Job Title

IMMEDIATE INTERIM OPPORTUNITY Interim Chief of StaffReports to Chief Administrative Officer & MayorDuration: 4- 6 Months Location: Greater Toronto Area (Hybrid)Our client is an Ontario municipality with a dynamic and progressive first term Mayor seeking to establish a strong, effective, and wellstructured Mayors 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 politicaladministrative 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 Mayors Office, provide strategic and procedural guidance, and ensure compliance with the Municipal Act and related legislationwhile 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 Mayors office including staffing capacities. This is a hightrust, highjudgment role, requiring discretion, credibility, and deep understanding of Ontario municipal governance.Key Accountabilities:Establish and Professionalise the Mayors OfficeDesign an effective Mayors Office structure, defining accountability and roles, and operating rhythmEnsure the Mayor has appropriate briefing discipline, workflow management, and decisionsupport mechanismsIntroduce structure and rigour without creating unnecessary bureaucracyWork closely with the existing Executive AssistantStrategic Advisory & Coaching to the MayorAct as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the MayorProvide candid coaching and guidance on governance, political dynamics, and operating within the municipal systemSupport the Mayor in setting priorities, sequencing initiatives, and managing expectations during an election yearPolitical Acumen & Council InterfaceSupport the Mayor in navigating Council dynamics and relationshipsAnticipate political and governance risks and help mitigate issues before they escalateEnsure the Mayors interactions with Council and Committees are wellprepared, compliant, and effectiveGovernance, Compliance & Municipal Act OversightProvide strong working knowledge of the Municipal Act and related legislationEnsure programs, initiatives, and decisions are procedurally sound and compliantAct as a safeguard against governance, compliance, or reputational riskFlag potential conflicts with the Municipal Election rulesClearing the Path for the MayorFilter, prioritize, and integrate information coming to the MayorEnsure briefings are accurate, timely, and decisionreadyReduce noise and operational drag so the Mayor can focus on leadership and community outcomesAlign expectations with resource availabilityInterface with the CAO and Senior AdministrationWork closely with the CAO to maintain a healthy politicaladministrative relationshipEnsure alignment between Mayors Office priorities and administrative executionSupport clarity of roles, expectations, and boundariesWork closely with the CAO to develop a future state report for the Mayors OfficeIdeal Interim ProfileThe ideal candidate will be a highly experienced municipal leader, ideally a former or recently semiretired Municipal Clerk, Chief of Staff, or Chief Administrative Officer, who is now seeking an opportunity to leverage deep expertise and judgment in a focused, highimpact role.This assignment will appeal to someone who:Brings significant senior experience within Ontario municipal governmentHas deep, practical knowledge of the Municipal Act, Council governance, and legislative complianceIs politically astute, discreet, and trusted at senior levelsHas previously worked directly with Mayors, CAOs, Councils, or ClerksEnjoys coaching and supporting elected officials without seeking the spotlightWants to continue adding value by supporting a growing municipality through an important phase of evolution, without returning to a permanent executive roleWilling to roll up their sleeves to help on day-to-day mattersThis role is wellsuited to an experienced leader who understands municipal complexity, values good governance, and is motivated by impact rather than title.Why an Interim Makes SenseAn interim appointment allows the municipality to:Rapidly add senior governance and political expertiseSupport a Mayor through a critical phase of their termEstablish strong foundations before committing to a permanent staffing modelReduce political, procedural, and compliance risk during transitionPLEASE SEND YOUR CV (AS A WORD DOC) TO: (SubjecT: Job Title)LHH Knightsbridge Interim Management is a service to help our clients address a wide range of scenarios including leadership support due to sudden departures, driving key change initiatives or leading transformation projects. Our interim executives step in with minimal downtime to meet specific objectives and deliver results. All have held senior positions in the past and have now chosen to offer their unique depth and breadth of experience to organizations on a limited engagement basis.Follow the LHH Knightsbridge LinkedIn page and set up a job alert to learn about new Executive Interim opportunities.Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge Corp. is committed to providing equitable treatment and accommodation to ensure a barrier-free recruitment process. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and our AODA policy, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the hiring process. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please provide your accommodation needs in advance to the Recruitment Lead for this opportunity.We thank all interested candidates in advance; however, only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.May 2026