Cochrane is located in the breathtaking Bow Valley corridor in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta. With a population of over 37,000 people, and growing steadily every year, Cochrane is a thriving town, surrounded by world-famous ranch country. Our western heritage is reflected in the Town’s architecture and our friendly people. The Town of Cochrane welcomes innovative and skilled individuals to join our team of over 250 employees.
As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services provides enterprise-wide leadership for the Town's financial stewardship, corporate governance, and organizational effectiveness. The role leads Finance and Assessment Services, Legislative and Administrative Services, and Information Services.
As the Town's senior financial executive, the Executive Director is responsible for advancing long-term fiscal sustainability through oversight of financial planning, taxation and assessment, reserves, debt and capital financing, investments, infrastructure lifecycle funding, and enterprise risk management. Serving as the principal financial advisor to the CAO and Council, the position provides expert guidance on fiscal strategy, growth management, organizational performance, and governance.
The Executive Director champions service excellence, innovation, organizational effectiveness, and people leadership across Corporate Services, ensuring divisional priorities align with Council's vision and the Municipal Strategic Plan while supporting the Town's long-term sustainability and growth.
Why You Should Join Us:
This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of Alberta's fastest-growing communities. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will influence the Town's financial sustainability, growth strategy, infrastructure investment, and organizational performance while serving as a trusted advisor to the CAO and Council.
You will lead a diverse Corporate Services portfolio encompassing Finance, Information Services, Legislative Services, and Administrative Services, driving innovation, digital transformation, and continuous improvement across the organization. Equally important, you will help foster a high-performing, values-driven culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, and service excellence.
At the Town of Cochrane, your leadership will have a lasting impact on the community, helping ensure the long-term sustainability, financial health, and resilience of the organization and the services residents rely on every day.
Your Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Governance
- Provide strategic leadership for the Finance and Corporate Services division, ensuring alignment with Council priorities, the Municipal Strategic Plan, and organizational objectives.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the CAO and Council on financial, operational, and strategic matters.
- Ensure compliance with legislation, policies, governance standards, and workplace safety requirements.
- Foster strong relationships with Council, stakeholders, government partners, and the community.
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Lead the Town's long-term financial sustainability strategy, including taxation, reserves, debt, investments, capital financing, and growth funding.
- Direct multi-year financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and enterprise financial risk management.
- Ensure financial plans support asset management, infrastructure lifecycle requirements, and Council priorities.
- Provide transparent, actionable financial advice and reporting to the CAO and Council.
Financial Stewardship
- Oversee all financial operations, reporting, controls, audits, and compliance with PSAS and municipal legislation.
- Ensure the integrity, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, and reporting.
- Lead financial technology and ERP initiatives that enhance organizational performance and accountability.
People Leadership
- Provide executive oversight of Finance and Assessment Services, Legislative and Administrative Services, and Information Services.
- Lead and develop a high-performing leadership team, driving accountability, service excellence, innovation, and organizational effectiveness.
- Advance digital transformation, process improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and psychologically safe workplace culture.
Your Qualifications:
- Degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.
- Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation required.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive senior financial management experience, preferably in a municipal or broader public sector environment.
- Minimum 5 years of executive or senior leadership experience with responsibility for financial strategy, organizational performance, and people leadership.
- Demonstrated experience advising elected officials, councils, boards, or executive leadership teams on complex financial and strategic matters.
- Extensive experience in long-term financial planning, capital financing, debt management, reserve strategies, taxation frameworks, and fiscal sustainability.
- Proven success leading organizational change, service modernization, digital transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of the Alberta Municipal Government Act (MGA), Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS), and municipal finance practices.
- Exceptional leadership, relationship-building, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with strong political acumen and sound judgment.
- Demonstrated commitment to transparency, accountability, ethical leadership, and public service excellence.
- Certificate in Public Sector Leadership (e.g., NACLAA, LGAA, LGANT, or equivalent) and relevant professional memberships are considered assets.
What We Offer:
In addition to the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on one of Alberta's fastest-growing communities, the Town of Cochrane offers:
- A competitive executive compensation package with a salary starting at $185,731, commensurate with experience and qualifications, plus comprehensive benefits, participation in the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP), APEX Supplemental Pension Plan and generous vacation entitlements.
- The opportunity to shape the long-term financial sustainability, growth, and success of a dynamic and thriving municipality.
- A key leadership role within a collaborative Executive Leadership Team that values community, innovation, relationships, and organizational excellence.
- The ability to influence strategic decisions that support Council's vision and enhance services for residents and businesses.
- Ongoing professional development and executive leadership growth opportunities.
If you are a strategic, collaborative, and visionary leader with a passion for public service and financial stewardship, we invite you to help shape Cochrane's future.
Apply today!
- Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter outlining how their experience aligns with the required qualifications, skills, and abilities
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly by Osborne Financial Search
- Applications will be accepted until suitable candidate is found at www.cochrane.ca/jobs
We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.
Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
