Interim Chief Of Staff (Mississauga)

IMMEDIATE INTERIM OPPORTUNITY

Interim Chief of Staff Reports to Chief Administrative Officer & Mayor

Duration: 2-3 Months

Location: Greater Toronto Area (Hybrid)

Our client is an Ontario municipality with a dynamic and progressive Mayor seeking to establish a strong, 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.

Key Accountabilities

• Establish and Professionalize 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 decisions 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 escalation. Ensure the Mayor’s interactions with Council and Committees are well‑prepared, compliant, and effective.
• Governance and Compliance 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.

Ideal Interim Profile

The ideal candidate will be a highly experienced leader, ideally a semi‑retired Chief of Staff, 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’s municipal or provincial government
• Has deep, practical knowledge of governance, and legislative compliance
• Is politically astute, discreet, and trusted at senior levels
• Has previously worked directly with Mayors, Ministers and Councils
• 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
• Is willing to roll up their sleeves to help on day‑to‑day matters

Why an Interim Makes Sense

An interim appointment allows the municipality to:

• Rapidly add senior governance and political expertise
• Support a Mayor through a critical phase of their term
• Establish solid foundations before committing to a permanent staffing model
• Reduce political, procedural, and compliance risk during transition

EEO Statement

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.