Executive Coordinator/Assistant
The Town of Cochrane, located in northeastern Ontario is a short one-hour drive from Timmins and Kapuskasing, the other two major population centres of the region. The town’s population of about 6,000 residents is made up of about half anglophone and half francophone residents.
Cochrane is one of the few communities in Northern Ontario to have experienced growth in the last few years, Cochrane’s economic landscape offers job & investment opportunities for just about every sector. Cochrane top employable industries include mining, forestry, transportation, finance, health care, and administrative occupations. According to a Town of Cochrane growth study, its population is expected to go from about 6,000 to 9,400 by 2051.
With some of the lowest property taxes in Northeastern Ontario, Cochrane provides the highest quality of northern living at competitive cost to the taxpayer. While keeping property taxes competitive, Cochrane has managed to do so without limiting the services and assets it offers to the community. From a world-class tourist attraction in the Polar Bear Habitat (the largest natural habitat for captive Polar Bears in the world) to a modern and highly regarded Tim Horton Events Centre, modern schools, a local hospital, and high caliber recreation and festivals that rank among the most prominent in the province. Situated on Lake Commando, Cochrane offers several waterfront amenities including a beach right in the heart of the town.
Find an active lifestyle that takes you beyond the hustle and bustle of the city and looks further than the rural amenities of the countryside. Get to hockey practice in 5 minutes, get to your cottage within 15 minutes and access the solitude of the fishing lakes and wilderness in as little as 45 minutes; all without traffic jams.
In summary, Cochrane is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Northern Ontario located on the 49th parallel, which is the Canada / US border in western Canada. The moderate property taxes, the reasonable cost of housing and multitude of community amenities continue to make Cochrane attractive to those relocating from other communities.
Your Opportunity to make a Difference
We are currently seeking two Executive Coordinators/Assistants (“EA”). One role will support the Mayor and will have both an EA and external communications focus, the other role will support the CAO and will have a focus on supporting the CAO as an EA with Council priorities, effective operations and internal communications.
The Executive Coordinator/Assistant supporting the CAO will provide high-level executive, administrative, internal communications and confidential support to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The Executive Coordinator/Assistant supporting the Mayor has similar accountabilities but will have a stronger emphasis on external communications.
Both positions are designated as non-union and exempt due to the confidential nature of the work, which includes support for labour negotiations, legal matters, senior personnel files, and other sensitive corporate initiatives. The role also supports public communications, assists with corporate coordination, and ensures timely and professional engagement with internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, political acuity, and the ability to handle sensitive information with the highest level of discretion.
The Town of Cochrane offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Play a key role in our evolution and make Cochrane the best place to live, work and play.
Ideal Qualifications
- Ideal Experience: Minimum of 2 years in an executive assistant or legal/HR support role, preferably within a municipal or public sector environment involving confidential and labour-related matters.
- Organization and Project Management Skills: Exceptional organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
- Board/Council Governance Abilities: High level of political acuity, discretion, and professionalism. • Familiarity with municipal government operations, labour environments, and governance processes is a strong asset.
- Technical Experience and Abilities: Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Experience with content management systems is a decided asset.
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage sensitive correspondence and public messaging. • Proven experience working with confidential and privileged information, particularly in legal, labour, or executive contexts. • Bilingualism (English/French) considered an asset.
- Education: Post-secondary education in business administration, public administration, legal studies, or a related field. A combination of equivalent education and experience will be considered.
If you enjoy nature and rural living and wish to live in the north – this is a unique opportunity to experience nature and rural living at is best. Benefits of working with the Town of Cochrane include:
- Location – Cochrane, Ontario is centrally located along the Highway 11 corridor, just a short one-hour drive from both Timmins and Kapuskasing, two of the region’s major population centres. Surrounded by pristine forests, rivers, and lakes, Cochrane is the perfect community for those who love the outdoors. With its affordability and extensive range of community services, Cochrane offers an exceptional quality of life for individuals and families alike.
- Active Lifestyle – Cochrane is a premier destination for outdoor recreation and year-round activities. Residents enjoy access to hiking trails, golf, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling on OFSC trails, fishing, hunting, and boating on numerous local lakes. The community is also home to the Tim Horton Event Centre, featuring a pool, gym, arena, and multipurpose facilities that support active living for all ages. Cochrane also offers a large Commando Pavilion, a hub for outdoor concerts, festivals, markets, multicultural events, and seasonal celebrations
- Housing – Cochrane offers some of the most affordable housing options in Ontario, including opportunities for waterfront living. The Town will soon launch a new lot purchase program, available for as low as $10, making homebuilding more accessible than ever. More information can be found at Community Improvement Plan | Let’s Chat Cochrane
- Healthcare – Cochrane is served by the Lady Minto Hospital, which offers a wide range of health care programs and medical services. Attached to the hospital is Villa Minto, the community’s long-term care home, providing high-quality, compassionate care for residents in a supportive environment. Nearby, the Cochrane Family Health Team provides comprehensive primary care for individuals and families.
- Education – The community is supported by a strong education system at both the elementary and secondary levels, offered in both official languages. Families have access to high-quality programs delivered by dedicated English and French school boards.
How to Apply
To explore this opportunity please apply via email with a covering letter and resume as soon as possible and not later than January 16, 2026 to careers@waterhousesearch.net quoting project TC-EA. Please note: Qualified candidates may be considered in advance of the closing date.
Should you wish to speak to our Executive Recruiter or to receive a detailed position description please contact Jon Stungevicius at 416-214-9299 x1, jon@waterhousesearch.net.
All applications will be held in strict confidence. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for employment assessment purposes only.
