City Manager, The City of Grande Prairie
The Community
The fabric of this community, located 450 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, is a fusion of pioneer spirit and new energy fuelled by rapid growth.
Grande Prairie’s population grew by almost 30 per cent over the five years before the 2006federal census, which recorded this city as the second fastest growing in Alberta. This growth put Grande Prairie third among mid-sized urban centres in Canada. The municipal census during 2007 verified that the population has surpassed the 50,000 resident mark. With about three quarters of the residents under the age of 45, Grande Prairie is a vibrant community where people are eager to see the municipality progress even further.
The local economy is driven by oil and gas, the forestry sector, agriculture, and its location as the regional retail centre for about 250,000 area residents. Grande Prairie is also the hub for government in north western Alberta.
Grande Prairie is a Smart City, with a modern and technologically advanced infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing, dynamic community. Partnerships with other municipalities and public and private agencies accelerate the City’s progress in the information age and creates tremendous economic development opportunities and growth.
Grande Prairie combines the amenities of a larger centre with recreation facilities and venues for residents to enjoy a balanced lifestyle in a clean, safe community. For example, the City’s urban park system features over 1,000 acres of parkland and continues to expand.
And within a few minutes drive, outdoor enthusiasts can find themselves enjoying solitude in the spectacular beauty of the world-famous Peace County, so named for the Peace River which flows through the region from British Columbia.
New developments over the next two years will add further jewels to Grande Prairie’s crown of excellent facilities, addressing the needs of all residents.
A new library/gallery will open in the spring 2009 with plans for a regional Aquatics and Wellness Centre to be completed in 2010. The City is addressing its affordable housing needs with the construction of the 40-unit Hearthstone Manor apartment.
These and other initiatives will make Grande Prairie an even greater place to live, work and play as the City celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2008.
The Position
City Manager (CAO established under By-law C-1012 –copy available upon request)
Responsible to: Mayor and Council
Direct Reports: City Clerk
Financial Services Director
Community Services Director
Public Works Director
Protective Services Director
Human Resources Team
Position Summary
The City Manager is responsible for the overall administration of municipal operations in the City through the Corporate Leadership team and in accordance with the objectives, policies, and plans approved by the Council, and manage an overall budget of $85 million. He/She is responsible for directing, controlling, and coordinating the activities of the various city departments. The Manager develops and maintains an effective relationship with the Provincial Government, other municipal governments, and Municipal association officials.
Working with a management team comprised of senior staff, the City Manager ensures that the policies and programs of the City are implemented and advises and informs the Council of the operations and affairs of the City. The City Manager performs all the duties and exercises the powers and functions assigned by all applicable enactments or as assigned by Council.
The City Manager has overall responsibility for developing and implementing Corporate Policy and monitoring the City’s performance on a regular basis.
The City Manager is responsible for managing the staff/Council relationship and the resources required to realize the corporate vision. He/She also acts as theDirector of Disaster Services and manages and coordinates response to local area disasters.
Key Responsibilities
· Coordinate the corporate planning process that responds to council’s strategic plan.
· Foster a leadership style amongst the Corporate Leadership Team to develop a corporate culture that values innovation and makes the organization successful.
· Provide direction and individual performance feedback to Corporate Leadership Team
· members (including performance and compensation plans).
· Ultimately responsible for workplace safety and employee wellness.
· Manage relationships with strategic partners for the effective delivery of services.
· Hire and discipline staff.
· Approve corporate procedures (policy).
· Approve out-of-scope compensation structure.
· Approve business decisions within by-law limits.
· Has ultimate responsibility for customer service.
· Senior responsibility for resolution of operational conflicts and issues.
Key Challenges
The City of Grande Prairie has an excellent reputation of success in the delivery of its municipal programs and services and in developing the type of quality community that its citizens have come to expect. Like all Alberta public and private sector organizations today, the City of Grande Prairie is dynamic and continuously improving its structure and service to meet the increasing and ever changing needs of its taxpayers, the region, and the many stakeholder groups that it serves.
The City Manager will assist the Municipality, the Mayor and Council, staff, and citizens to realize potential by positively addressing the following challenges:
- Organizational changes (focus on recruitment and retention) due to growth.
- Balancing the needs of the Municipality with the demands of the public.
- Maintaining strong and positive relationships with union leaders and staff.
- Maintaining strong relationships with surrounding County including negotiations re: services and annexation of land for development.
The Person
Education:
A college diploma or a university degree in public administration or certification in Local Government Administration or a professional designation in a related discipline is desirable.
