Chief of External Relations

• Civic Engagement and Communications
• Business and Economy Office
• Tourism and Destination Events
• Intergovernmental Relations and Strategic Partnerships

• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction across the external relations portfolio.
• Lead and support senior leaders across each division, ensuring alignment, accountability, and consistent delivery.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the City Manager, City Leadership Team, Mayor, and Council on complex and high-profile issues.
• Balance divisional leadership with hands-on involvement in priority initiatives and emerging issues.
• Ensure coordinated, high-quality communications and public engagement strategies that support City priorities.
• Advance the City’s economic development agenda by aligning policies, programs, and services to support business growth and investment.
• Oversee tourism and destination event strategies that enhance city vibrancy and drive sustainable economic impact.
• Lead intergovernmental and strategic partnership efforts across municipal, regional, provincial, and federal levels.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the public sector, private sector, non-profits, academic institutions, and community groups.
• Drive continuous improvement across divisions to enhance service delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Oversee an operating budget of $5M+ with strong financial planning and accountability.
• Contribute to the overall leadership and strategic direction of the organization as a member of the City Leadership Team.
• Lead people management across the portfolio, including coaching, performance management, labour relations and succession planning.
• Model calm, solutions-focused, and non-partisan leadership in a highly visible and politically sensitive environment.

• Executive leadership experience within the public sector or large complex organization, ideally in a unionized environment, with exposure to strategic engagement, communications, economic development, intergovernmental relations, or a closely related function.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, Communications, Journalism, or a related field. An advanced degree is an asset. Equivalent senior experience will also be considered.
• Strong understanding of political environments and the ability to work effectively with elected officials and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience within a municipal government setting, including knowledge of governance structures and decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated success leading large, multi-functional teams and diverse business units.
• Strong people leadership skills, including labour relations, coaching, and performance management.
• Expertise in areas such as communications, economic development, tourism, intergovernmental relationships or public engagement.
• Proven ability to anticipate executive needs and provide strategic advice on complex issues and opportunities.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing large operating budgets.
• Expertise in modern communications practices, including digital strategy, media relations, crisis communications, and public campaigns.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• A leadership style that fosters collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
• Agile, proactive, and solutions-oriented approach to complex and evolving challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, zoom out, and connect long-term planning with near-term execution in a fast-moving and highly visible environment.

City of Vancouver