Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Affiliations
Certification
Timeline
Generic

James Rilett

Thornhill, On,ON

Summary

Accomplished leader with a proven track record, adept in team leadership and relationship building. Excelled in fostering stakeholder partnerships and spearheading strategic initiatives, resulting in enhanced collaboration and efficiency. Skilled in media relations and critical thinking, consistently achieving project success and organizational growth without exceeding a numerical percentage.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Vice President, Government and Industry Relations

Call2Recycle
11.2022 - 03.2024
  • Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
  • Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects including program plans for BC, AB, MB, QC, NS and NB.
  • Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
  • Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.

Vice President, Central Canada

Restaurants Canada
08.2013 - 11.2022
  • Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
  • Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
  • Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
  • Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.

Vice President

Pathway Group
07.2011 - 08.2013
  • Advocated on behalf of companies, industry associations and other interest groups to gain approval of projects and policies
  • Increased company growth through client presentations and business pitches
  • Directed marketing strategies to increase brand awareness, generate leads, and grow market share within highly competitive industries.

Chief of Staff

Ontario Cabinet Ministers
10.2009 - 07.2012
  • Supervised staff and participated in hiring, training and performance evaluations to establish and enforce policies and procedures for business functions.
  • Aligned departmental goals with overall company vision, ensuring cohesive progress towards shared objectives.
  • Led crisis-management efforts during unexpected challenges; mitigating potential negative impacts on business operations.
  • Mentored and developed junior staff members; fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration within the organization.
  • Provided comprehensive support to the CEO, enabling them to focus on critical decision-making and leadership tasks.

Special Assistant, Stakeholder Relations

Office Of The Premier Of Ontario
10.2007 - 10.2009
  • Created structures for stakeholder relations and management.
  • Provided intervention to ensure successful funding and support for key projects, events and organizations.
  • Spearheaded initiatives and special projects that were key to the government mandate

Director of Communications

Ministry Of Transportation
02.2006 - 10.2007
  • Spearheaded all communications from Minister on issues and announcements
  • Fulfilled spokesperson duties as needed.
  • Managed crisis communication, mitigating negative publicity during high-profile incidents.
  • Approved all external communications from Ministry
  • Worked with ministry and Cabinet Office officials to maximize impact of infrastructure announcements

Senior Advisor, Strategic Policy

Ministry Of Energy
07.2005 - 02.2006
  • Mentored and advised staff on impactful policies and guided legislative changes
  • Enhanced stakeholder relationships by providing strategic advice and guidance on industry trends and best practices.
  • Maintained an extensive professional network and leveraged connections to secure support for initiatives

Director of Communications

Ministry Of Agriculture
10.2003 - 06.2005
  • Managed crisis communication, mitigating negative publicity during high-profile incidents.
  • Orchestrated successful policy announcements through well-coordinated PR efforts, garnering favorable reviews from both consumers and press outlets.
  • Mentored junior staff members, fostering professional development and growth within the communications team.

Strategic Operations Manager

Ontario Leader Of The Official Opposition
03.2001 - 10.2003
  • Drove increased party support by organizing associations and developing targeted strategies.
  • Enhanced operational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing innovative systems.
  • Coordinated efforts across multiple departments to deliver improved communication and support.
  • Delivered timely project completion by prioritizing tasks and proactively addressing potential delays.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

Carleton University
Ottawa, ON
03.1993

Skills

  • Team Leadership
  • Relationship Building
  • Decision-Making
  • Critical Thinking
  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • Media Relations
  • Business Storytelling
  • Approachable leader

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual

Affiliations

  • Scouts Canada

Certification

  • Indigenous Canada Certificate, University of Alberta - 2024
  • Aboriginal Worldviews and Education, University of Toronto - 2024
  • Google AI Essentials, Google - 2024
  • Science of Well-Being, Yale University - 2024
  • Go Beyond: Becoming an Extraordinary Leader, Canadian Management Centre - 2023

Timeline

Vice President, Government and Industry Relations

Call2Recycle
11.2022 - 03.2024

Vice President, Central Canada

Restaurants Canada
08.2013 - 11.2022

Vice President

Pathway Group
07.2011 - 08.2013

Chief of Staff

Ontario Cabinet Ministers
10.2009 - 07.2012

Special Assistant, Stakeholder Relations

Office Of The Premier Of Ontario
10.2007 - 10.2009

Director of Communications

Ministry Of Transportation
02.2006 - 10.2007

Senior Advisor, Strategic Policy

Ministry Of Energy
07.2005 - 02.2006

Director of Communications

Ministry Of Agriculture
10.2003 - 06.2005

Strategic Operations Manager

Ontario Leader Of The Official Opposition
03.2001 - 10.2003

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

Carleton University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
James Rilett