Business Advisor

Job Summary

The Business Advisor, under the supervision of the Manager, Business Improvement Services, will actively engage in hands-on project management and provide comprehensive business support in various service areas. This role demands the simultaneous leadership of multiple complex City projects and business initiatives, with a strict commitment to meeting deadlines and delivering successful outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate the management of strategic projects within departments and divisions, by establishing overall intent, vision, developing request for information/quotes/proposals and statement of work, business specifications, project charters, project plans, project deliverables, potential issues and required budget resources.
• Provide functional guidance of staff (approx. 10 or less) working on projects and supervision accountabilities for external vendor and/or consultants.
• Work closely with Business Partner portfolio clients to comprehend the present state, evaluate service performance objectively against expectations in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and economy.
• Support the General Government Service Area's annual Business Planning and Budget cycle review and responsibilities.
• Establish, monitor, and analyze key performance measures for initiatives within Business Partner portfolios such as Fees and Charges and Service Level targets. Conduct financial modeling and data analysis to bolster operational assessments. This includes creating and presenting business cases, conducting cost-benefit analyses, feasibility studies, market research, and benchmarking.
• Advise and contribute to updating the City Service Catalogue by identifying opportunities for enhancing City services by implementing best practices and inventive business models that provide increased value to the community within existing resource constraints. Develop proposals for continuous improvement initiatives or new business ideas aligned with City strategic priorities.
• Assist in negotiating partnership agreements with public, private, and not-for-profit entities when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with pertinent City policies and Legislative requirements.
• Provide consultation and business advice to Divisional Management Teams and Directors upon request.
• Perform any other duties as assigned or required.

Skills and Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field such as Business, Commerce, Social Sciences, Planning, Political Science or related field of study, or a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent with an emphasis on project management and business planning in a government or business setting.
• 3 to 5 years' experience in development and analysis of business plans/cases, strategic plans and in a project manager/leader role (municipal or public sector experience preferred).
• Strong business analytical skills, proficient in financial modeling, and experienced in statistical analysis for data-driven decision-making and strategic planning.
• Certification in one or more of the following disciplines is highly desirable: Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean or Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt), Program Management, Change Management.
• Excellent technical writing skills, capable of expressing complex ideas in a simple, clear, and accurate manner. Superior report writing abilities with a focus on creating clear, concise policies, and reports, paying close attention to detail.
• Strong ability to work cooperatively, effectively, and collaboratively with individuals from various work units and across different departments within the Corporation. In-depth understanding of the organizational structure of City departments and elected officials, including the working relationships between them.
• Proficient in effective meeting organization, including running focused meetings to prevent circular conversations and ensure decision-making. Skilled in facilitation, adept at leading meetings with diverse groups at all management levels. Possess strong coaching and mediation skills to be utilized during meetings to encourage constructive discussions, consider various inputs, and seek compromises that align with all interested parties' interests.
• Strong presentation skills, including comfort with diverse audiences including the Leadership Team and/or the City Manager. Capable of providing concise verbal responses with appropriate background information. Demonstrates excellent oral communication, accurately reading both verbal and non-verbal cues and selecting the most suitable communication tactic/style for the audience