• To lead the development and growth of amateur sports in BC —bringing more families to the field of play, more fans into the stands, more athletes to the podium, more sporting events to the province, and more supporters of the system.
• Mission
• We provide strategic leadership to the amateur sport system.
• We connect sport organizations to funding, resources, and other capacity-building initiatives.
• We develop policy and shared measurement practices.
• We collect data and provide information to advance shared goals.
• We convene and collaborate with partners to build public trust and confidence in the promise of sport.
• We advance economic growth and social development through equitable access to sport.

Values 

These values guide viaSport’s actions and conduct internally and with its partners:

Collaboration—We take the time to build meaningful and lasting connections with our team and all amateur sports players, understanding that by working together, we will accomplish more.

Inclusive—We succeed as a team, organization, sports sector, and province when everyone is welcome, feels a sense of belonging, and is given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and develop.

Accountability—We approach our strategic leadership and coordinating role with sincerity and passion, consistently and responsibly carrying out our daily actions for the love of sport.

The current Strategic Plan 2022-2027 was adopted by the viaSport Board of Directors (Board) and has guided the organization's work over the past two years. Four key strategic pillars are embedded in the plan, along with specified goals, quantified objectives, and metrics by which success is determined. A copy of the Strategic Plan 2022-2027 can be found at: https://viasport.ca/about/

Operations

viaSport stewards the provincial government’s $15 million annual investment in amateur sport. Over the past four years, viaSport has received over $40 million of additional funding to support various initiatives that strengthen amateur sports. This funding exceeds the $15 million annually provided to viaSport and demonstrates the Province has confidence in viaSport’s governance, strategy and leadership. A copy of viaSport’s financial statements can be found at: https://viasport.ca/about/

Despite annual efforts to secure a funding lift for the sector, the province has been unable to increase its core investment in amateur sports, meaning that annual funding has remained static. This is a challenge for the sector as cost pressures have increased, mainly due to inflation.

Key Strategies

As the central agency overseeing amateur sport, viaSport acts as the backbone of the sector, providing support to strengthen the ecosystem, elevate sector capacity, and expand our reach while ensuring the organization has the right internal systems to support these goals. Currently, we are midway through our five-year Strategic Plan (2022-2027), with annual operational plans approved and outcomes reported each year.

To achieve the strategic plan and to lead the development and growth of amateur sport in BC, we implement key strategies to advance:

• Safety in sport
• Diversity equity and inclusion in sport
• Coach education
• Grants & funding distribution
• Designated organization evaluation
• Education & training
• Data collection, information management & reporting
• Climate change
• Physical literacy
• Volunteerism

Internally, our team is comprised of experts with broad functional roles in the areas of:

• Fund allocation & granting
• Sport accreditation & recognition
• Governance
• Policy development
• Evaluation
• Sport development
• Partnerships

Purpose of the Position

Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has overall responsibility for providing strategic direction and leadership for viaSport. The CEO is future-oriented and primarily focused on external relationships. This role sits at the heart of the sports community in BC, supporting the benefits that sports participation offers in local communities across BC and Canada.

The CEO is a strategist, a relationship builder, a communicator and a visionary. As an advocate for physical activity and sport in B.C., the CEO will build strong relationships with the government, external stakeholders, partners and agencies to ensure viaSport fulfils its purpose, achieves its vision and mission, and enables a sustainable future.

Looking at the long-term sustainability of the sector and viaSport, the next CEO's priority is revenue diversification, both by viaSport and individual Provincial sports organizations. Attracting, securing, and increasing revenue to support the strategic plan is fundamental to this role.

As advancing amateur sports, building positive relationships, and attracting additional funding are key responsibilities of this role, the following characteristics and experience are deemed important for the successful candidate.

Values and Executive Leadership: A naturally collaborative individual who demonstrates values and leadership that are aligned with the vision, mission, and purpose of viaSport. Understands and is passionate about the role that amateur sports play in the economic and social development of individuals, communities and the province in general. Unquestionable integrity, credibility and character; demonstrates high moral and ethical behaviour. Strong executive presence; the ability to inspire, motivate, attract, and excite various stakeholders.

Relationship Development and Management: A strong and charismatic communicator who identifies and facilitates opportunities to develop new strategic relationships and networks. Creates a culture of trust and respect. Seeks and builds collaborative relationships with all stakeholders to engage, mobilize and advance the objectives of viaSport. Fosters and builds on already strong working relationships with the Board, the Province, PSOs, other sports organizations, funders and partners. Able to develop cooperative relationships with all levels of government while remaining independent and non-partisan. An inclusive leader and team player who is collegial and open to partnering with others.

Business and Philanthropic Minded: Brings a business lens to the activities of viaSport. Thinks creatively and strategically about new funding and partnership opportunities with a goal of increasing the overall share of the annual operating budget represented by parties other than the government investment. Also, is active in seeking out ways and opportunities to increase the profile and general awareness of viaSport in BC in order to promote viaSport’s work and that of the sector.

