Chief of External Relations

The City of Vancouver is one of Canada’s most prominent municipalities, recognized for its civic leadership, global profile, and commitment to innovation, economic development, and community engagement. As part of the City’s executive leadership team and reporting directly to the City Manager, the Chief of External Relations oversees a broad portfolio responsible for shaping and strengthening the City’s external relationships and public-facing strategy. This includes leadership over Civic Engagement and Communications, the Business and Economy Office, Tourism and Destination Events, and Intergovernmental Relations and Strategic Partnerships. The role is both strategic and operational in nature, involving executive oversight of approximately 50 staff, direct leadership of senior divisional heads, and active involvement in the City’s highest-priority issues, opportunities, partnerships, and stakeholder relationships.

As a key member of the City’s executive leadership team, and reporting directly to the City Manager, the Chief of External Relations leads a broad and high-impact portfolio responsible for shaping and strengthening the City’s external relationships and public-facing strategy.

This portfolio includes oversight of:

• Civic Engagement and Communications
• Business and Economy Office
• Tourism and Destination Events
• Intergovernmental Relations and Strategic Partnerships

This role is both strategic and operational, with executive oversight of approximately 50 staff, direct leadership of senior divisional leaders, and active involvement in the City’s highest-priority issues, partnerships, and stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction across the external relations portfolio.
• Lead and support senior leaders across each division, ensuring alignment, accountability, and consistent delivery.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the City Manager, City Leadership Team, Mayor, and Council on complex and high-profile issues.
• Balance divisional leadership with hands-on involvement in priority initiatives and emerging issues.
• Ensure coordinated, high-quality communications and public engagement strategies that support City priorities.
• Advance the City’s economic development agenda by aligning policies, programs, and services to support business growth and investment.
• Oversee tourism and destination event strategies that enhance city vibrancy and drive sustainable economic impact.
• Lead intergovernmental and strategic partnership efforts across municipal, regional, provincial, and federal levels.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the public sector, private sector, non-profits, academic institutions, and community groups.
• Drive continuous improvement across divisions to enhance service delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Oversee an operating budget of $5M+ with strong financial planning and accountability.
• Contribute to the overall leadership and strategic direction of the organization as a member of the City Leadership Team.
• Lead people management across the portfolio, including coaching, performance management, labour relations and succession planning.
• Model calm, solutions-focused, and non-partisan leadership in a highly visible and politically sensitive environment.

Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience within the public sector or large complex organization, ideally in a unionized environment, with exposure to strategic engagement, communications, economic development, intergovernmental relations, or a closely related function.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, Communications, Journalism, or a related field. An advanced degree is an asset. Equivalent senior experience will also be considered.
• Strong understanding of political environments and the ability to work effectively with elected officials and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience within a municipal government setting, including knowledge of governance structures and decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated success leading large, multi-functional teams and diverse business units.
• Strong people leadership skills, including labour relations, coaching, and performance management.
• Expertise in areas such as communications, economic development, tourism, intergovernmental relationships or public engagement.
• Proven ability to anticipate executive needs and provide strategic advice on complex issues and opportunities.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing large operating budgets.
• Expertise in modern communications practices, including digital strategy, media relations, crisis communications, and public campaigns.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• A leadership style that fosters collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
• Agile, proactive, and solutions-oriented approach to complex and evolving challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, zoom out, and connect long-term planning with near-term execution in a fast-moving and highly visible environment.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace.  Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.