VP, Sustainability

at  CMH HeliSkiing

POSITION OVERVIEW

The VP, Sustainability is a member of CMH’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) with the primary strategic responsibility of identifying, developing plans for, and acting as a voice for and change agent around key existential societal and environmental threats to, and opportunities for CMH. Much of the position’s focus centers on land use and natural resource management, environment, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous government and community relations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in natural resource management, Indigenous relations, or government relations.
• Master’s degree, and holding (or be eligible to hold) professional designations such as RPBio, RPF, LLB, or P.Eng, preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in a senior leadership capacity.
• Strong existing relevant connections in BC communities, natural resource sectors and key sector associations, and in Indigenous and non-Indigenous governing bodies.
• Valid driver’s license with clean driver’s abstract.

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER QUALITIES

• Extensive senior-level experience in natural resource management in BC, ideally in an adventure tourism (or comparable) setting. This includes understanding relevant legislation, regulations, and public policies.
• Senior-level experience in advocacy/lobbying with senior political leaders and bureaucrats, as well as developing policy and policy proposals at senior levels of Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments (elected and non-elected officials) and working successfully with mid-level staff.
• Understand and have worked to develop and implement innovative approaches to address broad societal expectations and changes.
• Demonstrated ability to form mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous peoples, communities, and governing bodies.
• Strong existing relevant connections in BC communities, natural resource sectors and key sector associations, and in Indigenous and non-Indigenous governing bodies.
• Deep understanding of sustainability at both academic and practical levels, and experience in successfully addressing economic, socio-cultural, and environmental components of key issues and opportunities such as climate change and Indigenous reconciliation.
• Significant understanding of, and experience with BC’s land tenure system as it relates to adventure tourism.
• Strong understanding of land use issues such as forest management (as it relates to run development and access road management) and wildlife management in mountain ecosystems.
• Strong understanding of the role that DE&I plays in a sustainable organization.
• A solid track record of building collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, with a particular focus on British Columbia.
• Considerable knowledge of the legislative, legal, historic, and cultural environment in British Columbia and Canada as it relates to natural resource management and Indigenous reconciliation, primarily in the context of adventure tourism.
• Knowledge of, and experience in implementing best practices around fuel management, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and a strategic-level understanding of the regulatory regime and risks and opportunities associated with lodge and remote fuel systems.
• Significant experience in and understanding of the role that local governments (municipalities and regional districts) play in land management in British Columbia.
• A proven track record of excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to speak confidently to groups large and small, supportive, or critical. Exhibit strong listening, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrates integrity, discretion, critical thinking, adaptability, and effective problem solving.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Proactively maintaining and managing all aspects of land and resource-related authorities needed from various levels of Indigenous, Provincial, and local governments.
• Proactively maintaining and managing relationships with all relevant levels of Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments. This may include lobbying or advocacy to senior elected or unelected officials.
• Directing the company’s approaches to sustainability, including its environmental and forest management activities, and ensuring that community and planet are always considered in decisions.
• Leading, coaching, and mentoring the Manager, Sustainability, the Manager, Roads and Run Development, the Manager, Community Collaboration, and the Coordinator, Community Collaborations.
• Developing and tracking spending on annual operational and capital budgets for the department.
• Working with tourism organizations such as TIABC, WTA, HCC, the Adventure Tourism Coalition (and others) on land and resource-related issues to advance CMH’s interests.
• Working with other business sectors (such as forest management, public recreation, mineral exploration, and development, etc.) to advance CMH’s interests.
• Provide advice to the President and other executive and senior staff on land, resource, and government-related issues and opportunities.
• Overseeing the company’s approach to fuel management, managing road accesses, and run development, ensuring that CMH’s activities comply with provincial statutes and policies.
• Looking for and initiating strategic partnerships to advance company goals and objectives.
• Working closely with the Sustainability team at Alterra Mountain Company to exchange information and ensure that CMH’s approaches align (as much as possible) with Alterra’s Forward Stance goals.
• Representing CMH on external Boards and committees.
• Collaborating with the VP, Marketing to communicate CMH’s sustainability goals, initiatives and stories to employees, guests, and external stakeholders.
• Work within the Executive Leadership Team to create a strategic vision for CMH and build a culture that prioritizes safety, the best experience for employees and guests, recognizes our responsibility to communities and the mountain environment in which we are so privileged to operate, and achieves leading financial results.
• Train, participate in and provide support as required during emergency response situations.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

This position description is an overview of the scope of responsibilities for the role described above. With the evolution of CMH, the responsibilities of this position may change, as may the details that are associated with many of the tasks. During these times of change, this position requires flexibility and willingness to accept new responsibilities and potentially transfer others.