Executive Director, Koffler Centre of the Arts

Post Date: 
March 1, 2022
Closing date: 
May 15, 2022
Company/Organization: 
Koffler Centre of the Arts
Job Description: 

As Executive Director (ED) of the Koffler Centre of the Arts, you will ensure that the Koffler Centre continues to present innovative programming to attract a diverse and expanding audience, while having the financial and operational capacity to fully support its mission today and into the future. You will lead the overall strategic direction for the Koffler Centre while working in close partnership with a dedicated Board and staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership

  • Work with the creative staff to foster innovative and impactful programs across all arts platforms, while significantly building audience and visitor growth.
  • Work with management and staff to ensure that the programming is meeting the goals and ambitions of the organization, while balancing artistic integrity with fiscal responsibility.
  • Oversee and implement a fundraising plan to significantly increase the financial bandwidth of the operation.
  • Develop and foster a workplace culture that maintains the highest standards for excellence, equality, creativity, collaboration, and inclusiveness.
  • Develop and implement strategic and operational plans and departmental budgets, in collaboration with the Board of Directors and senior management.
  • Act as the face and spokesperson for the organization and its programming. 
  • Sustain and build upon networks and partnerships in the community and with other cultural institutions in Canada and beyond, while furthering Koffler’s reputation and presence in the local and global arts scene.
  • Strengthen the connection between communities of Toronto and the Koffler Centre, creating a greater civic engagement and enriching the city of Toronto as a whole.
  • Ensure an ongoing, effective administrative structure is in place and provide oversight and support to the Koffler staff and Board.
  • Manage and maintain excellent relations with the Board to facilitate effective governance.
  • Lead and inspire full-time and contract employees, volunteers, interns, and student workers. Work closely with the Board to plan and organize quarterly Board meetings and agendas.
  • Support the work of Board committees.
  • Effectively manage leasehold/tenant agreements with Artscape and participate in the Artscape Youngplace Community.
  • Build the community profile of the organization, all in support of Koffler’s development. 

Programming

  • Deliver a multi-disciplinary programming strategy consistent with Koffler’s values and mission.
  • Support and direct the overall programming direction of the Koffler and assist in identifying new directions for arts innovation and cultural dialogue.
  • Set metrics against which programming will be regularly evaluated.
  • Embrace and continue to incorporate digital resources in the programming strategy.

Financial Oversight

  • Provide excellent financial management of the organization, ensure fiscal accountability and sustainability, and oversee the development of financial and management reports to support an informed and robust Board and executive decision-making.
  • Contribute to the planning and future direction of the organization, in cooperation with the executive committee.
  • Participate in policy or operational decisions that will have an important impact on the Koffler Centre’s revenues, expenditures, financial position, and prospects.
  • Prepare annual operating budgets and financial reports for presentation to the Board.
  • Review all expenses and budgets regularly, making adjustments and reaching out to Board Treasurer for further analysis as needed.
  • Maintain a good working relationship with the bookkeeper/internal accountant, including discussion and preparation of financial projections.
  • Oversee adherence to rules and conditions attached to existing donations, grants, and sponsorships, including partnerships, gifts-in-kind, etc.
  • Establish appropriate accounts for capital, endowment, and operating campaigns.
  • Operate and manage a fiscally responsible budget- identifying risk management protocol, and operational growth strategies.
  • Working with the Financial Manager, liaise with the auditors and supervise the preparation of audit files.

