Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Department: Business Administration
Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer
Salary: $185,484 – $216,976 (2026)

The Opportunity

The City of Kawartha Lakes is looking for a strategic and forward-thinking executive leader to join our Senior Management Team as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (Deputy CAO).

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Deputy CAO provides executive leadership across a broad portfolio that brings together financial stewardship, technology, strategy, innovation, modernization and customer experience.

This is an opportunity to help shape how the City operates today while preparing the organization for the future. Working closely with the CAO, Council and senior leaders across the organization, you will help translate strategic priorities into action, strengthen organizational performance and ensure the City has the financial, technological and organizational capacity to deliver high-quality municipal services.

As a trusted advisor to the CAO, Mayor and Council, you will bring a corporate-wide perspective to complex decisions and help lead transformational initiatives that strengthen how we work and how we serve our community.

What You’ll Do

As Deputy CAO, you will:

• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for Financial Services, Information Technology Services, and Strategy, Innovation and Customer Experience.
• Lead and provide strategic direction to the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer and Chief of Staff, supporting an integrated approach to corporate and business services.
• Provide executive oversight of the City’s long-term financial sustainability, including financial planning, budgeting, reporting, accounting, taxation, procurement, asset management and investment strategies.
• Champion business modernization and organizational transformation initiatives that improve service delivery, operational effectiveness and customer experience.
• Provide executive leadership for information technology strategy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, business intelligence and data governance.
• Guide corporate strategies related to organizational performance, innovation, communications, customer experience, diversity, equity and inclusion, accessibility and continuous improvement.
• Bring together finance, technology, strategy and modernization to ensure corporate services are aligned with Council priorities and the City’s broader organizational objectives.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the CAO, Council and senior leaders on complex financial, technological, governance, organizational and business matters.
• Lead strategic planning and performance measurement, using data, business intelligence and key performance indicators to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships across the organization and with governments, financial institutions, regulatory agencies, community partners, municipal associations and other external stakeholders.
• Prepare and present reports, recommendations and strategic advice to Council and ensure Council direction is translated into action.
• Contribute to corporate-wide planning and decision-making as a member of the Senior Management Team.
• Lead, coach and develop senior leaders while building a collaborative, accountable and high-performing team environment.
• Model the City’s organizational values and leadership competencies in decision-making, relationships and service delivery.
• Act on behalf of the Chief Administrative Officer when delegated.

What You Bring

You are an experienced executive leader who can see both the big picture and the business behind it. You understand how strong financial stewardship, technology, strategy and organizational performance come together to enable excellent public service.

You bring:

• A post-secondary degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience, including executive responsibility for one or more corporate service functions, preferably within a municipal or broader public-sector environment.
• Experience leading complex and diverse portfolios such as financial services, information technology, corporate strategy, business operations and organizational transformation.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic planning, organizational change, continuous improvement and enterprise-wide transformation.
• Experience providing strategic advice to senior executives, elected officials or governing bodies on complex financial, operational, governance and organizational matters.
• Strong knowledge of Ontario municipal legislation, municipal finance, business planning and corporate governance.
• An understanding of digital transformation, organizational performance, business intelligence and performance measurement, including the effective use of KPIs.
• Strong leadership and relationship-management skills, with the ability to build partnerships, navigate competing priorities and lead within a complex, unionized environment.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, facilitation, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Sound judgment and strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and make thoughtful decisions in a complex environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and business technologies relevant to the role.
• A valid Ontario Class G Driver’s Licence or the ability to regularly attend work-related activities at locations throughout the municipality and elsewhere in Ontario.
• The ability to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check following a conditional offer of employment.

Assets

The following would be considered assets:

• A Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• A Certified Municipal Officer (CMO), Municipal Administration Program (MAP), Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), or another relevant executive or professional designation.

Why Kawartha Lakes?

At the City of Kawartha Lakes, our work has a direct impact on the communities we serve. Our leaders have the opportunity to influence not only how municipal services are delivered, but how our organization evolves to meet the changing needs of our residents, businesses and communities.

As Deputy CAO, you will have the opportunity to work across the organization, alongside Council and senior leaders, to shape strategic decisions, modernize municipal services and build the organizational capacity needed for the future.

If you are a collaborative executive who combines strategic thinking with strong business judgment—and you are energized by the opportunity to turn strategy into meaningful organizational results—we want to hear from you.

About This Recruitment

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The City of Kawartha Lakes does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess or select applicants as part of the recruitment process. Applications are reviewed through our established recruitment and selection process by our recruitment team and hiring leaders.