Assistant Director, Art Museum at the University of Toronto

Photo: Dominic Chan.

Job Opportunity: Assistant Director, Art Museum at the University of Toronto

Description:
The Assistant Director position offers the opportunity for a finance and operations professional to contribute to the strategic direction and implementation of initiatives at the Art Museum at the University of Toronto at time of exceptional growth and transformation within the institution’s history. Nearing the ten-year anniversary of the Art Museum’s federated operations, we are poised to play an even greater, more impactful role in the cultural and intellectual life of the University of Toronto campus and the city, and to broaden our reach as a leading academic art museum in the country and internationally.

The Assistant Director works in close collaboration with the Museum Director in realizing the institution’s mission and is a key member of the Museum’s management team. They are responsible for the strategic development, direction, and implementation of business operations; financial and administrative policies; and reporting, budgeting, planning, human resources, and facilities management. They provide direct input into the preparation of grants, contracts, proposal budgets, and ensuring compliance. Working with the Museum Director and Advancement Officer in determining fundraising needs and goals, they oversee the fiscal management of grants, endowments, investments, and gift reporting.

Through their knowledge of administration, the Assistant Director leads strategic initiatives, and manages, implements, and enhances cross-departmental initiatives to advance equity, diversity, and access; integrate new systems and technologies; and promote “green museum” practices throughout all its academic and public-facing roles and activities in accordance with the Art Museum’s strategic plan. They plan, establish, and implement administrative policies and procedures to support the operational needs of the Art Museum, and provide advice and make recommendations to inform a wide variety of operational issues to ensure best practices are observed across all aspects of the Art Museum’s operations including financial management, budgeting, human resources, facilities, and IT.

The Assistant Director will play a key role in building organizational well-being and cohesion, ensuring sustainability of human resources throughout the programming cycle and professional development opportunities for staff, as well as participating in the resolution of conflicts and other human resources concerns.

They serve as the primary contact representing the Museum throughout the University in all areas of its operations, including leading strategic communications, outreach, multi-levelled institutional partnerships, as well as donor and advisory board relations for the benefit of the profile and awareness of the Art Museum.

Qualifications Required:

Education:
Master’s degree in arts management, business, and/or financial management or an acceptable equivalent combination of education.

Experience:
Minimum 5 years related and progressive experience in the museum, cultural, and/or non-profit arts sector, with proven track record in financial management and administration in a similar environment. Experience building and developing effective administrative systems and processes. Experience working with and interpreting policies and procedures pertaining to not-for-profit and arts-related environments, including fundraising in the non-profit sector, budget, finance, human resources, and academic administration. Experience leading, supervising, and motivating staff members. Experience supervising staff in a unionized environment is an asset. Demonstrated success in the design and implementation of new initiatives and processes. Demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, anti-racist equity, access, and inclusion.

Skills:
Advanced computer skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and internet. Demonstrated experience with FIS and HRIS, or similar related systems. Excellent administrative, analytical, and financial skills with ability to interpret and apply information and provide financial analysis. Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

Other:
Ability to manage proactively. Strong leadership including ability to foster confidence and motivation in staff and to develop cooperative, collegial working relationships with a broad range of University and external constituencies. Demonstrated judgement and decision-making employing creativity, tact, and negotiation skills, and ability to apply these skills for achieving informal complaint resolution and the grievance process. Proven ability to set priorities and work schedules. Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability within a changing environment. Service-oriented with excellent customer service skills.

Ability to manage competing deadlines and a variety of complex projects simultaneously; excellent time management and organizational skills; proven effectiveness in the development of administrative systems. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment, with discretion and observing confidentiality. Ability to work independently. Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and in response to changing priorities.

Schedule: Full-time. Work extended hours as a result of strict deadlines, events, and projects, which includes weekends, evenings, and/or holidays.

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 3 — Hiring Zone: $82,692 – $96,473 — Broadband Salary Range: $82,692 – $137,819

Closing Date: Monday, May 8, 2023, 11:59 PM ET

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Application Process: Submit your application via the University of Toronto Careers at U of T, Opportunities for External Candidates portal. For more information, contact artmuseum@utoronto.ca

About the Art Museum at the University of Toronto
The Art Museum is an internationally renowned centre for contemporary art and interdisciplinary inquiry located on the University of Toronto’s downtown campus, in Canada’s largest and most diverse city. With its two distinct gallery spaces (the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at Hart House and the University of Toronto Art Centre at University College), the Art Museum offers intensive cycles of programming dedicated to artistic and curatorial experimentation. Featuring works in a wide array of traditional and contemporary media, the Art Museum’s exhibitions are complemented by energetic offsite projects, widely accessible digital programs, and research engaging with the University of Toronto’s extensive contemporary and historical collections.

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