The Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) is a provincial public entity of the Gauteng Provincial Government established under the auspices of the Department of Economic Development and Finance in terms of the Gauteng Tourism Act. The mission of GTA is to develop and promote responsible and sustainable tourism in the Gauteng City Region, creating a world-class destination that attracts business and leisure visitors and other tourists to the province, benefits our people, and contributes to job creation and economic growth.
The GTA hereby invites all interested and suitably qualified candidates to apply for the position as set out below:
3-YEARS’ FIXED-TERM CONTRACT
Market Related Salary Package
GTA seeks to appoint a strong leader with proven business acumen and leadership experience to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on a 3-year, fixed-term contract of employment. As CEO, you will be expected to effectively develop and promote GTA’s strategic goals to create and promote a world-class and strategically marketed tourist destination; contribute towards tourism sector industry development; facilitate industry coordination and cooperative governance; foster a responsible and sustainable tourism industry and implement progressive compliance and corporate governance practices.
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:
The CEO will be responsible for overseeing the planning, development, and execution of GTA’s destination marketing and management strategies and overall management and leadership of GTA. The CEO’s primary responsibilities are to:
- Promote destination Gauteng through successful marketing using market research, product marketing, data analytics, business intelligence, communications, advertising, and public relations.
- Build and promote a sustained and attractive image of GTA and the Gauteng Province through the development of strategies for domestic tourism that result in Gauteng being perceived as a vibrant and profitable part of the provincial tourism industry and positioning Gauteng’s brand amongst the leading tourism destination brands globally.
- Lead and manage the use of Artificial Intelligence and technological innovation to revolutionize GTA’s internal processes and tourism data management resulting in efficient, data-driven decision-making and fostering interconnectivity across the tourism value chain.
- Drive collaboration and integration between the supply and demand tourism functions and the industry (nationally, provincially, and locally) through the implementation of strategic priorities and strategies such as GGT 2030, the Gauteng Tourism Sector Strategy in the context of the National Tourism Sector Strategy, the Gauteng Tourism Sector Recovery Plan, and other business strategies.
- Articulate the plans (short-, medium-, and long-term) to achieve GTA’s strategic objectives and identify key challenges facing GTA while designing appropriate risk mitigation interventions.
- Ensure adherence to sound corporate governance and compliance principles, including the development and implementation of an adequate and effective system of internal controls and risk-based compliance management.
- Design strategies to ensure GTA is optimally funded and take the lead in analyzing and proposing capital and operational financial requirements. Ensure the effective and efficient management of GTA’s resources in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act and contractual agreements with the Gauteng Provincial Government.
- Provide assurance to the Office of the MEC for Economic Development (the Executive Authority) and the Board (the Accounting Authority) of GTA’s financial soundness.
- Attract, develop, and retain key talented management staff, provide strategic support to the senior management team, and inspire them to perform. Lead in re-establishing and developing GTA’s culture and values.
- Ensure effective stakeholder management and position GTA as a thought-leader in the tourism space.
- Position GTA as a partner in fostering a capable and developmental state by driving economic growth and creating jobs through infrastructure development and skills training.
- Lead GTA in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism by setting strategic direction, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and championing sustainable practices.
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of the future of work, especially in a destination marketing and management organization, emphasizing diversity, equality, and inclusion in the context of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
This top executive position calls for a highly skilled individual who has at a minimum a relevant Honours (preferably a Master’s) degree in business leadership, tourism, or an associated discipline. Applicants must have at least 10 years of strategic management experience (of which at least 6 years must be at senior management level and at least 4 years at executive or, preferably, CEO level).
Qualifications will be considered alongside experience in tourism development, business leadership, destination marketing, financial management, good corporate governance, and positioning businesses within local and international markets. Applicants should demonstrate sound experience in strategic management and leadership within a medium-sized destination marketing organization in the tourism and/or hospitality industry.
Applicants must possess proven business skills in areas such as:
- Negotiation
- Marketing
- People and talent management
- Business administration and governance
- Strategic planning and leadership
- Public relations engagement
- An in-depth understanding of the applicable public sector legislative framework
DIRECTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
Applicants must forward their detailed, updated CVs accompanied by a cover letter highlighting relevant experience and qualifications by 28 February at 16h00 to [email protected].
GTA advocates for equal opportunities. Previously disadvantaged individuals and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Full background checks and psychometric tests will be conducted on successful candidates.
NOTE: Candidates not contacted within 30 days after the closing date must consider their applications unsuccessful.
