Registrar

at  Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of BC

WHO IS THE VSA?

The Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of BC (“VSA”) builds public confidence in the motor dealer industry in BC by engaging and educating industry and consumers, ensuring a safe and reliable motor vehicle buying experience.

As an independent, non-profit, regulatory agency that oversees the sales of personal-use new and used vehicles, the VSA:

• licenses motor vehicle dealerships, salespeople, broker agents, broker agent representatives, and wholesalers
• provides licensing courses and continuing education for VSA licensees
• offers consumer information and assistance
• provides assistance with dispute resolution
• investigates consumer complaints and claims
• undertakes compliance action

YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

While it is understood that a candidate may not possess all the competencies noted below, it is expected that over time, the candidate will demonstrate most, if not all, of these aspects:

WHAT IS THE ROLE?

The Registrar plays a leadership role in delivering on the VSA purpose, which is to build public confidence in the BC motor dealer industry by engaging and educating industry and consumers, ensuring a safe and reliable motor vehicle buying experience. As a member of the Executive Team, this role will carry out responsibilities with a high degree of independence, initiative, and discretion, demonstrating good judgment and prudence. This position includes active involvement in strategic and annual business planning, oversight of ongoing operations and review of organization performance.
The Registrar reports to the President on the budget and administrative matters relating to the Registrar’s scope of operations, and also reports directly to the Board of Directors and the Government where required to ensure the unfettered administration of the Motor Dealer Act, prescribed provisions of the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, prescribed provisions of the Administrative Tribunals Act, eight underlying Regulations, and any other provincial and federal statute that impacts the role and powers of the Registrar. The independent statutory decisions of the Registrar are reviewed by the B.C. Supreme Court by way of judicial review.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

The key accountabilities and deliverables of the Registrar include:

STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Register motor dealers; license salespeople, wholesalers, broker-agents, and broker-agent representatives; collect prescribed fees; and establish requirements for obtaining and maintaining a registration or license.
• Maintain a public record of the terms and conditions imposed on dealer registrations, and on other licensees.
• Enforce the requirements of the Motor Dealer Act and the prescribed Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act and respond to complaints about dealers and licensees through a program of inspections, investigations, and progressive enforcement.
• Conduct hearings on registration, licensing, and enforcement issues, as required by the Motor Dealer Act, Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act and the principles of administrative justice.
• Review and approve undertakings (consent orders) provided by licensees, to address non-compliance.
• Develop and maintain an application process for claims against the Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund.
• Collect and remit dealer contributions to the Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund and report to the VSA Board of Directors and the Compensation Fund Board on the assets of the Fund.
• Provide advice on legislation and policy to the VSA Board of Directors and the British Columbia Government, as required.
• Identify key risks to consumers interacting with the industry and recommend strategies to address those risks.
• Ensure operational policies remain relevant, current, and incorporate Right Touch Regulation Principles.
• Ensure the Registrar’s Rules and operational policies remain relevant, current, and incorporate Right Touch Regulation Principles.
• Provide guidance, direction, and statutory interpretation to all delegates of the Registrar, such as Investigators, Industry Standards Officers, Licensing Officers, Consumer Service Officers, and their managers.

RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the development and delivery of mediation and arbitration processes to resolve disputes between consumers and dealers/licensees.
• Provide administrative and operational support for the Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund Board, including conducting investigations as directed by that Board.
• Support the development, implementation, and delivery of learning/professional development programs for dealers and licensees.
• Support the development, implementation, and delivery of consumer education programs.
• Oversee the balance of the Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund in consultation with the Compensation Fund Board.
• Monitor the effectiveness of legislation and report to the Board of Directors and British Columbia Government on recommendations for change, as required, to improve consumer protection and the regulation of the vehicle sales industry.
• Develop and maintain relationships with related agencies in Canada and the United States, such as the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, BC Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement Branch, and the National Association of Motor Vehicle Boards and Commissions, as required to support the work of the VSA.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish policies and procedures that manage risk, including assessing liability in investigations and prosecutions and determining appropriate strategies to mitigate risks to the VSA, its officers, and its employees.
• Ensures Registrar’s delegates exercise their delegated authority in accordance with the legislation, procedural fairness, the VSA’s Regulatory Philosophy and Enforcement Principles, the VSA’s Compliance Enforcement Model, and Right Touch Regulation Principles.
• Ensure that staff are qualified and have been given the delegated authority required to perform statutory functions, where applicable.
• Oversee and evaluate the performance of staff, including their exercise of delegated authority, where applicable.
• Participate in the preparation and approval of the VSA strategic plan, operational plan, and the budget, as well as monitor the approved budget for the Registrar’s scope of operations.
• Collaborating closely with the Chair of the Board of Directors and the President, act as a primary spokesperson for the VSA.
• In partnership with the President: develop and maintain a stakeholder relations and communications program, represent the VSA in relations with government, the motor vehicle sales industry, and other stakeholders, and review material issues to ensure that the Chair and other VSA Directors are provided with relevant and timely information.
• Other duties, as may be assigned by the President.