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ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW AND POSITION PROFILE

Deputy City Manager, Communications and Engagement
THE CITY OF EDMONTON

The City of Edmonton is a $3 billion organization which delivers over 300 services and programs to
nearly one million Edmontonians. The work of the City has a more profound impact than it ever has
before. To serve the public and City Council well, the City organization operates with a contingent,
flexible approach, anticipating and responding to continual political, economic, environmental, social
and technical changes happening around us.

The Executive Leadership Team, comprised of the City Manager and eight Deputy City Managers, leads
the corporation with a primary focus on integration, putting service before self, and shared
accountability.

The role of the Deputy City Manager has evolved to support the vision of becoming a “modern
municipal corporation” -- one that is open and responsive to the needs of the public, City Council and its
employees. Leaders are expected to work in a complex corporation-wide ecosystem, possessing the
skills and insight to provide leadership beyond technical expertise.

From large, city-building projects to routine operations and everything in between, the vision below
guides the answer to the question we ask City leaders and staff: ‘what do you do and why do you do it?’

“Working together, and aligned with Council’s vision, we enable a better life for all Edmontonians.”

Our cultural commitments form the basis for how City of Edmonton staff work together to achieve this
vision and serve City Council, the public and each other:

Safe We value, respect and protect the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of each other and
those we serve.

Helpful We care about people’s experiences. We work with them and for them to seize opportunities,
address challenges and deliver outstanding service.

Accountable We are trusted and empowered to embrace our responsibility for our actions, decisions
and behaviours.

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Integrated We get the best results when we align our diverse ideas, knowledge and efforts in shared
purpose.

Excellent We perform to the highest standard. We passionately pursue innovation and continuously
improve ourselves, our teams and our city.

COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

The Communications and Engagement Department is essential to connecting the public to the work the
city does in a transparent, integrated manner and in a way that values understanding, diverse opinions
and accountability.

Building a city that is open, accountable and responsive requires engaging the citizens of Edmonton,
staff and partners in the decisions that affect their lives. Formed to elevate the role of communications
and engagement to the senior executive level of the City, the Communications and Engagement
Department enables and enriches deep and meaningful connections with citizens, communities,
employees, and City Council, giving all a voice in the future of the city. Listening to and understanding
the perspectives of our stakeholders and partners has become even more critical as we know
Edmonton’s challenges and opportunities are not the City’s alone to take on.

Communications and Engagement is focused on supporting all Departments in having consequential,

meaningful conversations with Edmontonians about the City’s direction, and developing a network of
external partners who can help advance Edmonton’s reputation at home and across the globe. Both
strategic and tactical, the Communications and Engagement Department includes five distinct
disciplines:

Communications
The Communications Branch connects Edmontonians, Council and City staff to the information they
need, when they need it, through City channels -- social media, blogs, video, e-newsletters,
edmonton.ca and more -- and external channels, including the media.

Engagement
The Engagement Branch advises and connects citizens, City staff and community stakeholders to the
organization and gives these important partners a voice in the future of the city.

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External Relations
Fostering the development of a network of partners from other orders of government, the business
community, educational institutions and non-profits to strengthen the profile of the City, the External
Relations branch plays a key role internally and externally.

Intergovernmental Affairs
Intergovernmental Affairs develops and implements strategies and initiatives to assist the City in
influencing and fostering relationships with other orders of government and external government
stakeholders to advance Edmonton’s interests and achieve the the City’s long-term strategic goals.

Marketing
Although all City departments play a role in advancing a positive image and reputation for the
organization, the Marketing Branch is at the helm of this work, building citizen, staff and stakeholder
trust in a clear, consistent brand.

THE ROLE

The City Manager, with the support of the Mayor and City Council, leads the execution of City Council’s
strategic plan and priorities. As members of the Executive Leadership Team, Deputy City Managers,
individually and collectively, are the primary Agents of the City Manager’s strategic management and
integration accountability. Defining an intentional corporate strategy on an integrated basis is at the
centre of role responsibility for all Deputy City Managers. Accountable for carrying out the corporate
strategy through the work of the department they lead, Deputy City Managers are truly integration
managers. This role requires a leader committed to serving others, with specific focus on:

▪ Taking a City Council and citizen-centric perspective and approach.

