Executive Director, Extended Producer Responsibility

The Organization

The Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) acts on behalf of the province to oversee end-of-life processing of tires, electronics, paint and used oil materials. The industry is rooted in the principle of circular economy where resources and products are kept in use for as long as possible, then regenerated into new products and materials at the end of their life cycle. ARMA has recently been named by the province to oversee Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) by way of regulation. This will require leading the business development of a new division at ARMA and overseeing the implementation of a new recycling framework for the province.

For more information about Alberta Recycling Management Authority, please visit their website: www.albertarecycling.ca

The Opportunity

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: TBD

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Mandate

The Executive Director, EPR is responsible for all aspects of initiating the operationalization of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) implementation. This role will impact the recycling programs for the province of Alberta for decades to come.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Development:

• Leads the development and implementation of the EPR bylaws, policies, guidelines, tools and systems to operationalize EPR in the province of Alberta.
• Identify and engage with consultants and subject matter experts with respect to EPR implementation.
• Lead the development and implementation of a registry system and the system’s ongoing maintenance to ensure data is complete and accurate to support all reporting requirements.
• Support cohesive relationships with internal and external partners while researching and recommending innovative practices, processes, and thoughtful execution.
• Supports the organization in managing activity to budgets, forecasts, funding requests and long-term financial operational plans; ensure adherence to annual budgets.
• Responsible to identify and manage key measurables and provide effective project implementation skills while collaborating with the CEO to develop action plans toward operationalizing the EPR regulation.
• Foster, develop and collaborate between departments, business units, and other internal groups to ensure an integrated approach to operationalizing an entirely new business unit.
• Develop organizational structure to support development of EPR; hire and recruit to that organizational structure, including the development of adequate succession planning.
• Attends Board of Directors meetings as the EPR subject matter expert reporting to and making recommendations to the Board on EPR bylaws. Participates in discussion and answers questions as required and maintains relationships with Board members.
• Establish committee’s and/or advisory groups as required to ensure collaboration with all interested parties.
• Oversee the development of a communication and consultation strategy to support implementation of EPR with stakeholders.
• Seeks interprovincial harmonization and collaboration opportunities with other EPR programs.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships and effective communication with all stakeholders.

Bylaw and Policy Design and Implementation:

• Responsible to manage and implement best practice in program development, implementation, and evaluation of the EPR oversight program.
• Works with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA), Producers or Producer Responsibility Organizations communities and other participants to ensure fulfilment of mandate as an oversight body to enforce regulation.
• In conjunction with the CFO, conducts cost-benefit analysis to anticipate alignment with the organization’s long-term goals.
• Evaluates and implements oversight policies and procedures by analyzing and interpreting data and incorporating stakeholder feedback.
• Maintains a thorough understanding of industry trends regarding oversight policy developments to make informed decisions regarding oversight implementation.

Risk Management and Legal Compliance:

• Ensures all bylaws, polices and practices are in alignment with the EPR regulation and that all ministerial reporting requirements are fulfilled.
• Ensures compliance of requirements as set out in the oversight agreement with EPA are met.
• Creates and implements proactive risk mitigating solutions to reduce liability for the organization.
• Ensure bylaws and policies meet the standards and obligations outlined in the government and environmental regulations.

Project Development and Management:

• Develop and support project management to stand-up EPR oversight operations.
• According to contracting and procurement policy, coordinates internal and external resources for the completion of projects.
• Ensures that projects are completed within scope and budget and are on-time.
• Tracks the progress of projects ensuring that all tasks are completed and no areas are missed in execution.
• Oversees vendor contracts and ensures values are followed with contract compliance, delivery and integrity.

General Duties:

• Maintains an understanding of and adheres to Alberta Recycling policies, procedures, and standards.
• Contributes to a positive and safe culture by modeling the organizational values and leadership behaviours.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

First Year Deliverables / Measures of Success

Success in the first year will be determined by the candidate’s ability to:

• Successfully execute contract deliverables regarding extended producer responsibility.
• Develop strong and trusted relationships with key partners in and outside of the organization, such as the ARMA Board, staff, producers and or producer responsible organizations, recycling processors, collectors and haulers, collection sites, municipalities and both provincial and local governments;
• Establish a strong internal team through coaching and mentorship and determine appropriate resourcing as required.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have the following:

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration or equivalent.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of related experience in senior management.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of related leadership experience at a senior level.
• Prior experience leading a start up organization or establishing a new business unit.
• Demonstrated experience in project management leadership and policy development.
• Advanced knowledge of recycling programs, regulations and governance best practice.
• Proficiency in using Office 365 applications and the ability to become familiar with firm-specific programs and software.
• Excellent communication, time management, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated strength in leadership capabilities and ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Competencies and Attributes:

• Leadership & Navigation: Uses information, personnel, time, and other resources necessary effectively and efficiently to accomplish tasks within the parameters of organizational hierarchy, processes, systems, and policies and establishes appropriate courses of action for self, teams, and individuals to accomplish specific goals. Motivates team and provides coaching and assistance as required.
• Strategic Thinking: Understands the strategic relationship between effective financial, risk and compliance management and core business functions.
• Technical Capability: Knowledge of principles, practices, and functions of effective operational management and proven experience leading operational planning and reporting.
• Business Acumen: Understands and applies information to contribute to the organization’s strategic plan leveraging business knowledge, strategic agility, systems thinking, and metrics/analytics to measure performance.
• Communication Proficiency: Provides clear, concise information to others in verbal, written, electronic and other communication formats. Listens actively and ensures effect communications throughout the organization.
• Critical Evaluation: Uses critical thinking and problem solving to assess and interpret information to make business decisions and recommendations.
• Relationships Management: Builds engaging relationship will all organizational stakeholders through trust, teamwork, and direct communications. Demonstrates approachability and openness.
• Ethical Practice: Integrates core values, integrity and accountability throughout all organizational and business practices and acts with personal, professional, and behavioural integrity.

The Compensation

An excellent compensation package awaits the successful candidate. Alberta Recycling Management Authority offers a competitive base salary commensurate with experience, an RRSP program and an attractive group benefit package.

Equal Opportunity

The Alberta Recycling Management Authority is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team benefits and is essential to service excellence. The Alberta Recycling Management Authority welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, members of racialized communities, indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity to confidentially self-identify at time of application. In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Gallagher and the Alberta Recycling Management Authority throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA)