Are you passionate about protecting the environment? Do you go out of your way to reduce, reuse, and recycle? Do you envision a waste-free future?
If you answered yes to those questions, then we’d like to hear from you.
We are the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA), Ontario’s circular economy regulator.
Our vision is a waste-free and prosperous Ontario. And, our mission is to support waste reduction and resource recovery by enforcing compliance with Ontario’s producer responsibility laws, providing registry services to our regulated community, and reporting publicly on Ontario’s progress towards a circular economy.
We are looking for a talented and committed individual to join us as a Director, Verification & Inspections to support the government’s efforts to protect the environment and advance a new economy in which waste is reused, recycled, and reintegrated.
The Director, Verification & Inspections, is accountable for developing a compliance inspection program, specifically related to verification of data (supply and performance data) submitted in the Registry. This includes all data reported by producers, service providers and producer responsibility organizations (PROs) under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA) and associated regulations. including, but not limited to Ontario Blue Box Regulation O. Reg. 391/21
This inspection program will see the Director leading the development of internal and external procedures, methodologies and guidance to registrants on how to report data into the Registry in a consistent and verifiable manner and how to verify that data. They are also accountable for developing and operationalizing a department wide training program to increase the compliance department’s understanding of our registrant’s businesses.
The overall goal of the inspection program is to:
- increase confidence in compliance decisions made by RPRA; and,
- increase confidence in public data reported by RPRA on resource recovery.
They will develop the inspection program, including associated procedures/methodologies and guidance with the following goals:
- Increasing accuracy and completeness of data reported into the Registry in accordance with RPRA’s business plan and strategic goals.
- Minimizing reporting and verification burden on the registrant community, while still achieving the provincial objectives.
- Alignment with other Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) jurisdiction’s programs, where practicable.
- Limiting free riders under Ontario’s EPR regulations.
- Effectively, deploying an efficient mix of external vendors and internal RPRA staff resources.
In their work, the Director will prioritize the use of technology (including exploring AI and automation), risk-based compliance and collaboration with our regulated community. To accomplish this the Director must interact with other departments and leaders at RPRA on a regular basis including IT, communications, stakeholder relations and finance.
The Director is an integral contributor to strategic leadership, including the development and implementation of RPRA’s strategic plan and annual business plan.
The Director may be designated Deputy Registrar and as such is required to fulfill the statutory duties of Deputy Registrar and may act in the Registrar’s absence for matters related to the department (e.g., board meetings), statutory interpretations and legal matters/proceedings.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Planning and oversight of verification and inspection activities (50%)
- Develops inspection and verification plans in accordance with department goals, objectives and performance measures.
- Reviews scope, methodologies, procedures, and quality control mechanisms to support organizational goals.
- Leads the end-to-end planning, execution and reporting on the effectiveness of data reported to RPRA and identifies noncompliance.
- Builds processes and oversees timely and effective registrant adjustments and associated enforcement activities
- Collaborates with Directors on development and implementation of strategies and actions to improve communication, build tools and supports for Registrants report accurately, timely and consistently.
- Collaborates with compliance teams and other departments to integrate inspection and verification processes and procedures with broader compliance and data-related activities
- Accountable for the development, maintenance and implementation of all Registry Procedures related to data reporting, verification and audit, including planning and assessing budget and resource implications.
- Provides reports to Registrar on results of inspection and verification activities; provide recommendations to Directors and Managers on process and/or changes to improve accuracy and timeliness of data reporting to RPRA.
Stakeholder and Registrant Relations (25%)
- Liaises with other provincial and federal regulators
- Understands, develops and focuses on driving the right behaviours that lead to an optimal registrant experience.
- Responsible for maintaining a relationship of trust, collaboration and accountability with RPRA stakeholders and registrants with respect to RPRA’s compliance mandate.
- Represents RPRA at speaking engagements (trade shows, speaking engagements, etc.).
- Acts as the Registrar’s delegate at events and groups, speaking on behalf of and representing the Registrar.
Strategic Leadership (25%)
- Ensures that verification strategies and activities are aligned with organizational strategic goals, regulatory obligations, and RPRA’s compliance risk framework.
- Ability to train and develop team members to effectively identify and adhere to inspection and verification processes and procedures.