Fund Development

  • Provide fundraising leadership and management to ensure that funds from sources are obtained to support the strategic and operational goals of the organization.
  • Develop and implement a fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Director of Development.
  • Set metrics against which fundraising will be regularly evaluated.
  • Provide leadership for Koffler’s fundraising initiatives, including grants, corporate and foundation requests, individual donor support, profile enhancement, annual campaigns, and events such as Koffler Couture.
  • Working with the Director of Development, create fundraising proposals for individuals and corporations.
  • Work with an active fundraising committee and Director of Development on fundraising events and developing the annual campaign, organizing corporate donations, and reaching out to individual donors.
  • Host special events and develop personal relationships with potential and existing donors.
Requirements: 
  • A demonstrated track record of inclusive and strategic leadership, vision, collaboration and team building.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, integrity, high energy, and creativity.
  • A strong commitment to the Koffler’s mission, vision and values, together with a clear understanding ofthe diversity of culture and cross-disciplinary programming at an arts organization. An understanding of contemporary Jewish culture is an asset.
  • A strong commitment and understanding of the local and national arts community throughout the diversity of the arts, with a lens for international collaboration.
  • Experience in a senior leadership position, with an emphasis on management, fundraising, Board relations, and public relations.
  • Senior arts administration experience, including developing and managing contract staff.
  • Strong financial management skills and experience in creating, managing, presenting, and interpreting budgets.
  • A full understanding of managing operational costs and implanting cost controls.
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills and experience reporting to a Board of Directors.
  • Experience in managing fundraising strategies and campaigns and identifying new sources and increased levels of contributed income.
  • Demonstrable experience and capacity to lead, manage, motivate, inspire, train and collaborate with staff, artists, Board members, and volunteers.
  • Outstanding communication and presentation skills. Able to speak and write persuasively and serve as the spokesperson for Koffler in public and in the media.
  • Exceptional writing skills, including experience in successful proposal writing.
  • Experience and knowledge of marketing, advertising and public relations activities.
  • Experience building and effectively managing government and community relations.
  • Experience in dealing with facility management including negotiations of leases, contracts, and ongoinglandlord stewardship.
  • Undergraduate degree or experiential equivalent.

CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES

  • Natural leadership skills; a proactive and dynamic professional who inspires confidence and credibility; has a strategic orientation and is honest, transparent and collaborative.
  • A genuine passion and belief in Koffler’s mission.
  • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; decisive, confident, and compassionate.
  • Team approach and willingness to empower those reporting to you.
  • A desire and ability to partner with Koffler’s programmers to co-lead the development and execution of the organization’s visions and goals.
  • Business savvy and dedication to outstanding programming and audience engagement.
  • A self-starter undaunted by a lean institution; an entrepreneurial spirit.
  • A strategic thinker who embraces innovation and change. Politically astute.
  • Comfortable working with digital platforms.
  • A genuine commitment to support and grow an internal culture that values people and provides an opportunity for everyone to flourish.
  • Clear and effective communication skills and public-speaking abilities.
  • Dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity, cultural diversity, and broadening access to the arts.
Salary: 
A competitive compensation package will be provided with salary and applicable benefits.
Additional Info: 

THE ORGANIZATION
The Koffler Centre of the Arts (Koffler) is an innovative multi-platform arts and cultural organization in the heart of Toronto’s Queen West arts community. Established in 1977 as part of the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre, Koffler has grown from a community cultural centre to an independent and internationally respected arts organization.

As a Jewish organization, the Koffler is a cultural platform that engages audiences of all ages and backgrounds in a vibrant dialogue exploring critical ideas of our time through the arts. We seek to position Jewish identity in conversation with diverse perspectives and global voices to examine complex issues in a respectful, constructive way. These principles guide our program of world-class exhibitions, performances, discussions, readings, and digital initiatives.

The Koffler is located in the Artscape Youngplace building at Shaw and Queen Streets. This cultural hub provides flexible and accessible spaces for many artists and arts organizations (i.e. SKETCH, PaperHouse Studio, Critical Distance, Luminato). The location is at the heart of the Queen West cultural scene and the move has had a significant and positive impact on Koffler’s programming and creative collaborations.

Send Submissions To: 

Please submit your application by emailing your cover letter and résumé no later than Sunday, May 15 th, 2022: koffler@searchlightpartnersgroup.com 

Koffler Centre of the Arts is an equal-opportunity employer committed to reflecting our country’s diversity. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

We thank applicants for their interest; however, only those advancing in the process will be contacted.