The City of St. Albert will have to recruit a new head of corporate communications at the same time that council reviews its engagement practices with residents.
Mike Kluttig is leaving the communications and marketing director post he held for five years to become vice-president of community engagement for United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. His duties with the city end Jan. 24.
Kluttig said his decision to switch jobs came as a surprise to him but the opportunity presented itself in November.
"I was hesitant at first because I really enjoy my time here," Kluttig said, "but when I reviewed it I thought this might be a very interesting move because it's always about making a difference."
A colleague in the industry told him about the job and encouraged him to speak to the United Way's recruiter, Kluttig said.
Kluttig came to the city after spending 10 years with the federal government. While he's excited about his new position, he's also sad to be leaving his old post.
"Definitely mixed emotions. I had stayed and left about five times before I made the decision," he said. "It has been an extremely rewarding experience to work right in my home community."
Critical time
Word of Kluttig's departure caught council off-guard when it became known last week, said Mayor Nolan Crouse.
"Mike has been an outstanding director for the city," Crouse said. "We've always been very happy with everything he's ever done."
The change comes at a time when city council is talking a lot about improving communication between the city and residents. It was always council's intention to pursue these improvements with Kluttig as the point person and there was no effort to push him out, Crouse said.
"If there was anybody that was going to help us, it was going to be Mike," he said. "Mike is very knowledgeable and flexible."
Kluttig said his decision to leave wasn't related to the changes that are in the air.
"Absolutely not," he said. "It was just a great opportunity, that's all it came down to."
The 40-year-old said his new position should also free up more time to spend with his wife and two daughters, aged nine and seven. He typically logs 60 hours a week in his current role, which includes evening meetings, he said.
Crouse wasn't sure how Kluttig's departure will impact council's ability to improve communication.
"I don't think it's going to be easier or more difficult," Crouse said. "It'll only be easier because you have a new person that you can influence more easily on your direction, but who knows if it'll be someone with more or less experience."
City manager Bill Holtby said Kluttig is "exceptional at his job" and is "leaving some extremely large shoes to fill."
"Therefore I'd say that it's going to be a big challenge to the incumbent to ensure that council agenda [of improved communication] moves forward," Holtby said.
Thin ranks
The city has launched a nationwide search for Kluttig's replacement but past experience suggests it's more likely that the next director will emerge from within the Capital region, Holtby said.
It generally takes two to three months to recruit for senior management positions, he said. Jillian Baird, the city's communications advisor, will be acting director until a new person is hired, Holtby said.
The city is already operating with thin ranks in senior management.
Recruitment is under way for a new general manager of planning and engineering after Neil Jamieson resigned in late December. That posting closes at the end of the week and the city has already received a number of excellent candidates, Holtby said. Public works director Glenn Tompolski is serving as acting general manager.
The city is also down to one in-house lawyer — half the usual number — and is hiring a new solicitor who will be starting in March, Holtby said.
"It does create a strain on the individuals in the department where the void is but my experience is that people dig deep and step up to the challenge," Holtby said.
