Executive Director, Centre A

Job Call: Executive Director

Term: One-year contract with option to renew as a permanent position
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (please note the gallery and office operate on a Tuesday to Saturday work week)
Salary: $45,000 – $50,000 annually
Start date: September 10, 2019 or negotiable
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed starting August 2 until the position is filled

Centre A was founded in 1999 and is Canada’s only public gallery devoted to contemporary Asian and Asian diasporic art. Our mission is to build an inclusive community for contemporary Asian art and foster a greater understanding of evolving cultural experiences and identities. We are committed to creating mentorship opportunities for emerging artists and cultural workers, while facilitating collaborations across local, national, and international contexts.

The Executive Director position is an exciting opportunity to lead a cultural institution with a 20-year history. Reporting to the Board of Directors, and working with the Centre A team of staff, contractors and volunteers, the Executive Director will bring to life the goals of the organization, strengthen and grow Centre A’s profile, and ensure the prudent and strategic use of Centre A’s resources. The candidate must be able to lead meaningful collaboration with diverse communities and promote progressive cultural conversations across a wide range of Asian artistic practices.

We are seeking an emerging to mid-career arts professional with the know-how to lead a team that delivers five to seven exhibitions and related public programs a year. They will demonstrate exceptional skill in managing staff, board, community, and partner relationships. The successful candidate will be creative and resourceful as the organization grows and reestablishes itself in its new location in the Sun Wah Centre, a former retail mall and emerging art hub.

Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Manage the overall strategic direction of Centre A’s programming and administration
• Work with the Board of Directors to develop a vision and strategic plan
• Collaborate with Curator and other artistic partners to execute Centre A’s artistic vision
• Act as a spokesperson and represent Centre A in the community

Operations and Planning

• Advise the Board of Directors—including reporting, supporting its committees, and liaising between staff and external parties. Effectively communicate in a judicious and prompt manner to inform the Board’s decision making
• Identify and evaluate risks to the organization’s people, property, finances, perception and implement measures to control risks
• Coordinate maintenance and repairs of facilities, exhibitions, and other infrastructure
• Oversee the current renovations of Centre A’s space including contracting, construction, and interim transition plans
• Maintain administrative organizational systems, archiving, and office resources
• Provide hands-on support for events and logistics

Human Resources

• Maintain a positive, inclusive, healthy, and safe work environment
• Develop human resources policies, contracts, and artist agreements
• Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery
• Mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance including performance plans and reviews
• Oversee the recruitment, selection, training and termination of staff and volunteers

Financial Management

• Implement and oversee the operating budget, program budgets and annual audit
• Manage day-to-day financial transactions and cost control, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, remittances, and reporting
• Ensure effective and efficient financial processes and systems with input from the auditor, bookkeeper and Finance Committee
• Prepare, review and analyze quarterly financial reports with the Board Treasurer

Revenue Generation

• Work with the Board and Fundraising Committee to secure funding through grants, donor cultivation and sponsorship activities
• Ensure Centre A maintains strong and positive relationships with funders and sponsors
• Oversee the development of fundraising plans including identifying new opportunities

Community and Public Relations

• Cultivate and steward relationships with members, community groups, peer organizations and stakeholders
• Extend Centre A’s audience reach via strategic communications and public relations
• Produce clean and professional copy, press releases, and other written materials
• Oversee the development and implementation of digital and social media strategies to enhance the profile of the organization

Qualifications:

• Three to five years of management experience or equivalent combination of training and experience within the non-profit and cultural sector
• Knowledge and commitment to contemporary Asian art and its concerns
• Understanding of working in progressive and grassroots cultural spaces and its intersections with equity, access, and social justice
• Demonstrated skills in financial management and control
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and knowledge of funding structures
• Superior organizational and administrative skills, detail-oriented focus and the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects
• Proven ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing
• Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills to represent the organization
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively at all levels of operation in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of one or more Asian languages is a strong asset
• Strong systems thinking and proficiency in using and leveraging software and technology to build organizational capacity and efficiency
• Flexibility to work occasional weekends and evenings
• A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is an asset

How to Apply:

Please send materials to the hiring committee in a single PDF with your name and the position in the title, in the following order to recruitment@centrea.org: a cover letter, CV, and three reference contacts. Optionally, you may also provide a link to your website/portfolio and any other documentation of relevant projects.

Review of applications will begin on August 2, 2019 and will continue until the position is filled. We thank you in advance for your interest, however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Centre A is located in Vancouver’s Chinatown on the unceded and ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. We are committed to equity and inclusion and encourage applications from members of underrepresented and marginalized groups, including but not limited to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, and/or disability.