Current Postings
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Director, Community Services
New Westminster, British Columbia
Number of Openings: 1
Hours per Week: 37.5 hours per week.
Employee Group: Exempt
Location: City Hall: 511 Royal Ave
Competition #: 633
Additional Details:
Director, Community Services
Employment Status: Regular Full-Time
Pay Range: $201,478 to $222,141 annually plus a competitive total compensation plan
Closing Date:
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As an integral member of the City’s Senior Management Team (SMT), the Director, Community Services reports to the Chief Administrative Officer and leads a team of dedicated and highly skilled professionals. The Director will provide leadership, strategy, and direction for a collection of community-facing services that contribute to an economically strong, culturally vibrant, and community-focused City. The Director will ensure alignment and collaboration between the City’s economic development, cultural, conference service and community partnership activities in support and activation of City Council’s strategic priorities.
Key accountabilities of the position:
- Advise and consult with the Chief Administrative Officer, SMT and City Council on relevant policies, procedures, objectives, programs, and requirements to fulfill the vision for the City
- As a member of the City’s senior leadership team, support the CAO with leadership of the organization and contribute to decision-making that are in the best interest of the City
- Act as staff lead at Council on issues relating to the department’s functional areas and divisions
- Lead the coordination of the City’s economic development, conference service, cultural, and community partnership initiatives, and ensure progress towards the goals of the City’s economic development plan, public engagement strategy, arts strategy, and other approved plans and strategies
- Direct Department operations, including preparation of annual and long-term Department business plans and budgets, people management, and monitoring and controlling expenditures
- Ensure department policies, plans, activities, and operations are in direct alignment with Council’s strategic priorities
- Oversee the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the policies, projects, and programs of each of the department’s divisions
- Ensure divisions and employees working in satellite locations are informed of, and committed to, the City’s and the department's mandate and priorities
- Lead and participate in various interdepartmental meetings, committees, and task forces and facilitate timely and effective information flow between and across department divisions
- Lead the City’s participation in local, regional, and provincial policy initiatives related to the work
- Promote effective economic development by enabling greater communication and collaboration between economic development, community partnerships, and the Anvil Centre divisions
- Strengthen community connections by enabling greater communication and collaboration between corporate communications, public engagement, and community partnership (including city grants, special events and filming) functions
- Represent the City on various committees and advisory bodies, maintaining a significant profile in the community
- Liaise with external regional and provincial agencies, consultants, contractors, and other organizations
- Research and prepare reports and deliver presentations on critical matters related to the work, making recommendations for appropriate action
- Embody and champion the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism as an integral component of culture and service delivery
- Recognize the importance of strong and collaborative Indigenous relationships, and prioritize reconciliation and decolonization efforts
- Direct and oversee all aspects of staff management in the department, including the recruitment and retention of a highly skilled and diverse workforce
- Perform related duties in keeping with the purpose and accountabilities of the job
Requirements include:
- Graduate degree in public administration, community development, or related discipline
- Extensive experience in a leadership and administrative capacity in economic development, conference services, communications, public engagement, community partnerships, and arts and culture, preferably in the public sector; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience working within or alongside local government teams and external partners on diverse projects and initiatives
- Demonstrated knowledge of relevant local, provincial, and federal legislation and bylaws, including the Local Government Act and Community Charter
- Knowledge of municipal strategies, functions, and programs
- Thorough knowledge of current human resources practices, including labour relations, collective bargaining, and related staff management techniques
- Strategic planning skills to formulate, analyze and direct an overall strategy for promoting economic improvement
- Demonstrated ability to lead, assess, coach, and motivate staff with a focus on continuous improvement in the activities of the department
- Demonstrated ability to manage, plan, coordinate and supervise the work of professional teams
- Strong leadership and team-building skills within a unionized environment, with a demonstrated commitment to building a positive workplace culture
- Experience developing, implementing, and monitoring operating budgets, including financial planning and reporting, asset and resource management
- Commitment to and understanding of the principles of anti-oppression, anti-racism, reconciliation, and decolonization
- The successful applicant must be able to pass and maintain a clear Police Information Check
Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity with the City of New Westminster, please contact Carol Robinson or Sarah Grant at 604-998-4032, or forward your resumé and a letter of introduction to info@hwest.ca. You can also find more information about the opportunity on Harbour West's website - Community Services Director.
To support a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community; women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversity of our workforce, are encouraged to express their interest.
New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halq'eméylem-speaking peoples. It is acknowledged by the City that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land.
We are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.
We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted
www.newwestcity.ca