Chief Executive Officer

The Chief Executive Officer facilitates and ensures the successful management and operations of the company, through strategic leadership and fiscal prudence.

Job Summary

The Chief Executive Officer facilitates and ensures the successful management and operations of the company, through strategic leadership and fiscal prudence. The CEO directs the company in the achievement of its vision, mission, and objectives; develops and implements plans and programmes to unleash the potential of the tourism sector for tourism investment, business development and employment creation in conjunction with relevant stakeholders; builds meaningful relationships with local communities and other key internal and external stakeholders including ministries, and local, regional, and international institutions.

Job Responsibilities

RESULT 1: Favorably positioned the ‘Tourism Trinidad’ brand in the international tourism marketplace per the National Tourism Policy, resulting in a positive return on investment and contribution to the national gross domestic product from tourism business activity.

1. Makes high-quality decisions to advance the Tourism Sector and tourism investment in Trinidad
2. Assures that TTL and the Tourism Brand are consistently presented in a positive image to all stakeholders.
3. Facilitates and monitors partner relationships and firms contracted by the TTL to advance destination marketing and tourism investment promotion, ensuring plans and initiatives meet the needs and requirements of Destination Trinidad.
4. Works with the relevant Committees of the Board, Overseas Reps and other service providers to develop and implement TTL's marketing, destination development, investment promotion and communication plans.
5. Monitors the effective implementation of marketing, destination development and communication plans against agreed key performance indicators, recording adjustments to the strategy as needed.
6. Assists with implementing initiatives of contract service providers in promoting Destination Trinidad.
7. Facilitates robust data monitoring of the destination with partners, regularly reviewing visitor profiles, satisfaction data and other key performance indicators; effectively monitoring performance to inform current and potential strategic initiatives.
8. Facilitates research following the agreed Research Agenda.
9. Ensures publicising of the activities, programmes, and goals of the organisation.
10. Issues statements, comments and opinions on behalf of the organisation in consultation with the Chair, line Ministry, Corporate Secretary, Staff or PR Firm.
11. Maintains a sound knowledge of the local, regional, and global tourism markets and industry.
12. Ensures that TTL’s programmes, promotions, and policies align with the principles of sustainable tourism, harmonious with the protection of natural and cultural assets and the national sense of community.
13. Represents TTL and Destination Trinidad at selected local, regional, and international industry events, public meetings and key functions.
14. Engages with peers at the regional and international level through participation in industry associations including the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and other relevant communities of Destination Management Organisations.

RESULT 2: Stakeholder-led formulation and successful implementation of the vision for the destination and the development strategy [which leverages the potential of Trinidad's unique resources, infrastructure, and cultural heritage] for employment creation and sustainable, responsible wealth generation.

1. Evaluates proposals from the Board, Committees, the line Ministry, partners, sponsors and other industry stakeholders in relation to the National Tourism Policy and TTL’s strategic plan and makes recommendations to the Board for implementation.
2. Develops effective business strategies and plans and oversees the implementation of short- and long term goals and objectives informed by agreed metrics and performance indicators.
3. Ensures TTL makes consistent and timely progress with the implementation of its strategic plan, providing the Board with quarterly reports, with recommendations for adjustment to the implementation plan, strategy, and/or specific projects as appropriate.
4. Leads the Senior Management Team in the preparation of annual budgets and makes recommendations to the Board on potential investments.

RESULT 3: Prudent fiscal management of the organisation's resources in keeping with established policies and approved delegation of authority1 1 As

1. Leads the development of TTL’s budget and financial plans to enable the work programme in conjunction with the Chief Finance Officer for approval per requirements of the line ministry and the Call Circular of the Ministry of Finance.
2. Coordinates with the Chief Financial Officer to maintain up-to-date financial records.
3. Facilitates proper financial management by undertaking assigned roles as Accounting Officer regarding procurement2, budgeting and accounting and ensuring finance and accounting policies are upheld.
4. Facilitates annual audit of TTL's financials.
5. Analyses investment and business development opportunities, undertakes risk analyses of same and makes recommendations to the Board.
6. Reviews and analyses financial and non-financial reports to ensure adherence to the organisation's strategic, business, fiscal and governance objectives.

RESULT 4: Partnerships with industry associations, local communities, public and private sector entities, and regional and international stakeholders to build the Trinidad Tourism brand and facilitate and guide its development, promotion, and maintenance.

1. Develops strong and meaningful networks throughout the local, regional, and global industry to grow and strengthen the Trinidad Brand.
2. Facilitates coordination of efforts among industry partners to advance the development and marketing of the destination.
3. Develops and implements programmes that support, enhance, and grow tourism partner engagement.
4. Advocates for TTL’s programme of work and tourism's role in economic development with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning, other public sector collaborators, industry stakeholders, private sector, the Public, and the international community.
5. Attends or chairs various initiatives, committees, and other public functions on behalf of the Company, sector or the country.

RESULT 5: Motivated, high-performing executive and technical teams, displaying positive organisational citizenship behaviour.

1. Maintains strong industry knowledge, stay abreast of changes in the tourism industry and exchange information through participation at meetings, seminars, conventions, and workshops.

2. Develops a high-performing managerial team to advance the organisation's objectives.
3. Coaches and mentors the organisation’s management team and personnel to create a cadre of skilled and motivated employees.
4. Ensures all staff receive appropriate training and certification to support high performance towards their personal professional development and the achievement of goals and targets.
5. Acts as interface between the Board of Directors and staff.

