General Manager, Fort William Historical Park
About the role
Apply by: Friday, August 21, 2026 11:59 pm EDT
Bringing Life to History, Strengthening Relationships, Shaping the Future.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming is seeking a forward thinking people leader to serve as General Manager of Fort William Historical Park, one of North America's largest living history attractions and a cornerstone of Northwestern Ontario's tourism, heritage, education, and cultural landscape. Fort William Historical Park welcomes visitors from around the world through immersive historical experiences, major public events, educational programming, conference and hospitality services, the renowned David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, and campground. The Park is also committed to fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and sharing histories that reflect the enduring cultural contributions, perspectives, and experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples.
As General Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for this multifaceted enterprise, driving innovation, operational excellence, community partnerships, financial sustainability, and organizational performance while advancing reconciliation and strengthening relationships with Indigenous partners, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders, government ministries, and the broader community. You will play a pivotal role in preserving and enhancing the Park's significant historical, cultural, educational, and economic contributions to Ontario and ensuring it continues to deliver exceptional experiences for visitors today and for future generations.
Learn more about Fort William Historic Park: Fort William Historical Park | Bringing Life to History
A career in the Ontario Public Service is driven by a passion for creating a stronger Ontario.
About the job
Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister, the General Manager, Fort William Historic Park will: Direct, coordinate and control the delivery of services at a tourist attraction and facilitate the development of Fort William Historical Park's strategic directions and corporate values Expand tourism experiences in the region and increase the profile of the area as a tourism destination Provide strategic leadership and direction for operational liaison and relationship management within the ministry's tourism agencies and attractions portfolio Establish and maintain effective relationships and communications to represent the interests, needs and opportunities of heritage attractions with key stakeholders and public. Advance reconciliation and build and maintain collaborative relationships with Indigenous partners to incorporate Indigenous cultural contributions, perspectives, and experiences into attraction and its experiences. Champion collaboration, engagement, equity, inclusion, accessibility, excellence and employee well-being
What you bring to the team
Executive Leadership
You are a seasoned people leader with proven abilities in: balancing strategic direction-setting with the right level of operational oversight, ensuring strong outcomes inspiring, motivating, and developing high-performing, multi-functional teams in a fast-paced operational environment leading through transformational change, championing modernization and innovative service-delivery approaches, and taking measured, appropriate risks to advance meaningful improvement creating a culture of diversity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism, equity, and psychological safety, while strengthening staff stability, morale, and well-being among a diverse team.
Relationship Management and Political Acuity
You are an effective communicator, negotiator, and consensus builder with proven abilities in: demonstrating strong political acuity while delivering strategic, confidential, and time-sensitive advice to senior leaders, ministry executives, and government officials managing complex, politically sensitive, and high-profile issues involving diverse and sometimes competing interests bringing in diverse perspectives, to inform decision-making, innovation, and continuous service improvement working collaboratively to advance shared priorities and navigate issues requiring diplomacy, tact, and sound judgement
Job Knowledge
You are a dynamic operational leader with proven: understanding of theories, principles, design and practices of heritage conservation and planning, education and tourism experiences experience leading the operation of a large cultural attraction or similar facility knowledge of current trends and Indigenous and stakeholder interests in the tourism industry and other related sectors knowledge of marketing practices, methods and techniques to enhance and attract public events and exhibits and boost visitation/revenues knowledge of government priorities, processes and legislation pertaining to the oversight and accountability of attractions HR and labour relations experience, including navigating complex workforce issues, workplace challenges, and supporting long-term leadership talent development and retention.
Don't meet every qualification? If you're excited to work for the Ontario Public Service but don't think you meet all the criteria, please still consider applying. We recognize no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact ExecutiveAccommodations@ontario.ca. All information discussed related to accommodation will be kept confidential.
Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives accessibility Anti-Racism Policy
Not the right fit? Search for General Manager, Fort William Historical Park jobs in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
About Government of Ontario
Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l'Ontario
The Ontario Government works to serve the public interest and uphold the public trust by providing Ministers with objective advice and expert guidance. The Ontario Public Service carries out the decisions and policies of the elected government with integrity and accountability and administers public services to the highest professional standards.
Le gouvernement de l'Ontario sert l'intérêt public et conserve la confiance du public en fournissant aux ministres des conseils objectifs et spécialisés. La fonction publique de l'Ontario applique les décisions et les politiques du gouvernement élu. En respectant le principe de reddition des comptes et avec intégrité, elle administre les services à la population selon les normes professionnelles les plus rigoureuses.
