Job Information
Port of Vancouver Manager, Commercial & Corporate Strategy in Vancouver, British Columbia
JOIN US IN CHARTING A COURSE TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Join an organization that plays a critical role in Canada’s economy. At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we focus on doing the incredible work it takes to become the world’s most sustainable port.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is responsible for the stewardship of the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest and most diversified port. Our mandate as a Canada Port Authority, as set out by the Canada Marine Act, is to enable Canada’s trade objectives, ensuring goods are moved safely and responsibly through the Port of Vancouver. That means providing infrastructure and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic and cargo within the port. It also means we carry out reviews of proposed activities and developments on federal port lands and waters to determine whether a project can go ahead without impacts to the environment and community that cannot be mitigated.
We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. We believe in creating a workplace that reflects the richness of our community and empowers all employees to reach their full potential.
The Manager, Commercial & Corporate Strategy is responsible for:
Strategic Planning
Responsible for leading the port authority’s strategic business planning process, the Manager Commercial and Corporate Strategy plans and delivers planning workshops and retreats, conducts and oversees related research and analysis and stays informed on forces and factors impacting VFPA’s business. Leads the creation of a Commercial Centre of Excellence to increase commercial awareness and execution across the organization. With a focus on ensuring alignment of commercial and corporate strategies across the organization, this role is integral to VFPA realizing its vision of being the most sustainable port in the world.
Commercial& Negotiating
Work closely with the Executive Leadership Team regarding terms of reference for their engagement in business decisions, including developing processes to ensure decisions are made in a streamlined approach and given the appropriate level of scrutiny.
StrategicLeadership & Management
This position also provides coaching on strategic thinking and commercial acumen across the port authority, acting as a change agent and fostering a community of practice towards ensuring the port authority is successful in defining and executing its strategy.
In this role, the successful candidate:
StrategicPlanning
Facilitatethe planning and delivery of the port authority’s strategic business planningprocesses including conducting and overseeing related research and analysis
Responsible for the annualprocess to develop the port authority’s strategic business plan, ensuringeffective collaboration among involved employees and supporting relatedactivities to identify required human and financial resources for delivery ofthe strategic plan
Manage thedelivery of related activities, meetings, workshops and retreats
Coordinatewith other responsible departments the annual business planning activities withoverall timelines and requirements for authorizations of annual budgets,headcount requests and the corporate balanced scorecard
Identify lessons learned and best practicesand provide recommendations to refine the port authority’s strategicbusiness planning processes, identifying and implementing new tools and methodologiesas appropriate
Leadprocurement processes for retaining professional consulting services andcontractors and manage related contracts; oversee the work of external serviceproviders to ensure timely delivery of quality work within established budgets
Commercial& Negotiation
Responsibility for development ofCommercial Centre of Excellence
Responsibility for development ofthe Executive Leadership Team terms of reference and developing process toensure appropriate level of oversight at all levels of business on keydecisions
Responsible for the analysis andsuggested resolution of key commercial issues, including:
Developing presentations forExecutive and Board; and
Presenting and recommendingstrategy at Executive and Board level
Strategic Leadership andManagement
Activelylead and coach employees in strategic planning and systems thinking methods andapproaches
Responsibilityfor effective onboarding of new employees to understand the port authority’sstrategic priorities and strategic business planning
Developstrategy to assist other departments in execution, in line with strategicpriorities
Participatein the development of departmental plans and be responsible for the developmentand implementation of activities and programs designed to meet the intention ofspecific strategic priorities
Participateas a member of various management and inter-departmental teams in the planning,implementation and management of business initiatives
Demonstratehealth and safety leadership through visible actions, participation in healthand safety initiatives and conducting regular safety conversations with youremployees. Ensure your employees haveappropriate resources, tools, training and education to conduct their work in asafe manner
Plan,implement and review departmental staffing requirements for areas of responsibility,including the determination of clear position descriptions, accountabilitiesand reporting arrangements to optimize service delivery to allstakeholders. Liaise with HumanResources to ensure the effective selection, training and performancemanagement of staff
Managedirect reports, ensuring that team and individuals are motivated, have definedposition descriptions and reporting arrangements, their performance goals areclear and actively managed and development needs are defined and addressed
RepresentVFPA at conferences and conventions, as required, ensuring clear communicationof the business strategy and key messages, and the presentation of a positiveand professional image of the business
Participatein the planning and the review of departmental operating costs, particularlywith regard to staffing requirements, overheads, consultancy services, plannedbusiness programs and service provision.
Articulateand live the VFPA culture and values, set an example by modelling the requiredbehaviours and hold others (staff and peers) accountable for their actions byidentifying and acting on behaviour which is inconsistent with agreed standardsand values
Provide anactive and positive leadership example within the wider Port community, clearlycommunicating VFPA’s strategy and key elements of VFPA’s business plan,ensuring VFPA’s ability to deliver improvements through influence as well asdirect control
Specific Competencies
Must have excellent leadership qualities and management skills.
Must possess excellent communication skills to effectively interface with all contacts including all levels of business, government and the public to represent VFPA as a dynamic organization prepared to seize opportunities for VFPA as a world-class port.
Must also have excellent facilitation skills and be a broad strategic thinker who can communicate complex ideas clearly and can quickly.
Must be effective at developing relationships across the organization while building a collaborative work environment. Must also demonstrate effective decision-making, planning and initiative, while fostering the development of all of these competencies in VFPA’s emerging leaders.
Must have strong business analytics and portfolio management skills.
Education & Experience
Bachelor degree in business, law or commerce or another acceptable discipline and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in leading commercial and strategic initiatives, or an acceptable combination of education and experience. Completion of Master of Business Administration is desirable.
Must have a thorough working knowledge of economics, commercial and strategic business planning derived from experience with organizations of similar size and complexity. Should possess the following:
Experience leading the definition,planning and execution of a variety of complex cross-functional projects andprograms
Considerable experience presentingat the Executive and Board level
Soundworking knowledge of systems thinking approaches and analytical problem-solvingtechniques
Experience in engaging with abroad range of diverse stakeholder and interest groups
Experience working withIndigenous groups will be considered a strong asset
Demonstrated track record infacilitating change and realizing benefits
Excellent project managementexperience and skills
Working Conditions
Normal office conditions with occasional work required outside of normal business hours.
This is Canadian-based employment, and it isexpected that all employees maintain legal entitlement to work in Canada.Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process may be subject tobackground checks, including but not limited to criminal record, credit, and/orreference checks.
At the Vancouver Fraser PortAuthority, we are dedicated to employment equity and a workplace reflective ofthe diversity of our port community. We welcome applications from all qualifiedcandidates including women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, andmembers of visible minorities. Reasonable accommodation can be provided in theselection process and while working with the port authority. If you requiresupport applying to our openings, please contact us atcareers@portvancouver.com.
We recognize and acknowledge that we are locatedon the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh(Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. To learn more about ourindigenous relations and commitment to reconciliation, please visit our website (https://www.portvancouver.com/community/indigenous-relations/) .
