Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer

The Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer (CSIO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, responsible for leading organization-wide strategic planning, innovation, modernization, and communication functions. This role ensures seamless integration of strategic initiatives, electoral innovation, corporate planning, risk management, and internal/external communications to achieve the organization’s mandate of delivering modern, transparent, and inclusive electoral events.

The CSIO leads a multidisciplinary portfolio that drives continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement, public trust, and operational excellence across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Corporate Planning:

Integrate complex functions into a cohesive strategy that advances corporate and electoral objectives.

Lead the development and execution of multi-year strategic and operational plans, ensuring alignment with legislative mandates, modernization priorities, and organizational goals.

Oversee corporate planning, performance measurement, risk management, and policy development to inform executive decision-making and drive accountability.

Provide executive advisory services to the CEO and Board on strategic opportunities, policy impacts, and emerging risks.

Align divisional work with broader organizational and election priorities.

Transform data and insight into actionable strategic direction.

Innovation and Electoral Modernization:

Lead innovation and embed a culture of continuous improvement across the organization.

Drive modernization initiatives while balancing operational realities and legislative requirements.

Champion organization-wide innovation by driving the research, design, and implementation of next-generation electoral processes and technologies.

Oversee the planning and delivery of innovation programs (e.g., Ready Next), ensuring legislative reform, inter-jurisdictional collaboration, and change management frameworks are integrated and effective.

Promote a future-focused culture through strategic foresight and adoption of best practices from across jurisdictions and industries.

Communications and Public Engagement:

Provide executive oversight of corporate communications, public education, and stakeholder engagement strategies.

Act as the senior executive sponsor for media relations and crisis communication strategies during electoral events.

Ensure that all communications align with strategic objectives, legislative requirements (e.g., AODA, French Language Services Act), and public transparency standards.

Communicates complex narratives clearly and manages public messaging under scrutiny.

Operates with sensitivity to reputational risk in a government context and exercises sound political judgment.

Executive Management and Oversight:

Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing leadership team across strategy, innovation, and communications functions.

Integrate divisional priorities and foster cross-functional collaboration to ensure consistency, efficiency, and strategic alignment across portfolios.

Manage budgets, performance standards, and organizational change in collaboration with divisional directors.

Stakeholder and Intergovernmental Relations:

Builds trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including political entities and the public service.

Serve as the principal liaison with senior government officials, political entities, and peer electoral organizations to promote collaborative policy and operational outcomes.

Build and sustain inter-jurisdictional partnerships and working groups that support modernization, policy harmonization, and information exchange.

Areas of Technical Expertise Required:

Enterprise strategic planning and performance management.

Large-scale innovation and transformation leadership.

Electoral systems, legislation, and public sector governance.

Stakeholder engagement, public communication, and media relations.

Cross-functional leadership and executive advisory capability.

Change management, risk mitigation, and crisis communication.

Public education and accessibility compliance.

Budgeting, program oversight, and vendor management.

Areas of Interpersonal Expertise Required:

Collaborative and influential to quickly build trust, across functional boundaries, and diplomatically align diverse interests.

Inquisitive, data‑driven, and willing to challenge the status quo to find better solutions.

Calm, resilience and political astuteness drive composure under pressure, and the ability to read the room and exercise sound judgment in politically sensitive situations.

Inclusive and values driven leader that inspires and empowers teams, and aligns people around a shared sense of purpose.

Decisive and consultative approach that allows for timely decisions while ensuring appropriate consultation and collaboration.

Qualifications:

10+ years of progressive executive leadership in public administration, government, or regulated environments.

Proven track record in leading strategic innovation initiatives and complex organizational change.

Exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.

Postgraduate degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business, or related field preferred.

Additional Information

AIP Connect believes in equal opportunity. Our recruitment consultants are committed to inclusive recruitment and selection practices and will not discriminate based on age, colour, ability, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

Accessibility: If you need any accommodations during the interview process, please let us know.

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