Executive Director

Description

The Winnipeg Arts Council Board of Directors is seeking a collaborative, visionary leader with a passion for the arts to maintain the quality and standards of the organization while developing opportunities for growth and innovation.

Organization

As the municipal arts funding body, the Winnipeg Arts Council (WAC) is a cornerstone of Winnipeg’s vibrant arts community. An independent, non-profit corporation with charitable status, WAC operates as an arm’s-length agency for the City of Winnipeg. With a mandate focused on artistic excellence and community impact, WAC supports opportunities for Winnipeggers to engage with the arts as creators and audiences.

Our core programs include:

(1) peer-assessed grant programs that respond to the evolving needs of Winnipeg’s diverse artistic community. In 2023, WAC invested over $4 million in the local arts community, supporting a wide array of arts organizations, collectives, and individuals across all artistic disciplines.

(2) management of the City’s Public Art Program and Collection, collaborating with various city departments and community partners to enrich Winnipeg’s public spaces through art.

(3) the provision of arts development programs and projects, often engaging in partnerships that offer arts experiences to all Winnipeggers.

With a dedicated team of staff members and a committed Board of Directors, we’re seeking a dynamic leader to guide our organization into its next exciting chapter.

Position Summary

The Executive Director has a vital leadership role and is responsible for both the current operations and future growth of the Winnipeg Arts Council. The position acts as the official voice of the organization, chief negotiator and signatory. This role involves working closely with the Board of Directors to develop and implement a visionary yet practical long-term plan for the organization. We seek a leader who will:

• Build upon the organization’s strong foundation while boldly envisioning its future.
• Mentor, guide and support staff while fostering a culture of creative risk-taking.
• Establish and strengthen relationships within the Winnipeg arts community and beyond.
• Actively seek and develop opportunities to expand WAC’s impact, funding, and programs.
• Champion the organization’s mission, vision, and values while driving operational excellence and financial sustainability.
• Implement fresh approaches to engage diverse communities.
• Lead WAC in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the changing arts landscape.
• Balance respect for established practices with the courage to implement transformative ideas.
• Collaborate effectively with staff, government entities, stakeholders, and the Board of Directors to advance WAC’s mission and goals.

This role requires flexible work hours to accommodate occasional meetings and events outside of normal business hours. In return, WAC offers a flexible work environment that respects work-life balance.

Key Traits and Characteristics

Visionary Leadership: Ability to inspire and motivate all stakeholders towards a shared vision, while imagining new possibilities for the organization’s growth and impact.
Strategic Thinking: Capacity to develop, execute, and adapt effective plans to achieve organizational goals and seize new opportunities.
Collaboration: Skilled at building relationships and partnerships with diverse stakeholders, both within and beyond the arts sector.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to various audiences.
Corporate Acumen: Strong understanding of organizational dynamics and implementation of effective operational models.
Cultural Competency: Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an understanding of Indigenous perspectives.
Innovation: Ability to think creatively, identify emerging trends, and develop ambitious yet achievable solutions to deal with challenges for the Winnipeg Arts Council.
Composed Leadership: Ability to listen, maintaining a calm, focused, and thoughtful approach to leadership, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Collaborative Decision-Making: Ability to make thoughtful decisions and implement changes through meaningful consultation with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Planning

• Collaborate with the Board and staff to develop and implement strategic and annual corporate plans.
• Oversee all operations, including program delivery, financial management, and human resources.
• Communicate operational objectives to all employees.
• Monitor and analyze arts sector activities locally, provincially, and nationally.
• Foster active connections with similar organizations in Winnipeg and across Canada to share best practices and collaborate on initiatives.
• Develop policy and program recommendations for the Board based on insights from sector analysis and staff input.
• Ensure alignment between the organization’s activities and its mission and values.
• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for organizational growth, increased funding, and expanded community impact.

Financial and Performance Management

• Develop and monitor the annual budget, including fund distribution, expenses, and capital expenditures, ensuring financial sustainability, revenue-generation initiatives and responsible resource allocation.
• Regularly review organizational performance against objectives and provide reports to the Board, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Keep funders, stakeholders, and the community informed of the Winnipeg Arts Council’s progress and performance.

Organizational, Operational, and People Leadership

• Develop and monitor performance objectives and plans for all staff, advisors, consultants, and assessors.
• Maintain and update Board-approved HR policies, including recruitment, compensation, employee relations, and career management.
• Support, coach, and encourage staff, establishing open communication and teamwork.
• Oversee organizational operations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with strategic goals.

Community Engagement & Advocacy

• Represent the organization and act as an ambassador for the Winnipeg Arts Council, building and maintaining strong relationships with government officials, funders, community agencies, educational organizations, and other partners, leveraging knowledge of the Winnipeg arts landscape.
• Represent the organization at public events and forums, advocating for the arts and promoting the organization’s programs and services.
• Develop and implement a strategic communications plan.