General Manager of Strategic and Communication Services (Temporary)

ABOUT US:

The City of Spruce Grove is a fast growing, dynamic city committed to building and maintaining a fiscally responsible community that serves our residents, attracts visitors, and promotes future growth.

The “Values, We Live By” are accountability, communication, leadership, integrity, and respect while we work towards maintaining a work/play balance.

We are an organization that cares, an organization that is committed to our city and committed to you. The City of Spruce Grove is committed to public service, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. We believe that by working together in a spirit of collaboration and respect, we can achieve great things.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The General Manager of Strategic and Communication Services is responsible to provide visionary and strategic leadership to the Strategic and Communication Services Division of the City. As a member of the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) and Joint Leadership Group (JLG), the incumbent has overall accountability for the provision of City Clerk’s Office, Human Resources, Communication Services, and Policy and Strategy Development. They lead the development and implementation of polices and programs to ensure the resources of the municipality are managed in a cost effective and responsible manner. This position reports to the City Manager.

This is a temporary full-time, position for a term of approximately 12-18 months. The salary range for this position is: $182,036.40 - $216,398.00.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITES:

1. Strategic Management:

• Provide expertise, guidance, and recommendations to City Manager, Council, and Organizational Leaders in all aspects of Strategic and Communication Services and business planning including the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services and policy development.
• Act as a key advisor and strategist in leading corporate matters such as the Strategic Planning and Policy, Communications, City Clerk Administration, and Human Resource Management.
• Sponsor the development and implementation of the City's corporate initiatives (programs, projects, etc.) supporting legislative, communications, human resources, and policy and planning requirements.
• Oversee the development of Council and administrative policies, procedures, and other corporate directives.
• Model, support, and encourage a culture of collaborative and healthy workplace, personal accountability, team alignment, respect, recognition, and continuous improvement.

2. Operation Management

• Facilitate the development of long-term and short-term planning processes for the division and ensure appropriate input from staff, board, and public into the Strategic Planning Process.
• Ensure that appropriate and timely planning occurs in all areas of the division.
• Ensure that initiatives, programs, and projects align with strategic planning documents, budget, community needs, and are current in terms of industry trends.
• Provide leadership in ensuring that human capital is managed effectively to meet the service delivery requirements of the division.
• Plan and implement division objectives that are aligned with corporate strategies in order to maximize service delivery.
• Act as a sponsor to various organization wide systems provided by the division.
• Ensure the organization is in full compliance with all relevant legislation and City Administrative policies.
• Seek out legal advice for initiatives, programs, and projects of the Strategic and Communication Services Division as required.
• Negotiate agreements and memorandums of understanding for the approval by the City Manager or Council.
• Facilitate multi-disciplinary work groups, convene, and arrange meetings, coordinate communication, motivate, and facilitate discussion and consensus with respect to the division and corporate mandates.
• Act as the principal advisor to the City Manager, Council, and Council Boards, Committees, and other groups regarding matters within the Strategic and Communication Services mandate.
• Sponsor the development of policies, procedures, and programs reflecting the community needs and make recommendations to Senior Management.
• Provide input into planning documents that is consistent with organizational needs such as Council’s Strategic Plan, Corporate Action Plan, People Strategy, Budget and Fiscal Plan, and department business plans.

3. Financial Management

• Act as chief administrator and lead the division to ensure the maximization of service delivery and resources.
• Oversee and ensure the maximization of service mix and delivery including the development of capital and operational budgets.
• Oversee the development of annual Strategic and Communication Services’ work plans and operational budgets.
• Determine and prioritize the draft Budget and Fiscal Plan – operating and capital.
• Review monthly financial reports and where required, take necessary corrective measures to remain within budget.

4. Supervisory Management

• Ensure leadership aligns with the City’s strategic and corporate plans, as well as values and guiding principles.
• Provide a high level of coaching, training, and mentoring to division staff in the achievement of their goals and projects on an ongoing basis, as well as through the performance management process.
• Manage the daily operations of Strategic and Communication Services, setting goals and expectations for the team, making decisions regarding staffing matters, stressing the importance of teamwork, ensuring the overall efficiency of the services provided by the team.
• Provide the leadership to ensure the efficient and effective ongoing operation of the enterprise-wide programs and services provided by the division, as well as continual enhancements to the programs and their processes.
• Receive and investigate complaints or concerns relative to the delivery of the division services and ensure appropriate information is provided or appropriate action taken.
• Respond to customer concerns and complaints using tact and understanding.

