Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
The Town of Essex is located in southwestern Ontario, approximately 28 kilometres southeast of the City of Windsor. It is one of seven lower‐tier municipalities in the County of Essex with borders extending from the hub of the county to Lake Erie. Essex includes two urban centres (Essex Centre and Harrow) and two hamlets (McGregor and Colchester). These unique communities are surrounded by a thriving wine and agriculture industry and boast a wide range of recreational facilities, an excellent school system, and affordable living options.
The Town is current seeking qualified candidates for the position of Chief Administrative Officer.
As the top executive position for the municipality, the CAO is responsible for providing strategic vision and effective leadership to the whole organization and is the administrative representative to the community. With the support of the Senior Management Team the CAO plans, organizes, directs and controls all municipal operations and services in accordance with municipal policies and relevant legislation and oversees and provides leadership and direction to cross-departmental efforts to continuously improve the overall citizen experience
Qualifications: The successful candidate will possess:
- Post Secondary Degree in a discipline related to municipal service delivery.
- 10 years of progressively responsible senior level experience in a municipal government setting or similar environment.
- Post-graduate Master’s in Public Administration or relevant program is considered an asset.
- Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to support collaborative teams, as well as foster strong working relationships with Council, Staff and a diverse group of stakeholders within the community.
- Must have thorough knowledge of municipal operations, as well as the ability to interpret and administer a variety of regulations, legislation, contractual agreements, policies and guidelines pertaining to municipal government.
- Strategic and innovative thinker with a proven ability to champion and implement change.
- Must be able to effectively manage multiple tasks/projects/initiatives concurrently.
- Ability to manage staff at all levels, including unionized staff, and ensure staff are accountable for performance and results.
- Strong analytical, problem solving, critical thinking and negotiation skills with the demonstrated ability to strategically organize and identify work priorities and to adjust seamlessly to changing demands.
- Demonstrated short and long-term vision and success developing and implementing strategic and operational business plans.
- Thorough knowledge of the Municipal Act, 2001, and other related legislation and regulations.
- High degree of political and business acumen required.
The Town of Essex offers a competitive salary in the range of $191,871 to $233,225 complimented by an excellent benefit package.
Qualified candidates are invited to apply with their resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM on March 7, 2025.
The Town of Essex is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Accommodation may be provided in all parts of the hiring process.
