Interim Chief of Staff

Overview

Reports to Chief Administrative Officer & Mayor

Duration: 4-6 Months

Our client is an Ontario municipality with a dynamic and progressive first term Mayor seeking to establish a solid, effective, and well‑structured Mayor’s Office to be implemented in 2027. Expectations from residents, Council, and staff are high, and there is a clear desire to ensure the Mayor is supported by the right resources, governance discipline, and political‑administrative alignment to be successful.

Lessons learned from this will be used to determine a go‑forward plan for 2027.

The municipality is seeking an experienced, politically savvy Interim Chief of Staff to work directly with the Mayor to build the foundations of a professional Mayor’s Office, provide strategic and procedural guidance, and ensure compliance with the Municipal Act and related legislation—while enabling the Mayor to lead confidently and effectively on behalf of residents. A secondary requirement is to document gaps and opportunities for the future structural and operational state of the Mayor’s office including staffing capacities.

This is a high‑trust, high‑judgment role, requiring discretion, credibility, and deep understanding of Ontario municipal governance.

• Establish and Professionalise the Mayor’s Office
  • Design an effective Mayor’s Office structure, defining accountability and roles, and operating rhythm
  • Ensure the Mayor has appropriate briefing discipline, workflow management, and decision‑support mechanisms
  • Introduce structure and rigour without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
  • Work closely with the existing Executive Assistant
• Strategic Advisory & Coaching to the Mayor
  • Act as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the Mayor
  • Provide candid coaching and guidance on governance, political dynamics, and operating within the municipal system
  • Support the Mayor in setting priorities, sequencing initiatives, and managing expectations during an election year
• Political Acumen & Council Interface
  • Support the Mayor in navigating Council dynamics and relationships
  • Anticipate political and governance risks and help mitigate issues before they escalate
  • Ensure the Mayor’s interactions with Council and Committees are well‑prepared, compliant, and effective
• Governance, Compliance & Municipal Act Oversight
  • Provide strong working knowledge of the Municipal Act and related legislation
  • Ensure programs, initiatives, and decisions are procedurally sound and compliant
  • Act as a safeguard against governance, compliance, or reputational risk
  • Flag potential conflicts with the Municipal Election rules
• Clearing the Path for the Mayor
  • Filter, prioritize, and integrate information coming to the Mayor
  • Ensure briefings are accurate, timely, and decision‑ready
  • Reduce noise and operational drag so the Mayor can focus on leadership and community outcomes
  • Align expectations with resource availability
• Interface with the CAO and Senior Administration
  • Work closely with the CAO to maintain a healthy political–administrative relationship
  • Ensure alignment between Mayor’s Office priorities and administrative execution
  • Support clarity of roles, expectations, and boundaries
  • Work closely with the CAO to develop a future state report for the Mayor’s Office

The ideal candidate will be a highly experienced municipal leader, ideally a former or recently semi‑retired Municipal Clerk, Chief of Staff, or Chief Administrative Officer, who is now seeking an opportunity to leverage deep expertise and judgment in a focused, high‑impact role.

This assignment will appeal to someone who:

• Brings significant senior experience within Ontario municipal government
• Has deep, practical knowledge of the Municipal Act, Council governance, and legislative compliance
• Is politically astute, discreet, and trusted at senior levels
• Has previously worked directly with Mayors, CAOs, Councils, or Clerks
• Enjoys coaching and supporting elected officials without seeking the spotlight
• Wants to continue adding value by supporting a growing municipality through an important phase of evolution, without returning to a permanent executive role
• Willing to roll up their sleeves to help on day‑to‑day matters

This…