Job Posting: Executive Director

February 2022

Position Type: Full-Time
Start Date: TBD – April – June 2023
Location: Toronto – Hybrid (Office located downtown (Bloor/Bathurst)

Who We Are

The Music Gallery has been Toronto’s Centre for Creative Music since 1976. We present an annual season of genre-defying concert music and events. We champion a wide range of musicians who push boundaries, break down barriers, take risks and experiment by offering safe space and essential resources so that they can act fearlessly in their pursuit of the new. We build networks that celebrate artists’ achievements and build resilience. We are dedicated to uplifting, amplifying, and celebrating the stories and sounds of our city and beyond.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sanjeet Takhar, we push forward our traditions of improvisation, experimental electronics, imaginative composition, and intercultural initiatives to remain a hub for collaboration, discussion, and multi-media performance. Our organization is nearly fifty years old and continues to attract younger communities while respecting its historical artists and audience.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Board of Directors and working collaboratively with the Artistic Director, the Executive Director is responsible for the overall administrative, financial, and daily operations of the Music Gallery.

The Executive Director takes a lead role in all the organization’s activities and projects including budgeting, financial management, fundraising, grant writing and reporting, as well as the visioning and voicing of the Music Gallery.

What We’re Looking For

Organizational Leadership

• Work in collaboration with the Artistic Director to execute the broad artistic direction of the organization, advancing and implementing the Music Gallery’s vision in alignment with its strategic plans
• Manage the workflow of full-time non-management and part-time staff, ensuring that key performance measures are met
• Uphold the Music Gallery’s equity, diversity and inclusivity values through the ongoing entrenchment and development of related policies and procedures re: Anti-Harassment and Anti-Racism and others as appropriate.
• Continually improve the operational and administrative efficiency of the Music Gallery. Review existing methods, policies, and procedures, recommend changes and draft new proposals for Board awareness (and approval where necessary).
• Act as the main liaison with the board, assisting in scheduling, and preparing materials for meetings, and sub-committees as needed.
  • participates in all board subcommittees
  • staff lead for strategic planning

Fund Development

• Draft and execute an annual fund development plan, encompassing individual giving, and private and corporate foundations; and including direct appeal donation campaigns, donor cultivation and stewardship, and special event components
• Cultivate and sustain long-term relationships with core and potential public sector funding sources, ensuring the organization’s compliance with funder guidelines, as well as advancing funder engagement and grant revenue increases

Marketing

• Lead the overall planning and budgeting of marketing initiatives designed to expand and engage the Music Gallery’s audiences
• Expand the membership base of the Music Gallery and generally raise awareness of Music Gallery activities among the existing and prospective donors and sponsors
• Actively sustain a visible relationship with contributors of the Music Gallery community

Administrative and HR Management

• Manage all aspects of the day-to-day operations and workflow systems and infrastructure, where appropriate coaching and mentoring junior staff
• Oversee production and operational logistics relating to independent contractors, venue, and staff
• Uphold the HR policies of the organization in daily operations, and ensure that the Music Gallery remains compliant to all relevant laws and regulations affecting the HR function
• Actively administers front of house operation during events, which may include cash reconciliation, inventory supply and safer space maintenance responsibility, among other tasks
• Coordinates fee for service activities involving Music Gallery staff with other organizations such as 918 Bathurst Centre
  • may include scheduling of production staff for events
  • coordinates training for staff when relevant

Financial Management

• Develop budget in coordination with the Artistic Director to be approved by the Board
• Ensure all funder / sponsor and government regulatory obligations concerning financial reporting, grants, tax collection and remittances are met
• Liaise with bookkeeper and auditors to ensure regular and timely production of financial reports. Responsible for timely processing of payables and receivables.
• Manage payroll, invoicing, banking, and the annual audit

Qualifications

The ideal candidate has considerable experience in a senior management role at a small or medium size not-for-profit arts organization, or similar background in not-for-profit management. They will have a demonstrated track record of inclusive leadership, vision and team building which inspires board, staff, volunteers, partners, and funders to achieve the organization’s business, social and artistic goals, with knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Operational and project leadership and management in a non-profit/ voluntary setting
• Federal and provincial legislation applicable to voluntary sector organizations including: employment standards, human rights and equity issues, occupational health and safety, charities, not-for-profit corporations, people with disabilities, taxation, CPP, EI, health coverage etc.
• Human resources management in dealing with staff and volunteers
• Financial management and accounting, with ability to promote financial sustainability
• Grant writing and Fund Development with the ability to cultivate and expand donor bases
• Marketing management, including social media platforms
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to foster a collaborative, effective and respectful work environment

Background in music or the arts with awareness of experimental music communities will be considered an asset.

The successful candidate will be expected to uphold the policies and values of the Music Gallery: Code of Conduct, Equity and Diversity, Conflict of Interest, Anti-Oppression, Equality Across Gender identities and Sexual Orientation, Maintaining Safe Work Environments, Community Building

Salary

$50,000 to $60,000 total compensation plus four weeks’ vacation per annum, commensurate with the successful candidate’s level of experience.

Organization

The Music Gallery’s staff is typically comprised of two full time positions (Executive Director, Artistic Director), and a small team of part time roles including marketing & promotion, technical production, front-of-house and bar service. Occasionally these are supplemented by volunteers.

The Board of Directors is comprised of up to 11 volunteer directors, four of whom form the Executive Committee (Chair, President, Secretary, Treasurer).

The organization also has an Artistic Advisory Committee which works with the Artistic Director and is comprised of up to 12 volunteers.

Working Environment

The Executive Director works primarily out of the Music Gallery’s office, located in the lower level of 918 Bathurst.

Unfortunately, 918 Bathurst is not currently wheelchair accessible due to stairs (two half-flights to enter the performance space, and one flight to access the washrooms and office space). We are willing to discuss accommodations for candidates with disabilities, including a change of office space.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we transitioned our working environment to working-from-home and video-conference. We continue to accommodate a flexible hybrid model combining work-from-home and/or office.

TO APPLY:

Your application package should include the following, in PDF format:

• Covering letter, including salary expectations
• Professional resume, including telephone contact information for three professional references

The deadline is Friday, Mar. 3 at 5pm (EST).

Please submit your application package as attachments by EMAIL to:

Attn: Hiring Committee – Executive Director
c/o Dave Darby, President, Board of Directors
president@musicgallery.org

Please note that incomplete submissions will not be considered. Applications will not be accepted by fax, mail, courier or hand-delivery. No phone calls please.

The Music Gallery would like to thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates being considered for an interview will be contacted by the hiring committee.

The Music Gallery is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified candidates from visible and invisible minority group members, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons across the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. We are committed to hiring on merit and to removing barriers in employment policies. Should you require accommodation during the interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.