Chief Administrative Officer

Chief Administrative Officer

The Municipality of Miramichi River Valley is offering a rare opportunity to shape a community's future in a region known for its natural beauty and quality of life, including some of the finest Atlantic salmon fishing in the world.

Formed in 2023 through the amalgamation of the former Village of Blackville and the Local Service Districts of Blackville, Renous-Quarryville, North Esk, South Esk, Derby, and Sunny Corner, this amalgamation has brought together six communities under one shared vision, creating an opportunity to build strong governance, sound infrastructure, and long-term growth. We are looking for a leader who can bring structure and strategy to help the community capitalize on the natural and cultural resources already in place. The Municipality of Miramichi River Valley is a newly unified region with strong local identity and significant potential. The area's rivers, forests, and landscapes draw visitors from around the world, while its communities retain the close-knit character and culture that makes it so special.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Municipal Council, the Chief Administrative Officer will be the senior administrative leader of the municipality. This pivotal leadership opportunity will provide strategic direction, leadership, operational oversight, and governance. As an advisor to the Mayor and Council, you will provide advice and implement Council decisions, oversee municipal staff and services, and ensures municipal operations are carried out in accordance with provincial legislation, municipal by-laws, Council policies, approved budgets, and sound public administration practices.

You will lead with strong judgment, financial discipline, ethical conduct, political acumen, and a clear understanding of the boundary between Council governance and municipal administration.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Strategic Planning
  • Support Council in developing and advancing strategic priorities, long-term planning, and community goals
  • Implement Council decisions, by-laws, resolutions, policies, budgets, and strategic priorities in alignment with the Community's overall direction
• Management and Governance
  • Provide professional, non-partisan advice and recommendations to Council
  • Oversee day-to-day municipal administration and service delivery, including administration, public works, facilities, recreation, fire services, emergency measures, procurement, records management, and community relations
  • Ensure meeting records, by-laws, resolutions, contracts, public notices, municipal records, and Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act obligations are properly managed
  • Ensure contracts, land matters, leases, asset disposals, tenders, and agreements are brought forward with proper authority and documentation
  • Operate within Council-delegated authority, maintaining respectful but firm governance boundaries with individual Council members, committees, and committee members
• Stakeholder Relations
  • Maintain effective communication and positive relationships between Council, staff, residents, community groups, professional advisors, and other levels of government
  • Support community engagement initiatives
  • Represent the Community professionally in dealings with regional, provincial, and federal partners, and other external stakeholders
• Financial Management and Operational Oversight
  • Prepare, monitor, and report on operating and capital budgets
  • Ensure proper financial controls, procurement practices, contract administration, grant reporting, asset management, and risk management
• Human Resources and Labour Relations
  • Supervise municipal employees, department heads, contractors, consultants, and service providers
  • Lead human resources, performance management, workplace safety, labour relations, and organizational development
  • Foster a positive, inclusive, collaborative and high-performing workplace culture that recruits, retains, and supports quality staff

Governance Requirement

The CAO is accountable to Council as a whole. Individual members of Council, committees, or committee members do not direct municipal employees, contractors, consultants, department heads, or service providers. Direction to administration is provided through Council-approved by-laws, resolutions, policies, approved budgets, strategic priorities, and lawful delegation of authority.

The successful candidate must be able to maintain respectful but firm governance boundaries while supporting Council's collective decision-making authority.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, Finance, Planning, Political Science or a related field, equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered;
• 7-10+ years' leadership experience in municipal government, public administration, or a comparable complex organization with governance structures;
• Strong knowledge of municipal governance, budgeting, procurement, records management, contracts, policy implementation, and public-sector accountability;
• Demonstrated success in leading teams and organizational change, managing performance and building an effective and respectful workplace;
• Experience working with elected officials, boards, committees, residents, professional advisors, and government partners;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and the ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters.

Assets

• Experience as a CAO, Director, senior municipal administrator, or senior public-sector manager
• Experience in a rural municipality or restructured local government
• Knowledge of New Brunswick municipal legislation
• Experience with public works, fire services, emergency measures, recreation, infrastructure, asset management, land administration, or grant-funded projects
• Experience with human resources, labour relations, collective agreements, grievances, or workplace investigations
• Certification or training in local government administration, public administration, accounting, project management, human resources, planning, emergency management, or municipal leadership

Working Conditions

This is a full-time, in-office senior management position. Flexibility to work evenings is required for Council meetings, committee meetings, public meetings, emergency matters, and community events.

Why join the Municipality of Miramichi River Valley?

• Play a key role in shaping the municipality's future, while building strong relationships with all members of the community, stakeholders and other government levels
• Competitive compensation, with a salary range of $95,000-120,000, placement within the range will be established by Council based on qualifications, experience, scope of responsibility
• 3 weeks' vacation to start
• Health and Dental benefits
• RRSP match plan

How to Apply

If you are excited about this opportunity we would love to hear from you. Please apply by September 3rd, 2026, and include your resume and a cover letter that highlights how your education and leadership experience align with the qualifications outlined in this posting and why this role is a good fit for you.

The Municipality of Miramichi River Valley is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported We believe that diversity in experience, perspective, and identity strengthens our organization and enhances our ability to serve our community. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, persons with disabilities, people of all genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and will work with applicants to accommodate their needs throughout the hiring process. If you require reasonable accommodation to take part in the employment process, please call 709-437-4300 or send an email to [email protected] and we will contact you to discuss the nature of your request.