ABOUT THE TOWN OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Located along the breathtaking landscape of the Niagara Escarpment and the sparkling shores of Georgian Bay, the Town of The Blue Mountains is renowned worldwide as the ultimate four-season playground delivering a lifestyle that’s as diverse as its landscapes. Whether you’re interested in laying down new roots, seeking adventure or are interested in relaxation and wellness, The Blue Mountains has it all.
With over 9,300 full-time residents, 2.5 million annual visitors, and an extensive part-time and seasonal population, The Blue Mountains provides a quintessential small town charm and experience, with all of the services and amenities needed for a sought-after lifestyle.
The local economy is a vibrant blend of small towns thriving on agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, recreation, and a strong, unmatched entrepreneurial spirit with a vibrant local business community.
As an organization, the Town is committed to its mission of providing top-tier municipal services while driving economic growth, fostering a strong sense of community well-being and delivering a high-quality of life for residents.
Guided by Council’s strategic leadership, the Town is innovative, forward-looking and driven for success to make The Blue Mountains the best community in Ontario.

POSITION SUMMARY

The CAO is accountable to Council, delivering strategic leadership and guidance for efficiently managing the Town’s portfolios, departments, programs, and services in line with Council’s policies and plans. As the sole employee of Council, the CAO is responsible for aligning Council’s values and priorities with the administrative resources needed to achieve operational objectives.
The CAO operationalizes Council’s vision and corporate strategies to deliver results, while inspiring and motivating staff to effectively address challenges and implement necessary changes. As a prominent community leader and partner, the CAO champions community engagement and develops and maintains positive relationships with Council, staff, and stakeholders, thereby promoting a constructive and positive workplace culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess a minimum of 10 years of senior executive experience within municipal or public sector environments.
• A university degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, or a related discipline is required. A Master’s degree in these fields is preferred.
• Additional post-graduate training in leadership, public or business administration, or completion of the Certified Municipal Officer Program is advantageous.
• Membership in the Ontario Municipal Administrators Association is advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience in corporate portfolio management, working strategically with elected officials and managing general operations within unionized settings.
• Extensive knowledge of contemporary challenges and developments in Ontario’s local government sector is essential, with a thorough understanding of the cultural, economic, and operational nuances of the Town of The Blue Mountains being particularly beneficial.
• Proficient in HR management, financial oversight, project management, and policy development.
• Strong understanding of municipal legislation, municipal operations, financial protocols, labour relations, and collective agreement management.
• Familiarity with business management principles, standards, and best practices in marketing and communication.
• Strong communication skills — verbal, written, and effective listening — ensuring professionalism and clarity.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills, with professionalism, tact, and diplomacy to maintain productive relationships.
• Inclusive leadership approach, adept at fostering team cohesion and engaging stakeholders effectively.
• Strategic thinker, capable of decisive action in a political and community service context.
• Adaptive management style to meet Council and staff needs.
• Committed to lifelong learning and professional development, emphasizing continuous improvement.
• Possesses strong strategic planning, prioritization, and execution skills, fostering innovation.
• Excellent project management, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Proven track record in building cohesive teams and achieving objectives.
• Proficient in technology, with experience using Google Docs, Microsoft Office Suite, and Human Capital Management systems.

Council Stewardship and Strategic Advisory

• Serve as the principal advisor and liaison to Council, providing balanced insights and recommendations on policy and decision-making processes.
• Cultivate mutual respect and trust, promoting open communication and collaboration between administration and Council.
• Establish and maintain regular feedback channels to ensure alignment and understanding between Council and management.

General Administrative Management

• Efficiently execute Council resolutions and policies, aligning them with strategic objectives and operational priorities to support the Town’s long-term vision.
• Administer and supervise the Town’s business affairs with accountability and transparency, ensuring alignment with Town values and safeguarding its interests.
• Guide department leaders to enhance operational effectiveness, driving service delivery improvements and optimizing municipal services for increased efficiency.
• Develop, implement and evaluate strategies for service enhancement that align with Council’s strategic goals, emphasizing quality, responsiveness, and overall efficiency.
• Champion forward-thinking plans to address future growth with a focus on innovative resource utilization and community development.
• Provide visionary leadership in creating comprehensive plans and policies, ensuring alignment with Council’s strategic objectives and promoting sustainable growth.

Policy and Strategic Development

• Advise Council on strategic planning initiatives, providing comprehensive analysis and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
• Foster innovation and excellence in municipal services through continuous improvement and strategic planning initiatives.
• Promote, monitor and evaluate the execution of strategic plans across municipal departments, ensuring they emphasize customer-focused and performance-oriented approaches.
• Stay informed about trends in municipal leadership and legislative changes, updating strategies as necessary to maintain relevance and compliance.
• Implement change management practices to facilitate effective organizational adjustments and resilience.

Financial Management

• Oversee the preparation and strategic management of the Town’s budget, ensuring alignment with Council’s long-term vision, strategic priorities and established fiscal policies.
• Continuously monitor, evaluate, and provide regular updates to Council on the Town’s financial and operational performance, recommending and implementing corrective measures as needed to ensure budgetary compliance and long-term financial sustainability.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Maintain clear and open channels of communication with all governmental levels and key stakeholders, fostering accountability, transparency and collaboration.
• Develop and sustain robust external relationship networks, engaging community leaders, stakeholders, and intergovernmental agencies effectively.
• Serve as a representative of the Town to governmental bodies and in inter-municipal initiatives, ensuring consistent representation and advocacy.

Human Resource Management

• Guide senior management in effective staff management, focusing on workforce planning, compliance with employment legislation, and management of collective agreements. Administer the performance management program, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives to optimize staff performance against strategic priorities.
• Assess staffing needs and propose organizational changes to Council, targeting efficiency and improved service delivery.
• Ensure consistent departmental compliance with Council-approved staffing levels and HR policies, maintaining organizational accountability and alignment.
• Champion strategic human resource initiatives that emphasize talent acquisition, continuous staff training, professional development, and innovative retention strategies, thereby strengthening organizational capacity and fostering an enriching learning based work environment.
• Cultivate a safety-oriented workplace culture, ensuring adherence to health and safety regulations to support employee well-being and engagement.

Community Relations and Public Representation

• Communicate Council decisions to both the public and internally to staff, ensuring clarity and consistency in messaging.
• Actively participate in Provincial and Federal initiatives when approved, serving as the key senior administrative liaison with other levels of government.
• Implement community engagement strategies that cultivate robust relationships with residents, businesses, and community organizations, promoting inclusive participation in municipal initiatives.
• Develop and enhance resident-centric services by utilizing technology to improve service delivery efficiency and increase accountability and transparency in council and administrative processes.

Leadership and Organizational Development

• Inspire and develop staff by effectively managing resources, enhancing both individual and team contributions to the organization.
• Lead senior management team meetings to promote strong interdepartmental communication and coordinated initiative planning.
• Foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, promoting customer-focused, performance-oriented practices across the organization.
• Lead and support team-building initiatives, providing objective decision-making guidance and encouraging collaborative problem-solving.
• Build sound organizational structures that leverage talent, technology, and processes efficiently across the Town.
• Maintain an open-door policy to bolster transparent communication with staff, to enhance workplace morale and positive workplace culture.
• Ensure compliance with statutory regulations and demonstrate robust governance and accountability.
• Inspire staff to adopt innovative, forward-thinking approaches, driving continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Engage in direct staff supervision and mentorship to enhance team capacity and capability, aligning staff performance with strategic priorities and goals.