Executive Director

The Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA) is seeking a replacement of our long-serving Executive Director Steve Fletcher

OARA is a voluntary industry association representing 95 businesses primarily engaged in the acquisition of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), their proper treatment and handling, and the subsequent recycling or re-use of the parts and materials recovered. In addition, OARA has 50 Associate Members, supplying services to the ELV industry in Ontario.

OARA has been the voice of the auto recycling industry in Ontario since 1992 and has kept the sector informed and involved with input and information into current industry trends and government legislative initiatives that affect auto recyclers. In addition, numerous membership benefits are developed and made available to enhance each member’s business opportunities, productivity and profitability – including the opportunities to sell more Green Recycled Parts, and acquire more end-of-life vehicles.

The annual Convention & Trade Show is the highlight of the year and brings the entire national auto recycling ecosystem in one place to propel the industry forward.

As a founding Member of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) national association, OARA has been at the forefront of the professional auto recycling industry in Ontario, Canada, North America and the world.

Reporting to an active Board of Directors, the Executive Director helps set the strategy and vision for the Association, ensuring the Association’s mission and objectives are achieved. The Executive Director is responsible for overall of the association, including financial sustainability, operations, marketing and communications, and managing key relationships.

The ideal candidate has a minimum of five years of demonstrated leadership experience supporting a member-based organization. Experience working the auto recycling sector including the overall auto claims economy would be considered an asset. The candidate has experience interacting with government and an understanding of industry legislation at the municipal and provincial levels. They will be an outstanding communicator that has demonstrated experience in building trusted relationships, fostering association excellence, and enhancing member value.

Board governance experience working with and reporting to a voluntary Board of Directors would be an asset. Solid business and financial skills are required, along with excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.

The current Executive Director is retiring after 32 years and will be active in the succession process, as well as being available and engaged as a mentor to the successful candidate.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute a forward-thinking strategic vision that aligns with the association’s mission and goals.
• Lead the development of annual business plan and budget, ensuring they address industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.
• Provide guidance and input to the Board of Directors and collaborate on the development of policies and initiatives.

Organizational Management:

• Provide oversight on documentation, presentations and communication with the Board of Directors.
• Oversee all aspects of association operations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
• Interact and engage with 10 working Committees of the association to address specific challenges and opportunities.

Advocacy and Representation:

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the association, representing the interests of members to government bodies, industry partners, media, and the public.
• Develop and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including insurers, repairers, government officials, industry leaders, and other associations.
• Stay informed about legislative, regulatory, economic, and technical issues affecting the industry and develop advocacy strategies accordingly.

Membership Engagement:

• Proactively engage with current and potential members and develop and implement strategies, programs and opportunities to enhance member engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
• Plan, organize and deploy a national convention with a 60+ booth trade show, keynote speakers, industry panels and presentations, roundtables, networking, facility tours, fundraisers, and fun.

Financial Oversight:

• Develop and manage the association’s budget, ensuring financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation.
• Oversee day-to-day financial processes, ensuring sound financial practices are in place.
• Initiate invoicing of all association activities to effectively engage with the industry.
• Provide regular financial reports to the Board and ensure transparency in financial matters.

What is the Automotive Recycling Industry?

Automotive Recyclers acquire End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) – both total loss vehicles from the insurance industry, and older vehicles no longer fit for the road – depollute them, and recover parts to be sold to repairers (both mechanical and collision) along with do-it-yourself consumers. OARA Members are all audited to the Canadian Automotive Recyclers Environmental Code (www.carec.ca) to ensure they manage ELVs properly.  Materials from these vehicles are also recovered, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, tires, catalytic converters, and increasingly critical and rare earth metals from hybrid and electric vehicles.

To learn more about the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association please visit www.oara.com.

 

Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association
Job Description for Executive Director

The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors of Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA), and more specifically to the Chair of the Board.

The general duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director will be to comprehensively promote and encourage the growth of the automotive recycling industry in Ontario.

Management Responsibilities:

The Executive Director shall perform and/or oversee the following management responsibilities:

1. Develop and maintain a comprehensive business plan, marketing and public relation strategies in accordance with the missions and objectives of OARA.
2. Organized membership meetings, conventions and trade shows including all technical and training seminars, exhibitions and the like as authorized by the Board.
3. Participate in and attend conferences and meetings within the industry throughout Ontario and in neighbouring jurisdictions as authorized by the Board.
4. Prepare annual budgets for Board approval with respect to anticipated routine operating expenses and with respect to any anticipated major capital expenditures.
5. The performance of the Executive Director will be reviewed by the Board of Directors with respect to their performance regarding the description of their responsibilities as set out herein.
6. The Executive Director will lead by example and exhibit ethical behaviour in the discharge of their responsibilities.
7. Will ensure all sensitive corporate and employee matters are kept strictly confidential and ensure the confidentiality of records and comply with appropriate privacy regulations and legislation.
8. Liaise with the national association, the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) and ensure that OARA issues are brought to the ARC Board through the OARA representatives to that Board, and ensure that issues arising from ARC are communicated in a timely fashion to the OARA Board and membership on an as-needed basis.

Internal Responsibilities:

9. Will maintain an even and positive flow of communication, both written and verbal, with the Board of Directors and the membership at reasonable times.
10. Will maintain and update the OARA website (www.oara.com) as required ensuring the website maintains pace with industry issues, provides a useful tool for the members and helps generally to promote the industry and ethics within the industry within Ontario.
11. Prepare agendas and schedules for Board meetings and assist the recording Secretary for such Board meetings. Will ensure communications are timely within Board requirements.
12. Co‑ordinate Annual General Meeting and ensure that it is conducted in accordance with the by-laws of OARA.
13. Facilitate committee meetings to ensure reports are prepared and any relevant issues reviewed by the Board on a timely basis.
14. Immediately bring any important notices, undertakings or other matters to the attention of the Board of Directors. Specifically and without limiting the generality of this obligation, any governmental notices or official notices will be immediately communicated to the Chair.
15. In the event that there is a Board member who is required to do certain things during the year, the Executive Director will also assist that Board member by reminding and ensuring that the Board member attends to the required tasks on a timely basis.
16. Prepare and issue invoices for association activites via Quickbooks.

External Services:

17. Will be a spokesperson and generally a public relations and media contact for OARA with the aim that the organization will be able to provide proactive and reactive response to issues affecting the goals of the industry and the corporation on a very timely basis.
18. Ensure that all communications with government agencies, industry associations and the membership are in the best interests of OARA at all times.
19. Ensure that all communications are recorded appropriately and communicated to the Board in a timely fashion.
20. Proactively monitor changes in legislation or regulations in Ontario that affect the industry. In addition, monitor changes in neighbouring North American jurisdictions in order to keep abreast of changes within the industry and to be in a position to advise the membership of such trends and changes.
21. Implement a public relations strategy and conduct activities to increase the public awareness and support for the automotive recycling industry throughout Ontario.
22. Negotiate with industry suppliers to develop group-buying opportunities for members.
23. Travel when necessary as directed and authorized by the Board of Directors when previously directed and authorized by the Board of Directors in writing.