VisitCairngorms are currently seeking an experienced business leader who can make a major contribution to the sustainable eonomic development of the Cairngorms National Park. Leading a Chamber of Commerce, which also operates the Destination Management Organisation for the area, the CEO will work across the business sector and in collaboration with other public, private and third sector stakeholders. The Board of the Cairngorms Business Partnership and its members are seeking to appoint a new Chief Executive (3 days/week) to drive the ongoing development of the organisation based on its three core business priorities.
Priority 1: Effective Marketing – To create business opportunities, and to bring new customers and businesses to the Park through effective marketing.
Priority 2: Business Development – To ensure appropriate support for the business community across the Park either through direct delivery or facilitating solutions.
Priority 3: Advocacy – To act as the primary representative body for the key business issues most important to the membership base.
This role requires a focused and committed approach with a proven ability to develop and sustain mutually beneficial business and stakeholder relationships. Understanding and engaging with the CBP members and the wider business community across the Park will be key to the role, as will the ability to bring a strong commercial focus to the role, and to prioritise time across the part-time role.
Key responsibilities:
This role is a challenging and rewarding leadership role (3 days/week), managing and working with a small team of experienced staff, to deliver an ambitious Cairngorms Business Partnership agenda – supporting the business community within the National Park as both the local Chamber of Commerce and the Destination Management Organisation (VisitCairngorms) for the National Park.
The role requires you to develop and work to a rolling CBP Business Plan which will deliver significant value and benefits for your member organisations, working closely and collaboratively with local and national stakeholders to promote the National Park as a sustainable and responsible visitor destination and maximising the benefits this brings to the local economy and the communities of the National Park, and ensuring the interests and priorities of your members across all sectors are heard and recognised.
You will have full budget responsibility for the organisation, and will be expected to ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable through membership income and maximising the different commercial, campaign and project opportunities which are available to the CBP and its membership, aligned to the CBP core business priorities.
Key skills & experience:
- Experience of senior leadership in a commercial organisation.
- A focus on performance and results, previous P&L responsibility, and a commitment to customer service excellence.
- A strategic thinker, able to prioritise, innovate and adapt, and to recognise and respond to changing circumstances.
- An ability to work with, influence and proactively collaborate with a range of stakeholder relationships locally, regionally and nationally.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and project management skills.
- Proven ability to manage and lead a team of staff, both home, remote and office-based, and ensure the best quality performance from them.
Click here to learn more about this position which begins in January 2024.
How to apply: To apply, please send your tailored CV with a covering letter by Monday 4 September 2023 to [email protected]. To informally discuss the position, please call Stuart Broster, Chair on 07973-480715.
About VisitCairngorms: The Cairngorm Business Partnership (CBP) is the primary representative organisation and voice for the business community in the Cairngorms National Park. It is affiliated to the Chamber of Commerce and has an active membership of circa 400 businesses.
