Position:         Senior Program Advisor, Destination Development

Salary:            $66,557.72 – $75,884.38

Classification: AO24

Status:            Permanent

Location:        Vancouver, BC

Closing Date: August 16, 2022

Position #:      00116189

Competition #: DBC 2022 – 23 

If you are interested and you meet the selection criteria please apply via this link with your cover letter and CV prior to 4 PM on August 16, 2022.

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to apply for this full-time opportunity.

The initial salary for this position will start at the beginning of the listed salary range with the opportunity to advance up the pay grid in annual increments. An eligibility list may be established.

On November 1, 2021 the BC Public Service announced the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that defines the conditions and expectations for BC Public Service employees regarding vaccination against COVID-19.  Among other possible measures, proof of vaccination will be required.  It is a term of acceptance of employment that you agree to comply with all vaccination requirements that apply to the public service.  More information can be found here.

Destination BC is a provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s tourism industry through a combination of global marketing, destination development, industry learning, cooperative community-based programs, and visitor servicing. The Corporation strives to grow sustainable social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits for all British Columbians through the encouragement and promotion of responsible travel. Destination BC receives approximately $52 million each year, out of a Provincial investment of about $140 million in BC’s tourism ecosystem. These investments help to improve the visitor experience, support businesses and communities, and strengthen BC’s worldwide reputation as a destination of choice. For more information about Destination BC’s programs and services, please visit www.DestinationBC.ca.

Destination BC is committed to ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within our organization and in all aspects of our work, and welcome applications from all qualified job seekers. If you are an applicant with a disability, we will ensure workplace accommodations are in place to enable you to do your best work.

A safe and respectful workplace for all employees is s a leading priority for our organization, and as part of this, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees, industry partners, sub-contractors, and community during COVID-19.

For enquires regarding accommodation requirements, or to learn more about our commitment to the health and safety of our employees during COVID-19, please contact [email protected]. For more information about Destination BC’s programs and services, please visit www.DestinationBC.ca.

Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, status or non-status, Métis, or Inuit) seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. For advice and guidance on applying and/or preparing for an interview for this opportunity, we invite applicants to connect with the Indigenous Applicant Advisor Amanda by email: [email protected] or by phone: 778-698-1336.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

As part of the Destination Management division, the Destination Development team drives partner engagement and development through leading and supporting the creation and implementation of long-term, sustainable tourism development strategies for areas, regions, and routes across the province. These strategies are focused on responsibly enhancing tourism experiences, businesses, and jobs, amplifying the benefits of tourism to communities, developing emerging sectors, like Indigenous tourism, while elevating British Columbia’s competitiveness as a destination for travel and investment.

Approaching our work through a multi-lens of sustainability, Indigenous reconciliation and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, the Destination Development program aims to align provincial, regional, and community tourism related actions and investments to advance community tourism priorities and bring net tourism benefits to British Columbians.

Through a complex network of relationships with Indigenous partners, provincial government agencies, local, and regional governments, Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs), community groups, and the tourism industry, including tourism operators, this team proactively leads and facilitates collaboration with a broad range of partners to engage in destination development initiatives to improve BC’s tourism performance and long-term competitiveness.

Reporting to the Manager, Destination Development, the Senior Program Advisor will provide project management leadership to develop and support the implementation of integrated, strategic destination development plans that align with the corporation’s strategic direction and enhance the province’s tourism competitiveness. Individual planning processes are delivered through workshops, webinars, interviews, surveys, and other input formats, ensuring broad access to destination development planning processes across the province.

The Senior Program Advisor maintains high functioning, professional working relationships with a wide variety of partners as well as teams of contractors and internal business units, to achieve strategic corporate goals, drive alignment, facilitate partner engagement, and enhance the practice of sustainable destination development through programs, services, and projects that can significantly benefit British Columbia. The Senior Program Advisor is responsible for the consistent application of Destination Development and Destination Stewardship program standards, policies, and procedures delivered by Destination BC.

