate a clear departmental vision aligned with corporate priorities and statutory obligations under the Municipal Government Act and related regulations
• Provide strategic leadership that promotes professionalism, collaboration, transparency, and service excellence while safeguarding the independence and integrity of the assessment function
• Represent the department with Council, the Executive Team, provincial bodies, professional associations, and external stakeholders
• Ensure the preparation, maintenance, and defense of an accurate, equitable, and legislatively compliant assessment roll across a diverse and complex assessment base, including residential, rural, non‑residential, and industrial properties
• Oversee the effective administration of taxation, billing, collection, arrears management, enforcement, and recovery processes
• Ensure compliance with provincial audit standards, procedural fairness requirements, privacy legislation, and information security standards, including defendability before assessment review boards and the courts
• Develop cyclical and long‑range plans that meet legislated timelines and anticipate legislative, economic, valuation, and technological change
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to roll quality, appeal activity, assessment stability, audit outcomes, and tax collection performance
• Lead departmental risk management, systems optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide leadership to a multidisciplinary team of assessment, taxation, and administrative professionals, ensuring clear accountability, succession planning, and professional development
• Oversee departmental budgeting, workforce planning, organizational design, and resource allocation to support both operational excellence and long‑term sustainability

Qualifications and Experience

• A recognized assessment or appraisal designation (e.g., AMAA, CAE, AACI) with associated post‑secondary education
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal assessment and/or taxation, preferably within an Alberta municipal environment
• Eligibility to act as the Designated Municipal Assessor under the Municipal Government Act
• Demonstrated expertise in property valuation methodologies, assessment legislation, tax administration, and appeal processes
• Proven senior leadership experience, including strategic planning, financial management, and leading complex, professional teams
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to convey complex and technical information to diverse audiences, including Council, senior administration, and the public

Conditions of Employment:

• Submission of a Satisfactory Criminal Record Check

Who We Are:

Strathcona County is a specialized municipality located in the heart of Alberta. Our vision is to become Canada’s most livable community, where our workplace culture and identity are supported by our people plan and values of integrity, respect, safety, collaboration, and accountability.

Why Join Strathcona County: (depending on position)

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
  • Extended health and dental coverage
  • Health and wellness spending account
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Retirement and pension programs
  • Management Flex time
  • Employee and family assistance program
• Commitment to employee development, through internal and external training and development opportunities
• Well-being programs and a safety culture focused on physical and psychological health in the workplace

Equivalencies of education and experience may be considered.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies for similar positions within the next 6 months.

Strathcona County is committed to an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace that represents the community we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who can contribute diverse perspectives and experiences.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.