< Previous page Director, Executive and Board Relations - #4631

THE ORGANIZATION
Our client, Edmonton Public Schools (the District), is the second largest school district in Alberta, serving approximately 80,000 students. They work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders – parents, government, business, community and human service organizations and the public at large to achieve the highest outcomes for students.

The District’s Mission is to ensure all students achieve success in their individual program of study. Internationally recognized for program diversity and quality, they are fulfilling their Mission through exemplary staff performance, program choice, measured student achievement of outcomes and decentralized decision making.

Program diversity offers parents and students a choice of paths to academic and personal success. Alternative programs are developed based on parent and stakeholder feedback.

For over 20 years, the District has fostered a revolutionary open boundary system, allowing access to programs of study in the learning environment of the students’ and parents’ choice. This includes Aboriginal education programs guided by and drawing on the strengths of Aboriginal people in their planning and delivery. The District also offers leading edge programs for International students, as well as thirty Alternative programs in 90 schools in Sports, Arts, Science, Christian, Hebrew, and Second Languages to name a few!

The District employs over 7,500 (FTE) people in 195 schools. Further information can be obtained from their website at www.epsb.ca.

THE POSITION
Based in Edmonton’s Centre for Education and reporting to the Superintendent of Schools (CEO), the Director, Executive Board Relations is pivotal in contributing to the success of the District’s Mission and Vision by ensuring the Superintendent and Board of Trustees are successful in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities. The Director, Executive Board Relations is responsible for the operating and capital budget of the Board Office and will have one direct report.

The successful candidate will provide strategic and targeted advice and support to both the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Trustees. The complexity and sensitivity of the responsibilities of the Superintendent and Board requires this individual to operate with considerable latitude, initiate action on their behalf and respond independently, where appropriate, to Board and administrative matters. This position is the primary contact between internal and external stakeholders and the Board of Trustees.

The Director, Executive Board Relations will contribute to the integrity and image of the District as a leading public school system by demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of its organizational arrangements, governance practices, policies, procedures, issues and initiatives, as well as demonstrate a broad understanding of legislation that impacts the District (the School Act, operations of Alberta Education, other public school systems across North America, and external organizations with which the District is associated and has frequent contact).

Key accountabilities include:

Providing strategic advice and assistance to the Superintendent of Schools:

• Making judgments about critical information the Superintendent needs relative to the Board of Trustees.
• Providing support to the Superintendent in reviewing Board and Conference Committee reports to ensure complete information and proper context is provided to assist the Board in making decisions.
• Representing the Superintendent at various functions and meetings.
• Attending all Board meetings.
• Assisting the Superintendent with projects and requests as needed.

Providing strategic advice and assistance to the Board of Trustees:

• Facilitating communication between the Board and the District's internal and external stakeholders.
• Overseeing and advising on the orientation of new Board members including development and maintenance of an orientation manual.
• Advising Trustees in the areas of district departments, processes and systems, administrative regulations and requirements.
• Ensuring prompt response and/or resolution of service requests or information requests from Trustees.
• Ensuring the image and reputation of the Board of Trustees is preserved through timely and appropriate communications.
• Coordinating administrative expertise (e.g., strategic background and political knowledge) in support of Board actions and committee work.
• Arranging direct strategic communication support for the Board.
• Coordinating Board and Conference agendas in conjunction with the Board Chair and Conference Committee Chair.
• Overseeing the Management Activity Reporting System (MARS).
• Reviewing and approving follow-up from Board and Conference meetings.
• Ensuring evaluation and appropriate follow-up action related to Board retreats.
• Coordinating retreats for the Board of Trustees and sub-committees, including development of agenda and supporting materials and internal and/or external facilitators.
• Ensuring annual Board evaluation is conducted, and framework is aligned to the Board’s initiatives, as well as the District’s Vision, Mission and priorities.
• Facilitating the Board’s annual evaluation of the Superintendent.
• Overseeing the process to establish district priorities every three years.
• Providing strategic support, including follow-up related to the District’s policy review process.
• Coordinating the alignment of Board actions in support of the District’s Mission, Vision, priorities and strategic plan; providing advice regarding government and community relations, policy development/review and governance; assessing trends, events and developments impacting the Board of Trustees.
• Provides clarity and alignment regarding progress on the Board’s work in relation to the Superintendent’s plans.

THE INDIVIDUAL
Given the significance of this position to the ongoing success of the organization, the following skills and attributes are required:

• A minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible, related experience.
• Previous experience working for or with the Provincial Government would be a definite asset.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in a public sector organization and an understanding of the associated accountabilities to elected officials and government authorities is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to be adaptable and quickly assess complex situations, in order to facilitate, mediate and implement clearly defined solutions and/or responses.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills with a focus on creative problem solving and consensus building.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team player and leader in a complex, multi-faceted organization.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, maintain confidentiality and act in a tactful and diplomatic manner at all times.
• Ability to develop a deep understanding of District processes and systems in order to support District initiatives.
• Demonstrates a high level of interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to be successful in an ambiguous environment that is experiencing significant growth and change.
• Demonstrated ability to work with initiative and creativity when managing multiple projects under constant deadline pressure.
• A passion for and belief in the value of education as an investment in young people and the foundation of their future success.
• Highest standards of personal integrity supported by open and honest communication.

THE COMPENSATION
An excellent compensation program including a comprehensive pension and benefits program is available to the successful candidate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT KOREY JACKSON (780) 432-5490 Ext. 413

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