TO APPLY: This competition is being conducted by Korn Ferry Executive Search. Do not apply on The City's system. To be considered, applications must be submitted directly to Korn Ferry at Chair, Water Utility Oversight Board (WUOB) job, Calgary
Korn Ferry's Contacts:
Position Overview
The City of Calgary's Water Utility is one of the largest and most complex in Canada. It provides potable water, wastewater, and stormwater services to more than 1.8 million residents of the Calgary Metropolitan Area. Supported by an integrated network of over 16,000 kilometres of pipe the Utility also supplies water and wastewater services to Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore, Tsuut`ina Nation and parts of Rockyview County.
The City of Calgary has recently established the Water Utility Oversight Board (WUOB) through bylaw. The WUOB is a Committee of Council established to strengthen governance, risk oversight, and long-term performance of its municipal water utility.
The Chair will lead this Council-appointed Board, providing independent, expert, evidence-based advice to inform Council decision-making on system levels, infrastructure investment, financial management, accountability, and enterprise risk.
This is a board appointment, not an employment position with The City of Calgary.
Board Mandate
The Water Utility Oversight Board's mandate is to:
(a) assist Council in fulfilling its oversight and stewardship responsibilities by gaining and maintaining reasonable assurance in relation to:
a. the integrity and sustainability of The City's utility systems and services;
b. effective governance, financial performance, and rate-setting practices;
c. the adequacy of infrastructure planning, asset management, and lifecycle funding;
d. the identification, mitigation, and management of key utility risks; and compliance with applicable standards and Council-approved policies;
(b) support transparent, accountable, and evidence-based decision-making through independent review, advice, and reporting.
The Water Utility Oversight Board is an advisory body with no decision-making authority or operational accountability. It provides independent, evidence-based advice to support Council's responsibilities (listed above), with a focus on long-term outcomes rather than day-to-day operations. The Board reports directly to Council.
Key Responsibilities
-
Recruit, orient, and mentor WUOB members, ensuring a balanced mix of expertise across infrastructure, finance, governance, and risk domains. The Chair will make recommendations to Council regarding member appointments.
-
Provide input to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) about Utility leadership selection and performance.
-
Oversee the development of the WUOB's Annual Work Plan.
-
Set clear WUOB meeting agendas to guide deliberation and drive actionable outcomes.
-
Work with Utility administration to ensure performance information is clearly presented to WUOB.
-
Make final decisions on recommendations and what rework or response is required from the Utility. Ensure Utility administration is aware of WUOB's concerns and recommendations, confirming that appropriate follow-up actions are completed.
-
Maintain clear information flows with the Utility COO, CAO, and Council.
-
Oversee WUOB's quarterly reports to Council and public disclosure reports.
-
Coordinate with the Audit Committee and other relevant Council Committees to avoid duplication of oversight and ensure alignment.
Skills & Qualifications
-
Minimum 15 years of senior executive or board-level experience in critical infrastructure.
-
Proven ability to lead expert advisory or governance bodies and to manage complex stakeholder relationships across political and administrative environments.
-
Strong understanding of water infrastructure, finance, governance, and enterprise risk management.
-
Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, capable of fostering trust and collaboration across diverse perspectives.
-
Commitment to impartiality, integrity, and evidence-based decision-making.
-
Professional designation or advanced degree in engineering, finance, law, or public administration preferred.
-
Prior experience serving as a board chair, committee chair, or independent director considered an asset.
