Chief Administrative Officer

Regional District of Central Okanagan

Chief Administrative Officer

The Regional District of Central Okanagan has always been one of the most desirable places to live in the province. We’re surrounded by natural beauty with hillsides covered by orchards and vineyards and Okanagan Lake running the length of Okanagan Valley. The secret is out, and in 2021 we became the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada and the third-largest urban area in BC, with more than 222,000 people calling the Central Okanagan home.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan provides services to the unincorporated Electoral Areas of Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West, along with Westbank First Nation and the member municipalities of the City of Kelowna, the District of Lake Country, the District of Peachland and City of West Kelowna.

The Regional District places a priority on maintaining the balance between growth and development, while protecting the natural environment and the unique Okanagan lifestyle. While the region still offers a rural flavor, the RDCO also has everything you’d expect in a thriving, urban centre. Our convenient location also makes family and business travel simple, with an international airport in Kelowna and just a five-hour drive to Vancouver or about two hours south to the border with Washington State.

The region encompasses over 314,000 hectares of diverse topography straddling the shoreline of Okanagan Lake. The region’s lifestyle is second to none, especially for those who live to enjoy the outdoors. Summer provides hot, dry and mostly sunny conditions that are perfect for activities on the land (camping, golf, tennis, hiking) or on the water (boating, fishing, water skiing). During winter, you will find many residents downhill skiing, snowmobiling or even walking along our unique Mission Creek Greenway trail.

To learn more, please visit the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s website.

THE OPPORTUNITY: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
The Chief Administrative Officer has overall responsibility for the management and operations of the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO). Under the policy direction of the Chair and Regional Board, the Chief Administrative Officer performs a wide range of complex administrative activities related to the effective operations of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. The Chief Administrative Officer operates under a “single employee model” and is responsible for performing the statutory duties as outlined in the Local Government Act and the Community Charter.

Principal Accountabilities:
Fiscal Responsibility

• Ensures a comprehensive, inclusive, and transparent business planning and budgeting process is executed and measured in compliance with statutory regulation.
• Ensures the Board provides guidance and approval in the development of plans and budgets.
• Ensures the Board and staff stakeholders are informed of the budget status during the fiscal year and accurate, comprehensive advice is provided.
• Ensures appropriate financial controls and audits are utilized. Advises the Board on the status of any changes required by the external auditor; acts promptly on audit recommendations.

Corporate and Community Strategic Plans

• Provides leadership, guidance and advice in determining Board and Corporate level strategic plans, goal objectives and annual priorities.
• Champions, supports and leads the implementation of the Regional Board’s Vision, Mission and Goals across the organization. Enables Senior Leadership Team in the development and implementation of operational plans linked to the strategic priorities and vision of the organization.
• Identifies and understands broad issues, problems, and opportunities. Anticipates the effect of change and develops plans to manage impacts and overcome challenges with resourcefulness and creativity.
• Champions the RDCO’s Reconciliation and Indigenous Relations program and builds relationships with syilx / Okanagan community leaders within the Central Okanagan.
• Fulfills the duties of the Emergency Management Program Bylaw.

Leadership

• Determines and implements appropriate organizational structure and delegates authority and responsibility effectively. Leads the Senior Leadership Team and encourages and supports the contribution of others to achieve desired organizational results.
• Ensures proper coordination of all administrative policies and procedures.
• Fosters staff engagement, alignment among departments and positive corporate culture that attracts, retains, and motivates talented people. Leads the RDCO to be an employer of choice and promotes equity, diversity and inclusion as a core value in all aspects of the business.
• Clearly presents written and verbal information; writes with clarity and purpose; communicates effectively in both positive and negative circumstances; listens well.

Information and Advice to the Board

• Acts as a resource person to the Board in all matters related to the Local Government Act, Community Charter and other Acts as they relate to the operation and governance of the RDCO.
• Provides information, advice and support to the Chair and Board as it relates to issues management.
• Guides staff in providing professional recommendations to the Board.

Relationships and Interpersonal Skills:

• Develops effective relationships with the RDCO Chair, RDCO Directors, government stakeholders, Westbank First Nation, Senior Leadership Team and staff.
• Ensures exceptional customer service and transparent communication of Regional District policies, procedures, and processes to the public.
• Works with staff, Board members and the public in the role of mediator or advisor in situations that require conflict resolution efforts.

Reporting Relationships
Direct Reports:

• Director of Corporate Services/Deputy CAO
• Director of Financial Services
• Director of Community Services
• Director of Engineering Services
• Director of Park Services
• Director of Communications and Information Services

# of FTE Employees: 135

Budget
Regional District Operating Budget - $60 million
Capital Budget - $18 million
Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District Budget - over $22 million

THE PERSON:
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required.

Formal Education and Training

• Degree in public or business administration or related field, preferably at the graduate level,
• Senior Certification in Administration or equivalent.

Experience

• Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible relevant experience, preferably including experience in local or regional government,
• Experience in management of staff, preferably in a unionized environment,
• Experience in the public consultation process.

Other Skills / Knowledge

• Demonstrated skills in team leadership and development,
• Ability to deal effectively with staff, elected representatives and the public with tact and diplomacy,
• Strategic thinker, influential, honest and collaborative
• Progressive, creative and innovative, with an exceptional level of integrity
• Ability to read, analyse and interpret financial statements and statistical data,
• Awareness and understanding of Westbank First Nations’ unique self-governing agreement,
• Knowledge of management and labour relations principles and practices,
• Familiarity with the legislative, legal, and strategic framework associated with the provision of Regional District services,
• Excellent knowledge of the Local Government Act and Community Charter.

Competencies and Personal Characteristics:
Leadership - Achieves desired organizational results by encouraging and supporting the contribution of others; a proactive and positive team player who acts with a sense of urgency and leads by example; sets and communicates clear goals.
Accountable – Holds self and others accountable for responsibilities; focuses on results and measuring attainment of outcomes in a business focus.
Strategic – Develops a plan in support of organizational strategic direction. Demonstrates an understanding of the link between one’s job responsibilities and overall organizational goals and needs.
Integrity and Honesty – Demonstrates a resolute commitment to and respect for the spirit behind the rules and core values of the organization, setting an example of professionalism and ethical propriety.
Influential and Collaborative – Has an open and consistent approach to working with others and possesses strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and develop/maintain partnerships, obtaining stakeholder agreement.
Creativity and Innovation – Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourages new ideas ; designs and implements new or cutting edge programs/ processes
Effective Working Relationships – Treats colleagues, and stakeholders with respect; resolves conflicts in a timely manner, negotiates effectively, and provides effective feedback to colleagues/employees.
Communication – Clearly presents written and verbal information; writes with clarity and purpose; communicates effectively in both positive and negative circumstances; listens well.
People Development – Fosters learning and development of others through coaching, managing performance and mentoring; has a genuine desire to develop others and help them succeed; formally and informally recognizes deserving staff and colleagues.
Stakeholder Focused – Anticipates and attends to the needs of internal and external stakeholders of the organization; keeps stakeholder interests in the forefront.

COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Julian Manchon or Greg Longster
LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH
#880—609 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5
Phone: (604) 688-8422
Email: vancouver@leadersinternational.com