Job Posting: WCWC is seeking a qualified professional in the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO)



JOB POSTING

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is seeking a qualified professional to join the Centre in the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in Walkerton, ON.  


Position:  Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Job Classification: SMG 2-3

Salary Range:  $115,000 – 167,650
*Salary range is currently under review in accordance with the Executive Compensation Framework, a new regulation issued under the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act, 2014 (BPSECA).


Overview of Position:

As the ideal candidate you are an inspiring leader who is genuinely committed to the wellness of Ontarians across the province and clean drinking water to all communities. As the new CEO you will be exceptionally skilled at building both a valued and high performing work environment and ensuring strong stakeholder relations. You will play a pivotal role in promoting the Centre and ensuring the visibility and accessibility of services among stakeholders and for the fulfilment of the organizational mandate of safeguarding drinking water for the people of Ontario through a range of programs.

As the CEO, you will be accountable to the Board and be responsible for the strategic leadership, direction and the achievement of the Centre’s business plan and operational priorities which include: the development and delivery of drinking water training, demonstration of leading-edge drinking water treatment technology and advice on training-related research priorities, provision of public outreach and education. In addition, you will lead the evolution of the current business framework to demonstrate relevance and value to the sector and enable long-term sustainability of the Centre’s operations.


CEO’s Responsibilities include:
Under the direction of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer:
1. Provides strategic leadership and overall direction for the delivery of the Centre’s programs and the achievement of the Centre’s mandate, business plan, and operational priorities, as approved by the Board, by utilizing the following methods:

  • Managing the development and delivery of drinking water training for owners, 
  • operators and operating authorities of drinking water systems; 
  • coordinating the availability of necessary operator training to ensure that all drinking water training requirements can meet client needs and educational requirements; 
  • coordinating drinking water training for municipal officials relating to the standard of care;
  • coordinating the demonstration of leading-edge drinking water treatment technology and the provision of advice on training-related research priorities; 
  • Managing the provision of advice and support for the operation of drinking water systems; 
  • Providing opportunities for public outreach and education, and enhancing the availability of technical, scientific and regulatory information to the public; and, 
  • He/she leads the development of the business plan that outlines the strategic direction of the organization, including future sustainable business models.

2. Develops and recommends to the Centre’s Board of Directors (through the Chair) the Centre’s overall program directions in response to the approved business plan.  Recommends a strategic vision for program development and delivery of a broader plan related to clean water initiatives and services. Leads the implementation of the Centre’s business plans, subject to approval by the Board.


3. Leads the operation of the Centre in Walkerton, Ontario. Directs and plans of the operational components such as financial and budget structures, computer systems, purchasing structures, human resources services, facilities and accommodation services, and the many other components needed by the Centre.


4. Provides overall leadership to the Centre’s management and staff in order to ensure a highly effective and dynamic workplace while delivering the Centre’s programs. Coaches and mentors members of the management team, inspiring them and building good leadership capacity.


5. Oversees the preparation of the Centre’s annual report, financial reports, audit responses and other reports for the Board’s approval. Monitors operational performance and required reporting; establishes internal control systems. Reports to the Chair and the Board on the Centre’s operational, financial and budgetary objectives. Provides strategic information and advice to the Chair on program development and program delivery issues. Keeps the Chair advised of issues or events, including contentious matters and matters of significant public or media interest.


6. On behalf of the Chair, Vice-Chair and the Board, serves as a principal spokesperson and representative with authority to speak on behalf of the Centre. Represents the Centre in negotiations with partners or clients, and enters into contracts on behalf of the Centre. In conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, conducts outreach to prospective and current partners and stakeholders to coordinate the delivery of training programs for
operators, and promote educational activities. Liaises with municipal officials to discuss their “standard of care” responsibilities for drinking water, and to encourage them to undertake training.


7. Establishes working relationships with organizations and manufacturers involved in researching and developing water treatment technology and equipment. Promotes opportunities to demonstrate leading-edge drinking water treatment technology. Liaises with organizations engaged in water treatment research, including universities and private laboratories, to provide advice on training-related research and development priorities, and, potentially, to negotiate sponsorship or funding agreements to support such research.


Key Contacts and Relationships Required:

Provincial & Federal Governments:
Regular contact with a wide range of senior-level officials across the Ontario Government to discuss critical, controversial, or sensitive issues or events involving drinking water and the Centre’s interests. Regular contact with officials at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change to initiate/negotiate shared or purchased services and initiatives. Frequent contact with counterparts at Federal Government to discuss shared concerns, interests, and initiatives.


Broader Public Sector:
Regular contact with senior officials in the broader public sector (e.g. municipalities, public utility commissions) to discuss drinking water treatment strategies, cooperative initiatives, and joint planning. Regular contact with officials in partnering organizations (e.g. university research) laboratories, community colleges training facilities) to negotiate drinking water training-related
research, water treatment operator training, and other initiatives. Keep an open mind and an open ear to the clients, public, operators, municipal sector, and other stakeholders in order to address the concerns and issues that arise with innovative solutions.


Private Sector:
Senior-level contacts with manufacturers and distributors of drinking water treatment and testing technology, consulting engineering firms, and other organizations in the drinking water sector to represent the Centre and to promote leading-edge initiatives for clean water.


Knowledge & Skills Required:
•    Leadership: Demonstrated ability as an inspirational and strategic leader. This includes gaining the attention and respect of staff and key stakeholders. Demonstration of substantive team leadership in an executive role through progressive experience in a range of management functions, ideally in the drinking water sector.  Experience in excess of 10 years in a senior leadership role would usually be required to gain the experience required for this position.
•    Strategic Orientation & Tactical Capacity: A track record as an innovative, lateral and strategic systems thinker with an ability to shape and communicate future vision and inspire your team to work in a collaborative fashion towards common goals and successful outcomes.
•    Business and Financial Management: Consummate business management skills, including exemplary business and financial management aptitude and experience; expertise with business planning and performance metrics.
•    Relationship Management and Collaboration: Exemplary abilities and the political acuity to build and manage complex relationships with a variety of government, institutional and private stakeholders in order to advance the business of the Centre.
•    Innovation: Proven ability to identify and act on opportunity for adopting new business models that improve overall organizational performance.
•    Technical Training and Promotion: An appreciation of adult education technical training concepts along with an understanding of how to design, deliver and promote services.
•    Drinking Water Knowledge: Good appreciation of the science and engineering of drinking water systems with an ability to keep up to date on best practices in the sector as well as knowledge of the current related regulatory requirements and processes.
•    Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication and relationship building skills with an ability to maintain a range of contacts and deliver information effectively to leaders and staff both internal and external to our organization in a variety of settings and to mentor, coach and guide as required.
•    Education: Undergraduate degree with a focus in environmental sciences, engineering or a technical discipline related to the drinking water sector combined with business administration.


Due to required travel, the CEO requires a valid class G driver’s license and a good driving record.


If you wish to be considered for this position, please forward your resume, together with a covering letter as one document via email to HRContact@wcwc.ca by 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday June 2, 2017.    


Under the Human Rights Code, WCWC will provide accommodation in the recruitment and selection process if requested.