Strategic Initiatives Lead

ABOUT US

The City of Spruce Grove is a fast growing, dynamic city committed to building and maintaining a fiscally responsible community that serves our residents, attracts visitors, and promotes future growth.

The “Values, We Live By” are accountability, communication, leadership, integrity, and respect while we work towards maintaining a work/play balance.

We are an organization that cares, an organization that is committed to our city and committed to you. The City of Spruce Grove is committed to public service, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. We believe that by working together in a spirit of collaboration and respect, we can achieve great things.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Strategic Initiatives Lead is responsible for planning, research, analysis, and advisory consultation, as well as preparing materials for the Director and department staff. The objective is to support the development of policies, procedures, strategic initiatives, and planning documents, alongside reviewing systems and processes to enhance service delivery within the department.

The position requires strong strategic and critical thinking skills, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of corporate and regional plans, bylaws, policies, legislation, and safety and risk management. The incumbent will facilitate and coordinate key projects and initiatives, represent the department in meetings, and collaborate effectively with other departments and stakeholders. This position reports directly to the Director of Recreation and Culture.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1.Research & Report Development
- Conduct high-quality, confidential research and analysis for assigned projects.
- Evaluate processes, policies, and planning documents, providing recommendations to the Director.
- Summarize research into concise reports adhering to corporate standards, addressing sensitive issues.
- Draft departmental reports for Council, CLT, OLG, and other committees as needed.
- Monitor best practices and trends through environmental scans.
- Prepare status reports on ongoing plans and initiatives.
- Manage assigned planning processes from start to finish.

2. Planning
- Exhibits strong planning skills in strategic, action, business planning, and project management.
- Develops effective plans and processes to enhance efficiency and priority setting using established planning tools.
- Understands and applies statutory, corporate, and departmental plans, supporting staff in their implementation.

3. Leadership & Facilitation
- Understands and integrates statutory and corporate plans into decision-making and policy development.
- Leads staff in assigned strategic planning, report writing, and key initiatives.
- Able to effectively translate ideas into effective/efficient strategies for various audiences.
- Stays informed on industry trends through participation in networks at various levels.
- Facilitates discussions effectively in diverse settings (groups, focus sessions, one-on-one).
- Develops and leads training sessions as identified by the Director.
- Represents the department on task groups, committees, and boards, both internal and external to the organization, as assigned.
- Handles confidential information, ensuring its security.

4. Policy & Procedure Development
- Analyzes and interprets administrative procedures and legal documents.
- Leads the (re)development of department policies, ensuring alignment with corporate policies and other partner impacts.
- Serves as a resource for staff in developing procedures and guidelines.
- Collaborates with corporate staff to review and create policies, advocating for departmental priorities and needs.

5. Communications & Presentations
- Exhibits strong verbal and written communication skills, using tact and diplomacy drafting and editing administrative letters, agendas, and forms.
- Demonstrates strong customer service focus and relationship-building skills.
- Aids in creating and delivering professional presentations and spreadsheets for internal and external clients using various software tools.

6. Administration & Finance
- Offers high-level administrative support to the Director, including capturing action items in confidential meetings.
- Assists the Director with records management as needed.
- Reviews and monitors department agreements and contracts to ensure compliance with requirements and timelines.
- Aids in the (re)development of agreements and contracts in the Recreation and Culture department, aligning with corporate standards.
- Serves as backup to the Recreation and Culture department’s Sr. Administrative Assistant during absences.

7. Other Duties
- Understand and adhere to City policies, procedures and standards, whether written or implied, as amended from time to time.
- Contribute to a positive safety culture by always acting in a safe manner and complying with City safety policies and procedures for staff and contractors.
- Act as a steward of the City's Corpor