THE ORGANIZATION
Unison Fund is a non-profit, registered music industry charity that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community. We are here to help professional music makers in times of hardship, illness or economic difficulties.
For many, a career in music is a dream come true; however, the reality is that many members of the Canadian music community do not have access to the services that can make all the difference in a time of need: sick leave, medical benefits, pension plans, and unemployment insurance. Music makers can easily find themselves unprepared to deal with the financial and emotional burdens of an unforeseen emergency or illness. The Unison Fund provides a lifeline in these times of crisis and is there to ensure in the health of our friends, colleagues and collaborators.
The Unison Fund is an assistance program – created and administered for the music community, by the music community – designed to provide discreet relief to music industry professionals in times of crisis. There are two distinct types of support available through the fund.
Financial Assistance: The Unison Fund will provide emergency financial support to Canadian music-makers recovering from an illness, injury or other circumstances that result in an inability to work, severe economic or personal hardship.
Counselling and Health Solutions supported by RBC Foundation: Through voluntary and confidential support services, eligible Canadian music makers are able to access qualified professionals who can provide counselling and other resources to support individuals and their immediate family members dealing with mental health, legal guidance, family and relationships counselling, or work-related concerns.
The Unison Fund is funded by support from individuals and industry organizations. All services and information are provided in English and French. Unison will never charge dues or fees for membership or for access to any assistance program.
THE POSITION
Unison Fund (Unison) is seeking a hands-on, talented, passionate professional to work with the Executive Director and staff to deliver on the organization’s strategic and business goals. The Senior Manager, Operations (Senior Manager) will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Unison, including planning, marketing & communications, human resources, information technology, and industry relations.
A key focus of this role is to ensure Unison has programs and services that fulfill the charitable objectives of the organization, that business affairs, donor outreach, and events are managed effectively, and fundraising strategies are established and goals met.
The Senior Manager will provide leadership, direction, and guidance to a small but dedicated team and create a safe, equitable, empowering, and inclusive workplace.
This position represents a meaningful opportunity for the right candidate to step in at a time of significant need for Unison Fund to help musicians and support the music community.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations & Leadership
- Assist with the development and execution of all activities related to Unison’s strategic plan.
- Represent Unison at industry events, both online and in-person gatherings.
- Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs, services, and initiatives. Provide regular reporting to the Executive Director.
- Supervise the core administration of Unison including the maintenance of accurate records in a relationship management platform, compliance with CRA requirements, administrative and governance policies.
- Act as the primary lead with Red Umbrella P.R., Unison’s public relations team.
Sponsorships & Donor Stewardship
- Lead Unison’s sponsorship team, Feldman Entertainment Partnerships, on developing and executing fundraising plans and strategies (crowdfunding, online auctions, peer-to-peer, etc.).
- Oversee and manage third-party events and partnerships, coordinating details with direct reports.
- Work with the Executive Director on donor management including outreach to donors (individual and company), donation fulfillment reports, processing of tax receipts, answering tax receipt questions, processing notification for donations in memory/honour of someone.
- Lead integration of prospect ID, research, cultivation and solicitation, and reporting and stewardship strategies across campaigns.
- Solicit and secure grants (government and private sector) sponsorships and donations.
- Learn DonorPerfect, Unison’s donor database platform.
- Manage third-party donation platforms: Canada Helps, Benevity, PayPal Giving Fund, etc. and work with the Marketing & Communications Manager on creating and updating donation campaigns for these platforms.
Planning & Management
- Work with the Executive Director to prepare a comprehensive budget and secure adequate funding for Unison’s business operations.
- Support sub-committees such as Marketing and Branding on the Board of Directors, and any event committees which includes Unison’s major three golf tournaments.
- Manage and mentor staff members, providing daily guidance as needed and overseeing their projects and responsibilities such as Unison’s website, social platforms, newsletter, events (wellness studio, golf tournaments, holiday party, etc.) and industry outreach.
- Help maintain and support a positive, results-oriented learning environment in a forward-thinking organization.
- Review and oversee the documentation of business practices and procedures.
- Continually monitor music industry developments to help Unison stay ahead of the curve, and develop/redevelop programs and services as required.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
- Progressive management experience in an organization, ideally with a minimum 5 years’ experience in operational roles in the music industry or relevant not-for-profit sector.
- Passion for musicians and musicians’ rights with working knowledge of the music industry.
- An ability to negotiate and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Outstanding reputation for building and growing relationships and partnerships.
- Knowledge and applied use of different donor prospecting approaches.
- Ability to address industry changes and developing opportunities to expand Unison’s membership reach.
- Astute business acumen, with an eye to organizational detail and oversight.
- Sound financial and accounting oversight, ability to plan for the long-term financial needs of Unison.
- Skilled at prudently assessing and managing risk.
- Experience in public relations and dealing with the media.
- Experience in fundraising and sponsorship.
- Experience and capacity to lead, coach, motivate, and inspire staff.
- Willingness to participate in a positive, inclusive work environment.
- Familiarity with Canada’s charitable sector and the legal framework within which charities act.
- Keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision-making.
- A successful track record in setting priorities and a multitasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.
- Outstanding communications skills, verbal and written.
- At ease with today’s technology, digital and social media environment.
- Excellent computer skills and knowledge of the Microsoft Office group of programs (MS Word, Excel, Access).
- Undergraduate/graduate degree or equivalent.
- Fluency in both official languages is a significant asset.
CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES
- Passion for the mission of Unison Fund.
- Motivated and empathetic, with a genuine ambition to make a positive difference to an organization.
- A politically astute, strategic thinker.
- An engaged manager who can foster a culture of excellence in leadership, fundraising, relationship building, stewardship and recognition.
- Dynamic, high energy, creative, curious and confident with a desire to learn and make a difference.
- Warm and empathetic, with an ability to interact in a meaningful way with staff, donors and partners.
- High professional standards, a capable manager who balances the demands of the role.
- Accountable with a strong sense of professionalism, ethics and integrity.
- Ability to build trust and engender confidence internally and externally.
- Self-motivated, outward looking, a long-term thinker.
- Results-oriented with an entrepreneurial bent and the ability to move ideas and projects forward.
- Flexible with an ability to adapt, pivot and improvise as circumstances change.
Full Time, Permanent
Please apply by email with your cover letter and resume by no later than August 6th, 2021. Send to: Unison@searchlightpartnersgroup.com
We thank applicants for their interest, however, only those advancing in the process will be contacted.
Unison Fund is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of the audiences we serve.
We encourage applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds.