Job Description

Executive

Brief

City of Miramichi

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Chief Administrative Officer

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About the City of Miramichi

The City of Miramichi, with a population of 19,000, is located on the east coast of New Brunswick on the shores of the beautiful Miramichi River. The river offers opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, and angling for Atlantic Salmon and Striped Bass. About one-half of the sport catch of Atlantic Salmon in North America is landed on the Miramichi River and its tributaries. The warm waters of Miramichi Bay offer an ideal setting for sailing enthusiasts during summer and in winter and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling is available on an extensive network of trails which also support hiking, cycling, and birding in the summer.



Miramichi enjoys one of the lowest cost of living environments in the country and minimal commute times. Residents only need a weather report; no traffic report is necessary. In addition to a full range of summer and winter sports programs and facilities, the city offers a regional hospital and community college.



The City of Miramichi's 2025 Strategic Plan outlines 12 strategic goals for the city, guided by five pillars: Growing, supporting, building, sustaining, and working together for Miramichi. The Vision Statement for the City is to be a healthy, progressive, diverse, and economically vibrant community that invests in its future in a financially sustainable and environmentally responsible manor.



To learn more about the City of Miramichi, see the links below:

City of Miramichi

City of Miramichi Master Plan

City Departments

Administration

Overall leadership and management of the City's operations. City Hall, Office of the Clerk, and Chief Administrative Officer's Office are included in this category.

Finance

Handles all the financial affairs of the municipality under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer and on behalf of Council. They monitor and manage financial inflows and outflows, ensuring that both capital and operational budgets are effectively balanced and aligned with organizational goals.

Human Resources

Spearheads recruitment, pension and benefits, payroll services, occupational health and safety, training and development, as well as labour relations and collective agreement and policy compliance.

Police Department

Leads crime prevention and investigations, law enforcement, and public education through programs. While their services are specific to the City of Miramichi, they also work in collaboration RCMP.

Fire Department

The Fire Department provides fire suppression, medical aid response, rescue services, fire prevention and public education

Community Wellness & Recreation

Maintains, protects, and enhances existing and future parks, open spaces, trails, outdoor rinks, boardwalks, City arenas and sport facilities, and offers direct delivery programs.

Engineering & Public Works

Administers all services related to public infrastructure - building, streets, sidewalks, and also oversees major capital infrastructure projects. Assists builders and developers in areas of zoning, design review, and permits and maintains the City's official plan.

Information Technology

Administers all technology services that support municipal operations and oversees major technology projects. Assists departments and staff with digital tools, cybersecurity, and data management, and maintains the City's information systems and technology infrastructure.

Economic Development & Tourism

Promotes business growth, investment, and job creation within the community, and oversees programs to support entrepreneurs and local industries. Develops strategies to attract visitors, enhance tourism opportunities, and market the City as a destination for business and leisure.

Members of Council

Mayor Adam Lordon Deputy Mayor Paddy Quinn Veronique Arsenault, City Councillor Peggy Doyle, City Councillor Chad Duplessie, City Councillor Brian King, City Councillor Jason Harris, City Councillor Guy Richard, City Councillor Ryan Somerrs, City Councillor

Position Profile

Reporting to the Council for the City of Miramichi, the Chief Administrative Officer is accountable to provide leadership and direction for all City functions and activities within policies and plans established by Council and in accordance with applicable legislation. Supporting the Mayor and Council with all information, options, and recommendations to support sound decision-making, the Chief Administrative Officer also coordinates, directs and makes recommendations to Council regarding the assessment, definition and review of City policy.



As the most senior administrative leader, the Chief Administrative Officer provides leadership and managerial direction to the senior management team and represents the City when working with all levels of government, the local and provincial business community, and the broader public. Focused on the strategic priorities of the City, the incumbent enables Council to translate its vision into the delivery of quality municipal services and infrastructure to all citizens served.



As the sole employee of the City Council, the Chief Administrative Officer plays a pivotal role in bridging the council's legislative functions with the municipality's administrative operations, ensuring effective governance and service delivery to the community. The Chief Administrative Officer stewards the City's financial, human, and physical resources, overseeing a large, diverse team, and setting priorities for all departments and divisions to ensure alignment with Council's goals.



In this capacity, the Chief Administrative Officer establishes a strategic framework that fosters innovation and delivers exceptional service to the community. They guide the development and implementation of bylaws, policies and strategies initiatives that address the City's unique needs, ensuring objectives are met effectively and efficiently.



Additionally, the Chief Administrative Officer collaborates with community partners and other government entities to advance the City's priorities, enhancing operational efficiency and promoting sustainable growth for the broader community.

Key Responsibilities

Act as the Chief Advisor to the Mayor and Council, providing information and reports necessary for effective decision-making at the governance level. Provide leadership and accountability in achieving the City Council's goals and objectives and supervise the implementation of the strategic plans, policies and programs. In consultation with Council and departmental leaders, establish standards of service, performance expectations and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for both the organization and City departments that reflect the performance of the organization. Demonstrate high performance and competent stewardship, reporting on accurate and timely management, performance and quality service targets in line with strategic priorities. Provide direction, discipline, training and development, guidance and support, as appropriate, and regularly evaluate performance of staff. Create an open, collaborative and respectful working environment that fosters new ideas, innovative solutions, and a commitment to continuous improvement and accountable service delivery. Support effective communication through regular meetings and one-on-one interactions with Directors, and foster effective working relationships based on mutual respect, a collaborative approach to decision-making, and accountability to citizen interests. Maintain high visibility across the organization through regular communication and visitation. Provide recommendations for changes that will improve efficiency and/or improve service delivery to the public. Foster a culture of empowerment and delivery on the principles of public service, bringing stability to civic administration and instilling confidence and trust in the municipal workforce. Maintain an open dialogue with the Mayor, Committees, and Council members to ensure their knowledge of major issues effecting the City, potential threats, opportunities and recommended actions. Lead the budget process as driven by Finance. Attend all Council meetings unless excused. Ensure that positive public relations are maintained by communicating information on the actions and decisions of the Council to the general public, external stakeholders and business community. Provide oversight for collective bargaining with employee unions. Monitor and report to Council upon the performance of all contracts entered into by the City and ensure the terms of the contracts have been fulfilled. Maintain positive public relations in dealing with citizens, addressing inquiries and complaints. Represent, in consultation with the Mayor, the best interests of the Council and the City's strategic directions in its relations with municipal, provincial and federal government agencies, interagency and commission relations, as well as with other external stakeholders and the public. Ensure all municipal bylaws are enforced. Ensure departmental strategies, plans, and initiatives are aligned with the City's vision, values and priorities. Ensure that Council decisions, regulations and orders are implemented and enforced. Promote, communicate, and advance Council's vision, values, priorities, and objectives to department leaders and staff.

Key Priorities

Leadership

Support the execution and further development of the vision for the City in collaboration with Council and operational leaders. Identify and assess internal and external issues that are impacting the organization. Foster teamwork between staff within all branches of the organization and work to continuously develop the skills and talents of staff.

Operational Management

Develop and implement operational plans incorporating goals and objectives that work toward the overall strategic direction of the organization. Ensure the satisfaction of City Council, staff and management, and community partners. Oversee the efficiency of day-to- day operations. Maintain confidentiality and management of all files and records. Support the City Council by flagging any issues or areas for improvements as they arise.

Relationship Management

Strategically cultivate and maintain relationships with Council, other officials, policymakers, and community members to advance the goals of the City. Monitor policy developments, providing educated insights into matters relevant to the organization's mission and values.

Community Relations and Advocacy

Represent the organization in the community, developing and promoting a positive identity for the organization. Communicate with community partners to keep them informed. Most importantly, work to establish effective working relationships to foster collaborative agreements with community partners and Council to achieve the goals of the organization.

