Job Description
City of Toronto
Fire Chief & General Manager
As the largest city in North America with a Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) accredited fire service, those who live, work, and play in Toronto are provided with world-class fire protection services. Toronto Fire Services (TFS) is the largest and most complex fire service in Canada, with more than 3,250 staff.
The Fire Chief / General Manager is accountable directly to City Council for the delivery of fire protection services, provides overall direction and strategic leadership to TFS, and leads a Command Team that includes four Deputy Fire Chiefs and the Office of the Fire Chief team. Administratively reporting to the Deputy City Manager – Community and Social Services, the Fire Chief / General Manager is both the Division Head for Fire Services and a member of the City’s Corporate Leadership Team. The Fire Chief / General Manager is a high visible leader who regularly represents TFS at events and meetings, often after-hours, and is a compelling spokesperson who is the primary voice in representing TFS in the media and externally throughout the community.
The Fire Chief / General Manager is responsible for leading and managing change and for providing effective strategic, financial, and operational management to TFS. They will develop positive relationships with peers across the Toronto Public Service, and work effectively with senior management, employees, elected officials from all levels of government, and all stakeholders, including the Toronto Professional Firefighters' Association and members of the public. They will develop and oversee the policy framework and administration of TFS programs, providing strategic advice and guidance to Council, Committees, and other stakeholders.
As the Fire Chief / General Manager, you will be responsible for leading the implementation of the TFS 2024 – 2029 Strategic Plan. Your priorities will include the delivery of three key strategic priorities: delivering world class fire protection services, leading a people focused and data informed team, and leading a continuous improvement-oriented culture and organization. You are a forward-thinking and transformative senior leader, capable of leading and motivating staff to enhance overall divisional performance. As an experienced executive, your demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are evident in your past leadership achievements. You will promote a culture of high-performance and continuous improvement, enabled through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) framework.
In addition to a university degree or equivalent, you have proven your planning, judgment, financial management and strategic decision-making abilities on the front line of major fire emergency services. Trusted as an accomplished and inspirational team leader, you have the opportunity to lead the TFS to achieve its mission dedicated to protecting life, property, and the environment through education, prevention, and emergency response.
The City of Toronto is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers Berndtson and the City of Toronto throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.
To fill this important position, the City of Toronto has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers Berndtson. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online no later than July 12, 2024, in confidence at https://careers.odgersberndtson.com/en-ca/29689or to amanda.bugatto@odgersberndtson.com. We thank those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.
Odgers Berndtson is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.