May 20, 2009 (Ottawa, ON) – Cross Country Canada, the national governing body for the sport of cross-country skiing, is seeking an Executive Director to build on CCC’s international achievements beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and to ensure continued success through ongoing high- performance sport development. The successful candidate will also be responsible for the continued enhancement and development of sport programming down to the grass-roots level.

Application Deadline: June 8, 2009
Starting Date: June 15, 2009

Position: Executive Director

Job Description: Executive Director – Cross Country Canada

CCC has grown rapidly on the basis of a sound strategic plan, a strong national footprint and increased success in achieving podium results in World Cups, World Championships and Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The organization requires a proven leader with strong team-building and networking skills, management experience and a passion for the job.

Working under the strategic direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director implements CCC’s strategic plan for developing Canada’s cross-country skiing community. Working with a small team of employees, and a number of volunteer-based program committees, the Executive Director is responsible for all aspects of CCC’s operational activities. Core activities of the Executive Director include: operational planning; supervision of program development and operations in the areas of high-performance (i.e. the National Ski Team program), coach development, athlete development, marketing and fundraising, event management and media relations; support of and liaison with CCC’s provincial sport organizations; financial and human resources management; sport promotion; and external relations.

If you want to be a leader of our team and review the job description below. Applications should be in the form of a letter of application, with CV and three references, submitted by e-mail to csturgeon@cccski.com.

Cross Country Canada’s national office is located in Canmore, Alberta. It is preferred that the successful candidate work out of this office.

Position: Executive Director

Structure and Scope of Duties:

The Executive Director’s primary responsibility is to facilitate the development of Cross Country Canada’s (CCC’s) national and domestic skiing programs. These programs build on CCC’s international (Olympic and World Cup) successes from 2002 through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Executive Director will be focused on leading the continued success through ongoing High Performance development as well as the continued enhancement and development of programming down to the grass-roots level.
The Executive Director manages and directs the operational activities of Cross Country Canada (CCC), the national governing body for the sport of cross-country skiing for both able-bodied and Para-Nordic athletes. The Executive Director, in accordance with policies established by the CCC Board of Directors, is responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations. The Executive Director reports to a policy-governance style Board of Directors.

CCC operates through the joint efforts of a small full-time paid staff and several program committees comprised of volunteers. The Executive Director will have the responsibility for the facilitation and development of staff positions and program committees, ensuring that both are functional and operational within mandate, policy and budget limits.

The National Office of CCC is located in Canmore, Alberta. It is strongly preferred that the Executive Director would work out of this location.

Specific Duties:

Within the overall mandate established by the CCC Board of Directors, the Executive Director develops operational strategies and plans, and manages the implementation process. The Executive Director shall have specific responsibilities, in consultation with the appropriate committee chairperson, in the following areas:

• Financial Management: The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for the financial operations of CCC. The Executive Director shall ensure timely and accurate reporting of financial information.

• Planning: The Executive Director shall operate through a business planning process that includes the production of operational plans and reports for use by staff, volunteers, the Board of Directors, and members of CCC.

• Human Resource Management: The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for the activities of all employees of CCC. The Executive Director shall recruit, manage, lead and develop CCC’s other staff. The Executive Director shall also lead and develop the numerous volunteers who contribute directly to CCC operations, primarily through the Operational Committees.

• Sport Development: The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for the development of programs and resource materials for sport development programs, and for the promotion of their implementation with the Divisions of CCC (the provincial and territorial associations). The purpose of these resources is to provide the Divisions with the materials necessary to deliver the foundation components of CCC’s athlete development model.

• High Performance Programs/National Ski Team Programs: The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for CCC’s High Performance Program activities. The Executive Director shall provide direction to CCC’s Director of High Performance, and shall be closely involved in setting and monitoring the High Performance Program plans and objectives.

• Governance: The Executive Director shall assist the Board of Directors with the strategic governance of CCC.

• Marketing and Communications: The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for CCC’s marketing and communications initiatives. The Executive Director shall be directly involved in setting and monitoring the marketing and communications plans and objectives. The Executive Director shall also be responsible for fundraising through government support, commercial sponsorships and donations.

• Relations with External Agencies: The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for CCC’s relations with Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Winsport Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and other external agencies. The Executive Director may be CCC’s liaison with such agencies or appoint a delegate to act on his/her behalf, who will in turn report to the Executive Director.

• Event Management: The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for the development of a schedule of events and for the successful management of major events staged directly or indirectly by CCC. The Executive Director shall designate the primary liaison with the organizing committees of such events.

• Other Duties: The Executive Director shall perform other related duties as required.

Competencies and Qualifications:
It is expected that the Executive Director will exercise the following competencies/style of management in conducting the affair of the Association:

• Team Building: The Executive Director must bring people and organizations together to work towards a common goal. This must include as a priority the CCC Board, CCC Divisions, the staff at the national office, and the volunteers within CCC’s operational committee structure. The Executive Director must be a team player, able to work with a strong Board of Directors and management committees, as well as with a mix of paid staff and volunteers.

• Fundraising/networking skills: The Executive Director must be assertive and effective in securing stable funding. The Executive Director must understand and be effective in managing relationships with the network of groups that support high-performance sport and winter sport in Canada.

• Hands-on management ability: CCC is a small and dynamic organization that expects a lot from its staff. Because every staff member has a large number of tasks, the Executive Director should be able to help manage at a detailed level while monitoring the larger operational picture.

• Communication: This attribute has an internal and an external dimension. Internally, the Executive Director must be able to establish strong relationships with groups internal to CCC, including the Board of Directors, Staff, Divisions, and clubs. Externally, the Executive Director must be able to communicate the organization’s goals and directions to funding partners and prospective sponsors. Doing so will require the ability to communicate effectively via written work. The Executive Director is the spokesperson for CCC, both orally and in print. The ability to communicate in French is highly desirable.

• Contingency planning: CCC is an organization which operates with a high level of uncertainty, with respect to both results and funding, relative to most organizations. As such, an Executive Director must have the capacity to plan fluidly and to make decisions under conditions of uncertainty.

• Passion and leadership: The new Executive Director must have a passion for the job. The new Executive Director must be able to inspire; must be able to share the vision of the organization; and must be a dynamic leader.

• Capacity to travel and to work extended hours: The position requires attendance at competitions, conferences, and meetings, which will require the Executive Director to be away from home on weekends.

• Sport Knowledge: Knowledge of sport and not-for-profit sport management is an essential requirement that must be either brought to the job or developed quickly upon being appointed to the position. Knowledge of cross-country skiing is an asset.

• Bilingualism: The Executive Director will ensure that CCC maintains or enhances its capacity to communicate in both official languages with its members and other stakeholder groups.

Compensation:
• The Executive Director shall be provided with a competitive compensation package commensurate with the skills and experience he or she brings to the position.

• The Executive Director shall be provided with employment benefits (group medical and dental insurance, life insurance, RRSP contributions, office parking) in accordance with the standard benefits provided for CCC employees.

• The Executive Director shall be provided with paid vacation in the range between three weeks (minimum) and five weeks (maximum). Compensating time off will also be provided in consideration of weekend meetings, etc.

• The compensation package for the Executive Director shall be reviewed on an annual basis by the Executive Director and the Board of Directors or a Committee of Board members appointed by the Board of Directors.

Type of Position:
Full Time – Employee

Contact Information:
Cathy Sturgeon
Cross Country Canada
1995 Olympic Way, Suite 100
Canmore , AB, Canada
T1W 2T6

csturgeon@cccski.com
Tel. 403-678-6791
Fax. 403-678-3885
www.cccski.com