The Bermuda Tourism Authority has launched a global search for a new chief executive — just weeks after confirming that an appointment was imminent.

The authority placed an advertisement on the job board of the Searchwide Global website on Tuesday, seeking a “visionary, collaborative” and ”politically astute“ leader who ”will be responsible for the development and management of a high-performing team“.

The authority’s last CEO, Charles Jeffers II, left the post unexpectedly in June last year after just 12 months in the job. No reason for his departure has been given.

Tracy Berkeley, formerly the BTA’s chief administration officer, was immediately installed as interim CEO and the publicly funded quango set about finding a replacement “from within the organisation”.

Last month Wayne Caines, the chairman of the BTA board of directors, said the board was “in the process of finalising the appointment”. That appointment now appears to have been derailed.

Questioned yesterday by The Royal Gazette about the advert, Mr Caines would only say: “In keeping with best practice, the board has made the decision to do a global search for the role of CEO. Tracy Berkeley will continue as interim CEO of the BTA.”

The authority has seen a revolving door of CEOs recently.

Kevin Dallas held the post until February 2020, but since then three more executives — Glenn Jones, Mr Jeffers and Ms Berkeley — have headed the authority, although Mr Jones, like Ms Berkeley, was an interim appointment.

Yesterday, Vance Campbell, the Minister of Tourism and the Cabinet Office, said: “I am aware of the BTA’s search to fill the post of CEO, and I support this recruitment process.

“The post’s qualifications, role and responsibilities, and how a CEO is appointed are set out in the Bermuda Tourism Authority Act 2013. I am confident that the board will do their due diligence to fill the position while adhering to the law.”

According to the Searchwide Global job posting, Bermuda is on the cusp of a tourism revival.

It states: “Now there is a renewed energy and excitement about the island as major renovations, new projects and legendary hospitality are paving the way for a next-generation destination to host meetings, conferences and incentive programmes.

“Set apart by its location out in the Atlantic, easy airlift access, the warmth of the people, its natural beauty, along with elegant and elevated style make Bermuda an ideal destination for guaranteeing lasting memories.”

It goes on to describe the BTA as “a dynamic, tourism enterprise dedicated to driving Bermuda's evolution as a world-class tourism destination”.

“We partner with the Bermuda Government, industry stakeholders and our whole island community to create memorable experiences for more visitors and grow tourism and jobs as a result,” it states.

The advert also states that the ideal candidate will have a minimum of ten years’ experience as a senior executive with responsibility for leading “high-performance teams and delivering results”.

It adds that the successful candidate must have an “ability to balance the delivery of programmes against the realities of a budget”.

A good working knowledge of Bermuda and the National Tourism Plan is also “an asset”.

This story was updated at 9.45am on February 2 to include a response from Mr Campbell, the tourism minister. The response was included in The Royal Gazette’s print edition already but due to an editing error was not included in the online edition.