▪ Operating at a high degree of credibility by meeting/exceeding expectations in the effective and
consistent delivery of services.
▪ Securing a high degree of employee engagement.
▪ Creating a broad cascading focus on how work is completed, rather than a narrow focus on
technical production.
▪ Ensuring an effective and efficient use of resources in the achievement of outcomes.
▪ Providing well-formed recommendations, advice and options for the consideration of the Executive
Leadership Team.
▪ Maintaining fiscal responsibility.
▪ Modelling the City’s cultural commitments, motivating and inspiring staff to do the same.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Culture and Leadership

▪ Work with the members of the Executive Leadership Team to provide corporate leadership that
delivers on City Council’s priorities.
▪ Establish, demonstrate and hold others accountable to behave consistently with the values of the
corporation’s cultural commitments.
▪ Ensure that values are reflected in department processes, practices, leadership style and culture,
and enables and enriches deep and meaningful connections with citizens, communities, City
Council, and employees.

Strategic Management
Organization
▪ Build a deep understanding of the overall corporate context, direction and priorities and translate
this into department strategies and priorities. Support, sponsor and mobilize corporate initiatives.
▪ Actively participate in the development of strategies and translate this direction into department
level strategies.
▪ Apply critical thinking to the strategic management and decision-making processes of the
corporation and department.
▪ Bring an external perspective (gained through interactions with community, industry and other
external stakeholders) to the strategic process.
▪ Fully embrace the corporation’s integration agenda and share the responsibility for strategic
integration of activities within and between Communications and Engagement and all of the City’s
business units.

Department
▪ Lead a service delivery model that achieves outcomes and empowers staff. Oversee the
Department’s strategic policy and planning processes, forecasting and conducting best practice
research and analysis to guide Department and Council decision making.
▪ Lead development of Department and Branch strategy and business planning.
▪ Ensure Department and Branch strategic priorities are delivered, utilizing integrative thought
processes and a highly collaborative framework.
▪ Proactively building networks, connecting and building trust in relationships with different
stakeholders.

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Systems Alignment
▪ Create the social (human) systems necessary to deliver the technical work of the corporation and
department.
▪ Assure the alignment of structure processes, competencies, leadership style and culture to the
strategy of the corporation and department.
▪ Build and sustain the capacity of teams and individuals necessary to deliver strategy.

Oversight and Assurance

▪ Assure the effectiveness of the corporate and departmental systems through comprehensive,
accurate and transparent reporting and performance management.

Financial Stewardship
▪ Ensure the prudent and effective use of financial resources in the conceptualization and delivery of
the corporation's and department's work.

Relationship Management
▪ Create, leverage and maintain relationships necessary to advance the corporate and departmental
strategy and reputation of the corporation. This includes building and sustaining professional
relationships with Executive Leadership Team, peers, Council, citizens, industry/sector leaders,
business partners and staff.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

▪ 15+ years in progressive leadership positions in corporate or agency marketing / communications. It

would be an asset to have experience working in / for large and complex organizations (i.e.
municipal government, provincial government or the private sector).
▪ Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline, with a Masters Degree being advantageous.
▪ Demonstrated experience as a leader who is a visionary, credible and trusted role model who
inspires and challenges others to achieve their full potential.
▪ Has a track record of developing credibility and earning the respect of internal and external
stakeholders. A strong and comfortable communicator who would present well in front of Council,
its Committees, the general public and the media. Proven ability to be able to “think on their feet.”
▪ Demonstrated expertise fostering relationships which enable meaningful conversations with
citizens, municipal, provincial and federal governments; industry associations; community
stakeholders; and other organizations.
▪ Politically astute and diplomatic. Strong knowledge of change management.
▪ An ability to definitively demonstrate effective and efficient use of resources in the achievement of
outcomes.

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▪ Demonstrated track record of recognizing organizational change as a human, not (only) a technical
process.

