Director of Strategic Initiatives
Located within the traditional land of the Anishnaabek, Haudenosaunee and Wendat-Wyandot-Wyandotte peoples, the Town of The Blue Mountains is a four-season community with stunning natural features, including the Niagara Escarpment, Beaver Valley and the Georgian Bay shoreline. Internationally recognized as a four-season tourism destination, The Blue Mountains offers a high-quality lifestyle that caters to families looking to build a solid foundation, adventurers looking to go off the beaten path and relaxation seekers taking in and experiencing the very best the area has to offer.
The Town is looking for people with a shared commitment to building a sustainable community, as well as shared values of integrity, inclusivity, excellence, accountability, and stewardship for the well-being of our residents.
Come gain a unique experience in the 2nd fastest growing municipality in Canada!
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Strategic Initiatives will drive departmental efficiencies, oversee budgeting processes, and foster continuous improvement. This role is responsible for leading corporate-wide projects aligned with Council priorities, and spearheading strategic initiatives to enhance communication, customer service, sustainability, and economic development. Accountable for all activities within the Strategic Initiatives Department, the Director will develop and implement short and long-term strategies to meet community and corporate needs, ensuring effective and economical business plan management.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- As the Department Head, use innovative along with well-developed technical, management and leadership skills to lead and/or participate on project teams, as assigned.
- Champion the corporate mission and values within the Strategic Initiatives Department and across the Corporation as a whole.
- Lead, manage and oversee the supervision of departmental staff including routine performance reviews, training, and development. Recommend major discipline, termination, promotion, and transfer of departmental staff. Oversee and monitor that employees are working in compliance with health and safety policies and practices.
- Assess staffing needs, departmental and divisional design, provide recommendations to the CAO and implement organizational structure changes; participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or review hiring recommendations, and hiring within the department.
- Encourage and instill a culture and philosophy of building The Blue Mountains Team within the organization through innovative training, coaching, mentoring, professional development and career growth with and keen desire to ensure opportunities for appropriate and well-communicated succession planning.
Strategy:
- Think and act strategically in a political and community/client service environment; anticipate and plan for change and align communications strategies and initiatives with Council’s strategic priorities and corporate goals and objectives.
- Monitor the implementation of the corporate strategic plan, related departmental objectives and actions, and alignment with key strategic priorities.
- Ensure the development and implementation of a corporate performance management program including key performance indicators and business process improvements.
- Encourage change management, create, and champion innovative ideas, support and generate organization and community initiatives.
Engagement, Communication & Customer Service:
- Ensure the development and implementation of a corporate communications strategy, identify issues and act as the expert resource for Council and Staff regarding the implementation of all communications requirements.
- Planning, developing, and delivering all internal and external communications, including public relations, media relations, branding, crisis communications, issues management, reputation management and social and digital media.
- Focus on all communications and marketing initiatives and client service delivery, ensuring standardization and consistency of messaging and improvement of communications policies and practices.
- Engaging and fostering ongoing relationships with key community stakeholders (businesses, students, seniors, organizations) and creating a positive two-way communication atmosphere.
- Lead the strategic planning and execution of initiatives aimed at enhancing the corporate customer service portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and customer-centric values.
- Ensure the development and implementation of strategies to optimize customer service operations, streamline processes, and drive continuous improvement in service delivery, while fostering a culture of excellence and accountability within the customer service team.
Economic Development:
- Provide leadership to a team in the execution of the Town’s Economic Development Plan.
- Implementation and maintenance of an effective Business Retention and Expansion program, identifying retention and expansion opportunities, providing research and resources.
- Network with current and potential commercial and industrial businesses, connecting contacts to relevant support programs and services offered by various levels of government and industry players.
- Implement and maintain a Tourism Strategy including branding and wayfinding, which includes implementing new methods to promote the Town as a tourist destination in partnership with current area tourism partners.
- Connect, liaise, and foster relationships with the current and future business community.
Sustainability:
- Ensure the execution of a comprehensive sustainability strategy, integrating environmental, social, and governance considerations into Town operations.
- Drive innovation and efficiency by recommending sustainable practices, technologies, and solutions throughout the organization.
- Identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities related to sustainability and incorporate them into strategic planning processes.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed sustainability principles into decision-making processes across all departments.
- Oversee the development and implementation of sustainability metrics, targets, and reporting mechanisms to track progress and drive continuous improvement.
Project Management:
- Oversee the strategic planning and execution of a fulsome range of Major Capital Projects and Corporate initiatives that are identified as significant Corporate and Community projects.
- Ensure the development and implementation strategies to optimize and streamline project processes to ensure that all projects are completed in an effective, efficient, and fiscally responsible manner and drive continuous improvement in service delivery while fostering a culture of excellence and accountability throughout the Corporation
What you will need:
- Post-secondary degree in a related field (business, economic development, communications, public administration, project management).
- 10 years of progressive experience with 5 years of senior management experience, preferably in a municipal environment.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in sustainability management, corporate responsibility, or related fields, will be considered an asset with a demonstrated track record of driving positive impact.
- Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, coaching, time management, strategic planning and management skills.
- Significant project management and policy development experience is required. Experience with continuous quality improvement and developing innovative approaches to the delivery of municipal or business services.
- Ability to collaboratively work with elected and non-elected officials, staff at all levels, and external stakeholders while promoting and fostering a positive and respectful environment.
- The ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- A clear and solid understanding of the issues faced by the organization and the industry.
- Ability to delegate, set expectations, and monitor the progress of all direct reports.
- Demonstrated experience with coaching and development of management-level employees.
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment and influence others to achieve shared goals.
- Strong business acumen.
- Strong formal and informal leadership skills.
- High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office and related software utilized by the Town.
What we offer:
This is a full-time, permanent opportunity at the Town. The annual salary for this role is $149,585.80 – $175,011.20 (2024 Rate). The Town also offers the following to our employees:
- Perks & Discounts
- Wellness Programs
- Health & Dental Benefits * full-time & 12 month + contracts only
- OMERS
- Work / Life Flexibility
- Professional Development & Education Opportunities
A detailed job description and instructions on how to apply are available on the Town’s website, www.thebluemountains.ca, under Town Hall – Employment Opportunities.
The submission deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), please advise the Human Resources Department to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Personal information provided by the applicants is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and will be used for the purpose of candidate selection.
We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