5. Government and Community Partner Relations

• Work with Council and the City Manager on developing, implementing, and monitoring the City’s governmental relations strategy and process.
• Develop briefing notes, attend meetings, and oversee follow up communication.
• Represent the City to select governmental, professional organizations, and non-governmental agencies.
• Serve as information conduit and coordination point for projects and processes deemed strategic by Council and/or City Manager.
• Act as an ambassador for safety and corporate culture for Strategic and Communication Services.
• Ensure that an effective balanced approach to public relations is maintained by Strategic and Communication Services.
• Act as the City's key liaison with appropriate agencies including other municipal jurisdictions, provincial departments, and community stakeholders regarding matters related to Strategic and Communication Services.
• Prepare and deliver presentations, position statements, and information sessions to employees, partner groups, and Council.

6. Other Duties

• Understand and adhere to City policies, procedures, and standards, whether written or implied, as amended from time-to-time.
• Provide leadership for Health and Safety by making every reasonable effort to ensure the health and safety of staff within the section. Understand the safety incident reporting requirements.
• Act as a steward of the City's corporate culture through empowerment and support to staff.
• All employees shall act in a safe manner at all times and will report any unsafe conditions, procedures, or acts for the benefit of the City. Continual adherence to the City Safety Policy is mandatory.
• Employee are expected to stay current on WHMIS and other safety-related procedures.
• Perform other job-related duties.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Communications, or equivalent.
• Ten (10) years of related experience with at least six years in Senior Leadership roles.
• Ability to analyze and interpret administrative procedures, regulations, legal documents, and legislation.
• Advanced communication skills and excellent presentation skills.
• Excellent collaborative negotiation and problems solving skills.
• Highly developed level of interpersonal skills and diplomacy to interact with a variety of internal and external clients.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with all levels within the organization and externally.
• Ability to effectively transfer ideas, concepts, and information into effective and efficient strategies.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative plans.
• Ability to lead a multifaceted team environment.
• Strong customer service orientation and the ability to build positive, productive business relationships.

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

• Municipal Administration Certificate Program.
• Certified Local Government Manager (CLGM).
• Experience in a senior leadership role within a municipal or public sector organization.

COMPETENCIES:

Thinking & Acting Strategically - Forward-thinking. Sees the big picture and imagines the future. Links long-range visions, strategies, and concepts to daily work. Aligns personal actions and initiatives with customer needs and with organizational priorities and direction. To think and act strategically requires an understanding of our organizational direction, as well as the internal and external factors that influence decision-making.

Building Influential Working Relationships - Strengthening and developing working relationships and strategic alliances that are founded on ethics, trust, and guided by our corporate values of respect, leadership, accountability, communication, and integrity.

Optimizing Performance & Results - Reaches for excellence for oneself, one’s team, and the organization. Determined and focused on achieving outcomes that align with organizational goals. Creates goals and priorities that maximize resources while using an enterprising, resourceful approach to deliver outcomes and achieve customer expectations. Maintains accountability for results.

Growing Talent & Workforce Capacity - Honouring the individual differences that make each person unique. Being curious and committed to listening, reflecting, and learning. Developing individual and workforce capabilities to enhance the organization’s capacity to accomplish strategic goals, enhance program and service delivery, and provide an exceptional customer/client experience. Contributes to a learning and teaching culture.

Fostering Innovation & Steering Change – Creates an environment for transformation. Advances the City through improvement based on innovation and guides the associated change. Uses the skills, attitudes, and behaviours needed to produce new or improved programs and services to meet current and future needs of our customers, our organization, and our community.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Driver’s License – must obtain a satisfactory review of a three-year Driver’s Abstract.
• Criminal Record Check Clearance.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Monday to Friday.
• Hours of Work: 8:30am to 4:30pm.
• Overtime may be required. 8 Management days are provided in lieu of overtime worked.
• Limited travel may be required.
• Working in an office environment.
• Exposure to noise levels that may exceed 85 decibels.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive salary
• Optional Pension
• Medical & Dental Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Wellness Initiatives
• Work/Life Balance
• Recognized General Holidays
• Leave Options
• Positive Work Atmosphere
• Employee Awards
• Volunteer and Fundraising Opportunities