General Manager, Corporate Services

We are looking for a General Manager, Corporate Services to become part of our executive leadership team during a pivotal moment in Sturgeon County's growth. As a vibrant and forward-thinking community, Sturgeon County is a place where innovation, ambition, and collaboration thrive. With a solid foundation and a clear vision for the future, we are looking for talented individuals to help us capitalize on the opportunities ahead. 

We value diversity and foster an environment where every perspective is celebrated, and all individuals are empowered to contribute. Our ideal candidate excels at building strong relationships, engaging teams, and cultivating a culture of innovation and inclusivity.

If you are a visionary leader with a passion for collaboration, a talent for motivating others, and a commitment to creating a dynamic work environment, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity to shape our organization's future and contribute to the growth, innovation, and sustainability of our thriving community.

This position is responsible to serve as the executive manager and strategic leader of the County’s corporate services functions, focused primarily on corporate human resources, health and safety administration, information management, technology and customer support, governance and legislative supports, legal service coordination, and strategic initiatives. The position is a key member of the County’s executive team, and a trusted leader within the organization and community.  

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate and Functional Leadership (40%)

• Provides advice to the executive team, CAO and Elected Officials in the establishment of strategic objectives, policies, and program plans that enable growth and long-term planning.
• Provides executive leadership to personnel in the context of Council’s approved Strategic Plan and Corporate Business Plan reflecting priority initiatives, as well as financial/human resources and governing legislation.
• As a member of the executive leadership team, leads Sturgeon County toward achievement of its vision, mission, values, and strategic directions.  
• Attends and provides advice during regular and special meetings of Council as required and other meetings as requested.  
• Fosters positive and responsible working relationships with other government agencies, the private sector, community organizations, and residents.
• Works collaboratively with other executive managers to provide consistent organizational direction and encourages teamwork to enable efficient and effective corporate service delivery and other key priorities in alignment in accordance with strategy and County policy.
• Ensures quality of decisions, integrity of actions, timeliness, and efficiency of work through effective management, presentations, meetings and working relationships with Council, County administration, the community and business leaders. 

Operational Management and Oversight (35%) 

• Manages performance and continuous improvement, driving high efficiency and effectiveness.  
• Ensures optimal allocation and stewardship of financial resources (capital and annual operating budgets) and assets allocated.
• Facilitates success for the organization in all functional service areas, and in the achievement of its strategic plans, operational outcomes, and relationships.
• Provides regular reporting to the executive and Council on activities and important trends, events, or emerging issues that could impact the organization’s success.
• Reviews and authorizes reporting, expenditures, plans, policies, and procedures. Provides timely and effective approvals of work in accordance with delegated authorities.  
• Ensures personnel respond in an effective and timely manner to Council inquiries and complex or controversial matters.
• Maintains a strong awareness of external factors that affect the County’s organizational service delivery and ensures that operations are strategically evaluated and adjusted on a regular basis; provides clear and timely direction to personnel to ensure program monitoring and reformulated strategies are being implemented when required. 

Corporate and Divisional People Leadership (15%) 

• Cultivates a shared understanding of corporate goals by fostering teamwork, employee empowerment and accountability and encouraging continuous learning. Provides leadership to functional managers that is consultative and responsive, demonstrates open communication and practices fairness.
• Acts as a role model for the desired organizational culture.
• Commits to fostering a workplace of respect, diversity, and inclusion.
• Creates an open, positive working environment for all staff (in office, remote, or hybrid) while engaging in and supporting open discussion.  
• Facilitates and reinforces an efficient, agile, and customer service focused orientation for all staff.
• Invests time in managing and developing people through career planning and professional development. Provides insightful, motivating, and constructive feedback, coaching, and guidance.
• Sets clear expectations, monitors, evaluates, and conducts annual performance reviews.
• Sets and delegates broad work responsibilities for direct reports, managing through general oversight of direct reports.   
• Provides rewards and recognition in alignment with the County’s policies and procedures.
• Provides leadership and support, respecting and adhering to the HR policies and procedures when address performance or disciplinary or investigations and considerations.   
• Monitors and addresses capacity and diversity to meet current and future needs of County. Ensures optimal allocation and stewardship of human resources.
• Makes hiring decisions within approved roles, working in collaboration with the HR team.   
• Oversees work of any contractors and addresses any contract performance concerns. 

Boards or Industry Representation (5%)

• Represents the municipality on local, regional, or provincial boards or events.
• Fosters positive and responsible working relationships with other government agencies, the private sector, community organizations and residents. 

Other Related Duties (5%) 

• Adheres to applicable responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in the Sturgeon County Health and Safety Management System. 

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE 

Required:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive management and leadership experience at a senior level, including corporate budget and business planning, external partnership development and stakeholder engagement.
• A post-secondary bachelor’s degree in business, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related discipline.
• Management and/or leadership training.  
• Significant knowledge of the theory, principles and techniques related to general management and leadership, including managing, and directing staff, training, performance evaluation, research, budgeting, and municipal business areas.
• Significant knowledge of federal, provincial, and local laws, regulations, and other requirements related to corporate services.
• Ability to apply sound judgement when making decisions and providing direction on complex and emerging or high-profile, sensitive, or controversial issues which may have substantial political, community, inter-municipal or administrative implications in a professional and timely manner, all within a framework of policy or legislation.  
• Well-developed skills in working directly with elected officials in a political environment to resolve public and municipal issues.
• Outstanding supervisory skills and administrative abilities in leading, coordinating, directing, motivating, developing, and evaluating staff.  
• Excellent skills and ability to provide strategic leadership, to guide/motivate staff in the development of strategies, principles, and appropriate processes.
• Well-developed negotiation and conflict management skills that preserve professional relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Individual values that align with the corporate values, including a commitment to integrity, people development, and approachable leadership.  
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication and presentation skills to work with Council, staff, Industry, community, and business leaders, the public and all orders of government.    

Assets:

• Awareness and understanding of Indigenous culture issues, communities, and protocols is an asset.
• Membership in the Society of Local Government Managers is an asset.
• Enrollment or completion of the National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration Program is desired.
• Experience with the management of a municipality, particularly in a rural context, is an asset.
• Experience in leading major projects and initiatives is an asset. 

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