Managing Director

Company Description

Resonance (resonanceco.com) is a leading place strategy and place marketing consultancy for the world’s best destinations, cities, districts, and developers. We also publish the most widely read city rankings on the planet (worldsbestcities.com).

Job Description

Resonance is hiring a Managing Director to lead our Vancouver office – commercially, culturally, and operationally. This is a senior leadership role with accountability for growing our business across Canada, the Western U.S., and Mexico, and for the health and performance of the team that delivers it.

The MD is a uniting force – someone who unlocks the full potential of a collective team by bringing together diverse mindsets and capabilities. Their primary focus is commercial and strategic: building relationships with clients, overseeing proposal development and pitches, and developing the team into a strong commercial operator.

Alongside the commercial mandate, the MD oversees the office’s finance, HR, contracting, and studio operations, supported by an experienced finance and administration team.

The ideal candidate has a passion for places and a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to successful destinations, cities, and communities. They are a creative and results‑driven thinker, an excellent problem solver, and a mature leader who shares our passion for making the world a better place - one place at a time.

Key Responsibilities

Practice & Commercial Leadership

• Develop and execute the strategic vision for Resonance’s Canadian practice, ensuring alignment with market trends, client needs, and the firm’s long‑term goals
• Lead and grow Resonance’s consulting and creative practice across Canada, the Western U.S., and Mexico
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients across DMOs, EDOs, municipalities, and real estate developers, acting as a trusted advisor and ensuring the highest levels of client satisfaction
• Oversee and support proposal development, RFP responses, and pitch presentations for major opportunities
• Identify and pursue growth opportunities within existing client relationships and through the acquisition of new clients
• Represent Resonance as a thought leader in place strategy, branding, and marketing – participating in industry forums, speaking at conferences, and contributing to publications that enhance the firm’s reputation and influence
• Contribute to firm‑wide strategy and growth priorities in partnership with the executive team

Team & Office Leadership

• Set the overall culture, tone, and style of the Vancouver office – providing inspiring leadership that allows work and commercial creativity to flourish
• Lead and mentor the client services and delivery team, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and continuous improvement
• Provide guidance and support to team members, helping them develop their skills and advance their careers through individual growth plans and professional development opportunities
• Partner with the VP, Creative on the strategic direction and operational health of the creative studio
• Manage tracking and reporting of account performance to ensure team accountability and quality of service
• Coordinate with Resonance’s offices in New York and Brussels to share knowledge, align on firm‑wide priorities, and foster a connected global culture

Operational Oversight

• Own full operational oversight of the office’s finance, HR, and contracting functions
• Prepare annual sales goals and partner with the Controller in managing monthly billings and billable efficiency to deliver company business and revenue goals
• Oversee the Controller and Bookkeeper, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management
• Negotiate client agreements and payment structures in partnership with the Controller and client leads
• Own all contracting processes – client agreements, vendor and subcontractor contracts, and partner arrangements
• Establish and implement standards and procedures for recruiting, hiring, and managing staff
• Develop, implement, and enforce policies and programs that foster employee engagement and company culture, including support of individual growth plans

Qualifications

• Establish and implement standards and procedures for recruiting, hiring, and managing staff
• Develop, implement, and enforce policies and programs that foster employee engagement and company culture, including support of individual growth plans
• 10-15 years of experience in professional services, consulting, destination marketing, or a closely adjacent field
• Demonstrated experience leading or running an office, practice, or regional operation – accountable for commercial performance, P&L, and a team, not just your own work
• Genuine commercial instincts and a track record of building and growing client relationships in a professional services context
• A growth mindset and drive to build and develop both the team and the company – locally and globally
• Operational and financial literacy sufficient to oversee a finance function, manage contracts, and handle HR with confidence
• A mature, steady leadership presence – people trust you, develop under your supervision, and follow your direction
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills – you can lead a pitch, represent the firm in the market, and communicate clearly across all levels of the organization

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary for this role is $175,000–$200,000, commensurate with experience, plus a performance bonus tied to individual and company results. Resonance offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental coverage, paid vacation, RSP matching, and professional development support.

Resonance is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. We believe that great ideas emerge from a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage applications from candidates of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and identities.