As the Associate Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Water Utility, you will serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the COO. You will help manage executive priorities, provide strategic advice on developing matters, and coordinate cross-organizational work. Acting as a trusted integrator, you will cultivate and sustain relationships across Council, government, regulatory, funding and partner organizations, while monitoring political, legislative, policy and intergovernmental developments that may influence the Water Utilities priorities and commitments. Working in a fast-paced and highly visible environment, you will play a key role in ensuring the COO is prepared to make informed decisions, advance strategic priorities and deliver on commitments.
Primary duties include:
- Strategically manage the COO's priorities, commitments and executive engagements to ensure alignment with major priorities, governance timelines, Council and committee matters, priority initiatives, and key internal and external engagements.
- Act as an integrator for the COO Office, Water Utility leadership, City departments, and external partners to connect priorities, resolve barriers, coordinate responses, and maintain momentum on executive commitments.
- Lead the development of partner and attendee profiles, including biographies, organizational affiliations, previous interactions with the COO, current priorities, interests, and relationship considerations for government organizations, Council, boards, executives, and partners.
- Anticipate executive needs, emerging issues, and proactively resolve or escalate matters before they impact priorities, relationships or service delivery.
- Develop, review and synthesize executive briefings, meeting materials, correspondence, presentations, reports, and decision-support materials to ensure the COO has timely, accurate, audience-appropriate, and strategically relevant information.
- Build alignment across internal departments, senior leaders, Council offices, government partners, regulators, funding partners, and external parties by identifying risks, trends, and opportunities that support executive decision-making and organizational outcomes.
- Monitor critical reports, media announcements, project launches, high-impact meetings and departmental initiatives to maintain situational awareness and ensure timely executive preparation.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team, ensuring priorities, deliverables, and services are aligned with the needs of the COO Office.
Qualifications - A degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Public Administration, Public Relations, Political Science, Communications or a related discipline.
- At least 8 years of senior level support experience in a complex, politically sensitive and confidential environment; including at least 3 years of leadership experience.
- Certification or training in project management, business analysis, governance, public administration, change management, leadership, or executive administration will be considered an asset.
- Advanced experience translating complex, sensitive, and politically-nuanced information into clear, strategic advice and materials, including executive briefings, recommendations, speaking notes, correspondence and communications, supported by strong research, analysis, and synthesis skills.
- This role requires exceptional judgment, discretion, and the ability to provide clear, objective advice on politically sensitive and high-profile issues, identify emerging risks and opportunities, influence decision-making, and advance organizational priorities within complex public-sector and intergovernmental environments.
Position and Pay Information - Business Unit: Chief Operating Office, Water Utility
- Union: Exempt
- Position Type: 1 Permanent
- Compensation: $115,627 - 144,534 per annum
- Location: 800 Macleod Trail SE
- Audience: Internal/External
- Apply By: August 14, 2026
- Job ID: 315102
