General Manager of Community Services

• A unique opportunity to utilize your leadership skills and management experience in one of BC's fastest-growing municipalities
• Lead a team dedicated to supporting a thriving arts and culture scene, accessible recreation services and cost-efficient and inclusive facilities and expanding infrastructure.
• Enjoy a highly attractive annual salary plus top-notch benefits

The District of Squamish is located in the unceded traditional territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). We offer gratitude to the Skwxwú7mesh People who have lived on these lands since time immemorial.

About the District of Squamish

The District of Squamish is a progressive and growing community with a palpable positive energy and a strong focus on the great outdoors. Our friendly, small-town setting, spectacular natural environment, and world-class recreational opportunities offer an incredible live-work-play lifestyle that few places can beat. Bike, ski, sail, run, climb, hike, and explore our thriving arts, culture, and heritage scene – in your own backyard. Use some of that time you will save on the commute for work-life balance!

Our primary objective is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our people. When possible, we promote from within, making the District a great place to grow and further your career. Having fun at work is one of our top priorities and key to having an amazing team culture, and we strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, as well as a learning-focused organization. The opportunity to contribute to the success of our beautiful community is something we are all privileged to experience every day. We are a team of fun-loving yet highly dedicated and hardworking professionals who are committed to continuous learning, improvement, and excellence in service to our citizens.

For more information, please visit our website.

About the Opportunity

The District of Squamish is seeking a strategic and progressive leader who is passionate about making a positive impact in our community. At the heart of this role is a commitment to fostering a deep sense of connection within Squamish by providing services that meet the evolving needs of our diverse and growing community. While the District is seeking a business leader who is comfortable navigating their way in a local government setting, equally as important is their ability to inspire teams to achieve their best and deliver exceptional services in the community.   

As the General Manager of Community Services, this position will report directly to the Chief Administrative Officer and work closely with the members of the Core Leadership Team to achieve the overall vision of the organization and the community.  The General Manager of Community Services will oversee a diverse portfolio of responsibilities that include Public Works, Recreation, Arts and Culture Services, Facilities Management, and Facilities Planning and Construction.  

As the General Manager of Community Services, you will lead a team of dedicated professionals and foster partnerships that support and enhance a variety of community services. Your expertise and innovative problem-solving skills will be critical to the success of our thriving arts and culture scene, accessible recreation services and cost-efficient and inclusive facilities, and expanding infrastructure.

Key accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing leadership at both the strategic and operational levels to the senior managers of Facilities Management, Facilities Planning and Construction, Public Works, and Recreation Services. 
• Leading the development of the departmental capital and financial plans, and in collaboration with senior managers and the General Manager team, the overall long-term financial plan.
• Advising and consulting with other departments, agencies, community groups, property owners, associations, clubs and the public and attending public meetings as required.
• Establishing, monitoring, and nurturing good working relationships with all external and internal stakeholders within and on behalf of the District.     
• Leading teams to pursue funding and service delivery options within the portfolio including grant applications, procurement options, and partnerships.
• Leading the development and enhancement of standards, policies and operations to position the District as a leader in the sustainable delivery of community services. 
• Attending meetings of Council and Committees as required; providing guidance and support to direct reports on Council engagement.

About You

To qualify you will need at least 7 years of progressive experience at a senior management level, ideally, in local government, as well as a degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field. Post-graduate studies in management and leadership (MBA) would be considered an asset. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will also be considered. 

The following skills are essential to success in this role:

• Extensive knowledge of the Local Government Act, Community Charter, and other Acts, regulations, and bylaws relevant to local government
• Knowledge of Provincial legislation and Regulations that affect specific policy decisions of the District
• An in-depth understanding of best practices and principles in advanced business management
• Exceptional and proven leadership capability in the areas of public works, recreation, arts and culture services, facilities management, and facilities planning and construction 
• Familiarity with the District's strengths, opportunities, challenges, and culture
• Proven negotiation skills and excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to manage conflict effectively, 
• strong budget preparation and management skills
• Experience creating effective systems to manage workflow and leading high-performing teams
• Exceptional ability to build effective relationships with First Nations (Council and Staff)
• Demonstrated ability to build positive working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including senior staff, employees, elected officials, and other agencies
• Expertise in providing sound advice and writing effective reports and recommendations
• Flexibility and the ability to handle a diverse and complex workload
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence
• You must be Bondable

Lastly, you are an experienced, inclusive leader with a passion for motivating, leading and developing direct reports to provide exceptional customer service in an environment that supports the organization's mission, core values, goals, agenda, culture, tone, and policy.

What We Offer 

As a valued member of our team, you will be rewarded with a highly attractive annual salary, as well as comprehensive benefits, including:

• Excellent health and paramedical benefits package
• Opportunities to work on a variety of exciting projects for community development 
• Generous pension plan
• 70-hour, 9-day bi-weekly work schedule (3-day weekend every second week)
• Live and work in one of the most stunning places in the province
• And many more!

If you tick all of these boxes and believe you will thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply today!

As an equitable and inclusive employer, we value diversity of people to best represent the community we serve and provide excellent services to our citizens. We strive to attract and retain passionate and talented individuals of all backgrounds, demographics, and life experiences. If you require any adjustments to enable participation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact in confidence AccessibilityHR@squamish.ca. We thank all applicants for applying.