Director, Arts

**Opening Statement**

We acknowledge that the City of Kingston is situated on traditional Anishinabek (Ah
- nish-in-ah-bay), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee) and Huron-Wendat (huron-wen-dat) territory and is the home of many Indigenous peoples. We are grateful to reside and work on this land.

Kingston is a smart, livable city in the heart of eastern Ontario. Its stable and diversified economy includes global corporations, innovative start-ups and all levels of government. Kingstonians enjoy a high quality of life with access to world-class education and research institutions, advanced healthcare facilities, affordable living and vibrant entertainment and tourism activities.

**Position Summary**

The Director, Arts & Culture Services is responsible for the leadership and promotion of the City of Kingston’s involvement in a broad range of arts-related and cultural affairs within the Kingston community, including cultural research, cultural planning, cultural development and cultural policy, along with the management of City-owned cultural facilities - including the Grand Theatre and J.K. Tett Centre, offering support to the event planning at the City’s Large Venue Entertainment Centre (Slush Puppie Place) and providing strategic leadership to the City of Kingston’s Special Events team.

This position is responsible for overseeing strategic planning, operational activities, program development and contractual obligations as well as managing human and financial resources to ensure the goals and objectives of the Department, corporation and the community are met.

This position also serves the needs of the local arts and culture sectors and understands the importance of providing services that benefit the wider community, which includes attending Committee and Council meetings as well as building and nurturing relationships with artists, arts groups and arts organizations and other relevant stakeholders, industry peers, partners and the public.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensures effective decision-making and leads short-term and long-term planning in the areas of arts, culture, community cultural development and special events that support departmental goals, corporate strategies and community plans and partnerships

Develops and monitors annual operating plans and objectives for the department and evaluates risks and opportunities for success

Shapes corporate policies and ensures the strategic priorities of the Department align with the priorities, vision and values of the corporation

Drives execution and sets challenging goals for the position and the Department

Defines and communicates strategic priorities to ensure understanding and translates priorities into operational reality

Manages and controls the budget for the department that includes deploying and optimizing human, fiscal and material resources to achieve operational plans aligned to corporate priorities

Ensures approvals and spending are sustainable and comply with budget and operating objectives.

Establishes appropriate fee structures and identifies, pursues and monitors revenue opportunities that are non-tax based to meet budget objectives

Leads a team of creative and experienced arts and culture professionals to position Kingston as a cultural hub that supports artists and arts-related activities; engages community; expands opportunities; and supports economic development and cultural tourism

Optimizes the skills, experience and knowledge of staff to advance Departmental priorities and programming that engage the community

Provides timely and constructive feedback in support of continuous improvement and identifies and develops successors with diverse capabilities

Supports labour relations and participates in collective bargaining

Promotes an organizational perspective that includes understanding departmental interdependencies and the need to integrate activities across functions/areas related to project planning, program implementation and evaluation

Builds strategic partnerships within the Department, across the corporation and with external stakeholders to improve results and help achieve corporate priorities and objectives

Works through complex key issues and drives new ideas, intelligent risk taking and innovative approaches

Transforms systems and services to adapt to the evolving needs of all stakeholders, advancements in technology and council priorities

Other duties as assigned

**Qualifications, Competencies**

University degree/graduate diploma in Creative Arts, Cultural Studies, Arts Management or equivalent in education and experience

7 years recent and relevant experience in progressively responsible positions focused in the field of arts, culture and community development

Recent and relevant senior management experience in arts, performing arts or cultural organizations

Experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and implementation of plans and policies

Experience leading a team of professionals,