JOB CALL: Executive Director

STATEMENT OF INTENTION

VANS is committed to employment equity, and we will prioritize applications from those who self-identify in their application as Indigenous Peoples, Black, Persons of the Global Majority, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, newcomers to Canada and/or Persons with Disabilities. Working with P4G and Shaping Change Leadership Consulting, VANS will provide the successful candidate with four weeks of leadership training and onboarding to encourage and support emerging equity-deserving leaders in the cultural sector.

If you are a member of a group that has been historically excluded from opportunities, we encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter or resume and share your pronouns. We are committed to accommodating those with disabilities at any stage of the hiring process.

ABOUT VISUAL ARTS NOVA SCOTIA

Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) is a registered charity founded by artists for artists in 1976 to support, promote, and advocate for the visual arts sector in Nova Scotia. We believe in a future where a career as an artist is accessible, sustainable, and recognized as an integral part of our communities.

VANS supports artists through education, connection, and advocacy. We operate across Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the L’nu, also known as Nova Scotia. We prioritize artist-to-artist learning through workshops, mentorship, and sharing information about meaningful opportunities.

VANS advocates for artists by listening to their concerns, speaking up for their needs, and creating platforms to share their work. Recognizing that equity-deserving artists face additional barriers to a career in the arts, we work to make resources accessible to artists across the province, while prioritizing support for those who are impacted by systemic oppression.

We have a very small staff of one part-time Executive Director, one full-time Programming Coordinator, one part-time PAINTS Coordinator as well as contract staff, including a part-time Social Media Coordinator, Publisher, and Magazine Editor. We’re a hardworking, pragmatic, supportive team who are all deeply invested in the success of artists. VANS’ staff and Board regularly participate in anti-oppression training and our core values include equity, sustainability, and connection. We value thoughtfulness, flexibility, and a sense of humour and regularly check in with one another.

THIS MOMENT, THIS POSITION

Visual Arts Nova Scotia prioritizes equity, sustainability, and connection through continuous updates to our governance, outreach, and program delivery. We are looking for an Executive Director who is enthusiastic, compassionate, collaborative and open-minded to help us reach our values-based strategic goals.

This highly motivated, friendly and well-organized leader holds a deep commitment to the arts community and demonstrates excellent leadership, fundraising, project management, interpersonal and resource management skills, and is comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.

The Executive Director oversees all aspects of the organization’s operations and finances, including fund development, evaluation, communications, partnerships, strategic planning, and programming of year-round activities, under the guidance of the Board of Directors. Duties include grant writing and reporting; fundraising; program development and implementation; management of financial records and budgets; hiring and management of staff and volunteers; regular reporting to the Board of Directors; and general administration. Detailed organizational objectives can be found in our strategic plan here.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Administration

• Provides administrative support to the Board of Directors and staff as needed;
• Coordinates volunteer engagement and partnership contributions; Regularly reports to the Board of Directors and supervises all staff.

Office

• Performs general office management tasks;
• Answers inquiries about all aspects of our programs and general correspondence;
• Maintains up-to-date records and organized filing systems.

Planning

• Leads strategic planning and creative thinking for future priorities and programs for Visual Arts Nova Scotia;
• Develops business plans and program strategies.

Finances

• Oversight and control of organizational finances with the support of the bookkeeper and treasurer;
• Primary fundraiser writing grants applications, liaising with foundations, building sponsorship pitches, and increasing earned revenue;
• Builds organizational budgets and fundraising strategies in consultation with staff and board.
• Participates ex-officio on standings and ad-hoc committees, primarily interfacing with executive, fund development, governance, and engagement committees.

Board

• Provides administrative support to the Board as required;
• Prepares financial statements, reports and attends Board meetings.

General

• Implements Visual Arts Nova Scotia’s by-laws, policies, procedures, and strategic plan;
• Maintains a healthy, safe, and supportive workplace, and upholds the organizational code of conduct;
• Keeps up-to-date with news and opportunities from the provincial arts community.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Some post-secondary education or equivalent experience.
• Some training in an art context is desirable.
• Administrative experience preferably in a not-for-profit arts context is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with not-for-profit and/or charity administration through 3-5 years of previous employment, preferably in arts administration.
• Knowledge of visual art practices is essential and familiarity with Nova Scotia’s visual arts community is an asset.
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Quickbooks Online, Asana, Zoom, MailChimp, and WordPress, (familiarity with these platforms is highly desirable.)

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

is a highly motivated and well-organized leader with keen attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities. They possess a patient, generous, open-minded, curious, and enthusiastic management style.

They demonstrate a willingness to be flexible and versatile in a changing environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency. They are eager to facilitate creative and non-traditional approaches within the organization.

They are a natural coach and support staff, volunteers, artists, partners and champion VANS to funders, stakeholders, and the general public. They collaborate effectively with staff to set goals, resolve conflicts and make decisions that enhance team cohesion.

As an effective communicator, they can adjust communication styles to a variety of contexts.

They enjoy analyzing problems and identifying root causes and communicating solutions clearly. They can assess situations, determine priorities, urgency, and risks, and make sound decisions within the framework of established policies and strategic plan.

They are committed to addressing the changing needs of artists and conditions in the arts sector, and develop supports aligned with the vision and values of the organization. They are willing to experiment with approaches to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement plans and evaluate processes and outcomes.

They are comfortable with advocating to groups, funders, and government officials.

THE PACKAGE

Salary: $50,000 / year

30 hours/week, 4 days/week

Location: Must be comfortable working independently from home, as well as in the VANS office in Kjipuktuk / Halifax.

Accessibility

The VANS office exterior entrance (facing the NSCAD Port Campus on the harbour side of Marginal Road) is on level ground and wheelchair accessible.

Our doors are not automatic, however staff are visible from the entryway and available to assist visitors. There is also another office entrance in the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia (CFNS) building. The door to the CFNS, where VANS is located, has an accessible button to push for automatic entry during business hours.

Also in the CFNS are two all-gender washrooms, one of which is wheelchair accessible, located on the ground floor. The CFNS Boardroom is up one flight of stairs.

If you have questions about accessibility please let us know. VANS strives to be scent-free and encourages our visitors to do the same.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• We closely review all applications and read each cover letter (we promise).
• If you are selected as a top candidate, expect an invitation to chat with a Lead Placemaker from P4G. This is someone who treats the recruitment process non-traditionally. We want to get to know what inspires you.
• Selected candidates will proceed to a virtual interview with the Lead P4G Placemaker and 2-3 organization representatives.
• Finalists may participate in a second-round interview or skills activity (virtual or in person).
• P4G will check employment references and assist in presenting an offer to the successful candidate.

Applications will be accepted until 12 p.m. on May 3rd, 2023.

Please be sure to include a cover letter that speaks to your experience, but we also want to get a glimpse of your personality.