The VSA is Now Hiring – Registrar

Who is the VSA?

The Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of BC (“VSA”) builds public confidence in the motor dealer industry in BC by engaging and educating industry and consumers, ensuring a safe and reliable motor vehicle buying experience.

As an independent, non-profit, regulatory agency that oversees the sales of personal-use new and used vehicles, the VSA:

• licenses motor vehicle dealerships, salespeople, broker agents, broker agent representatives, and wholesalers
• provides licensing courses and continuing education for VSA licensees
• offers consumer information and assistance
• provides assistance with dispute resolution
• investigates consumer complaints and claims 
• undertakes compliance action

Why join the VSA?

The VSA is an organization where you can build your career. You will work with a dedicated and passionate team that strives to bridge the gaps between industry, the consumer, and the regulator, all while embracing a collaborative and innovative approach. Consider joining a strong team that is committed to protecting the public with access to employee programs, and activities that support a healthy work-life balance and fosters individuality and diversity.

What the VSA Offers

In addition to becoming part of an exceptional team, the VSA also offers:

• A competitive salary package, with a salary range of $171,800 – $236,000,
• Vacation, personal & sick days,
• Optional leave arrangements,
• Opportunities for flex time,
• Extended health care and dental benefits,
• Healthcare Spending Account (HSA),
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits,
• Access to our organization’s matching RRSP plan,
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at no cost,
• Support for continuing education, and
• Opportunities to work in a flexible work environment.

What is the Role?

The Registrar plays a leadership role in delivering on the VSA purpose, which is to build public confidence in the BC motor dealer industry by engaging and educating industry and consumers, ensuring a safe and reliable motor vehicle buying experience. As a member of the Executive Team, this role will carry out responsibilities with a high degree of independence, initiative, and discretion, demonstrating good judgment and prudence. This position includes active involvement in strategic and annual business planning, oversight of ongoing operations and review of organization performance.

The Registrar reports to the President on the budget and administrative matters relating to the Registrar’s scope of operations, and also reports directly to the Board of Directors and the Government where required to ensure the unfettered administration of the Motor Dealer Act, prescribed provisions of the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, prescribed provisions of the Administrative Tribunals Act, eight underlying Regulations, and any other provincial and federal statute that impacts the role and powers of the Registrar. The independent statutory decisions of the Registrar are reviewed by the B.C. Supreme Court by way of judicial review.

What You’ll Do:

The key accountabilities and deliverables of the Registrar include:

Statutory Responsibilities:

• Register motor dealers; license salespeople, wholesalers, broker-agents, and broker-agent representatives; collect prescribed fees; and establish requirements for obtaining and maintaining a registration or license.
• Maintain a public record of the terms and conditions imposed on dealer registrations, and on other licensees.
• Enforce the requirements of the Motor Dealer Act and the prescribed Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act and respond to complaints about dealers and licensees through a program of inspections, investigations, and progressive enforcement.
• Conduct hearings on registration, licensing, and enforcement issues, as required by the Motor Dealer Act, Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act and the principles of administrative justice.
• Review and approve undertakings (consent orders) provided by licensees, to address non-compliance.
• Develop and maintain an application process for claims against the Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund.
• Collect and remit dealer contributions to the Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund and report to the VSA Board of Directors and the Compensation Fund Board on the assets of the Fund.
• Provide advice on legislation and policy to the VSA Board of Directors and the British Columbia Government, as required.
• Identify key risks to consumers interacting with the industry and recommend strategies to address those risks.
• Ensure operational policies remain relevant, current, and incorporate Right Touch Regulation Principles.
• Ensure the Registrar’s Rules and operational policies remain relevant, current, and incorporate Right Touch Regulation Principles.
• Provide guidance, direction, and statutory interpretation to all delegates of the Registrar, such as Investigators, Industry Standards Officers, Licensing Officers, Consumer Service Officers, and their managers.

Related Responsibilities:

• Oversee the development and delivery of mediation and arbitration processes to resolve disputes between consumers and dealers/licensees.
• Provide administrative and operational support for the Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund Board, including conducting investigations as directed by that Board.
• Support the development, implementation, and delivery of learning/professional development programs for dealers and licensees.
• Support the development, implementation, and delivery of consumer education programs.
• Oversee the balance of the Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund in consultation with the Compensation Fund Board.
• Monitor the effectiveness of legislation and report to the Board of Directors and British Columbia Government on recommendations for change, as required, to improve consumer protection and the regulation of the vehicle sales industry.
• Develop and maintain relationships with related agencies in Canada and the United States, such as the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, BC Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement Branch, and the National Association of Motor Vehicle Boards and Commissions, as required to support the work of the VSA.

