Director, Elections and Legislative Projects
About the role
Job Number**:** 53398
Get a behind-the-scenes look at this exciting opportunity by listening to Aileen Giesbrecht, City Clerk and Returning Officer at the City of Edmonton in this exclusive podcast (https://bit.ly/coedirector2). In the recording, Aileen provides our listeners with an overview of the important work happening in the elections and legislative projects area. We also learn about what she is looking for in the ideal candidate for the Director, Elections and Legislative Projects position. To view a transcript of the conversation, click here: (https://bit.ly/42V9rad).
Have you ever wanted to run a municipal election? Or build up a team from seven to over four thousand? Or enjoy working in an evolving legislative landscape and supporting change management related to legislative projects? Or, lead a significant priority project on behalf of the residents of Edmonton? If so, we have a unique opportunity to join the Office of the City Clerk Leadership Team as the Director, Elections and Legislative Projects.
Reporting to the City Clerk and Returning Officer and as a member of the Office of the City Clerk Leadership Team, the Director, Elections and Legislative Projects supports a well managed City by providing strategic direction towards Edmonton municipal, public and Catholic school board elections and by-elections, , ward boundary review, verification of petitions and legislative projects. Recommendations and technical opinions are provided to the Returning Officer, City Council, the City Manager, and senior leadership.
With a commitment to open government and ideals of public service, the Director delivers clearly planned processes and projects that provide fair and transparent democratic processes that follow all legislation.
What will you do?
- As the substitute Returning Officer, manage and coordinate municipal elections, school board elections and by-elections.
- Provide leadership, development and coaching, performance evaluation and feedback, health and wellness, safety, staff recruitment and succession planning
- Lead the development and implementation of long-term strategies, plans, budgets, policies, procedures, and directives related to elections and by-elections, Ward boundary reviews, petitions and other legislative projects.
- Identify risks related to legislation and public perception, and develop mitigation strategies to protect the City’s reputation.
- Provide input on applicable provincial legislation and regulations on behalf of the City
- Manage resources, budget, procurement, and contract management
- Create large teams quickly to ensure high cooperation, efficiencies, collaboration, and engagement, and ensure adequate staffing of up to 5,000 positions for Edmonton Elections
- Foster and maintain strong working relationships with external partners including school boards, community partners, Municipal Affairs, and other municipalities
Qualifications:
- Education, training and/or experience in public administration, political science, business administration, or a related field
- Experience as a manager in a municipal environment, including experience in the areas of operational research, policy development, strategic planning, project management, records and information management, and at least two elections and one census
- Experience with policy and program development, governance, strategic planning, and project management
- Significant experience in understanding and applying federal, provincial, and municipal legislation and regulations
- Combinations of education and experience will be considered
Assets:
- Experience in human resources or volunteer management
- Master’s Degree in a related field
- Supplementary education and experience in local government, municipal law, or administrative law
- Local Authority Administration Coursework or Certification (NACLAA I or NACLAA II)
Skills required for success:
- Excellent negotiating, problem-solving solving and conflict management skills
- Strong verbal communication skills, including media relations, facilitation and presentation skills
- Excellent writing skills and the ability to write reports for City Council and Council Committees
- Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and work collaboratively with senior administration and department professionals
- The ability to understand and analyze complex procedures and processes and resolve issues with individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines
- The ability to work under pressure and meet strict statutory deadlines
- Understanding of complex municipal subject matter and ability to build and support influential relationships with senior leadership, internal departments and external partners
- Strong political acumen, strategic planning, issue resolution and decision-making skills
- Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
- Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion
Conditions of Employment and Work Environment:
- 1 permanent, full-time position
- Hours of Work: 36.9 hours per week, Monday - Friday.
- Primary work location will be at the Election Office (16304 114 Ave NW) with occasional work on the 3rd Floor City Hall (1 Sir Winston Churchill Square NW).
- This position will require work outside of regular hours mentioned above, as well as availability evenings and weekends on an increasing frequency near election dates.
- Salary: (Annually) $142,206.08 - $177,758.62
The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca**. Learn more about our benefits** https://bit.ly/COEbenefits**. Talent sourced through this process may be considered for similar opportunities within the City of Edmonton.**
Talent Acquisition Consultant: JM/SB
Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.
IND 123
Classification Title**:** ML4 - Director
Posting Date**:** Oct 6, 2025
Closing Date**:** Oct 27, 2025 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to)****: 1 - Permanent Full-time
Union : Management
Department**:** Office of the City Clerk
Work Location(s)****: Elections Office, 16304 - 114 Ave Edmonton T5J 3R8
About City of Edmonton
We’re young, ambitious and building something extraordinary. Located on Treaty 6 Territory and with a population of over one million, Edmonton is one of Canada's youngest and fastest growing cities. We’re building a resilient and diverse economy, attracting the best and the brightest and striving to be a world leader in environmental sustainability. We value quality of life, community safety and a welcoming spirit that embraces new people and new ideas.