Ideal Candidate Profile

As the ideal candidate, you are a dynamic seasoned leader with proven experience and understanding of the broad range of functions within a diverse, multi-stakeholder environment. You skillfully navigate the political and administrative dimensions of your role, aligning diverse interests while upholding integrity, ensuring transparency and balancing political considerations with operational priorities



You are adaptable with a reputation for fostering a work environment characterized by respect, collaboration, inclusivity, and productivity at all levels. You are skilled at leading innovation in a manner that fosters collaboration among internal and external stakeholders and achieves the strategic objectives of your organization. Being both persuasive and professional, you have the proven ability to drive results . You demonstrate passion and commitment to, and experience with, the delivery of effective and sustainable services and programs consistent with the City's vision. You can generate insights, alternatives and operational plans that have potential to produce value for the organization. Your superior communication skills, both written and oral, and ability to act as a spokesperson allows you to communicate your vision to a variety of internal and external stakeholders to get all parties on board.



You possess a university degree or equivalent education and experience supplemented progressively responsible leadership and management roles within a diverse, multi-stakeholder environment. You bring leadership experience in a public sector or comparably complex organization required, with experience in a municipal environment preferred.

Competencies and Personal Attributes

Strategic Leader

Your ability to navigate complexity drives operational success and long-term goals. You excel at articulating a compelling vision that energizes teams and stakeholders, fostering collaboration and shared purpose. By leveraging insights from staff and stakeholders, you shape a modern, forward-thinking community, creating lasting change and a legacy of growth.

Inspirational Team Leader

You are skilled at getting the entire organization to embrace change. You inspire others and build motivated, high-performing teams. You are a leader who listens, understands, and responds with meaningful/relevant feedback. You hold others accountable for fulfilling their commitments and assume personal responsibility for the success or failure of the team.

Effective Decision Making

You are able to make decisions at all levels of risk and ambiguity. Your decisions are well thought out and timely, while considering the best interest of the organization. You consider alternatives as well as possible consequences and take action with confidence.

Relationship Building

You have a collaborative style of communication and value internal and external relationships. You are skilled at engaging people and igniting passion and drive towards the mission. You foster meaningful connections with diverse stakeholders, such as community leaders, and government officials.

Championing Diversity & Inclusion

You maintain an inclusive climate wherein every member of the community feels validated and accepted. You recognize the systemic inequities that have and continue to impact marginalized communities and the important role leadership plays in striving for equity and accessibility within the workplace. You bring a strong degree of cultural competence.

Living in New Brunswick

As Canada's only constitutionally bilingual province, New Brunswick gives residents and visitors a cultural experience matched by no other province in Canada. Made up of a variety of landscapes and regions, New Brunswick has oceans, beaches, forests, mountains, rivers, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between to offer. New Brunswick's 15 First Nations communities are a vital part of its heritage. There are more Indigenous names used for rivers, towns, and other landmarks in New Brunswick than in any of the other Atlantic provinces. Influenced by its Francophone and Anglophone communities, New Brunswick's cultural mosaic is also shaped by contributions from generations of immigrants from all over the world.



As one of the longest-settled areas in Canada, New Brunswick has produced and attracted top artists and thinkers. The Acadian community spread out across the province retains its unique cultural icons. With a vibrant mix of traditional and welcoming rural communities alongside larger and modern cities the province prides itself on the diversity in its communities and their unique cultures while retaining a sense of hometown and "maritime" hospitality.



With a wealth of natural resources, New Brunswick has traditionally leveraged these to form the center of its economy. With its vast forested areas, lumber products are one of the main exports. Today, the province has also shifted to add more modern, service-based industries, with major healthcare, financial, and insurance industries leading the way. Many companies are also choosing New Brunswick for customer service and technical support call centres because of the availability of skilled, well-educated, and bilingual staff. Manufacturing, heavy industry, transportation, and distribution centers with rail, air terminal, and port facilities are also major employers throughout the province.



