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Opportunities

Board Director

Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA)

Status: Open Location: Alberta, Canada

The Organization

The Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) is a not-for-profit Delegated Administrative Organization (DAO) entrusted by the Government of Alberta to oversee the province’s regulated recycling programs and, more recently, its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. For over 30 years, ARMA has worked with municipalities, producers, registered processors, and community partners to implement effective recycling programs and support Alberta’s transition toward a circular economy.

ARMA operates at arm’s length while remaining accountable to the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas. The organization administers environmental fees, manages designation and compliance frameworks, and maintains Alberta’s recycling and EPR registries. With new EPR responsibilities for packaging and paper products (PPP) and hazardous and special products (HSP), ARMA is entering a significant period of operational maturation. These expanding oversight duties require a consistent, transparent, fair, and proportionate regulatory approach that supports strong outcomes for producers, municipalities, and Albertans.

For more information about ARMA, please visit their website.

Mandate

ARMA is committed to transparency and responsible governance practices. The Board is responsible for the stewardship of the organization, including establishing key policies and standards, overseeing risk, and reviewing and approving ARMA’s strategic plans. Directors are expected to be actively engaged in, and add value to, the Board’s work.

ARMA is seeking one Board Director to be appointed in September 2026 at the Annual General Meeting. The successful candidate will bring strong municipal political acumen, a clear understanding of how decisions are made at the local government level, and the judgment to contribute effectively within a governance-focused board environment. In accordance with ARMA’s Board Qualifications and Exclusions Policy, individuals who are currently serving as elected municipal officials or who are currently employed by a municipality are not eligible for appointment to the Board.

The Board meets quarterly, with an annual strategic planning retreat typically held in October in Alberta. The Board currently has three standing committees: Audit & Finance, Governance & People, and Assessment, with a fourth committee to be established in support of the EPR programs. The overall time commitment is expected to be approximately 10 to 15 days per year, including Board and committee meetings, preparation time, the strategic planning retreat, and AGM-related responsibilities.

Key Accountabilities

The Board Director is expected to:

  • Attend and prepare for quarterly Board meetings.
  • Attend and prepare for committee meetings where appointed.
  • Attend the annual strategic planning session and participate in AGM-related work.
  • Be knowledgeable about the mission, vision, values, strategic direction, and activities of ARMA.
  • Demonstrate a solid understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and legal duties of a director, as well as ARMA’s governance structure and regulatory environment.
  • Actively participate in Board-related matters, contribute to Board discussions, and add value to the Board’s work.
  • Contribute sound judgment, constructive challenge, and a clear respect for the distinction between governance and operations.
  • Support ARMA’s understanding of municipal issues, stakeholder expectations, and local government dynamics.
  • Participate in committees where appointed and develop a strong understanding of the committee’s purpose, mandate, and responsibilities.

First-Year Deliverables / Measures of Success

Success in the first year will be determined by the candidate’s ability to:

  • Develop a strong understanding of ARMA’s mandate, governance model, regulated environment, and relationship with the Government of Alberta.
  • Contribute to a respectful, professional, and governance-focused Board culture by exercising sound judgment, asking thoughtful questions, and supporting effective collective decision-making.
  • Bring an informed perspective on municipal priorities, decision-making processes, and stakeholder concerns, particularly during a period of program change and heightened sensitivity.
  • Provide practical insight as ARMA navigates evolving regulatory, operational, and stakeholder dynamics, including anticipated municipal concerns related to program cost, oversight, and implementation.
  • Use experience with municipal, regional, and/or provincial systems to help the Board understand emerging issues, stakeholder expectations, and the broader public-sector environment in which ARMA operates.
  • Demonstrate preparation, reliability, confidentiality, respectful engagement, and the ability to work as part of a Board team.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have the following:

Experience:

  • Strong municipal political experience, including a clear understanding of how decisions are made at the local government level. In accordance with ARMA’s Board Qualifications and Exclusions Policy, individuals who are currently serving as elected municipal officials or who are currently employed by a municipality are not eligible for consideration.
  • Experience working with or alongside municipalities, municipal associations, intermunicipal organizations, regional governance bodies, or comparable public-sector stakeholder environments.
  • Exposure to groups of municipalities and an ability to understand the perspectives of both urban and rural communities.
  • Experience connected to RMA, mid-sized cities, larger counties, or similar municipal networks would be considered an asset.
  • Experience interacting with the provincial government or operating in an environment where provincial policy, regulation, and accountability shape organizational decision-making.
  • Board, committee, executive leadership, or senior governance experience that demonstrates the ability to contribute at a strategic oversight level.
  • Understanding of delegated administrative organizations, regulatory accountability, or organizations that operate within a provincially mandated framework would be considered an asset.
  • Knowledge of waste, recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility, circular economy, environmental stewardship, or related regulated systems would be considered an asset.
  • Experience navigating change management in a governance context, particularly where public-sector stakeholders are affected by program, funding, cost, service, or oversight changes.
  • Experience in strategic planning, economic development, information technology, data governance, artificial intelligence governance, entrepreneurship, or rural community leadership may also contribute to the Board’s overall composition.
  • A significant connection to Alberta and a demonstrated understanding of Alberta industry, public policy, communities, and regional dynamics.
  • Given the nature of the role and ARMA’s relationships with municipalities, candidates who are currently sitting municipal elected officials or current municipal employees are not be eligible for consideration.

Competencies and Attributes:

  • Governance-focused leadership style, with a clear understanding of the distinction between Board oversight and operational management.
  • Strong municipal political acumen and the ability to understand municipal and provincial dynamics without becoming partisan or advocacy-driven in the boardroom.
  • Sound judgment, independence of thought, and the ability to support collective Board decisions once they are made.
  • A strong understanding of the accountability that comes with operating within a provincially mandated framework.
  • Inquisitive and prepared, with the ability to ask thoughtful, constructive questions that test assumptions and improve decision quality.
  • Respectful and collegial, with the ability to articulate positions and concerns clearly while maintaining a professional and team-oriented Board culture.
  • Comfortable navigating change, stakeholder sensitivity, and periods of public or sector concern.
  • High integrity, sound confidentiality, and the ability to represent ARMA appropriately when interacting with members of the public, government, municipalities, and stakeholders.
  • Conceptual and systems-oriented, with the ability to understand complex information, identify patterns, and assess the broader implications of decisions.
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to listen carefully, build on the perspectives of others, and contribute to discussion in a clear, logical, and respectful way.
  • A constructive Board colleague who works effectively as part of a team and does not seek to delve into operations, approach issues with a “gotcha” mentality, or act as a lone voice outside the collective work of the Board.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Alberta Recycling Management Authority ARMA is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and recognizes the value of diverse perspectives in supporting strong governance and service excellence. ARMA welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including those who may contribute to the diversity of the Board through their background, identity, lived experience, perspective, or community connection.

Accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment, selection, and assessment process upon request. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

If this opportunity excites you, please send an application package, including your resume and cover letter, to connect@mullenleadership.com. In the subject line of your email, please include the organization’s name and the position title.

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