President and Chief Executive Officer (Interim, 1 Year - Maternity Leave))

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Hotel Association of Canada has begun its search for an interim President who can fulfill the requirements of the position for one-year maternity leave coverage commencing in late July 2018 to July 2019. 

The Hotel Association of Canada is the voice of the hotel industry in the country. Primarily an advocacy and Government relations organization, the hotel association delivers targeted advocacy on the issues that matter most to the industry.

The Hotel Association of Canada is looking to secure a candidate with previous experience as the CEO of an association, with specific skill and aptitude in driving and executing government relations strategies. The candidate will require a strong mix of advocacy/GR skills as well as the ability to lead a staff of 7 and manage Board relations. This role will involve execution and stewardship of the association’s newly developed strategic plan, including the renewal of an annual budget cycle to support key initiatives. The association’s yearly budget is roughly 1 million. 

This position will be part-time at 3 days a week. The part-time approach has been taken for several reasons. First, the association has a strong, recent and widely supported strategic plan. The role will involve execution of this plan which is detailed and well-constructed. Each priority project is supported by talented staff, including consultants on key projects. The Board has also made a conscious decision to pull back on the President’s speaking schedule during the leave period, and to curtail participation in external Boards and international travel.

HAC is focused on two key advocacy issues: fair rules for the Short-Term Rental industry (Airbnb) and the need to address the industry’s critical labour shortage. HAC’s Short-Term Rental strategy includes a focus on municipal regions where new regulations are being considered for online platforms like Airbnb. In parallel, a federal strategy is being executed to secure a fairer taxation regime for online accommodations businesses who are competing with established bricks and mortar operators, like hotels. In addition to staff support, HAC also works with a team of government relations consultants.

On the labour file, HAC has just secured a 3 year, multi million-dollar pilot program with the federal government to mobilize new Canadians (eg: Syrian refugees) into available hotel jobs. Designed specifically for this sector, HAC will play a leadership role in rolling out this new program in partnership with Tourism HR Canada. A team of staff will be in place at the association to support this program. 

The HAC is looking for an experienced candidate in advocacy and association management who can fulfill many, if not all, of these requirements in the role as it charges through its important mandate. Advocacy experience at both the federal and municipal levels would be an asset. Supported by a strong Board of Directors and staff, this individual will need to serve as the voice of the industry both internally to members and externally to government and the media.

The association also works closely with its provincial counterparts to deliver advocacy campaigns and member programs. HAC’s provincial hotel associations are an important part of the HAC network.

 


 Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer

Reports to:  Board of Directors

Job purpose:

The President and CEO is the chief advocate for Canada’s Hotel Industry and responsible for the leadership and management of the Association in accordance with the strategic direction established by the Board of Directors. The President and CEO will lead hotel-specific advocacy issues, and work in concert with other industry-related organizations, and provincial hotel associations to actively and purposefully present the hotel industry’s position to appropriate federal government officials.

Job Duties Include: 

  • Act as the key spokesperson for the industry vis a vis media and government;
  • Prepare and present industry position papers and statements to relevant Federal government departments, Parliamentary officials and stakeholders;
  • Develop and foster effective working relationships with industry affiliated organizations and associations;
  • Champion the Association’s vision, mission statement, mandate, values, strategic and operational plan operational plan to advance the goals of the industry;
  • Work with team of staff to deliver on objectives detailed in the Association’s Operational Plan to ensure that goals are achieved and progress is tracked;
  • Prepare, consolidate and control the budget, in accordance with the Operational Plan’s financial goals and objectives;
  • Oversee Association programs and services;
  • Liaise and consult with the Board of Directors of the Association via regular reports and quarterly meetings;
  • Liaise with the provincial hotels associations, the membership, and other stakeholders;
  • Manage the human resources function of the office, including management of consultants and contract staff positions;

Core Competencies: 

  • Strategic Thinking and Planning;
  • Strong Government Relations Background;
  • Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills (French and English);
  • Excellent Negotiation and Advocacy Skills;
  • Program Development and Marketing Skills;
  • Demonstrates Strong Risk Management Skills;
  • Effective Finance and Resource Management; 
  • Effective Management of Board Relations.

Other Requirements:

  • A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution specializing in government relations, political science, business or related field and at least five year’s related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
  • Superior knowledge of the Canadian national political landscape;
  • Experience in consultation, advocacy and lobby activities;
  • Project Management knowledge and experience managing multiple projects/initiatives;
  • Experience in report/article writing and policy creation and development;
  • Proven administrative ability;
  • Able to travel;
  • Fluent in both French and English desirable;
  • Bondable;
  • Valid driver’s license.

IDEAL PROFILE 

The profile represents the “ideal” characteristics of the interim President and will act as a benchmark throughout the recruitment process.

The interim President of HAC should have:

  • Political Contacts and Advocacy: The President will have a detailed understanding of how government works and will be able to navigate government bureaucracy in order to maintain the priority and currency of HAC stakeholders. The ideal candidate also has experience in municipal advocacy. 
  • Strategic Thinking/Planning Skills: The interim President ideally has experience in association leadership and managing a national Board and will be able to serve the Board in driving forward the association’s new strategic plan.
  • Operational and Business Acumen: The interim President is comfortable executing business plans and has experience managing complex programs and related initiatives. S/he will be at ease interpreting financial details and using that information to ensure the financial health of the organization.
  • Advanced Interpersonal Skills: The President will be adept at managing a variety of personalities, will be a skilled negotiator, facilitator, lobbyist, and networker. The ideal President is open, affable, has a high degree of integrity, and will constantly seek to maximize opportunities for the HAC and its members.
  • Advanced Communication Skills: The President should articulate his/her thoughts clearly and present information in a straightforward and logical way. The President shares information with others, has the ability to listen to varying points of view, and should have a gift for public speaking to internal and external audiences. The President is bilingual.
  • Member Management: The President will be particularly adept at managing the multiple priorities of members and ensure that each continues to see the value of a strong national association. As such, will be in constant and continued contact with members, and will ensure that members understand the value of a strong national association.

 Location: This position is based in Ottawa


STEPS IN THE SELECTION PROCESS

  1. If you wish to be considered for this position, please forward your résumé, cover letter, to the current President at sgrynol@hotelassociation.ca. The deadline for submissions is April 20th, 2018.
  2. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
  3. Ideally, a preferred candidate is identified in May, secured in June, and starts at the end of July 2018.

A competitive health and dental benefits package will be provided for the duration of the employment period.