Job Description / Duties

We are searching for a remarkable, passionate person to lead destination development focused project work as a professional service. Reporting to the Director of Business Development, the candidate will manage the professional services project delivery lifecycle from end-to-end (including the creation and management of full implementation plans, liaising with clients and stakeholders, and managing the completion of activities and all associated client deliverables).

They will work collaboratively with clients at many levels of government, destination marketing organizations, industry associations, as well as educational and research Institutions to grow food tourism in their regions. Projects include but are not limited to researching, developing, and implementing culinary tourism and/or agritourism strategies, frameworks, product and program development, stakeholder engagement and capacity building, feasibility studies and business plans, marketing, and storytelling.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Determine and define project scope and objectives
Predict resources needed to reach objectives and manage resources in an effective and efficient manner
Prepare budget based on scope of work and resource requirements
Track project costs to meet budget
Develop and manage a detailed project schedule and work plan
Provide project updates on a consistent basis to various stakeholders about strategy, adjustments, and progress
Manage contracts with vendors and suppliers by assigning tasks and communicating expected deliverables
Utilize industry best practices, techniques, and standards throughout entire project execution
Monitor progress and adjust as needed
Measure project performance to identify areas for improvement
Manage Research & Engagement Coordinators, including actively participating in the hiring, training, supervision, performance assessment, and career development of these individuals.
Facilitate client check-in meetings and project-specific internal meetings
Lead the design and development of research methods and related tools
Perform primary and secondary research
Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis on data collected for projects, including for thought leadership
Design, format, prepare, and deliver materials for in-person and virtual sessions and workshops
Take ownership over the preparation and delivery of high-quality destination development outputs and deliverables (from writing and editing papers and reports to integrating client feedback into final versions)
Support business development activities, including but not limited to scanning for requests for proposal, drafting work plans and proposals
Test and implement project management tools and processes
Support CTA marketing efforts, including staying on top of industry trends and sharing insights
Actively contribute to professional services and organizational growth strategies including participating in speaking engagements and written marketing opportunities

Additional Information

Required Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a related field required (Business, Marketing, Tourism, History, etc.)
5-7 years of experience of project management
Project Management Certification or related master’s degree preferred
Proven ability to solve problems creatively and be resourceful
Experience seeing projects through the full life cycle
Proven ability to complete projects according to outlined scope, budget, and timeline
Experience leading qualitative and quantitative research with excellent analytical skills
Strong numerical fluency, including experience measuring social impact, demonstrating value, managing budgets, and ROI
Applicable knowledge of inclusion work in an organization, and an appreciation of the complexities of inter/intra cultural interactions;
Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, assessment, and leadership skills;
Adept at Microsoft Office Suite, G Suite, CRM and strong familiarity with project management tools, methodologies, and best practices;
Ability to work effectively in a remote work setting and manage shifting priorities;
Experience in project management, client relations, sales and/or customer service
Knowledge of local food systems, tourism sector, rural development
Working knowledge of the UNWTO Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and/or ESG Framework
Valid Ontario driver’s license, there will be travel required as part of your role
Bilingual, preferred

Salary: The annual salary range is $75,000.00-$85,000.00 + benefits, with compensation based on previous experience and level of expertise.

Contact Information

To apply, please email the CTA Director of Business Development, Valerie Keast at valerie@culinarytourismalliance.com, including a cover letter, resume, and any relevant examples of past projects, by Sunday November 21st 2021.

Employer Profile

The Culinary Tourism Alliance is a not-for-profit organization on a mission to ensure that culinary tourism is a meaningful and sustainable contributor to local economies in destinations worldwide. We work with communities to grow culinary tourism by leveraging the history, heritage, and culture behind the food and drink that makes each destination unique.