RESULT 6: Operational and business excellence, attainment of desired results consistent with the overall strategy and mission, industry good practice, professionalism and ethical standards.

1. Leads development of the annual work programmeme to facilitate the achievement of the company's strategic objectives and performance targets.
2. Makes timely decisions to resolve problematic strategic situations and ensures organisational success.
3. Provides oversight and direction for the daily operations of TTL.
4. Makes recommendations to the Board as to the best qualified firms or persons to carry out the organisation's plan of work, and monitors and evaluates contractual relationships to ensure sufficiency and measured performance.
5. Designs and manages data-driven monitoring and evaluation systems to track, monitor and report on destination and organisation performance in a timely manner.
6. Monitors trends related to occupancy, ADR, RevPar, supply, and demand of both hotels and Air BnB, vacation rentals, airline load factors, Cruise arrivals, established festivals and events attendance, and other sector measurements.
7. Ensures the organisation is equipped and competent to execute statutory and legal compliance regarding policy and legislation.
8. Enforces adherence to legal and policy guidelines to maintain the organisation's compliance framework and business ethics.
9. Facilitates and monitors the proper maintenance of official records and documents to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework and company policies.
10. Communicates and liaises with the Board of Directors, keeps Board Members informed of organisational issues, and ensures and monitors implementation of Board decisions.
11. Provides information to the public through the media and in keeping with government policies.
12. Oversees TTL’s crisis management plan, ensures it is up to date and administers duties and responsibilities outlined if activated.

PERFORMANCE IMPACT The incumbent’s performance should produce organisational, sectoral and community-level impacts.

The organisational impacts include:

• Growth in both operational efficiency and market reach through the implementation of a forward-looking strategic plan.
• Expanded destination portfolio per the established targets of heritage including culinary, festivals, MICE and sports, with increased customer satisfaction scores.
• Digital transformation of TTL including data-driven decision-making and management processes to enhance overall performance.
• Increased employee satisfaction and retention rates evidenced by employee engagement scores, reflecting a positive and productive work environment.

The sectoral impacts include:

• Strengthened, effective partnerships and collaboration with local and international tourism boards and local industry partners.
• Leadership at the international level regarding festivals and culinary tourism.
• Advocacy for responsible tourism practices influencing national policy and the adoption of sustainable practices by industry partners

The community and national impacts include:

• Increase in visitor arrivals to 500,000 by 2026, and to 1,000,000 by 20313.
• Increased community engagement and empowerment, leading to innovative product development, job creation and empowering small businesses in the municipalities, thereby enhancing the visitor experience, and contributing to the preservation of cultural and environmental assets.
• Direct contribution to national GDP to exceed 5% by 20264.
• Triple direct employment from tourism to 50,000 jobs5.
• Grow tourism investments to exceed USD 250 million by 2030.

Job Requirements

• Minimum - Master's Degree in Tourism Management, Marketing or Business or professional equivalent.
• Ten (10) years of Senior Management experience in marketing and promotions, communications, public relations, international relations or similar fields.
• Management Experience in Tourism, Hospitality or related industry is an asset.
• Certification or credentialing in tourism development, destination management, travel marketing, digital marketing and communications, and/or public sector management is an asset.

Knowledge Required

• Regional and international Tourism Sector, and Trinidad as a tourism destination.
• Local, regional, national and resources and agencies available to assist with various tourism development activities.
• Principles, practices and processes involved in tourism development.
• Principles of management, project management, business, procedures, procurement and financing.
• Principles and practices of marketing and promotions via multiple media including digital marketing.
• Public Service rules and regulations.
• Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
• National and international laws, conventions, and agreements about tourism and investments.
• Budgets and accounting procedures.

Analytical, Problem-Solving & Affective Skills Required (Affective Skills)

• A visionary with outstanding organisational and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated capabilities in leading organisational development/transformation.
• In-depth knowledge of corporate governance and general management best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain high levels of performance and achieve results, particularly in a high-paced, politicised, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience in strategic planning and execution including developing and implementing strategies and plans.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong risk assessment and management skills.
• Strong data management skills.
• Excellent organisation and time management skills.
• Excellent communication, networking, negotiation, and public speaking skills.
• Excellent relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Sound knowledge and experience in people and financial management

Work Environment

• This position directs the day-to-day operations of TTL. The work is performed under the general direction of the Board of Directors. The position requires a fair amount of international travel which means being away from home for periods. The travel will be mostly to cooler climates in North America and Europe.
• The incumbent is expected to:
• Function as Accounting Officer with the roles and responsibilities thereto.
• Frequently work at a high pace to complete workload.
• Work outside 8 am to 4:30 pm, weekends and public holidays, as events require.
• Prepare and review large volumes of documentary, audio, and visual materials.
• Respond to unplanned or unpredicted developments.
• Undertake moderate physical effort lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling objects and materials of medium weight (25-50 pounds).
• Make extended use of computer business applications.
• Understand and navigate the public service bureaucracy.
• Engage with and lead industry stakeholders and make representation on behalf of Trinidad locally and internationally

Required Competencies

• Core Competencies: Service Excellence, Partnering, Creativity & Innovation, and Accountability.
• Leadership Competencies: Strategic Thinking, Business Focus, Impact and Influence, Results Orientation, Decision Making, Planning and Organising, Team Leadership, Developing Others and Attention to detail.
• Role Specific Competencies: Visioning and alignment; Boundary spanning skills; Analytical thinking; Relationship Building; Critical Judgment; Negotiating skills; Global Perspective, and Accurate and Reliable Reporting.