Ultimately, it is a combination of the traditions and culture in its rural towns and innovation and technology in its modern cities to make New Brunswick such a unique and great place to live and work. Sharing a border with Maine and Quebec also makes New Brunswick an ideal vacation and leisure location.

Becoming a Candidate

Interview with KBRS

As we receive the applications of interested candidates, we compare them against the key selection criteria set by the Search Committee. We arrange to speak with those candidates whose experience and qualifications are closest to the ideal candidate profile.



In your initial interview with KBRS, we will seek to understand more about your background, qualifications, experience, and interest in the position.



As you move forward in the search process, to ensure you are seriously interested in the position, we will ask you to consider:
Terms of an appointment, consider factors including compensation and benefits. Relocation including housing, schools, relocation assistance and other matters of importance to you. If a physical move will be unacceptable to you, please determine that at this stage. Alignment of this role and organization to your personal objectives and preferences. If you have questions that you would need to have answered before deciding to pursue this role, please let us know and we will attempt to arrange a conversation between you and our client so you can make a well- informed decision. If you are an international candidate or foreign worker, in addition to applying for this position, you may want to explore the Government of Canada's website to learn more about Working in Canada at

this link

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After considering these factors, in fairness to everyone concerned, please do not proceed further with this process if you are unlikely to accept the position if it is offered to you. We will ask our client to extend the same courtesy to you.

Search Committee Interviews

The Search Committee will consider all candidates and invite a small group to move forward. Typically, this next step is an interview with the Search Committee and a KBRS partner. If there is a desire to move forward with your candidacy after the initial interview, you will be invited for further conversations with the Search Committee. As part of the second round of interviews, a Predictive Index Assessment will be administered. The final stages of the interview process will include an interview with the full City Council. The Committee commits to respecting the confidentiality of your interest throughout this process.



After completion of the interview process, if both you and the Search Committee wish to proceed, we will work with you and the City of Miramichi to create mutually acceptable terms of employment subject to the Committee's satisfaction with background and reference checks and Board approval of the appointment.

Resume Accuracy/Background Checks

If you progress to the search committee interview stage, you will be asked to provide information to allow us to conduct a thorough background check including reference checks and verification of your education, designations, and awards. Should you decide not to allow verification of your background, credit or criminal history, our client will be informed, and they will decide how to proceed with your candidacy.

Reference Checks

Reference conversations will take place should you advance past the initial Search Committee interview. You will be asked to provide references who represent 360-degree working relationships you have had for the past several years, whether supervisors, peers, or direct reports, as determined by the search committee. KBRS's policy is to present to our client a minimum of four to six references before an offer is made.

Contact Us in Confidence

Privacy and Confidentiality

KBRS respects the privacy and confidentiality of personal information provided by candidates for our search assignments. The above information will be in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents legislation. A copy of our Privacy Policy is available for your review on our website at

https://www.kbrs.ca/privacy-policy

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Offer Etiquette

We ask that you honour two standards of professionalism if you choose to become a candidate in this process:
If an offer is extended to you, you commit to holding the details in confidence (apart from discussing it with members of your immediate family) and agree that you will not discuss the offer with your present employer. If you say you will accept the offer our client can count on your word, otherwise please withdraw as a candidate. We want our client to avoid the substantial loss of time and opportunity cost that would accompany a reversal of your decision, as you would want to avoid handing in your resignation and then having our client cancel your offer.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The City of Miramichi is committed to being an organization where diversity and different perspectives are valued. We strive to be inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the communities and organizations we serve, and we encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of a traditionally marginalized community.



As part of the recruitment process, KBRS will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that considers an applicant's accessibility needs. Should you require an accommodation to participate fully in the recruitment process, please inform KBRS at

accommodate@kbrs.ca

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Contact Us in Confidence

Mark Gillis

Partner

mgillis@kbrs.ca

Kimberly

Chan-

Fee

Executive Search Coordinator

kchanfee@kbrs.ca

Education : Bachelor's degree


Experience : 5 years or more