ATTRIBUTES AND ABILITIES

▪ Values align to culture commitments

▪ Adaptability
▪ Political awareness (ability to read and understand the political / strategic environment)
▪ Commit to reflection and self-awareness; accurate self-insight; seeks the perspective of others
▪ Personal drive - energy, integrity and passion
▪ Achieve outcomes, drive for results
▪ Focus on continuous improvement
▪ Adopt a citizen-centric perspective and approach
▪ Recognizes that multiple perspectives should be applied to complex issues
▪ Engaging approach which encourages meaningful dialogue around stakeholder groups
▪ Solution-focused with an ability to reconcile multiple viewpoints
▪ Comfort operating in an ambiguous environment
▪ Integrity and honesty
▪ Team player

IMAGINE EDMONTON | AUTHENTIC, ATTITUDE-CHANGING AND SUSTAINABLE

When people visit Edmonton or move here from elsewhere, they see there’s a uniqueness to how
Edmontontonians do ordinary things. People have chosen this bend of the North Saskatchewan river for
thousands of years to celebrate that uniqueness, and that quiet spirit remains today.

With a growing and vibrant downtown core, and exciting developments within old and new areas,
Edmonton is enjoying an undeniable renaissance felt by residents and visitors alike. The city has grown,
yet has managed to maintain its humble roots. We’re a place that is open to newcomers and new ideas,
where we use ingenuity to solve problems and go after opportunities, and where people revel in the
chance to work together to move things forward.

There’s a lot to love about Edmonton - from its vast ribbon of green space along the river valley to its
vibrant arts and music scene, and a restaurant culture that’s gaining national recognition. Close to one
million people are proud to call Edmonton home with a metropolitan population of over 1.3m.

Edmonton’s City Council has developed a vision and strategies which provides a focus to manage the
opportunities and challenges of our ever changing city.

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The City of Edmonton is committed to transforming the City through thoughtful planning. It is making
an ongoing series of deliberate, strategic and wise planning decisions that will lead towards the
realization of the City Vision, transforming the City and shape the one imagined.

We are an uplifting city that embodies the spirit and intent of Treaty No. 6. where prosperity is shared
and enjoyed by all, whether your ancestors date back 8000 years or you just arrived last week.

We deeply believe that when every Edmontonian thrives, Edmonton thrives. This is a city for all,
connected and cooperative — a we city, not a me city.

We are the most family-friendly big city in Canada; a safe and inclusive city that’s free from racism. No
one lives on the street, and no one is trapped in poverty. Our children have access to education that
drives a workforce that is the most creative in the country. Our food, festivals, and culture reflect the
diversity and creativity of our community and invite anyone to participate. We embrace outdoor activity
year round — particularly in our river valley — which contributes to a healthier population that is more
productive and experiences fewer chronic diseases.

The Edmonton Metro Region is a global powerhouse in the areas of technology, life sciences, design,
manufacturing, food, and logistics. This is because our business-friendly environment has nurtured new
companies and helped established industries to adapt and grow despite ferocious competition and
disruption. Our entrepreneurs compete with confidence, exporting their ingenuity far and wide to solve
some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The wealth and prosperity that our resilient economy
generates helps Edmonton to achieve its vision.

Housing is affordable here and - whatever their life stage - Edmontonians have choices throughout the
city on where they live. That means when people move around their neighbourhoods, they meet and
are enriched by a diversity of others. Edmonton is interconnected and efficient thanks to higher density
near key locations and roadways, and to a transportation system that adapts to changing technology,
and gives options — from transit to biking to walking — to commuters to safely move past big-city traffic
congestion. All of this adds up to greater vibrancy and connectedness across the city. Edmonton lives up
to its reputation as a leader in open and transparent governance. It tackles bigger problems, more
effectively delivers services and projects, and continually seeks new areas for improvement.

Recognizing that the land and nature sustains us and must also sustain future generations, our air and
our water are clean, we are resilient to a changing climate, and biodiversity thrives; we leave things
better than we found them.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

▪ To explore this exciting opportunity further, please send your resume in confidence to

emily.mendoza@altopartners.ca or contact:

Emily R.P. Henders Shauna A. Louie Kevin N. Hall

Senior Research Associate Partner Partner

▪ AltoPartners
www.altopartners.ca
1.587-353-9800

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