Executive Director

The Ontario Commercial Fisheries’ Association is the provincial non-profit organization representing fish harvesters and fish processors operating on the Great Lakes within the province of Ontario.  Due to an impending retirement, the OCFA is looking to fill the role of Executive Director.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for:

• Functioning as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, overseeing all aspects of its’ operations
• Representing and acting as the spokesperson for the OCFA in all matters related to the OCFA's business and concerns to outside organizations, government and regulatory bodies
• Building relationships/partnerships internally and externally – including with the membership, other stakeholders, governments 
• Acting as the liaison between the OCFA and outside organizations, stakeholders and government and, facilitating two-way communication between the parties
• Establishing annual priorities with the Board of Directors and ensuring that established priorities guide the direction of the organization for the coming year
• Managing all aspects of finances and human resources
  • Establishing an annual budget with the Board of Directors and providing ongoing monitoring of finances to make informed financial decisions in-line with the approved budget
  • Hiring and supervising staff to fulfill the identified priorities and ongoing operations of the organization; and ensuring that policies are in compliance with government requirements
• Coordinating political and professional advocacy initiatives
• Negotiating and implementing all business relationships/contracts with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and other government agencies, as well as non-government organizations and, ensuring that activities are in place to fulfill all contractual obligations
• Providing support for the Board of Directors and internal OCFA Committees and addressing issues identified by the membership
• Working with the OCFA Biologist to identify annual and ongoing research priorities
• Participating on numerous industry Committees as a representative of the OCFA
• Organizing training as required by the industry
• Overseeing the annual Convention

Qualifications:

• Previous experience as an Executive Director or in a senior management or leadership role
• Excellent communication skills to effectively dialogue with staff, as well as external organizations
• Strategic thinking skills to anticipate and proactively deal with emerging issues and opportunity's relating to provincial commercial fisheries issues
• Ability to identify critical issues and opportunities and to succinctly express these through written and oral communications
• Excellent decision-making skills to resolve complex issues and arrive at sound and equitable decisions based on available information and a variety of expressed internal and external interests
• Excellent organizational skills to manage and prioritize a multitude of tasks and responsibilities
• Political astuteness to recognize political realities when making decisions
• Experience working with a Board of Directors
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to travel within the province, nationally and internationally, as required

Location:

• Remote, with availability to travel to frequent meetings within Ontario, the majority of which will be located in south-western Ontario

Employment Terms/Salary:

• Salary and terms are negotiable based on qualifications and experience

Send cover letter and resume to search@ocfa.on.ca by Friday, February 16th, 2024.