New Job Director Arts & Culture Services In Ontario

The City of Toronto is current seeking a Director of Arts & Culture to lead, manage, and plan arts and cultural programs for the City of Toronto. Reporting to the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture, this multifaceted role requires a leader who can provide strong leadership for a diverse portfolio of arts and cultural programs across a range of services.

The leader will guide continuous improvement through analysis and development of management practices and procedures, as well as provide direction, processes, and tools to increase efficiencies and effectiveness within the Section.

The leader will also be responsible for developing policies and programs that drive improvement in overall business performance, as well as for leading and motivating a diverse workforce and ensuring effective teamwork. This includes resolving labour relations issues collaboratively with employee unions and ensuring high standards of work quality, organizational performance, continuous learning, and innovation in others.

Strategic planning and management are essential responsibilities for this role. The Director will work with other members of the senior management team in EDC to establish plans, goals, and objectives that align with the City's overall strategic goals. They will collaborate with colleagues in Museums and Heritage Services and Film and Entertainment Industries to ensure that divisional strategies and programs take a holistic view of the broader creative sector in Toronto and that services and programs of the three sections are closely aligned and mutually-reinforcing.

The leader will develop the Section's annual operating budget and grants program, ensuring that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations and that revenues are managed within Council-set guidelines and relevant City policies. Revenue-generating programs such as grants, sponsorship, and fees will be developed in collaboration with the Director, Program Support, and implemented to achieve the Section's budget goals.

Equitable, accessible, and accountable cultural funding policies and services are also important components of this role. The leader will administer and be responsible for the City's cultural investment (grants) program and other non-grant financial incentives, supporting cultural organizations across the city. They will ensure that all sectional funding, policies, and services are directed towards maximizing City interests with a fair but rigorous accountability structure applied to recipients of Section support.

The Director will anticipate, identify, and manage emerging issues and challenges, implementing flexible and responsive solutions, and monitoring results. They will also review compliance with relevant corporate policies, procedures, and guidelines and establish management information and control systems.

Collaboration with clients, external stakeholders, other orders of government, and members of Council, public, and unions to address and resolve conflicting demands and problems is also a critical responsibility of this role. The leader will act as an innovative champion of organizational values and principles, diversity, equity, and inclusion. They will provide input and support for the design, development, and implementation of innovative strategies, initiatives, and plans to enhance the City's global creative, cultural, and artistic competitiveness and position as an international cultural centre.

The leader will also provide advice on cultural policy and maintain awareness of international cultural, economic, tourism, and industry trends, as well as other environmental factors that affect the arts and culture sector's contribution to Toronto's economy, talent attraction, and community well-being. They will leverage opportunities to ensure enduring community legacies and effectively lead the planning and development of special one-time projects, working closely with other orders of government and community partners to ensure programming strength and that operating and capital budget targets are met.

Directing innovative arts programming at cultural centres, art galleries, and in the community through a range of programs, exhibits, media, performing and visual arts, film, food, lectures, storytelling, seasonal festivals, and signature events such as the Nuit Blanche, Doors Open, and Cavalcade of Lights, as well as developing cultural strategies and programs for neighbourhood revitalization and community arts development, are also important components of this role. Additionally, the leader will manage the ongoing relationship for adaptive reuse and restoration of major culture and heritage sites and direct the public art program for development.

The ideal candidate will be an innovative leader who champions diversity, equity, and inclusion in the development of a representative workforce and competent staff. They will have a passion for the arts, extensive experience in strategic planning, and the ability to anticipate, identify, and manage emerging issues and challenges. As an experienced senior leader they will have strengths in directing complex arts and cultural programs, preferably in a government context, including extensive grants administration experience, financial management expertise, exceptional communication and strategic thinking skills and a track record of leading organizational change.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.