Job Description / Duties

Destination Canada is looking for a Senior Vice President, Industry Advancement & Corporate Secretary (SVP) to join its leadership team. Ideally, the position is based in Ottawa and that the incumbent will be able to travel accordingly across the country when it is necessary.

In this position, the SVP will bring together diverse stakeholders from across the tourism sector to create alignment and strategic synergies, identify opportunities to address sector challenges, support policy development and cross-governmental initiatives throughout the Federal family, and advance powerful communications strategies that demonstrate tourism’s significant contributions to the economic growth and social fabric of Canada and position Destination Canada as a trusted and innovative thought leader for the industry.

To achieve this, the SVP will oversee multiple functions within the organization, including Corporate Communications, Industry Engagement, Government Relations, and Board Affairs, ensuring the work of these teams is strategically integrated and aligned with the ultimate purpose of enhancing the tourism sector’s global competitiveness. Above all, the SVP is a master convener, an expert influencer, and can apply a strategic and long-term lens to advancing corporate goals and recommendations. In this role, the SVP, will also serve as the Corporate Secretary for the organization, responsible for developing and implementing all aspects of board governance and functioning.

Tourism plays a vital role in the wealth and well-being of communities across our country. We invite you to join us in this exciting opportunity to play a key role in achieving the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy’s goal of positioning Canada as a top global destination by 2030.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the President & CEO and senior management team to set the strategic plan for the corporation.
• Convene and draw upon a broad range of industry expertise to develop advice and recommendations which will improve the global competitiveness of Canada’s tourism sector.
• Coordinate provinces, territories, key tourism partners, and industry associations in the private and public sectors to develop joint strategies resulting in greater collective alignment and impact.
• In collaboration with provinces, territories, key tourism partners and industry associations, lead a national corporate communications strategy to strengthen Canadians’ support for tourism as a key contributor to their community’s economic and social well-being and as an important industrial sector within Canada.
• Lead corporate communications with industry businesses, global partners and media to strengthen Destination Canada’s role as an industry thought leader.
• Provide timely advice and intelligence to support cross-government coordination and decision-making in the many federal portfolios that impact tourism.
• Conceive and implement strategies that enhance the organization’s reputation and impact across all levels of government, with industry businesses and employees, and Canadians.
• Develop and foster positive and effective relationships with the shareholder, senior government officials and parliamentarians.
• Support the development and maintenance of an effective and productive relationship between the Board of Directors and management of the organization.
• Serve as the principal advisor to the Board of Directors and management on matters of corporate governance and regulatory compliance. Provide strategic advice to the Chairperson and Directors in carrying out their duties.
• Oversee the organization’s corporate governance framework. Stay abreast of legislative changes and corporate governance best practices to ensure compliance and enhance governance processes.
• Manage and oversee all aspects of Board and Committee meetings in order to ensure effective discussions, including the preparation of materials for meetings.
• Oversee corporate reporting to the shareholder, including the development, review, and approval of the Corporate Plan and Annual Report.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Experience

• 10+ years of relevant experience and 5+ years of progressive leadership experience, preferably at the executive level
• Experience with stakeholder engagement, including with government bodies and industry associations
• Experience in corporate governance, preferably within a crown corporation of similar public sector entity
• Experience leading effective corporate communications strategies

Knowledge

• Deep understanding of the tourism industry, including trends, challenges, and opportunities
• In-depth knowledge of the federal government, decision-making processes and mechanisms, and the workings of Parliament and its

Committees

• Knowledge of communications and public relations principles and practices
• Knowledge of corporate governance principles and federal regulatory requirements

Abilities

• Excellent strategic thinking skills and the ability to contribute to the long-term vision of the organization
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey ideas, influence stakeholders, and represent the organization
• Strong collaboration skills to work with various stakeholders to achieve common goals
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to advocate for the interests of the industry at various levels, including with government stakeholders
• Strong negotiation skills to facilitate agreements and partnerships with diverse stakeholders

Additional Information

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Destination Canada believes that Canada's diversity, its greatest asset, is also what touches travellers' hearts most deeply. To that end, Destination Canada is committed to inclusive leadership within its workforce, workplace, and interactions with partners and travellers alike.

Destination Canada is an equal-opportunity employer committed to reflecting Canada's diversity through fair and accessible hiring and employment practices. Destination Canada encourages all qualified individuals to apply, including racialized and Indigenous persons, women, members of ethnocultural and linguistic minorities, persons with disabilities, and differently-abled persons. Destination Canada also welcomes applications from people of all ages, sexual orientations and gender identities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers Berndtson and Destination Canada at any stage of the hiring process.

Destination Canada’s workplace is bilingual with communications, resources and services provided in both of Canada's official languages. Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Candidates are asked to indicate their first official language and their preferred official language in their application. Interviews are primarily conducted in the language of work.

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest. We regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose profiles best match the requirements for the role.

Contact Information

To Apply
To fill this position, Destination Canada has partnered with executive search firm Odgers Berndtson. If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your CV and cover letter online https://en-careers.odgersberndtson.com/en-ca/job/29377/

You must certify in your application that you are legally entitled to work in Canada or have the ability to obtain the necessary approvals to work in Canada. Destination Canada reserves the right to require that you provide proof of your legal entitlement to work in Canada at any time.

You must be able to provide proof of your education credentials if requested. When applying, candidates must clearly demonstrate in writing that they meet the above-mentioned education and experience criteria.

Employer Profile

Destination Canada is a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada and formed under the Canadian Tourism Commission Act. Its mission is to influence supply and build demand for the benefit of locals, communities and visitors through leading research, alignment with public and private sectors, and marketing Canada nationally and abroad.

Tourism is the heartbeat of communities from coast to coast. Destination Canada seeks diverse, ingenious thinkers teeming with intellectual curiosity and a deep desire to grow Canada’s tourism industry – strengthening the socio-cultural, environmental, and economic vitality tourism brings to Canada.