Overview
Chief of External Relations Jobs in Vancouver, Canada at City of Vancouver
Title: Chief of External Relations
Company: City of Vancouver
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Category:
Requisition : 46036
Organization
The City of Vancouver is one of Canada’s most prominent municipalities, recognized for its civic leadership, global profile, and commitment to innovation, economic development, and community engagement. As part of the City’s executive leadership team and reporting directly to the City Manager, the Chief of External Relations oversees a broad portfolio responsible for shaping and strengthening the City’s external relationships and public-facing strategy.
This includes leadership over Civic Engagement and Communications, the Business and Economy Office, Tourism and Destination Events, and Intergovernmental Relations and Strategic Partnerships. The role is both strategic and operational in nature, involving executive oversight of approximately 50 staff, direct leadership of senior divisional heads, and active involvement in the City’s highest-priority issues, opportunities, partnerships, and stakeholder relationships.
As a key member of the City’s executive leadership team, and reporting directly to the City Manager, the Chief of External Relations leads a broad and high-impact portfolio responsible for shaping and strengthening the City’s external relationships and public-facing strategy.
- Intergovernmental Relations and Strategic Partnerships
This role is both strategic and operational, with executive oversight of approximately 50 staff, direct leadership of senior divisional leaders, and active involvement in the City’s highest-priority issues, partnerships, and stakeholder relationships.
Responsibilities
- 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.
Qualifications
- 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 with in a municipal government setting, including knowledge of governance structures and decision-making processes.
- Demonstrated success leading large, multi-functional teams and diverse business units.