This position encompasses a strong emphasis on partner development, relations management, project and program management, and strategic planning.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Identifies corporate destination development priorities by conducting interviews with internal teams, reviewing and summarizing strategic plans, conducting or coordinating secondary research on tourism and policy trends, commissioning new research as necessary, and consulting with external partners.
2. Conducts detailed planning and analysis to understand and manage destination development planning projects and program costs (i.e. resources and materials), benefits (i.e. achieving corporate objectives; consistencies to approaches), planning methodologies (i.e. in person consultations, online webinars, surveys, and other input methods, etc.), and options.
3. Evaluates, applies judgment, and prepares individual planning processes and project charters, including detailed work plans as well as issue papers, briefing notes, and recommended project implementation plans to the Manager and project partners (TACS Tourism Policy Branch, other Provincial Government entities, RDMOs, ITBC, internal and external Working Groups).
4. Manages the full project lifecycle (initiation, project scoping, planning, resource allocation, contract management, and closure) in the development and delivery of strategies and other destination development projects. Projects and programs range in level of complexity and duration and are all executed using a combination of internal resources, and external suppliers, including providing direction and oversight to delivery partners.
5. Liaises with provincial, Indigenous, and local government partners on advancing and coordinating destination development and place making efforts.
6. Provides direction and helps train, as well as coach the Destination Development Coordinator.
7. Monitors progress and takes/recommends action to ensure programs and projects are on time, within project/program budget allocations, meets quality standards, and prepares related reports for Manager.
8. Procures, evaluates, and recommends to the Manager contract proposals that provide valid solutions to achieve unit objectives. Prepares and manages related contracts and provides work direction, ensures compliance with deliverables, evaluates performance, resolves routine issues, and escalates non-compliance.
9. Identifies improvements and best practices for future initiatives based on outcomes of post-project and program evaluations to ensure learning initiatives are effective and achieve desired results. Establishes priorities for future revisions in projects and programs that are ongoing.
10. Manages complex, public facing external relationships to ensure tourism partners (provincial, local, regional and First Nations governments, RDMOs, CDMOs, economic development agencies and other industry partners) are informed on, engaged in, and supportive of Destination BC’s destination development programs and initiatives, facilitating alignment and collaboration.
11. Provides information and advice to the tourism industry, communities, and other partners on Destination BC programs and activities in relation to destination development.
12. Develops and enhances planning program resources, including planning resources and templates, communication materials, ensures materials are keeping with the Destination BC corporate brand guidelines and style guide, ensures language is easily understood, and that resources are approved and distributed appropriately.
13. Participates in program area business planning, supports budget tracking with variance reports and invoice processing and reporting of program area performance to meet objectives.
14. Stays current on best practices in destination development, economic development, tourism policy, public consultation, and strategic planning trends, and is conversant on destination and economic development.
15. Represents Destination British Columbia at meetings and events with key partners including but not limited to DMOs, tourism businesses, and community officials, as directed by the Manager. This includes preparing and delivering formal presentations.
16. Provides support as required on corporate and divisional projects and program priorities.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• A post-secondary education in business administration, public administration, tourism, or related field. Or, an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Preference may be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in economic development, investment attraction, government relations and/or policy development.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in project management (planning and implementing), partner, supplier, contractor and client relations, and issues management.
• A minimum of two years’ experience overseeing the work of others (professional employees, project teams, and/or consultants/contractors).
• Exceptional partner relations, negotiation, and written/oral communications skills.
• Demonstrated success in managing and prioritizing multiple projects in high volume and rapidly changing environments.
• Proven problem-solving, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of procurement, resource, and financial management.
• A minimum of three years’ experience managing budgets, financial processes, and contracts.
• Demonstrated experience advising management and business partners, and building consensus on approaches to managing project risks, industry trends, and opportunities for best results.
• Knowledge and/or experience with Indigenous tourism or culture would be considered an asset.
• Occasional overnight travel throughout BC is a requirement for this position once the Provincial Health Officer’s orders and recommendations allow.

COMPETENCIES:

• Cultural Agility is the ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably and effectively with Indigenous people. It is noticing and readily adapting to cultural uniqueness in order to create a sense of safety for all. It is recognition of the ways that personal and professional values may conflict or align with those of Indigenous people. It is the capacity to relate to or allow for differing cultural perspectives and being willing to experience a personal shift in perspective.
• Holding People Accountable involves setting high standards of performance and holding team members, other government jurisdictions, outside contractors, industry agencies, etc., accountable for results and actions.
• Impact and Influence is the ability to influence, persuade, or convince others to adopt a specific course of action. It involves the use of persuasive techniques, presentations, or negotiation skills to achieve desired results.
• Managing Organizational Resources is the ability to understand and effectively manage organizational resources (e.g., people, materials, assets, budgets). This is demonstrated through measurement, planning, and control of resources to maximize results. It requires an evaluation of qualitative (e.g., client satisfaction) and quantitative (e.g., service costs) needs.
• Planning, Organizing, and Coordinating involves proactively planning, establishing priorities, and allocating resources. It is expressed by developing and implementing increasingly complex plans.  It also involves monitoring and adjusting work to accomplish goals and deliver the organization’s mandate.
• Relationship Building is working to build or maintain ethical relationships or networks or contacts with people who are, or may be, potentially helpful in achieving work-related goals and establishing advantages. These people may include customers, clients, counterparts, colleagues, etc.
• Sustained Learning & Development means continually increasing your ability to build and maintain respectful and effective relationships with Indigenous peoples. Central to this competency is appreciating that there are many other cultural understandings of knowledge and ways of working that have legitimacy and deserve respect—and therefore require our continual learning and development, including direct exposure to cultural and community ways. It includes an eagerness to continually reflect upon and assess your own level of cultural agility and competence, self-awareness and expertise.

ORGANIZATION CHART

Vice-President, Destination Management

Director, Destination Development & Destination Stewardship

Manager, Destination Development – Iconics

Senior Program Advisor, Destination Development – Iconics

Manager, Destination Development

Senior Program Advisor, Destination Development (X 2, of which 1 available)

Coordinator, Destination Development