Wines of Ontario (otherwise known as the Wine Marketing Association of Ontario) is dedicated to promoting over 190 Ontario VQA wineries and the unique qualities of Ontario’s VQA wines that are made exclusively from 100% Ontario grown grapes.
Our core funding is through the Ontario government, consequently our mandate and objective is also set by the province with a goal of supporting Ontario VQA wineries. We have a four member Board and a small, high-performing leadership team, who are collectively responsible for the oversight of the strategic direction and ensuring that both the ministry direction and needs of the VQA wineries are met.
The primary objective of Wines of Ontario is to encourage marketing, tourism, and export development. Core to this objective is promoting activities and initiatives that demonstrate a clear benefit to the wine and grape industry in Ontario by: increasing Ontario VQA wine sales; strengthening the VQA brand; encouraging market diversification; stimulating tourism in Ontario's wine regions; and increasing demand for Ontario VQA wines and grapes. Wines of Ontario will further support the industry in responding to global trends in wine consumption, changes in the domestic retail marketplace and/or impacts of tariffs or trade barriers.
This is a unique opportunity for a proven leader in marketing to play a key role in an organization responsible for advancing the interests, market presence and sales of the VQA wine industry in Ontario.
YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
As the ideal candidate and our new Director of Marketing, you are an influential results-based leader who has exceptional abilities in marketing in a competitive growth-oriented environment. Your leadership and marketing attributes will align to the key requirements of this significant leadership role and will include:
- Proven experience developing and owning marketing strategy, not just executing someone else’s.
- Broad, integrated marketing experience and the ability to set priorities and make choices about where to focus.
- Strong creative thinking, supported by data and an understanding of what drives results.
- The ability to lead and elevate an experienced team while remaining comfortable getting involved in execution.
- Confidence working in a complex stakeholder environment, including presenting and defending recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Energy, curiosity and initiative - someone who will bring new thinking and help move the organization forward.
As our new Director of Marketing, you and your team will be responsible for the development and execution of the organization’s marketing strategy and annual marketing plan. This role will provide leadership across campaign planning, brand management, stakeholder communications, and performance measurement.
The position will also serve as a key representative of the organization in industry and stakeholder settings, communicating marketing initiatives and contributing to the positioning and growth of the Ontario VQA wine sector.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
This is a senior leadership role requiring demonstrated experience in leading marketing strategy, managing teams, and operating effectively within a multi-stakeholder, governance-driven environment.
- Leadership: Demonstrated ability as an inspirational and strategic leader with prior management experience leading a marketing team ideally within a trade association, the tourism sector, food and beverage industry, consumer packaged goods, or similar organization focused on growth.
- Marketing Strategy and Delivery: Demonstrated experience leading and delivering marketing strategy and campaigns with end-to-end accountability. Is well-organized, systematic, persistent and tenacious with a demonstrated ability to implement strategic objectives.
- Brand Management: Experience operating in a senior marketing capacity with responsibility for brand direction and performance outcomes.
- Relationship Management: Exemplary abilities and political acuity to build, influence and manage relationships with external agencies, vendors and stakeholders to advance our business interests.
- Team Leadership: Experience inspiring, mentoring and leading a small but high-performing team.
- Data Analysis: Superior analytical skills – able to identify data sources and metrics, and an ability to analyze and synthesize data to support marketing positions and build compelling objectives.
- Results Orientation: A strong bias for action and a demonstrated ability to deliver results and common-sense focused solutions to complex business problems.
- Board and Stakeholder Relations: Relevant experience working closely with a Boards, Committees, other stakeholders, as well as the ability to earn their respect through a commitment to excellence.
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Superior communications skills, able to sell ideas and concepts effectively, strong influencing and persuasion skills, as well as effective listening, written, and presentation skills.
- Industry Experience: Experience in the wine, beverage or related sector is considered an asset.
- Education: Undergraduate degree or college diploma with a related focus in marketing or business administration; alternatively, we will consider candidates with equivalent work experience.
WHY JOIN
- Location and Commuting – This position location is Vineland, Ontario, moderate travel may occasionally be required throughout the Niagara region, the greater Toronto area and other wine regions across Ontario.
- Work-Life Balance and Hybrid Policy: While this is a demanding role where the successful candidate may need to be available after hours. We balance this expectation by offering a hybrid policy where candidates can split their time between in-office and remote work.
- Compensation: Wines of Ontario offers competitive compensation and a benefit package based on experience. Our target compensation is up to $130,00.00, however we are open to discussion with candidates who bring a compelling value proposition forward.
HOW TO APPLY
To explore this opportunity, please apply via email with your resume and covering letter by September 18th, 2026or sooner to [email protected] quoting project WO-MARKET. NOTE: Qualified candidates may be considered in advance of the closing date.
Should you wish to speak to our Executive Recruiter or to receive an information package, please contact Amy OIiveira at 416-214-9299 x4, [email protected] or Jon Stungevicius at 416-214-9299 x1, [email protected].
We appreciate all applications, however, only those candidates invited for an interview will be acknowledged. Personal information contained in your resume is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used strictly for employment assessment purposes. Wines of Ontario is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.
