Job Description
Chief Administrative Officer
THE ORGANIZATION: ISLANDS TRUST COUNCIL
Located in Coast Salish territory, the Islands Trust is a special purpose local government charged with a statutory mandate to preserve and protect the Islands Trust Area and its unique amenities and environment. Home to over 30,000 people, the Islands Trust Area is comprised of 13 local trust areas (LTAs) that encompass more than 450 islands and their surrounding waters in the southern Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound.
Created by the Province in 1974, the Islands Trust plans and regulates local land use in the Islands Trust Area and coordinates with other levels of government and First Nations on key issues. The organization s principal responsibility is the establishment and administration of official community plans and land use bylaws. Through the Islands Trust Conservancy (a separate body with its own mandate), the organization protects the environmental integrity of donated lands for the benefit of future generations.
The Islands Trust has a federated governance structure. Every four years, each of 13 LTAs elects two trustees who, with a member of the Executive Committee, form a Local Trust Committee (LTC), responsible for land use planning in their LTA. Collectively, the 26 elected trustees constitute the Trust Council, the body responsible for making budgetary and policy decisions for the Islands Trust. During each term, Trust Council elects an Executive Committee, which directs staff in carrying out the day-to-day work of Islands Trust. In addition, trustees form four standing committees: Finance, Regional Planning, Trust Programs, and Governance.
Islands Trust respectfully acknowledges that the lands and waters that encompass the Islands Trust Area have been home to Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial. Islands Trust is committed to Reconciliation and to working together to preserve and protect this ecologically, culturally, and spiritually significant region in the Salish Sea, which is home to 30 or more First Nations.
To learn more, please visit Islands Trust’s website.
THE OPPORTUNITY: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides focused and active leadership for the Islands Trust workforce of approximately 65 highly engaged staff members.
The CAO and staff at Islands Trust provide operational support to the elected leadership, principally in the form of legislative and strategic advice to the LTCs, the Trust Council, and the Executive Committee. The CAO supports key ongoing Islands Trust initiatives, including transforming governance, renewing the organization’s Policy Statement, and developing and implementing a new corporate plan.
An important aspect of the role is liaising with First Nations, as well as local, provincial, and federal government agencies. Islands Trust reports directly to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and has significant relationships with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Forests and Natural Resources, Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Indigenous Affairs. The CAO develops and maintains relationships with Assistant Deputy Ministers.
The ideal candidate is a leader with a mindset to navigate and offer guidance in a unique and complex governance environment. The ideal CAO is an adaptable and creative problem solver who is conscientious, forthright, and responsive with elected leadership. Translating the direction of a truly diverse Council that represents a range of regional interests, while working within the scope of available resources will be a key part of the CAO’s portfolio. The successful CAO brings an innovative, strategic mindset to balancing priorities and delivering on Council’s direction, policies and the Mandate of the Islands Trust, while managing workflow and creating and maintaining a supportive and productive work environment for staff.
THE PERSON
Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Abilities:
- A degree in a related field, such as public administration;
- Experience leading staff in a complex governmental environment dedicated to developing and implementing policy or regulation;
- A record of effective administrative leadership, financial management, and performance management;
- Adept at setting goals, mentoring employees, team building, and other aspects of staff professional development. Has proven experience in human resources management and creating a strong culture;
- A deep understanding of corporate planning;
- Direct management experience leading and supporting an organization through a period of significant change or transformation. Experience in managing high profile issues and conflict resolution is an asset;
- Demonstrated commitment to Reconciliation and building effective partnerships with local First Nations;
- Building cooperative working relationships and liaising with a wide range of internal and external partner groups, including local communities and provincial ministries;
- Superlative oral and written communication skills. Adept at explaining and presenting high level policy and strategic concepts in a clear and concise style that is appropriate to the audience;
- A working knowledge of local government legislation and practices in B.C. An understanding of the Islands Trust mandate and related issues is a significant asset;
- Successful completion of the BC Public Service’s security screening requirements, including a criminal record check.
Competencies and Values:
Integrity - to uphold the Standards of Conduct for the BC Public Service and to do what is right as a professional public servant. This is the single overarching characteristic of the public service.
Courage - to take thoughtful risks on both people and ideas. Have strong bias for action; have imagination and empower others to take initiative even in uncertain environments. See possibilities for a future orientation.
Teamwork - to collaborate and value teamwork. Build trust by respecting the ideas and contributions of others; encourage new ideas and communicate how the work of the team contributes to larger goals. Set the tone for positive engagement of staff; support others in succeeding and share information freely as appropriate.
Accountability - to have a high standard of accountability. Set clear and measurable goals and measure success; stay focused on government priorities. Take responsibility for decisions and display persistence and tenacity to overcome obstacles.
Vision - to position and structure the organization to maximize its effectiveness. A strategic thinker who can translate the vision into goals and support their accomplishment through facilitation and leading change.
Leading People - to motivate, empower and lead employees to accomplish goals and objectives, rewarding high performance, promoting empowerment, and developing employees, providing opportunities for growth and managing issues within the organization.
Stakeholder Relationships - to ensure the enhancement of organizational relationships with external partners and stakeholders. This includes building strategic alliances, managing conflicts, negotiating effectively to derive optimum solutions, and effectively communicating ideas, analyses and proposals to stakeholders.
COMPENSATION:
A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. The salary range is $172,400 to $220,100. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.
To apply, please visit our website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nick Lay or Greg Longster
LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH
#880—609 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5
Phone: (604) 688-8422
Email: vancouver@leadersinternational.com