Tour Company Head Guide

Are you looking for a fun, unique, dynamic, and engaging job? Do you love Toronto and want to share why you think this city is so amazing with people from across Canada and around the world? Are you an engaged leader who would like to help develop a fantastic work environment for your team?

Black Lab Tours is a start-up tour company with an ambitious goal to become one of Toronto’s most popular and incredible tourist experiences, and we’d love to have you join our leadership team You’ll have the chance to work alongside industry professionals who love Toronto and are motivated to share their passion for this city with our guests and help build a fun, strong employee culture for our staff.

In this role, you will be our head guide leading our guided tours. Our guides are, first and foremost, storytellers. Enthusiastic, friendly, and independent, in this position you will develop excellent customer service skills and should enjoy working with the public. Our guides are responsible for providing the commentary on all our public and private tours, including our city tours and specialty tours (e.g. Niagara Falls tours, ghost tours, etc.). You will be hired at first to focus on one tour, but there will be opportunity to learn and lead other tours, if interested.

Don’t have experience as a tour guide? No problem We are pleased to provide all the training you need. Not only will you learn about Toronto; you will also learn how to be a strong speaker, connect with people, and provide amazing customer service—skills that you will find useful no matter your future career.

Additionally, you will work with our location manager as part of our Toronto leadership team. Tasks will include assisting the manager with hiring and training guides, assessing the guides, and helping to address any issues that might arise. As well, you will have the opportunity to help grow the business by building relationships with local hotels and other key stakeholders.

Our tours run all year long, with shifts available during the week, in the evenings, and on weekends. As head guide, you will have the opportunity to help shape the team work schedule and to select shifts that work with your personal work preferences, while still ensuring all business needs are filled.
- **Key Responsibilities**_
- Work with other members of the leadership team to develop a strong and engaging company culture.
- Assist with hiring and training the guiding team.
- Assist with evaluating the guiding team, developing company team-building activities, and address issues that arise with the guiding team.
- Help build relationships with local hotels and other tourism stakeholders.
- Memorise and provide in-depth information in an engaging and inspiring manner.
- Tell stories, but also answer questions and share city tips and recommendations.
- Prepare and give presentations in an engaging manner, with stories as the focus, rather than just presenting facts.
- Have knowledge of the tour area—a guide who knows their stuff will greatly enhance our guests’ experience We encourage a willingness to conduct independent research to familiarise yourself with these areas.
- Remain calm and collected under pressure.
- Work with other members of the leadership team to build additional tour experiences.
- **Desired Traits, Skills, and Qualifications**_
- A positive attitude, passion, enthusiasm, and desire to lead a team is a must
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
- Strong empathy and understanding.
- Problem solving and ability to multitask.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Charismatic personality.
- Keen ability to improvise and adapt.
- Focus on building rapport with our guests and partners.
- Engaging storytelling abilities—we will help you develop these
- Customer service experience appreciated but not required.
- Passion for learning and willingness to continue to acquire relevant knowledge.
- **Rewards of the Job**_
- Opportunity to ‘be the difference’ in making someone’s trip to Toronto unforgettable.
- Opportunity to help build the culture, relationships, and product offerings of a new local tour company.
- Opportunity to develop leadership and team-building skills that will be helpful in any future career.
- 100% of guest gratuities on your tours
- Flexible work scheduling, excellent work/life balance.
- Comprehensive training in guest engagement, public speaking, and customer service.
- Fun and supportive work environment.
- Special access to local attractions—be behind the scenes in a way most locals never do
- Opportunities to gain experience as a guide and valued team member in a new tour company
- **Why ‘Black Lab’ Tours? **_Our name is inspired by the Labrador Retriever. North America’s most popular dogs, Labs are friendly, kind, and intelligent, with an excellent temperament. Also known for their reliability and leadership, they are all we hope to be to our guests

**Job Types**: Full-time, Part-t