

Chief Administration Officers – CAOs
New Brunswick’s New and Restructured Local Government Entities
General Overview
Local governance is all about community. It’s where we live, work, recreate, and where our kids go to school. It is at its simplest the closest level of decision-making to our homes and businesses. In 2021, the Government of New Brunswick (GNB) embarked on a local governance reform, following 55 years since the last major local governance reform. The goal: to have vibrant and sustainable communities that work together to enhance the quality of life for all New Brunswickers.
Role Overview
Reporting to Council, we are seeking self-motivated and visionary leaders with proven track records for their engaging, innovative, strategic, and collaborative leadership styles. Bringing the strategic direction set by Council to life, the CAO is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of the local government’s short and long-term vision and plans by stewarding decision-making across a variety of stakeholders and soundly managing the day-to-day operations.
The CAO is the senior appointed official for the local government entity and will provide organizational leadership to local government staff (where applicable), as per the overview above. They are responsible to Council for the administration and coordination of the delivery of services to the local government’s residents and businesses in a manner that will ensure the effective utilization of human and financial resources, and assets of the local government.
The future CAO will be responsible for implementing, promoting, and leading the local government through change, transformation, and development.
As the administrative head of the local government, the CAO is responsible for the overall effective fiscal management of the local government: budgeting and optimizing of resources. The CAO is also responsible for directing the operations of the local government in accordance with the objectives, plans, programs, and policies approved by Council and in accordance with the various provincial and/or federal statutes and municipal by-laws.
The CAO oversees a variety of stakeholders, communicating effectively and transparently while exerting influence to ensure the organization is focused on addressing opportunities and challenges through sound decision-making at the council level, and within the local government itself.
As the senior leader, they embody the local government’s values and lead by example to create and sustain an organizational culture where everyone is safe, valued, and respected.
Successful Candidate Essential Qualifications:
Education and years of experience required for each CAO role will be dependent on the size and scope of each local government. A description of entities is listed below (Appendix A):
1: (Entities: 7, 11 and 14) (Full-time salary from $100,776 – $131,222):
Along with a Bachelor’s degree (Public Administration, Political Science, Business, Planning, or a related discipline), you possess eight (8) years or more of progressively responsible experience of which a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible leadership experience at a senior level is required. Experience in a multi-stakeholder environment, which includes community or public facing and financial management responsibilities is also required. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.
2: (Entities: 4, 16 and 32) (Full-time salary from $84,422-$102,128):
Along with a Bachelor’s degree (Public Administration, Political Science, Business, Planning, or a related discipline), you possess seven (7) years or more of progressively responsible experience of which a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible leadership is required. Experience in a multi-stakeholder environment, which includes community or public facing and financial management responsibilities is also required. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.
3: (Entities 3, 10, 13, 17, 20, 26, 42, 45, 46, 52, 63, 70 & 79) (Full-time salary from $70,408 – $93,678):
Along with a Bachelor’s degree (Public Administration, Political Science, Business, Planning, or a related discipline), you have six (6) years or more of progressively responsible experience of which a minimum of one (1) year of progressively responsible leadership experience is required. Experience in a multi-stakeholder environment, which includes community or public facing and financial management responsibilities is also required. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.
Should no candidate meeting the minimum thresholds be found, the experience requirements may be lowered.
Language competence will be assessed relative to the language requirements of the role to which you are applying.
Applicants must clearly demonstrate the essential qualifications to be given further consideration. Please ensure that your preferred language for assessment is identified on your resume.
Successful Candidate Competencies (Applicable to all roles)
- Superior judgment and decision-making skills with a focus on driving results through collaboration with others.
- Ability to manage significant change in support of a positive and productive workplace culture while demonstrating transparency and integrity.
- Skilled at maximizing resources through effective organizational design.
- Ability to develop talent through effective coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
- High-level strategic thinking and planning skills.
- Ability to generate high team engagement and create a high-performing organization.
- Effective communicator both verbally and in writing.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Ability to develop and articulate a strategic vision for the organization.
- Ability to understand the intricacies of government and to develop meaningful relationships of trust with the executive team and elected officials.
To find out more about this exciting career opportunity, please submit, in English or French, a resume and cover letter to: apply-cao@jennifermurrayconsulting.com. Please indicate in the subject line of your submission which Entity (as per Appendix A) you are applying for.
The principles of equal opportunity employment will be upheld throughout this process. Jennifer Murray Consulting will also provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that considers an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact jennifer@jennifermurrayconsulting.com
We thank all candidates; however, only those whose profile best fits the requirements of this position will be contacted.
Appendix A: Composition of Local Governance Entities