Chief Operating Officer

Position Summary

The City of Saint John, the oldest incorporated city in Canada and a historic municipality in Atlantic Canada, seeks a dynamic operational leader for the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). This permanent, full-time position involves overseeing major service areas critical to the city’s infrastructure and daily functioning, including Public Works, Water, Wastewater, Stormwater Services, Transit, Parking, Traffic, and Fleet. The COO will report directly to the Chief Administrative Officer and plays a vital role in the executive leadership team, focusing on operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvements that enhance the quality of municipal services.

About the City

Located on the Bay of Fundy, Saint John is a vibrant urban center with a rich heritage, a robust industrial base, and a growing multicultural population. The city is dedicated to fostering growth, inclusion, and a thriving community for residents and businesses. More than 600 permanent employees work across six service sectors to provide essential municipal services that support ongoing development.

Role Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational guidance for key municipal service functions including Public Works, Water and Wastewater, Transit, Parking, Traffic, and Fleet management.
• Enhance operational performance and service delivery efficacy in collaboration with the executive leadership team and city council.
• Develop and implement modern management and performance frameworks to improve efficiency and accountability.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence programs to optimize services and infrastructure management.
• Oversee large, unionized workforces, engaging with complex labour relations to maintain productive workplace relations.
• Establish meaningful productivity metrics, service level benchmarks, and community outcomes measurement systems.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

• Proven executive leadership experience managing large-scale, complex, and operationally critical service delivery environments similar to municipal government, utilities, transportation, or industrial operations.
• Demonstrated success leading unionized teams and managing intricate labour relations.
• Experience with implementing and managing performance analytics, Lean methodologies, continuous process improvements, and operational analytics.
• Strong ability to balance infrastructure upkeep, workforce management, service quality, and stakeholder expectations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills combined with strategic thinking and political acumen appropriate for public sector navigation.
• Motivated to enhance service quality, reliability, and effectiveness for community benefit.

Diversity and Accessibility

The City of Saint John values diversity and invites individuals from Indigenous, disability, and visible minority communities to apply, offering preference to qualified candidates from these groups during selection. Reasonable accommodations will be provided during the recruitment process to support candidates with disabilities.

Additional Information

• Competition Number: 26-065
• Salary Range: 199119 to 214428 CAD per year
• Job Type: Permanent Full Time
• Application Deadline: August 7, 2026