Executive Director

If you are passionate about the transformative power of community-based arts, have the drive and vision to help shape the next chapter of our organization, and the humility to act in service of our broader community, we are interested in hearing from you!

Executive Director Responsibilities

• Organizational Ambassador: Act as the primary ambassador of CQAS, fostering positive relationships with community members and stakeholders, sponsors and funders, all levels of government, and the broader community.
• Financial and Operational Oversight: Provide sound financial and operational oversight including budgeting, quarterly reforecasting, and efficient day-to-day operations. Develop an annual business plan and budget that achieves the advancement of the artistic vision and the strategic plan for the approval of the board of directors.
• Strategic thinking: Identify strategic opportunities for partner advancement and community development through arts-based events and programming. Set and direct strategic initiatives and annual calendar of events in alignment with the organization’s mission and values. Be a practical, creative, and effective problem solver.
• Event Management: Oversee events in partnership with colleagues, programming team members, and volunteers whose hours fluctuate to meet the needs of the organization.
• Stakeholder and Government Relations: Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders and all levels of government to advocate for the organization’s goals and secure necessary support.
• Fundraising: Take a lead role in fundraising activities, working collaboratively with the board and other stakeholders to create an annual fundraising plan, ensuring adequate resources for organizational advancement.
• Board Collaboration: Report to and collaborate with the board of directors to strengthen organizational governance, update ethical and legal policies, build an intentional, inclusive culture, and ensure adequate resources for mission fulfillment.
• Leadership: Provide people-centric leadership and guidance to staff, contractors/consultants, and volunteers, fostering a culture of inclusion, celebration, accessibility, Truth and Reconciliation.
• Customer Experience: In partnership with program team members, develop and set goals for CQAS to deliver world-class experiences for CQAS audience members, program participants, contributing artists, and supporters.

Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of progressive leadership in a non-profit or arts-based organization.
• Experience with creating and implementing budgets. Experience with grants and fundraising.
• Education: There is no minimum education requirement but on-the-job training or education in finances and budgeting is preferred.
• Emotional Intelligence: High degree of emotional intelligence and self-awareness. The executive director will manage staff, as well as volunteers, community members, stakeholders, and sponsors.
• Commitment to Inclusion: Commitment to foster a culture of inclusion, accessibility, and Truth and Reconciliation in alignment with the organization’s vision and mission.
• Communications: Excellent verbal and written communication skills including grant writing skills. Professional presentation skills to varying audiences, from Board to staff, stakeholders, and the community-at-large including: government, funders, media, and potential supporters.
• Community Engagement: Experience in leading community engagement processes, particularly in the context of 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
• Knowledge: Arts administration, 2SLGBTQIA+ representation, intersectionality, anti-racism, the Report on the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Flexibility: The demands on the executive director will, to some extent, be cyclical based on the timing of programming. The chosen candidate will need to be able to commit to additional hours in the lead up to major programming.
• Self-Motivated: The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and embrace new initiatives.
• The ideal candidate is a creative and innovative professional with a proven record of achievement in organizational leadership, program planning, financial oversight, community engagement, partnership building and fund development.
• A police information/vulnerable sector search will be required.

Benefits