Director, Business & Member Development

The Director, Business & Member Development is a senior leadership position responsible for providing strategic leadership to Speed Skating Canada’s marketing, communications, membership development, partnerships, revenue generation and events portfolios.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director contributes to organizational strategy, planning and decision-making and is accountable for translating SSC’s strategic priorities into effective strategies, plans and measurable outcomes within the areas of responsibility.

The Director leads and develops a team of managers, provides strategic advice to the CEO and colleagues, and builds effective relationships with partners and stakeholders across the Canadian and international sport system. The incumbent exercises significant judgment in balancing organizational priorities, stakeholder interests, resources, opportunities and risk, and is accountable for delivering results across a diverse portfolio of business and member-facing activities.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic and Organizational Leadership

Provides strategic leadership for SSC’s marketing, communications, membership development, partnerships, revenue generation and events portfolios, translating organizational priorities into clear direction, plans and measurable outcomes. Contributes to organizational strategy and decision-making as a member of the senior leadership team, bringing an enterprise-wide perspective to opportunities, challenges and emerging issues. Exercises sound judgment in balancing priorities, partner interests, resources and risk, and provides strategic advice and recommendations to the CEO and colleagues. Leads cross-functional initiatives where responsibilities extend across multiple areas of the organization.

People Leadership

Leads, develops and empowers the managers and teams within the Business & Member Development portfolio, establishing clear priorities, decision-making authority and accountability for results. Builds leadership capability within the team through effective delegation, coaching and development, and fosters a collaborative environment in which people are trusted and supported to lead their respective areas. Establishes clear performance expectations and ensures the team has the direction, resources and support required to deliver organizational priorities.

Marketing, Brand and Communications

Provides strategic leadership for SSC’s brand, marketing, digital and communications activities, ensuring they collectively strengthen SSC’s profile, reputation, audience engagement, participation and membership. Provides strategic communications counsel on organizational and emerging issues and ensures effective approaches to brand stewardship, media relations, government and partner communications, organizational messaging and crisis communications. Uses data, audience insights and professional judgment to assess effectiveness, identify opportunities and inform organizational decisions.

Membership and Partner Development

Provides strategic leadership for membership growth, retention, engagement and member experience, working collaboratively across SSC and the broader speed skating system to identify opportunities and address challenges. Builds trusted and productive relationships with PTSOs, clubs and other partners, navigating differing perspectives and interests while advancing shared objectives and strengthening alignment across the Canadian speed skating system. Ensures the programs, systems, policies and initiatives supporting membership development remain aligned with SSC’s strategic priorities.

Partnerships and Revenue Development

Provides strategic leadership for SSC’s sponsorship, partnership and revenue development activities, with responsibility for identifying, developing and advancing opportunities that grow and diversify SSC’s revenues while building and maintaining relationships that create long-term value for SSC and its partners. Works with the CEO and other internal and external resources to identify, prioritize, negotiate and advance revenue opportunities, exercising judgment in balancing commercial opportunities with SSC’s strategic objectives, values and commitments. Ensures effective stewardship of relationships with sponsors, partners, donors, alumni and other key partners.

Events

Provides strategic leadership and oversight for the non-technical aspects of SSC-hosted national and international events, ensuring event delivery supports SSC’s broader strategic, reputational and stakeholder objectives. Builds and maintains effective senior-level relationships with organizing committees, the ISU, venues, broadcast partners and other partners and provides leadership in navigating complex or emerging event issues. Ensures appropriate planning, budgeting, risk management and evaluation are in place while empowering managers and event teams to lead operational delivery and ensuring lessons learned are incorporated into future hosting and event strategies.

Financial, Risk and Operational Accountability

Provides leadership and accountability for planning, budgeting and resource management across the Business & Member Development portfolio, making informed decisions about priorities and the effective use of organizational resources and ensuring activities are delivered within approved budgets and revenue objectives. Identifies and manages financial, operational, contractual, stakeholder and reputational risks and ensures appropriate systems, controls and processes are in place to meet SSC’s commitments. Monitors performance against approved plans and organizational objectives and takes appropriate action when priorities, risks or circumstances change.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in business administration, communications, marketing, sport management or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Significant progressive leadership experience across several of the following areas: marketing, communications, membership or stakeholder development, partnerships, events, business development or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing managers and teams and achieving results through others.
• Demonstrated experience developing strategy and translating organizational objectives into plans and results.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior executives and/or Boards of Directors.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with senior-level partners, and other external organizations.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including experience with planning, budgeting and resource management.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and manage competing priorities in a complex stakeholder environment.
• Knowledge of the Canadian sport system and/or experience in sport or a comparable member- or stakeholder-based organization is strongly preferred.
• Ability to communicate in both English and French is an asset.

Working Conditions

The Director, Business & Member Development works from one of SSC’s designated centres. Regular travel and occasional evening and weekend work are required to support organizational meetings, events and other responsibilities.

This is a fixed-term parental leave contract anticipated to begin in February/March 2027 and continue for approximately 15 months.

Direct Reports

• Manager, Marketing and Communications
• Manager, Events and Partnerships
• Manager, Member Development

Key Relationships

• SSC leadership, Board of Directors and relevant Board committees
• Provincial and Territorial Sport Organizations
• Athletes, coaches and National Team representatives
• Government, funding and Canadian sport-system partners
• International Skating Union and other international sport organizations
• Sponsors, commercial partners and media
• Local organizing committees and event partners
• Third-party agencies and service providers

Required Qualifications

Post-secondary education in business administration, communications, marketing, sport management or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Post-secondary education in business administration, communications, marketing, sport management or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.