Director, Cruise & Port Development
Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) is a non-profit organization that stewards key land and marine assets throughout Victoria’s harbour, including Canada’s busiest cruise ship port of call. GVHA operates on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən People, known today as the xʷsépsəm (Kosapsum) Nation and Songhees Nation, and is committed to advancing these relationships through meaningful and ongoing collaboration.
The Director, Cruise & Port Development is a strategic leadership role with responsibility for developing and executing the cruise development strategy, alongside stewarding innovative port business development opportunities for the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA). The position reports to the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Innovation, and has connectivity across several portfolios.
GVHA is looking for a strategic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leader with a passion for marine transportation, tourism, and sustainable waterfront/port development. They will bring deep industry insight—whether from cruise, travel, transportation, or port/marine sectors—and can balance commercial growth with stewardship of Victoria’s vibrant working harbour. The Director will thrive in cross-functional environments, builds relationships effortlessly, and can balance rolling up their sleeves with thinking and planning strategically.
Commercially savvy and mission-driven, the Director will drive revenue growth while advancing sustainability and community stewardship. Innovative and results-oriented, they will be skilled at negotiating high-value contracts with confidence. Equally, they bring cultural and community awareness, understanding First Nations protocols, Reconciliation principles, and environmental sustainability, and integrate these values into every decision and initiative they champion.
The ideal candidate is motivated by building and fostering relationships with a multi-faceted group of partners that help to drive a community’s economic prosperity. The incumbent will bring experience in the tourism/hospitality or destination marketing industry, preferably with a blend of cruise or port sectoral exposure. The chosen candidate will have an ability to spot value and associated business opportunity, embrace data and analytics to support ventures and have the strategic skills to plan, resource, and manage in a clear way that aligns with the broader goals and objectives of the organization. The ideal candidate will bring strong relationship and organizational leadership skills and will not be afraid to take chances. The role requires excellent communication, negotiation, and engagement skills, along with a deep appreciation for First Nations protocols and the importance of reconciliation in economic development.
