Program Manager, Strategy, Research and Initiatives

**Job Description**:
**POSITION PURPOSE**:
Reporting to the Executive Manager, Corporate Performance Management and Strategic Initiatives is responsible for providing advisory support through the Office of the CAO to the Office of the Regional Chair, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Department, including conducting research and analysis of legislative initiatives; providing information on changes in legislation and regulations; providing advisory and consultative guidance on policy initiatives to the Office of the Regional Chair, CAO, Commissioner, Executive Director and Executive Manager; representing the Region and chairing and/or participating as a member on internal and external committees which may include the Municipal Benchmarking Network Canada (MBNC) or equivalent and project teams;, various special projects including Council Transition coordination, and providing administrative support for the Offices of the Regional Chair and CEO, and CAO.

**MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Briefs the Regional Chair, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Commissioner, Executive Director, Executive Manager and others, as required, on matters of interest, Committee agendas/minutes, and current and anticipated issues.
- Attends regular briefings by the Regional Chair, CAO, Commissioner, Executive Director and Executive Manager on internal and external matters affecting Regional policy and operations.
- Manages and coordinates special projects.
- Acts as member of the Municipal Benchmarking Network Canada (MBNC), or equivalent, Municipal Lead Committee (specific MBNC role may include additional roles contingent on CAO role at MBNC), as required.
- Provides executive support to the Office of the Regional Chair and CAO, including MBNC, CAO Roundtables (i.e. Regional and Single Tier CAO and City Managers - RSTCAO, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area Recovery and Prosperity Alliance - GTHA RPA), other agencies and Boards.
- Establishes effective working relationships internal and external to the organization on behalf of the Office of the Regional Chair and CAO.
- Reviews and provides background reports on policy statements, consultation documents and proposals including background information for public relations activities of the Office of the Regional Chair and CAO.
- Provides input to or prepare reports, briefing notes, presentations, statistics and analysis, for the Office of the Regional Chairman, CAO, Executive Director and Manager.
- Provides on-going support to Senior Management Team with respect to Annual Performance Planning, tracking and training in partnership with Commissioner Strategy Heads Group.
- Develops and implements training and on-boarding manuals for staff involved with the MBNC (or equivalent), including hosting annual program kick-off meetings, as required.
- Provides administrative support for Regional initiatives as directed.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Successful completion of a University degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics or related field or approved equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum three (3) years demonstrated experience in policy and planning, policy/project management advisory experience in a public sector environment, and a sound understanding of municipal organizational environment.
- General knowledge of public policy, practices and issues, provincial legislation and current issues affecting local government with an understanding of public sector management accountability frameworks.
- Demonstrated knowledge of relevant Standards, Acts and Regulations.
- Demonstrated understanding of the current municipal governance model