Head of Corporate Affairs

Posting Start Date: December 16, 2024

Posting End Date: January 10, 2025

Contract Type - Full Time, Permanent

Flexible work arrangement: Hybrid

Work location: Burlington, ON

CH Site: Administration Office

Who We Are

Conservation Halton (CH) operates as one of Ontario's 36 Conservation Authorities and is recognized as an innovative and progressive leader in the public sector. Our jurisdiction spans 1,000 square kilometres across Milton, Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Puslinch, and Mississauga, allowing us to serve diverse communities in one of Canada's fastest-growing regions. With strong government, corporate and community partnerships and a robust and resilient operating model, we deliver high-quality programs and services that protect our region against natural hazards, preserve the natural environment, and enhance quality of life for 650,000+ residents.

Our Work & Culture

Working at CH means being part of, and leading, a dedicated and diverse team of talented, passionate, and high-performing professionals. Our award-winning workplace embraces a culture of innovation and continuous learning at every level, reflecting the inclusive values and vision of our Board and senior leadership team. From our foresters, planners, engineers, and ecologists to our restoration specialists, dam operators, educators and many others, CH's staff complement includes more than 150 full-time and 950 part-time employees who share—across unique roles and functions—a commitment to collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and customer service excellence.

Our Future

Over the last decade, our strategic focus on digital transformation, partnership development, and fiscal effectiveness has helped us accelerate innovation and modernize our operations sustainably; we are now positioned at the leading edge in our sector. For the first time in our history, our operating budget has surpassed $50 million. This milestone reflects our commitment to responsible fiscal management, sound governance, and long-term financial sustainability. With a strong senior leadership team and a bright and inclusive vision for the future, CH is poised for continued investment in talented people, high-quality programs and services, new business opportunities, and critical infrastructure that supports future growth in our watershed.

Your Opportunity

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Head of Corporate Affairs is the key business enabler for Conservation Halton (CH). The position will provide multidisciplinary leadership to multiple departments and centres of excellence within CH overseeing a team of subject matter experts and will include:

Corporate Operating Procedures - Drive corporate strategies, policies, operating procedures, work methods and standards covering a range of CH internal and external services.

Corporate Strategy - With the support of departmental management team, office of the CEO, and cross divisional collaboration, this position oversees the development and execution of CH's Strategic Plan. The incumbent plays a crucial role in the organization's strategic decision-making process.

Digital Technology - Provide executive oversight to the execution of a robust digital innovation strategy. Work with staff to optimize, information technology/GIS to leverage digital innovation data-driven approaches and new technologies. Responsible for a robust cyber security program to ensure our data, systems and digital assets remain protected and safe from cyber threat.

Business Development & Grants - This role will also have executive oversight to large scale business development initiatives and business opportunities through grants and partnership proposals. They are responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives to achieve the company's long-term goals. They analyze market trends, develop and evaluate business opportunities, and provide recommendations to the CEO.

Public Relations, Communications & Marketing - A strong collaborator and communicator with an entrepreneurial mindset and political acuity. The Head of Corporate Affairs will bring a deep knowledge of municipal and industry partners to build strategic relationships for exemplary public relations, high standard of customer service, crisis communications, and brand identity. As a trusted communications advisor, the successful candidate will provide oversight to CH's communication team to analyze situations, identify opportunities, provide thought leadership, develop and execute effective communications supporting CH's strategic plan.

Corporate Sustainability - As the key executive team leader driving organizational sustainability, the incumbent will be responsible for providing oversight to the development and execution of CH's sustainability strategy, ensuring compliance with required execution, monitoring, reporting and effectively communicating climate change and sustainability initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.

Foundation Governance and Fundraising- The Head of Corporate Affairs will also provide leadership to the Executive Director Conservation Halton Foundation (CHF) leveraging key partnerships to further advance the success of the Foundation's new and existing initiatives, supporting increased donor growth rate, donor retention, corporate sponsorships and increasing CHF overall revenue.

This role will also maintain an enterprise-wide strategic thinking outlook removing barriers for their respective teams through coaching and mentoring. This will be achieved with a laser focus on finding solutions and promoting a high-performing matrix team focused continuous innovation.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor of Business Administration/Public Affairs/Commerce/Communications/Industrial Relations/Public Administration
• MBA an Asset
• 10+ years' experience in a senior leadership role managing large high performing matrix teams
• 7+ years' experience in developing and leading enterprise-wide initiatives and strategic plans
• 7+ years' experience in public/stakeholder relationship management, process design, technology, digital transformation and project management
• Strong financial and business acumen, political acuity and experience leading teams to achieve specific performance and project targets
• Ability to translate strategy into action plans
• Strong leadership, coaching/mentorship track record within a high performing matrix team
• Drive a performance culture of development with a focus on delivering on results
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal including experience in dealing with the media
• Experience presenting to executive teams, board of directors and external stakeholders
• Experience in process improvement
• Experience with external stakeholder management in corporate affairs matters
• Experience or exposure to working in a charitable, not-for-profit or NGO setting
• Excellent analytical, judgement and decision-making
• Works well under rapidly changing, constant, tight, and often conflicting deadlines
• Project management and change management experience and exposure to change management methodology, (ADKAR/PROSCI)

Your Reward

• Salary Range starting at $164,876
• You will work in an inspiring setting with views of the Niagara Escarpment and no traffic lights for several miles
• You will lead a creative, talented and solutions-focused team
• You will lead an organization that provides flexible work arrangements and places tremendous value on professional development and wellness of its employees
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Participation in the OMERS defined benefit pension plan, with generous employer-matching
• Free access to Conservation Ontario parks
• Season passes and lift tickets for the Glen Eden ski and snowboard area
• Discounts on Conservation Halton services, food and merchandise

Our Purpose

Protect people from natural hazards, conserve nature and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and education across our watershed.

Our Ambition

A green, resilient, connected tomorrow.

Our Core Values

Diversity and Inclusion - We endeavor to understand, accept and appreciate the value of our differences and encourage authenticity.

Learning and Innovation - We embrace the need for continuous improvement, the opportunity to learn from others and the benefits of sharing knowledge.

Person-Centered Service - We make people a priority through customer-centred engagement, predictive problem-solving and high-quality service.

Collaboration - We seek out and trust in the skills, expertise and experience of others in order to achieve our common ambition.

Sustainability - We consider the environmental impact of everything we do and always keep future generations in mind when making decisions.

Integrity - We make decisions with accountability, transparency and a strong sense of personal responsibility for our choices and actions.

Resilience - We are positive and proud of our ability to quickly and effectively respond to change.

To Apply

Please email your application to careers@hrca.on.ca by January 10, 2025

Your application should include:

1. Your resume and cover letter in one pdf document
2. Reference your name and the position title in the subject line
3. In the body of your email, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity

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

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Conservation Halton will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Personal information provided is collected under the authority of The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.