Positions (2):  Senior Program Advisor, Destination Development and Senior Program Advisor, Destination Development – Iconics

Classification: AO24

Salary:             $73,855.42 – $84,134.34

Status:             Regular, Full Time and Temporary, 18 Months

Location:         Vancouver, BC

Work Option: Hybrid

Closing Date:  June 1, 2023 at 4PM

Position #:       00124650, 00116189

Competition #: DBC 2023-13

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 June 1, 2023.

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

You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work permit to apply for the temporary 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.

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Destination BC is recognized globally for our strong, authentic brand, our award-winning creative and leading-edge marketing, and our destination management strategies. We work hard, play to our strengths, support each other unreservedly, and consider it a privilege to share the transformative power of BC’s experiences with the world. We offer the opportunity to love what you do by engaging in exciting and innovative work and immersing yourself in a collaborative work culture that is committed to empowerment and employee learning and development. Our primary workplace model is a combination of in office and work from home based on a split week giving you the best of both worlds.

We are 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, and inclusion 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 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.

For inquiries regarding accommodation requirements, or to learn more about our commitment to the health and safety of our employees, 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, by email: [email protected] or by phone: 778-698-1336.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

Destination BC’s Destination Development team drives partner engagement through leading and supporting long-term, sustainable tourism development strategies for areas, regions, and routes across British Columbia. Through the creation and implementation of these strategies, the team aims to enhance tourism experiences, businesses, and jobs, while amplifying the benefits of tourism to communities and advancing emerging sectors like Indigenous tourism.

As Senior Program Advisor, you will be responsible for leading projects and work to develop and implement integrated, strategic destination development plans that align with the corporation’s strategic direction and enhance BC’s tourism competitiveness. This includes advancing Destination BC’s strategic lever “Compelling Reasons to Explore BC”, which aims to attract responsible travellers to specific parts of BC at the right time and increase lifetime traveller value through the development of compelling experiences.

In this role, you will work closely with a wide variety of partners, including Indigenous partners, government agencies, local and regional governments, community groups, and tourism operators to engage in destination development initiatives that improve BC’s tourism performance and long-term competitiveness. To achieve this, you will need to maintain high-functioning, professional working relationships and facilitate collaboration across multiple business partners.

The Senior Program Advisor is expected to drive alignment, enhance sustainable destination development practices through programs, services, and projects, and ensure consistent application of destination development and stewardship program standards, policies, and procedures delivered by Destination BC. A strong emphasis will be placed on partner development, relationship management, multi-project and program management, and strategic planning.

Overall, this role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth of British Columbia’s tourism industry in a sustainable and responsible manner, while collaborating with a diverse range of business partners and working in a supportive and innovative workplace culture.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Senior Program Advisor in the Destination Development team is responsible for managing and supporting the development and implementation of integrated, strategic destination development plans to enhance BC’s tourism competitiveness. To achieve this, the Senior Program Advisor must perform the following tasks:

1. Conduct detailed planning and analysis to understand and manage destination development planning projects and program costs, benefits, planning methodologies, and options.
2. Evaluate, apply judgment, and prepare individual planning processes and project charters, including detailed work plans, as well as issues reports, briefing notes, and recommend project implementation plans to the Manager and project partners.
3. Manage the full project lifecycle in the development and delivery of strategies and other destination development projects using a combination of internal resources and external suppliers.
4. Conduct interviews with internal teams, review and summarize strategic plans, conduct or coordinate secondary research on tourism and policy trends, commission new research as necessary, and consult with external partners to identify corporate destination development priorities.
5. Liaise with provincial, Indigenous, and local government partners on advancing and coordinating destination development efforts.
6. Provide direction and help train and coach the Destination Development Coordinator.
7. Monitor progress and take/recommend action to ensure programs and projects are on time, within budget, meet quality standards, and prepare related reports for the Manager.
8. Procure, evaluate, and recommend contract proposals to the Manager that provide valid solutions to achieve unit objectives. Prepare and manage related contracts and provide work direction, ensure compliance with deliverables, evaluate performance, resolve routine issues, and escalate non-compliance.
9. Identify 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.
10. Manage complex, public facing external relationships to ensure tourism partners are informed on, engaged in, and supportive of Destination BC’s destination development programs and initiatives to facilitate alignment and collaboration.
11. Provide information and advice to the tourism industry, communities, and other partners on Destination BC programs and activities in relation to destination development.
12. Develop program resources, including planning resources and communication materials, ensuring they are easily understood and aligned with the corporate brand guidelines and style guide, and that resources are approved and distributed appropriately.
13. Participate in program area business planning, support budget tracking with variance reports and invoice processing and reporting of program area performance to meet objectives.
14. Stay current on best practices in destination development, economic development, tourism policy, public consultation, and strategic planning trends, and be conversant on destination and economic development.
15. Represent Destination BC 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. Provide 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.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in project management, 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.
• Occasional overnight travel throughout BC is a requirement for this position.
• Knowledge and/or experience with Indigenous tourism or culture would be considered an asset.
• Preference may be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in economic development, investment attraction, government relations, and/or policy development.

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 (TA – 18 months)

Manager, Destination Development

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

Coordinator, Destination Development

HOW TO APPLY & APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To be considered for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the education and experience as outlined in the job requirements section above. Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies as outlined in the above Job Description. A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.

A cover letter is required as part of your application. The content and/or format of your cover letter may be evaluated as part of the assessment process.

A resume is required as part of your application. Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.

As part of the application process, you will be prompted to complete an online questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements. Responses to this questionnaire will be used to shortlist applicants against the job requirements.

Please allot approximately 30 minutes to complete the application.

Only applications submitted using the online application portal will be accepted.