Manager, Corporate Strategy

 Cochrane is located in the breathtaking Bow Valley corridor in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta. With a population of over 35,000 people, and growing steadily every year, Cochrane is a thriving place, surrounded by world-famous ranch country. Our western heritage is reflected in the architecture and our friendly people. Cochrane welcomes innovative and skilled individuals to join our team of over 250 employees.

Are you a strategic thinker who’s passionate about driving long-term success? We’re looking for a Manager, Corporate Strategy to help lead the charge in shaping the Town of Cochrane’s future. In this key leadership role, you’ll be responsible for developing and executing our corporate strategy, using the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) framework to keep us on track and aligned across all departments. You’ll also oversee our Asset Management program, ensuring it’s integrated into our strategy for a sustainable and financially responsible future.

Why should you consider working for us?

Why Cochrane? Joining the Town of Cochrane means playing a critical role in shaping our community’s future. As a strategic leader, you’ll have the chance to contribute to long-term growth, fiscal sustainability, and operational excellence. If you're passionate about municipal innovation and making data-driven decisions, we’d love to hear from you!

Our employees enjoy many benefits including competitive public sector pay, comprehensive health and dental benefits package, professional learning and development opportunities and the opportunity to work with other talented municipal professionals.  We are passionate about our community, and it shows in our everyday work.

As an organization, Cochrane has a focus on investing in people.  This is not a boring municipality.  We are growing into an organization with a focus on transparency, critical thinking, curiosity, reflection, and innovation.  We support experimentation as part of the growth process and strive for continuous improvement.  We are municipal employees, and we are accountable to all the residents of Cochrane. Want to be a part of this exciting time?

What is a Manager, Corporate Strategy at Cochrane?

The Manager, Corporate Strategy provides strategic leadership, makes data-driven decisions, and fosters collaboration across teams. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Services, this position is critical to helping the Town of Cochrane optimize resources, improve efficiency, and achieve real, measurable outcomes that benefit the organization and the community. This role oversees the Town’s asset management program, ensuring integration into the corporate strategy for long-term sustainability and fiscal responsibility.

If you want to make a difference in our community and have a post-secondary degree in a related field with 5-7 years of experience in strategic planning, corporate strategy or asset management, we welcome your application for our Manager, Corporate Strategy position.

As the Manager, Corporate Strategy, you will:

Strategic Planning & OKR Implementation

• Lead the creation and execution of our corporate strategy, using the OKR framework to track progress and make a big impact.
• Lead the annual strategic planning cycle, including performance reviews and setting new priorities.
• Align department goals with corporate priorities to keep everyone moving in the same direction.
• Analyze emerging trends, economic factors, and policy changes to guide our decisions.

Governance, Performance Measurement & Reporting

• Build and manage performance frameworks to ensure we’re hitting our corporate goals.
• Prepare and present quarterly and annual strategy reports for our Executive Leadership Team and Council.
• Oversee reporting, governance, and accountability to enhance transparency and help us make better decisions.

Project Leadership & Special Initiatives

• Lead and oversee strategic projects and initiatives that fall outside departmental mandates, ensuring they align with municipal priorities.
• Manage end-to-end project lifecycles, from feasibility assessment and business case development to execution and evaluation.
• Develop partnerships with public, private, and non-profit organizations to support project funding, governance, and implementation.
• Provide expert guidance on complex, high-profile initiatives such as the waste-to-energy project, ensuring sound decision-making and alignment with sustainability and financial objectives.
• Monitor project risks, emerging opportunities, and stakeholder interests, making data-driven recommendations to senior leadership and Council.

Asset Management Leadership

• Lead the Town’s Asset Management program, making sure it’s aligned with our broader strategy and supports long-term sustainability.
• Work closely with our Asset Management team and departments like Finance, Development, and Community Safety to integrate asset management into planning and budgeting.

Stakeholder Engagement & Intergovernmental Relations

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, from Council to government agencies, community partners, and local businesses.
• Lead cross-departmental collaboration to ensure we’re all aligned with the Town’s strategic priorities.
• Support our intergovernmental relations by preparing data-driven advocacy materials and helping secure funding for key projects.

Driving Continuous Improvement & Organizational Excellence

• Champion corporate-wide initiatives to improve service delivery, efficiency and innovation.
• Identify opportunities to enhance policies and processes, driving operational excellence.
• Foster a culture of strategic thinking, accountability, and data-driven decisions across all departments.

If many of the following characteristics and skills describe you, we want to meet you!

Strategic & Leadership Skills:

• Proven ability to lead strategic planning and execution using the OKR framework.
• Strong business acumen, with a knack for connecting strategy to financial and operational realities.
• Experience advising senior leadership, including Council and Executive Leadership.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills to navigate complex municipal challenges.
• A background in change management and driving a culture of innovation.

Technical & Functional Expertise:

• Solid understanding of asset management, lifecycle planning and financial sustainability.
• Proficiency in performance measurement, data analytics and strategic reporting.
• Familiarity with municipal governance, public policy and intergovernmental relations.
• Experience in risk analysis, policy development and corporate governance.
• Advanced skills in tools like Microsoft Excel, Power BI, or similar platforms for data analysis.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Strategic Management, Economics or similar.
• Master’s degree in strategic planning, Public Policy, or a related field would be considered an asset.
• 5-7 years of experience in strategic planning, corporate strategy, or asset management, ideally in a municipal or public sector environment.
• Experience implementing OKRs in a complex organization.
• A proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, executing strategic initiatives, and leading small and large-scale projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 

Certifications & Licenses:

• Asset Management or Strategic Management certifications are considered an asset.
• Leadership for Safety Excellence training.
• Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License.

What’s the Work Environment Like?

• You’ll mostly work in an office setting, with occasional site visits or meetings at municipal facilities.
• There may be some travel for stakeholder engagement, training or conferences.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences, so even if you don't check every box on this list, we encourage you to apply if you are passionate about the role and believe your skills and potential can contribute significantly to our team. We are committed to fostering a learning environment where individuals can develop and grow, regardless of their background or prior experience.

Cochrane is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment for all employees.  As a Cochrane employee, you must take reasonable care to protect your health and safety and that of others present at Municipal worksites, perform work safely, follow all relevant health and safety legislation, directives and procedures and attend all identified orientations and training.

Still interested?  Here’s how to apply:

• Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit your resume, and a letter stating how your experience match the required qualifications, skills and abilities for this position.
• All qualified candidates will be requested to complete an online suitability survey
• Applications for this position will be accepted until 9pm MST on March 16th, 2025 at www.cochrane.ca/jobs

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.

Land Acknowledgement         

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta. 

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