Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the senior executive responsible for leading the Alberta Institute of Agrologists and exercising the powers and duties delegated by Council through legislation and bylaws. Reporting directly to the AIA Council, the CEO ensures the Institute fulfills its statutory mandate to protect the public and maintain professional trustworthiness.
This role provides strategic leadership across regulatory compliance, governance, organizational performance, and stakeholder engagement. The CEO is accountable for navigating legislative change, strengthening regulatory systems, and ensuring the long-term sustainability, effectiveness, and credibility of the Institute.
THE ORGANIZATION
The Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) is the regulatory body for the agrology profession in Alberta, operating under the authority of the Agrology Profession Act. The Institute exists to protect the public interest by ensuring that agrologists meet rigorous standards of education, ethical conduct, and professional practice.
Through registration, continuing competence, and discipline processes, AIA safeguards the integrity of the profession and strengthens public trust in the scientific management of Alberta's land, water, soil, and agricultural resources. The Institute regulates the use of professional titles such as Professional Agrologist and Registered Technologist in Agrology to ensure accountability and competence across the profession.
As a modern professional regulator, AIA operates in an increasingly complex and evolving legislative environment, requiring strong governance, transparency, and adaptability. The organization is committed to continuous improvement of its regulatory systems, policies, and digital infrastructure to ensure effectiveness, accessibility, and public confidence. Through collaboration with government, professional regulators, and stakeholders, AIA plays a critical role in supporting sustainable resource management and responsible professional practice across Alberta.
For more information, please visit their website:
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Direction

• Provide executive leadership to ensure the Institute fulfills its statutory and public-interest mandate.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of multi-year strategic plans aligned with legislation and Council direction.
• Guide the organization through legislative, regulatory, and governance change with clarity, discipline, and adaptability.

Legislative Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Maintain expert-level understanding of relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks, and statutory delegation of authority.
• Oversee the integration and application of legislation, bylaws, codes, standards, registration, and continuing competence programs.
• Lead the implementation of Alberta's Professional Governance Act and related regulatory requirements.

Governance & Council Advisory

• Advise Council on governance best practices, roles, responsibilities, and legislative compliance.
• Support Council in fulfilling its oversight role while maintaining appropriate separation between governance and operations.
• Prepare and submit statutory and annual reports to government as required.

Risk Management & Decision-Making

• Identify and manage regulatory, legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks.
• Develop and maintain an enterprise risk management framework and report material risks to Council.
• Provide decisive leadership on high-risk, high-profile, or sensitive regulatory matters.

Financial Oversight & Sustainability

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting in collaboration with the CFO and external advisors.
• Ensure long-term financial sustainability through disciplined budgeting and multi-year financial planning.
• Lead internal and external audit processes and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.

People Leadership & Operations

• Act as the sole employee of Council, with full accountability for organizational operations and staff leadership.
• Lead, support, and manage a remote workforce, ensuring accountability, engagement, and performance.
• Foster an ethical, inclusive, and professional workplace culture aligned with the Institute's mandate.

Stakeholder, Government & External Relations

• Serve as the primary liaison with the Government of Alberta, including the Minister and departmental officials.
• Maintain strong relationships with national and provincial regulators, partners, and stakeholders.
• Act as a spokesperson for the Institute to support transparency and public confidence.

Digital Systems & Modernization

• Provide executive oversight of regulatory information systems and digital platforms.
• Ensure responsible data stewardship, privacy, cybersecurity, and continuous modernization of regulatory processes.

QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Agrology, Agricultural Sciences, Public Administration, Law, Business Administration, or a related discipline. * Senior executive leadership experience in a regulatory, professional, public-sector, or member-based organization.

• Strong understanding of professional regulation, governance, and legislative compliance.
• Proven experience advising and reporting to a governing Board or Council.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including budget oversight and organizational sustainability.
• Experience leading organizations through legislative, regulatory, or governance transformation.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience leading teams in a remote or hybrid work environment.
• Demonstrated integrity, ethical judgment, and sound decision-making within complex regulatory frameworks.

Assets:

• Eligibility for, or registration as, a Professional Agrologist in Alberta.
• Advanced degree in agrology, law, governance, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience overseeing regulatory systems, digital platforms, or modernization initiatives.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic and systems-level thinking
• Regulatory judgment and ethical leadership
• Change leadership and organizational resilience
• Political acuity and stakeholder navigation
• Risk management and disciplined decision-making
• Ability to influence without authority

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
DARYL HENRY | T: 403.718.5078| E: daryl.henry@richardsonsearch.ca | www.richardsonsearch.ca

Skills Required