Description

Detailed Job Description

The Opportunity

The City of Grande Prairie is looking for a Senior Strategic Advisor to support two of the organization’s executives, the Chief of Staff and the Chief Financial Officer. Acting as the first point of contact, the Senior Strategic Advisor represents the Chief Officer's office by communicating and interacting with senior administration, elected officials, other levels of government, outside agencies, internal staff, and the public respectfully and professionally. The Senior Strategic Advisor leads, develops, and implements processes, procedures, and policies relevant to the functional area's effective oversight and continued development. They support the service area by administrating strategic projects from initiation through completion, including corporate strategic project capacity assessment, stakeholder engagement, business process analysis, and change management. The Senior Strategic Advisor must exercise good judgment, handle sensitive situations, and deal with the area's business expeditiously. This often requires handling highly confidential information and exercising appropriate tact and diplomacy. An ability to research and analyze facts and circumstances, make timely decisions, and take ownership and accountability for all areas of responsibility, are required. This position requires an energetic, detail-oriented individual with exceptional planning and organization skills who can multi-task, be flexible, and meet stringent deadlines. Keen political and business acumen is required for optimal performance.

Main Responsibilities

Chief Officer Support

Anticipates the needs of the senior executives by connecting and making sense of diverse information from multiple sources.
Research, prepare, and processes clear, concise, detailed briefing material, reports, and letters for senior executives, elected officials, and others as required.
Communicates direction from the Chief Officer to Directors within the service area.
Provides strategic advice to the service area and the Chief Officer.

Strategic Objectives and Planning

Identifies strategies, gains approval, and leads the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of City services.
Facilitates the development/review of departmental business plans, ensuring the inclusion of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that align with the Corporate Framework and link to established corporate priorities.
Collaborates with the Director of Executive Services & Strategy and other Senior Executive Advisors to provide input into the development and monitoring of corporate strategy/plan methodologies, templates and tools, while ensuring alignment with Council's Strategic plan.
Oversees the management of special projects to ensure timelines and outcomes are achieved, appropriate risk identification and mitigation is completed, appropriate change management strategies are utilized, financial performance, including project budgets is achieved, and the overall project is documented and reported to stakeholders, the Corporate Leadership Team and as appropriate, City Council.

Other Duties

Provides budget analysis and ensures financial reporting requirements are completed. Applies asset management methodologies to ensure strong fiscal stewardship of public funds.
Develop and present reports to senior management, employees, stakeholders, and Council as required.

Requirements

You Bring

A bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or equivalent.
Five (5) years of directly related work experience, including at least two (2) years in a senior executive support capacity.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Demonstrated ability to build effective relations externally (vendors, suppliers, citizens) and internally (vertically and horizontally).
Exceptional written and verbal communication, research and analytical skills.
Financial and business acumen.
Exceptional customer service.
Ability to work independently, aware of when to collaborate and work as a team.
Experience with a variety of technologies (Visio, Microsoft Office Suite, HRIS, Financial Systems).
Experience in the public sector is preferred that demonstrates an understanding of legislative requirements, best practices, and financial reporting.