- As part of RPRA’s leadership team, contributes to the development and implementation of:
- the strategic vision of the organization, including the corporate objectives for the compliance department and strategic plan
- effective risk identification and management strategies
- department-wide resourcing and planning and across departments, as required for business readiness, operational budgets and key performance indicators
- Guides compliance department managers and leads to align with the strategic plan of the organization.
- Coordinates with other senior leaders and Compliance Managers to adequately plan and execute on operationalizing the compliance mandate
- Collaborates with the other leaders in achieving compliance department’s goals as well as other applicable organizational goals
- Provides updates to the Board of Directors as required
- Champions an organizational culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the department as well as across departments
- Leads, engages and develops a high-performing team, ensuring they have the necessary training and resources.
- Develops strategies to monitor budgets, operating model, performance standards, and leverages analytics to support decision making on strategic direction and alignment with RPRA’s priorities.
- Sets team performance objectives and conducts the evaluation of their direct report’s performance against the objectives
- Responsible, along with other leaders at RPRA, for determining and driving the culture and values of RPRA
- Manages cross-functional projects on an organizational level
Other Duties
- Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications
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Education
- Bachelor’s degree/diploma or equivalent work experience in business/commerce (e.g., accounting, finance, economics, business administration), data analytics (e.g., data science, statistics, mathematics, business analytics) or other subject or equivalent work experience.
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Experience
- A minimum of five years leadership experience and ten years of experience in a regulatory compliance role is required
- Background in waste management or resource recovery is required
- Possesses functional expertise or background in supply chain management or business operations
- Possesses a strong understanding and knowledge of our registrants’ interactions with EPR programs
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Other Knowledge, Skills, Abilities or Certifications
- An understanding of risk-based verification techniques, financial statement analysis, and regulatory compliance frameworks is essential
- Ability to interpret and analyze contracts, agreements, and regulations to ensure compliance and minimize risk
- Capacity to develop investigation and verification strategies in a regulatory environment would be considered a benefit
- Ability to create programs that strengthen capabilities and builds team knowledge of business processes, compliance requirements, and strategic objectives
- A sustained record of delivering results in a regulatory environment
- Experience in leading projects in complex environments, including change management, human resources and budgets allocation and communicating complex ideas
- Demonstrated track record in facilitation and conflict resolution
- Political acuity and exceptional stakeholder relations skills
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a capacity to understand complex concepts and technical materials related to legislation and regulation
- Discretion in working with confidential information with unquestionable integrity, ethics and astute judgment
- Understanding of risk management frameworks (and their implementation in a regulatory context) an asset
- Comprehensive understanding of the RRCEA, WDTA, associated regulations and continued program and stewardship plans an asset
- Knowledge of municipal and private sector waste management operations an asset
- Knowledge of product distribution systems an asset
- Familiarity with environmental and waste reduction and recovery initiatives an asset
- Knowledge and understanding of the circular economy would be an asset
- Ability to communicate in French considered an asset
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Travel Requirements
- Occasional travel within Ontario
Physical Demands
Working with the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority
You will be a part of a collaborative team doing ground-breaking and meaningful work with a critical environmental and economic mission.
This is a vacant permanent full-time role working Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility as needed. Our highly attractive total compensation plan includes a competitive salary (commensurate with experience), health benefits, a defined contribution pension, personal days, and three weeks of vacation to start.
We have a hybrid work arrangement and support flexible work schedules. Remote work is expected to be completed from a location within Ontario. Our office is conveniently located in North York on the Yonge subway line at Sheppard Avenue.
RPRA is committed to maintaining a professional and respectful work environment. RPRA prioritizes the safety and well-being of its employees. Harassment or disrespectful behaviour of any kind by any individual towards our employees will not be tolerated.
We strive to build a team that reflects the diversity of the community we work in and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as LGBTQ2SI, veterans, and people with disabilities.
RPRA welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to screen and assess applicants for this position based on pre-defined, job-related criteria. AI acts as a supporting tool, but all final decisions are made by human HR professionals and hiring managers.
Target salary range: Min: $146,000 – Mid: $185,000
How to apply – Submit your cover letter and resume to HR with the job title in the subject line via careers@rpra.ca.
