Strategic Initiatives Coordinator (Innovation)

Department
Public & Strategic Affairs

Job Type
Regular

Number of Positions
1

Affiliation

Non-Union

Compensation Range
$90,291.00 - $112,864.00

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Strategic Initiatives, the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator (Innovation) serves as the Corporation’s subject-matter expert and internal catalyst for operational excellence, continuous improvement, performance management and innovation.

The role leads the design and deployment of Lean methods, continuous improvement practices and corporate performance measurement across the corporation to strengthen service delivery, reduce waste and improve outcomes.

The position partners with leadership and process owners to identify and improve critical processes by analyzing current-state performance; design and implement future-state processes; establish meaningful performance measures; and validate and sustain measurable benefits, including cost savings, cost avoidance, capacity creation, service improvements and other operational efficiencies.

The role will also establish meaningful KPIs and support a measurable culture of improvement, including full reporting of efficiencies. The role also leads corporate innovation mechanisms that evaluate, pilot and implement beneficial ideas contributed by employees.

Job Duties Include

The following responsibilities and duties of this position include but are not limited to:

Key Duties

• Lead cross-functional continuous improvement and Lean initiatives to improve service delivery, reduce waste and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Partner with leaders, managers and process owners to identify, assess and prioritize improvement opportunities across the organization.
• Map and analyze current processes, identify root causes and design practical future-state processes and solutions.
• Apply Lean and structured problem-solving methodologies to support process redesign, implementation and sustainable improvement.
• Develop meaningful KPIs and performance measures to monitor process health, service outcomes and organizational performance.
• Measure and report the results of improvement initiatives, including cost savings, cost avoidance, capacity created, cycle-time reductions and service improvements.
• Develop clear dashboards, reports, presentations and decision-support materials for senior leadership and Council.
• Design and deliver Lean and continuous improvement training to build organizational knowledge and capability.
• Establish and support a network of Lean Champions, providing coaching, facilitation and guidance to teams undertaking improvement work.
• Lead the Town’s Innovation Team and corporate employee idea process, from idea generation and evaluation through pilots and implementation.
• Research leading practices, emerging approaches and benchmarking information to identify new opportunities for innovation and operational improvement.
• Support strategic corporate initiatives involving service reviews, levels of service, performance improvement, risk-based thinking and organizational effectiveness

Qualifications & Skills

• A university degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Operations Management, Business Analytics, Organizational Leadership, or an equivalent combination
• Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt certification
• More than three years and up to five years of relevant practical experience
• Demonstrated experience mapping current and future-state processes and applying Lean principles and methodologies
• Experience conducting business process reviews and program evaluations, including performance measurement, audits and benchmarking
• Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to lead work across functional and departmental boundaries
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex information into practical recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations and decision-support materials

Nice to Have

• Black Belt certification is preferred
• Business Process Management training or designation is considered an asset

What is Offered to Staff

• Compensation: We offer competitive pay that reflects the responsibilities of the position.
• Hours of Work: This is a non-union full-time position that works 35 hours per week. The hours of work are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Benefits: The Town offers full-time staff a comprehensive benefit package with paid sick, vacation and personal leave days; Parental Leave Top-up; Employee & Family Assistance Program; Health & Wellness Program, Town of Ajax Fitness Centre membership; plus a defined benefits pension (OMERS pension - https://www.omers.com/).
• Hybrid Work Program: The Town offers a Hybrid Work Program. A flexible work arrangement, including the option to work from home some or a majority of the time, is currently a possibility with this position, and can be discussed during the interview process.

How to Apply

If this opportunity matches your interest and experience, please click the “Apply” button above and apply by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date:

Vacancy Statement

All job postings issued by the Town of Ajax are intended to fill existing vacant positions unless otherwise stated.

Are you a current Town of Ajax employee?

If you are a current Town of Ajax, please apply internally through the Jobs Hub app of your Workday account in order for your application to be processed as an internal applicant.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Town of Ajax is committed to employment equity and building a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected and supported. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, especially those who have been historically excluded, including Black and Indigenous people, racialized communities, disabled persons, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and others facing systemic inequities. If selected for an interview, you will be provided with an opportunity to indicate your access needs. We are committed to ensuring an accessible and respectful hiring process.

If you would like to request content in an alternate format, please contact Human Resources by emailing careers@ajax.ca.

Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We utilize AI solely for the purpose of anonymizing the application process to help ensure fairness and equity. Please note that AI is not used to screen candidates or make decisions regarding their suitability for any role.