Experience:
The ideal candidate will have:
- Successful experience in a CAO role or senior management capacity in a large urban centre.
- Successful department head experience in at least one of the key municipal service functions.
- Experience in a multi-dimensional service organization with proven ability to provide leadership and to adapt and integrate complex planning, policy and program initiatives.
- A positive record of working effectively with elected municipal officials, community volunteers, boards, committees and public participation processes.
- Proven experience in strategic planning, organization development and achieving results in building high performance teams, strong staff and labour relations.
- As an alternative to directly related municipal experience stated above, a solid business or public sector leader with proven facilitative and consultative skills could be considered.
- Demonstrated success in realizing a corporate vision.
- Demonstrated community involvement.
- Demonstrated ongoing investment in professional development.
- Disaster Management training and experience.
Specific Skills and Attributes:
The City Manager will have a progressive leadership record demonstrating positive relationships with staff, community members and elected officials. The City Manager will feel equally comfortable as a senior manager or as a “hands-on” participant. Among other attributes, the following will be important:
Leadership Skills –demonstrates a visionary leadership style while providing guidance, support and an environment where staff are encouraged to explore unique solutions. A mentor and positive role model combined with a practical, collaborative and common sense approach and expertise in issues management.
Management Skills –demonstrates a style which actively promotes involvement with staff with an emphasis on motivating and encouragement of people, teams and activities. When necessary, the City Manager can, and will, offer constructive discipline and ensure corrective action, if required.
Interpersonal Skills –works well with people from all disciplines and is sensitive to diverse needs with a proven ability to integrate teams. Has an ability to empathize and work positively with community volunteers and organizations. Will be effective at promoting positive intermunicipal relationships.
Communication Skills –an open and straightforward style with all audiences and an ability to effectively communicate with residents and the media; is candid and respectful with everyone.
Team Work –strongly supports a team approach in managing both staff and programs and leads by example. Recognizes the value of fun in the workplace. Understands that the team is only as strong as its weakest link and encourages cooperative and mutually supportive relationships. Is effective communicating openly both up and down in the organization.
Strategic and Business Planning –provides executive leadership to all planning initiatives and ensures accountability for achievement of results throughout the City of Grande Prairie. Is a strong negotiator.
A Professional – acts as an integral part of an administrative team and plays a “first among equals” style with high ethical standards and an honest, open and consistent approach to working with staff, citizens and members of council.
Volunteer Service –presents a strong commitment to comprehensive community services, a demonstrated belief in volunteerism and a willingness to be active in the community. “Walks the walk” in participating in community volunteer activities.
Politically Astute –knows and understands governance, legislative and regulatory processes and has an intuitive ability to read the political implications of recommendations and actions. Enjoys working with elected officials and can function in an open and supportive way providing guidance to Mayor and council. Knows and understands the importance of working closely with local boards and authorities, other municipal jurisdictions and the provincial and federal orders of government.
Financial Management –a proven ability to work in a fiscal environment of growth. Timely and efficient in all budgeting, financing and information reporting.
Human Resource Management – requires excellent human resource knowledge and interpersonal skills to work positively with management, staff, and elected officials. Sensitive and caring with the ability to bring diverse individuals and program initiatives together using strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Project Management – demonstrates a knowledge of “best practices” in scheduling, planning, resourcing and delivering on projects; is skilled at leading project teams to ensure on time and on budget results.
Self-Confidence –possesses confidence in own skills and abilities, is able to make difficult decisions and stand by them and demonstrate a positive attitude. Thoroughly researches implications of all recommendations to council and is willing to provide the best possible advice to Council even when those recommendations may not always be well received.
Customer Service –although documented at the end of this list, customer service is paramount to the success of the community. Innovation and creativity in staff on the front line of service delivery are valued. Confidence in ensuring customer needs are identified and addressed to the highest possible standard is required.
Compensation
The City Manager will be paid a competitive salary. A standard municipal benefit package is available. Specifics will be discussed in a personal interview.
For further information please contact:
Mr. Anurag Shourie, CMC, CHRP OR (780) 420-9900
Mr. Larry Villneff
We would prefer, when possible, that resumes be forwarded by email only (in Microsoft Word format) to: careers@daviespark.com
If not by email, resumes can be forwarded to:
Fax: (780) 426-2936 OR
Mail: 1505 Scotia 2
10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5J 3R8
Websites:
Davies Park: www.daviespark.com
City of Grande Prairie: www.cityofgp.com