Senior Risk Management Advisor

The Senior Risk Management Advisor develops and leads the County's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program, ensuring risk is embedded into strategic planning, budgeting, and operational decision-making. This role designs and maintains the ERM framework, develops governance tools, and maintains the enterprise risk register. They establish and oversee a cross-functional ERM Working Group to identify, assess, and manage risks across all portfolios. 

The Advisor delivers clear, actionable reporting through Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), dashboards, and cyclical updates for Executive Leadership and Council. Additional duties include promoting a risk-aware culture through training, conducting annual risk maturity assessments, and aligning ERM with resilience and continuity planning.

This is a new position where success depends on strong leadership, influence, and change management skills to gain buy-in from senior leadership, Council, and departments. It will require an ability to be adaptable to Strathcona County needs and objectives that may differ from established ERM programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and maintain an ERM framework aligned with ISO 31000 and/or COSO ERM that provides value to operations and meets organizational objectives
• Develop and maintain ERM policies, procedures, templates, and governance tools to embed risk into corporate and Council-level decision-making
• Review and update business processes, organizational directives, and Council policy to ensure transparency and alignment with ERM principles
• Facilitate workshops and sessions to identify strategic, operational, capital, project, compliance, and emerging risks
• Guide the Working Group in comprehensive risk assessments: likelihood, impact, and control effectiveness; define mitigation measures and assign owners
• Work closely with specific areas of interest such as legal, insurance and internal controls to identify risks and opportunities to collaborate
• Integrate risk outcomes into strategic plans, budgets, service plans, capital projects, and Council submissions
• Maintain and update the Enterprise Risk Register with interdependencies, trends, and mitigation progress
• Work with Executive Leadership and Council to define and update risk appetite and tolerance
• Monitor risk thresholds, flagging and escalating issues from the risk register and mitigation progress
• Publish dashboards for Executive Leadership and Council, and an annual "Top Risks" report featuring heat maps and executive commentary
• Lead training and coaching on risk management for the ERM working group, Directors, staff, and project teams
• Support scenario planning and stress tests for major risks (e.g., cyber threats, extreme weather, service interruptions)

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field, combined with a minimum of five years of progressive experience working directly with senior leadership to influence decisions and lead enterprise-level initiatives
• Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation strongly preferred, supported by at least five years of demonstrated success in risk management within a municipal or complex multi-divisional environment, including experience implementing frameworks and driving organizational change
• Exceptional facilitation and relationship-building skills to engage Directors, Managers, Executive Leadership, and Council, and to drive consensus on risk priorities
• Strong understanding of ERM frameworks (e.g., ISO 31000, COSO ERM) and demonstrated ability to apply risk governance and analytical principles in a municipal context
• Knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g., Alberta Municipal Government Act), Council policies, and municipal governance as they relate to ERM
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills; experience with risk assessment, data analysis, trend reporting, and proactive risk mitigation
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and projects, including integration of strategic planning and budgeting inputs

Who We Are:

Strathcona County is a specialized municipality located in the heart of Alberta. Our vision is to become Canada's most livable community, where our workplace culture and identity are supported by our people plan and values of integrity, respect, safety, fairness, and cooperation. 

Why Join Strathcona County: (depending on position)

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
  • Extended health and dental coverage   
  • Health and wellness spending account   
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Retirement and pension programs 
  • Earned day off program
  • Employee and family assistance program
• Commitment to employee development, through internal and external training and development opportunities
• Well-being programs and a safety culture focused on physical and psychological health in the workplace

Equivalencies of education and experience may be considered. This role may be eligible to participate in our hybrid work program. 

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies for similar positions within the next 6 months. 

Strathcona County is committed to an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace that represents the community we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who can contribute diverse perspectives and experiences.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.