Board Director

Mandate
ARMA is committed to transparency and responsible governance practices. The Board is responsible for the stewardship of the organization, including establishing key policies and standards, overseeing risk, and reviewing and approving ARMA’s strategic plans. Directors are expected to be actively engaged in, and add value to, the Board’s work.

Key Accountabilities
The Board Director is expected to:

Attend and prepare for quarterly Board meetings.

Attend and prepare for committee meetings where appointed.

Attend the annual strategic planning session and participate in AGM-related work.

Be knowledgeable about the mission, vision, values, strategic direction, and activities of ARMA.

Demonstrate a solid understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and legal duties of a director, as well as ARMA’s governance structure and regulatory environment.

Actively participate in Board-related matters, contribute to Board discussions, and add value to the Board’s work.

Contribute sound judgment, constructive challenge, and a clear respect for the distinction between governance and operations.

Support ARMA’s understanding of municipal issues, stakeholder expectations, and local government dynamics.

Participate in committees where appointed and develop a strong understanding of the committee’s purpose, mandate, and responsibilities.

First-Year Deliverables / Measures of Success
Success in the first year will be determined by the candidate’s ability to:

Develop a strong understanding of ARMA’s mandate, governance model, regulated environment, and relationship with the Government of Alberta.

Contribute to a respectful, professional, and governance-focused Board culture by exercising sound judgment, asking thoughtful questions, and supporting effective collective decision‑making.

Bring an informed perspective on municipal priorities, decision‑making processes, and stakeholder concerns, particularly during a period of program change and heightened sensitivity.

Provide practical insight as ARMA navigates evolving regulatory, operational, and stakeholder dynamics, including anticipated municipal concerns related to program cost, oversight, and implementation.

Use experience with municipal, regional, and/or provincial systems to help the Board understand emerging issues, stakeholder expectations, and the broader public‑sector environment in which ARMA operates.

Demonstrate preparation, reliability, confidentiality, respectful engagement, and the ability to work as part of a Board team.

Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will have the following:

Experience

Strong municipal political experience, including a clear understanding of how decisions are made at the local government level. In accordance with ARMA’s Board Qualifications and Exclusions Policy, individuals who are currently serving as elected municipal officials or who are currently employed by a municipality are not eligible for consideration.

Experience working with or alongside municipalities, municipal associations, intermunicipal organizations, regional governance bodies, or comparable public‑sector stakeholder environments.

Exposure to groups of municipalities and an ability to understand the perspectives of both urban and rural communities.

Experience connected to RMA, mid‑sized cities, larger counties, or similar municipal networks would be considered an asset.

Experience interacting with the provincial government or operating in an environment where provincial policy, regulation, and accountability shape organizational decision‑making.

Board, committee, executive leadership, or senior governance experience that demonstrates the ability to contribute at a strategic oversight level.

Understanding of delegated administrative organizations, regulatory accountability, or organizations that operate within a provincially mandated framework would be considered an asset.

Knowledge of waste, recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility, circular economy, environmental stewardship, or related regulated systems would be considered an asset.

Experience navigating change management in a governance context, particularly where public‑sector stakeholders are affected by program,…