Strategic Thinking and Execution: Able to translate strategy into action. Works collaboratively with the COO to deliver on the outstanding items in the 2022-2027 strategic plan and to being the development of the next strategic plan. Is forward-thinking, prepares for the future and proactively gains support and mobilizes others.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy Development and Execution

• Work with the Board and management to implement against the current strategic plan by leveraging government investment and develop the next strategic plan to support the organization from 2027-2032
• Proactively seek out opportunities to understand and represent the systemic opportunities and challenges in meeting government’s and viaSport’s strategic goals and priorities
• Collaborate with the provincial government and the BC Sport Sector to effectively support and advance goals and objectives within viaSport’s Strategic Plan in alignment with the BC Pathways to Sport
• Provide leadership across sectors to align priorities, initiatives and investment to drive increased participation in organized sport for all citizens of British Columbia

Financial Growth and Development

• Develop and lead a revenue diversification strategy that supports the current and future strategic plans, solidifies organizational sustainability, diversifies revenue, supports the existing sporting infrastructure
• Build a long term diversified and sustainable financial model
• Leverage the recent changes to CRA guidelines regarding “non-qualified donees” to secure grant funding and/or evaluate the opportunity for charitable or philanthropic giving.
• Develop, introduce and promote practices that support the sector to diversify revenue, increase sustainability, and address affordability
• Develop strategies and work with government to reaffirm the sector needs to increase the annual government investment in sport

Governance

• Identify, negotiate and actively manage strategic partners through documented Memorandum of Understandings and contracts
• Support the Board with its governance through effective practices, risk management, collaboration, engagement, and committee structures
• Ensure an effective governance framework is in place that is supported by approved policies to guide all areas of work
• Lead the development of best-in-class governance across BC sports organizations, offering support and guidance as required.

• Lead and oversee the organization in accordance with the strategic direction set by the Board
• Support an environment of collaboration, peer learning and development between the designated organizations within the ecosystem
• Ensure all operations and activities are conducted in accordance with the values and sound business practices and approved policies
• Work with the Board to ensure effective strategies and plans are in place (i.e. Board, staff team)
• Guide staff, working collaboratively with the COO and senior staff to successfully implement balanced annual plans, monitor performance, and provide quarterly and annual impact reports to the Board, BC government, funders, partners, and broader sporting community
• Ensure a workplace environment that enhances the ability of employees to perform successfully, supporting high collaboration, professional development, and employee engagement

• Promote and position the amateur sports sector as providing a positive and beneficial impact to help support healthier citizens and healthier communities in BC
• Be the face of the organization and the sector, representing amateur sport at speaking engagements and acting as spokesperson with the media
• Champion the brand by clearly communicating the organization’s vision and purpose in a way that all stakeholders can understand and support
• Lead and strengthen relationships with potential investors and partners from the community, academia, government, the corporate sector and provincial and national sports leaders

• Collaborate with the government, the primary funder, regularly sharing the financial needs of the sector and recommending grant funding and allocations
• In collaboration with the COO and the leadership team, lead the development of a balanced annual budget and present it to the Board for approval
• Ensure financial management practices, policies and processes are in place to sustain strong investor confidence in the effective stewardship of restricted funds

The Candidate

Experience and Professional Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a leader with a proven track record of supporting a dynamic organization in a complex sector with multiple stakeholders. The ideal candidate will bring years of experience working in the sporting sector in BC and/or Canada. As a strategic thinker, the CEO will demonstrate skills in building partnerships, especially but not exclusively with government, to foster alignment and engagement at all levels and to attract financial contributions and in-kind support. Additionally, with strong business and organizational leadership skills, the CEO will oversee and support the organization to ensure the highest standards are met in the areas of governance, financial responsibility, and risk management.

Skills and Competencies

In addition to the qualifications outlined above, the following competencies, skills and experience are considered central to the CEO’s success:

• Ten+ years of senior leadership experience with a working knowledge of the issues and challenges facing the BC sports sector and a clear understanding of the provincial, national, and international sporting landscape.
• Has developed enduring partnerships with government, private and public sectors.
• In-depth working knowledge of government funding priorities, in specific reference to managing the objectives of the primary funder while remaining independent and focused on the needs of amateur sport in BC.
• Has led the development and growth of a not-for-profit or business.
• Has driven revenue growth through philanthropy, sponsorship, and effective negotiations with funders
• Demonstrated experience in creating alignment across a diverse set of stakeholders, breaking down silos and playing a key collaboration-building role, building effective working relationships at all levels of an organization and with community, businesses, and government.
• Experience working with an engaged and effective board of directors; understands governance issues
• Comprehensive knowledge of new revenue generation and its impacts on operational activities and budgets.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human resources and financial management principles and practices. Experience in overseeing and managing operating budgets.
• Experience in brand development and growth strategies.
• Experience working or volunteering in sport, recreation or social services is considered an asset.

Attributes

• Passionate about the impact sport can have on individuals and communities.
• Inspiring; visionary; outcome-focused
• Open; collaborative; approachable
• Ability to work effectively independently and as a team leader
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
• Ability to lead change and manage conflict
• Effective facilitation and mediation skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• High IQ/EQ
• Ethical, transparent, responsible

Education

A master’s degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent in education and experience.