Corporate Responsibilities:

• Establish policies and procedures that manage risk, including assessing liability in investigations and prosecutions and determining appropriate strategies to mitigate risks to the VSA, its officers, and its employees.
• Ensures Registrar’s delegates exercise their delegated authority in accordance with the legislation, procedural fairness, the VSA’s Regulatory Philosophy and Enforcement Principles, the VSA’s Compliance Enforcement Model, and Right Touch Regulation Principles.
• Ensure that staff are qualified and have been given the delegated authority required to perform statutory functions, where applicable.
• Oversee and evaluate the performance of staff, including their exercise of delegated authority, where applicable.
• Participate in the preparation and approval of the VSA strategic plan, operational plan, and the budget, as well as monitor the approved budget for the Registrar’s scope of operations.
• Collaborating closely with the Chair of the Board of Directors and the President, act as a primary spokesperson for the VSA.
• In partnership with the President:
  • develop and maintain a stakeholder relations and communications program,
  • represent the VSA in relations with government, the motor vehicle sales industry, and other stakeholders, and
  • review material issues to ensure that the Chair and other VSA Directors are provided with relevant and timely information.
• Other duties, as may be assigned by the President.

Is this a Good Fit for You?

As a member of the Executive Team, the Registrar will carry out responsibilities with a high degree of independence, initiative, and discretion, demonstrating good judgment and prudence. This role includes active involvement in strategic and annual business planning, oversight of ongoing operations and review of organization performance. This role requires the individual to carry out their duties in an unbiased, professional, courteous, and timely manner while adhering to the principles of administrative fairness. 

The successful candidate must:

• Pass a criminal record check,
• Possess a BC Class 5 driver’s license or equivalent and be in good standing,
• Provide a current driver’s abstract acceptable to the VSA,
• Recognize that weekend work and travel within the province may be required, infrequently,
• Be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement and adhere to BC privacy legislation, and
• Maintain their designation as a licensed lawyer with the Law Society of BC in good standing.

The desired start date for this role is May 1, 2025.

Your Experience and Educational Background

While it is understood that a candidate may not possess all the competencies noted below, it is expected that over time, the candidate will demonstrate most, if not all, of these aspects:

Required:

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience providing legal advice and services involving administrative/regulatory law matters, with appearances before tribunals,
• A minimum of five years’ experience in a senior leadership role providing strategic direction and oversight, and
• A licensed lawyer with the Law Society of British Columbia, or eligible for admission to the Law Society of British Columbia and must obtain a license with the Law Society of British Columbia, upon being hired.

Preferred:

• A second degree in social science, political science, public administration or in business,
• Experience in conducting investigations within a regulatory environment applying consumer protection legislation,
• Experience with a legislative and/or regulatory authority or regime, interpreting and applying legislation and applying appropriate legal principals and precedents, and participating in hearings or mediations,
• Experience and formal training in leadership and management, and
• Experience as an adjudicator in an administrative tribunal setting or equivalent.

You Possess the Following Competencies

• Ability to build relationships, collaborate and communicate effectively with all levels of the organization
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills,
• Excellent interpersonal skills, conflict management, and leadership capabilities,
• Strategic approach to problem solving and case management,
• Self-motivated and able to manage time and workload pressures independently,
• Ability to work in a team environment,
• Ability to network professionally with the public, automotive industry, stakeholders, law enforcement and Government agencies,
• Ability to create and maintain a positive work environment,
• Ability to organize and manage large volume of files,
• Experience working with legislation, statutes, and regulations,
• Ability to work from home from time-to-time (remote), and
• Computer skills, including word processing and use of databases such as Microsoft’s Customer Relations Management (CRM) system.

Some travel may be required for adjudicative hearings and to attend conferences.

How to Apply                                                 

If you are interested in the Registrar role with the Vehicle Sales Authority and would like to submit your application for review, please send your cover letter and resume to our HR Department at resumes@mvsabc.com.

All applicants must undergo a criminal background check, should have knowledge of the role of regulatory organizations, and preferably knowledge of the Motor Dealer Act and other relevant consumer protection legislation. Short-listed applicants will also require a short research project, writing sample and presentation from those selected candidates for an interview.