An exceptional career opportunity is available with Strathcona County as the Director, Strathcona County Transit. We are recruiting a new Director to lead the award-winning municipal transit department. The County has had a number of recent successes with public transit and is looking for a dynamic new leader to build on that momentum. The Director position leads, controls, manages and directs a non-unionized municipal transit department which plans and operates the County’s fixed-route and specialized transit services. The Director is responsible for one of the County’s largest departments with about 130 FTEs who provide over 1.5 million trips a year, and an annual operating budget of approximately 15 million. The Director is responsible for the safe and cost-effective delivery of customer service excellence in Transit Services while supporting Strathcona County’s Strategic Plan and its commitment to excellence in municipal government and quality of life.

Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of more than 92,000 residents. Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. It is home to 75 per cent of refining in Western Canada. With a focus on economic, governance, social, cultural and environmental sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.  As the fourth largest municipality by population, Strathcona County is committed to the delivery of quality public services.  Within this mandate, we strive to provide opportunities for staff to grow and evolve in a dynamic, challenging and open environment that promotes personal satisfaction, personal achievement, and corporate leadership.

We are seeking an experienced professional with at least 10 years of progressive experience in transit operations and administration, a minimum of five years of proven leadership skills in a mid to senior level leadership capacity,  with credentials that include but are not limited to a relevant university degree.  Your knowledge and understanding of public transit operations and its role in community services will help to create a compelling vision for the department.

Other important attributes should include excellent interpersonal, communications and collaboration skills that enable you to build partnerships with key stakeholders, a positive reputation for engaging and motivating staff,  the ability to link services and projects to the County’s Community Vision and Strategic Plan, a track record of innovation, strategic business planning  and budget planning capabilities, the completion of management and/or professional development training well-suited to a senior leadership role, and the desire to make a positive contribution, working in a collaborative environment. Previous experience working within a municipal environment is preferred.

Key responsibilities include:

Define and promote a clear vision and goals for the department that aligns with corporate priorities. Anticipate changing community needs and plan accordingly. Lead the development and implementation of the Department’s business plan, priorities, and budgets to ensure that Department programs are closely linked with Strathcona County’s strategic direction, corporate business plans, and County values and beliefs. Establish mechanisms to monitor and report performance outcomes in service delivery.
Advance the department’s mission by fostering effective relationships with Municipal Council, senior administration, department staff, customers and the public, stakeholders and partners, relevant provincial and federal agencies, regional partners, and other County departments. Lead department communications with Council and Executive Team.
Provide guidance for five direct reports: Manager of Operations, Manager of Planning and Customer Services, Coordinator of Financial and Administration, Safety Coordinator, and an Administrative Assistant. Ensure excellent cross-branch coordination.
Oversee the efficient and effective use of resources. Manage the Department’s financial resources in accordance with approved operating and capital budgets and  to account for the fiscal  costs, resources and revenues used in providing portfolio programs and services.
Work to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction with public transit services. Promote and enable innovation, learning and reflection as tools for staff to develop new and better ways to deliver services, increase efficiency, boost productivity, or enhance customer satisfaction.
Represent the County and/or Department in various capacities for the purposes of ensuring the County’s interests and relationship are enhanced. Effective relationships with neighbouring municipalities and transit departments, the Capital Region Board, and Alberta Transportation are especially important.

In addition to providing a dynamic working environment, we offer a 35 hour work week and a competitive salary and benefits package.

If you are interested in this permanent full time career opportunity, please send your resume quoting the competition number below.  Salary will commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Thank you for your interest in Strathcona County. We contact only candidates selected for interviews.