Director, Elections and Legislative Projects
About the role
Job Number**:** 53398
Get a behind-the-scenes look at this exciting opportunity by listening to Aileen Giesbrecht, City Clerk and Returning Officer at the City of Edmonton in this exclusive podcast (https://bit.ly/coedirector2). In the recording, Aileen provides our listeners with an overview of the important work happening in the elections and legislative projects area. We also learn about what she is looking for in the ideal candidate for the Director, Elections and Legislative Projects position. To view a transcript of the conversation, click here: (https://bit.ly/42V9rad).
Have you ever wanted to run a municipal election? Or build up a team from seven to over four thousand? Or enjoy working in an evolving legislative landscape and supporting change management related to legislative projects? Or, lead a significant priority project on behalf of the residents of Edmonton? If so, we have a unique opportunity to join the Office of the City Clerk Leadership Team as the Director, Elections and Legislative Projects.
Reporting to the City Clerk and Returning Officer and as a member of the Office of the City Clerk Leadership Team, the Director, Elections and Legislative Projects supports a well managed City by providing strategic direction towards Edmonton municipal, public and Catholic school board elections and by-elections, , ward boundary review, verification of petitions and legislative projects. Recommendations and technical opinions are provided to the Returning Officer, City Council, the City Manager, and senior leadership.
With a commitment to open government and ideals of public service, the Director delivers clearly planned processes and projects that provide fair and transparent democratic processes that follow all legislation.
What will you do?
- As the substitute Returning Officer, manage and coordinate municipal elections, school board elections and by-elections.
- Provide leadership, development and coaching, performance evaluation and feedback, health and wellness, safety, staff recruitment and succession planning
- Lead the development and implementation of long-term strategies, plans, budgets, policies, procedures, and directives related to elections and by-elections, Ward boundary reviews, petitions and other legislative projects.
- Identify risks related to legislation and public perception, and develop mitigation strategies to protect the City’s reputation.
- Provide input on applicable provincial legislation and regulations on behalf of the City
- Manage resources, budget, procurement, and contract management
- Create large teams quickly to ensure high cooperation, efficiencies, collaboration, and engagement, and ensure adequate staffing of up to 5,000 positions for Edmonton Elections
- Foster and maintain strong working relationships with external partners including school boards, community partners, Municipal Affairs, and other municipalities
Qualifications:
- Education, training and/or experience in public administration, political science, business administration, or a related field
- Experience as a manager in a municipal environment, including experience in the areas of operational research, policy development, strategic planning, project management, records and information management, and at least two elections and one census
- Experience with policy and program development, governance, strategic planning, and project management
- Significant experience in understanding and applying federal, provincial, and municipal legislation and regulations
- Combinations of education and experience will be considered
Assets:
- Experience in human resources or volunteer management
- Master’s Degree in a related field
- Supplementary education and experience in local government, municipal law, or administrative law
- Local Authority Administration Coursework or Certification (NACLAA I or NACLAA II)
Skills required for success:
- Excellent negotiating, problem-solving solving and conflict management skills
- Strong verbal communication skills, including media relations, facilitation and presentation skills
- Excellent writing skills and the ability to write reports for City Council and Council Committees
- Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and work collaboratively with senior administration and department professionals
- The ability to understand and analyze complex procedures and processes and resolve issues with individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines
- The ability to work under pressure and meet strict statutory deadlines
- Understanding of complex municipal subject matter and ability to build and support influential relationships with senior leadership, internal departments and external partners
- Strong political acumen, strategic planning, issue resolution and decision-making skills
- Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
- Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion
Conditions of Employment and Work Environment:
- 1 permanent, full-time position
- Hours of Work: 36.9 hours per week, Monday - Friday.
- Primary work location will be at the Election Office (16304 114 Ave NW) with occasional work on the 3rd Floor City Hall (1 Sir Winston Churchill Square NW).
- This position will require work outside of regular hours mentioned above, as well as availability evenings and weekends on an increasing frequency near election dates.
- Salary: (Annually) $142,206.08 - $177,758.62
The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca**. Learn more about our benefits** https://bit.ly/COEbenefits**. Talent sourced through this process may be considered for similar opportunities within the City of Edmonton.**
Talent Acquisition Consultant: JM/SB
Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.
IND 123
Classification Title**:** ML4 - Director
Posting Date**:** Oct 6, 2025
Closing Date**:** Oct 27, 2025 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to)****: 1 - Permanent Full-time
Union : Management
Department**:** Office of the City Clerk
Work Location(s)****: Elections Office, 16304 - 114 Ave Edmonton T5J 3R8
About City of Edmonton
We’re young, ambitious and building something extraordinary. Located on Treaty 6 Territory and with a population of over one million, Edmonton is one of Canada's youngest and fastest growing cities. We’re building a resilient and diverse economy, attracting the best and the brightest and striving to be a world leader in environmental sustainability. We value quality of life, community safety and a welcoming spirit that embraces new people and new ideas.