Executive Director

The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the association’s activities, ensuring that the business operates efficiently and effectively to meet goals. S/he ensures that staff colleagues are aligned with the association’s mission and that everyone works together to achieve strategic objectives. Reporting directly to the volunteer President of the national board of directors and in close cooperation with the Treasurer of the board, the Executive Director is responsible for proper financial management of the association’s funds, income and expenditures to ensure a viable operation with due regard to member accountability.

The Executive Director is responsible for developing and maintaining a suitable organizational structure, employing competent personnel, and formulating and achieving policies, strategies, goals and objectives. S/he is the public face of the global logistics sector in Canada, working closely with the national board of directors, other volunteers, government officials, carriers, ports, other associations and the public to represent the logistics and supply chain sectors and ensure the voice of industry is heard and respected.

Above all else the Executive Director exercises leadership.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and maintain dialogue with the membership to clarify and confirm the association’s ‘willed future’ across three foundation pillars of membership, education and advocacy

• Confirm the existing reality for the secretariat; its core functions and processes, its staffing model and the demands placed on it

• Anticipate future demands and developments in the sector; explore and understand opportunities and threats in the internal and external environment

• Direct the strategic proposition as laid down in the board’s ‘Strategic Plan’, contributing to board planning with new ideas and opportunities and ensuring that business objectives are aligned to meet strategic objectives

• Organize around members’ requirements and needs, continually shaping the association’s structure and work flows to meet the changes and challenges of the future.

• Represent membership. Be well positioned and visible in the critical communities of governments, legislature and regulatory authorities.

• Develop strong, positive, working relationships with identified stakeholders and influencers such as port authorities, terminal operators, rail, marine, air, truck carriers, ensuring open lines of communication and respectful dialogue

• Be marketplace agile by developing breakthrough products and services for CIFFA members, focusing on the delivery of value-driven member benefits to drive growth in both regular and associate membership

• Create the programs, tools and communications strategies that contribute to a strong, professional supply chain sector in Canada

• Commit to continuing to develop the association’s leadership role in sector education and training in Canada and around the world

• Develop a global mindset throughout the association, searching out best practices from other organizations and representing membership in Canada and in the global arena

• Investigate and innovate. Use process review, continuous improvement and new technology to push boundaries and ensure that the association leads the sector into the future

Competencies, Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Previous experience in a senior leadership role, ideally in international trade/transportation or similar industry

• Previous experience with a not-for-profit industry association as a volunteer or staff

• Solid grasp of general financial management and financial performance metrics

• Strong business management and people management skills

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful business plans, cognizant of rapid change and focused on growth

• Strong aptitude for verbal and written communication, presentation, and relationship development

• In-depth knowledge of best practices in management and board governance

• Subject matter expertise in the international movement of goods and related areas, such as cargo insurance, terms of trade, transportation law, etc.

Authority relationship

The association is governed by clearly spelled out by-laws and member firms represent the ultimate authority. The elected national board of directors, duly elected as per the association’s by-laws, exercises this authority.