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General Manager, Fort William Historical Park
About the role
Apply by: Friday, August 21, 2026 11:59 pm EDT
Bringing Life to History, Strengthening Relationships, Shaping the Future.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming is seeking a forward thinking people leader to serve as General Manager of Fort William Historical Park, one of North America's largest living history attractions and a cornerstone of Northwestern Ontario's tourism, heritage, education, and cultural landscape. Fort William Historical Park welcomes visitors from around the world through immersive historical experiences, major public events, educational programming, conference and hospitality services, the renowned David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, and campground. The Park is also committed to fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and sharing histories that reflect the enduring cultural contributions, perspectives, and experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples.
As General Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for this multifaceted enterprise, driving innovation, operational excellence, community partnerships, financial sustainability, and organizational performance while advancing reconciliation and strengthening relationships with Indigenous partners, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders, government ministries, and the broader community. You will play a pivotal role in preserving and enhancing the Park's significant historical, cultural, educational, and economic contributions to Ontario and ensuring it continues to deliver exceptional experiences for visitors today and for future generations.
Learn more about Fort William Historic Park: Fort William Historical Park | Bringing Life to History
A career in the Ontario Public Service is driven by a passion for creating a stronger Ontario.
About the job
Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister, the General Manager, Fort William Historic Park will: Direct, coordinate and control the delivery of services at a tourist attraction and facilitate the development of Fort William Historical Park's strategic directions and corporate values Expand tourism experiences in the region and increase the profile of the area as a tourism destination Provide strategic leadership and direction for operational liaison and relationship management within the ministry's tourism agencies and attractions portfolio Establish and maintain effective relationships and communications to represent the interests, needs and opportunities of heritage attractions with key stakeholders and public. Advance reconciliation and build and maintain collaborative relationships with Indigenous partners to incorporate Indigenous cultural contributions, perspectives, and experiences into attraction and its experiences. Champion collaboration, engagement, equity, inclusion, accessibility, excellence and employee well-being
What you bring to the team
Executive Leadership
You are a seasoned people leader with proven abilities in: balancing strategic direction-setting with the right level of operational oversight, ensuring strong outcomes inspiring, motivating, and developing high-performing, multi-functional teams in a fast-paced operational environment leading through transformational change, championing modernization and innovative service-delivery approaches, and taking measured, appropriate risks to advance meaningful improvement creating a culture of diversity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism, equity, and psychological safety, while strengthening staff stability, morale, and well-being among a diverse team.
Relationship Management and Political Acuity
You are an effective communicator, negotiator, and consensus builder with proven abilities in: demonstrating strong political acuity while delivering strategic, confidential, and time-sensitive advice to senior leaders, ministry executives, and government officials managing complex, politically sensitive, and high-profile issues involving diverse and sometimes competing interests bringing in diverse perspectives, to inform decision-making, innovation, and continuous service improvement working collaboratively to advance shared priorities and navigate issues requiring diplomacy, tact, and sound judgement
Job Knowledge
You are a dynamic operational leader with proven: understanding of theories, principles, design and practices of heritage conservation and planning, education and tourism experiences experience leading the operation of a large cultural attraction or similar facility knowledge of current trends and Indigenous and stakeholder interests in the tourism industry and other related sectors knowledge of marketing practices, methods and techniques to enhance and attract public events and exhibits and boost visitation/revenues knowledge of government priorities, processes and legislation pertaining to the oversight and accountability of attractions HR and labour relations experience, including navigating complex workforce issues, workplace challenges, and supporting long-term leadership talent development and retention.
Don't meet every qualification? If you're excited to work for the Ontario Public Service but don't think you meet all the criteria, please still consider applying. We recognize no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact ExecutiveAccommodations@ontario.ca. All information discussed related to accommodation will be kept confidential.
Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives accessibility Anti-Racism Policy
Not the right fit? Search for General Manager, Fort William Historical Park jobs in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
About Government of Ontario
Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l'Ontario
The Ontario Government works to serve the public interest and uphold the public trust by providing Ministers with objective advice and expert guidance. The Ontario Public Service carries out the decisions and policies of the elected government with integrity and accountability and administers public services to the highest professional standards.
Le gouvernement de l'Ontario sert l'intérêt public et conserve la confiance du public en fournissant aux ministres des conseils objectifs et spécialisés. La fonction publique de l'Ontario applique les décisions et les politiques du gouvernement élu. En respectant le principe de reddition des comptes et avec intégrité, elle administre les services à la population selon les normes professionnelles les plus rigoureuses.