Director, CKS: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples

This competition is intended for candidates who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis. Candidates from these communities who wish to be considered must self-identify. This initiative is in support of the Council’s employment equity and diversity goals.

This competition is open to members of the public (external competition)

About the Role

The Director of the Creating, Knowing and Sharing (CKS): The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, is responsible for advancing a holistic Council approach to better supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists, communities and arts organizations in the realms of creation, production, presentation and professional development. 

The Director, Creating Knowing and Sharing (CKS) - The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples:

• Provide strategic leadership in the development, delivery and monitoring of the CKS program and initiatives that contribute to achieving its objectives.

• Provide expert analysis and advice in the area of issues management; identify strategies and solutions to address sensitive issues.

• Develop a collaborative relationship with the Program Directors across the Division to deliver a coherent suite of policies, approaches and processes for arts funding in Canada.

• Ensure the continuous improvement of strategies, approaches and initiatives to enable Indigenous artists and arts organizations to play an artistic leadership role in Indigenous communities and elsewhere.

• Lead the development and implementation of strategies, approaches and initiatives to ensure the maintenance and renewal of Indigenous representation within the CKS Program and Indigenous participation in the Program’s assessment process.

• Lead the development and implementation of strategies, approaches and initiatives to encourage Indigenous artists and arts organizations to maintain a continuous dialogue on identifying and addressing issues of common interest.

• Represent the Council in its interactions with Indigenous artists, communities and arts organizations with respect to the CKS.

• Collaborate with the Director General and the Program Directors on the development and implementation of effective management practices to ensure efficient and effective utilization of human, financial, material and technical resources.

• Ensure the integrity, transparency and effectiveness of the assessment and allocation processes.

• Lead the development, implementation, revision and continuous improvement of the Program’s results-focused and integrated business planning frameworks and mechanisms, to ensure the Council’s information and data needs are met. 

• Collaborate and participate in the development of strategies of support/promotion relating to the Indigenous arts with the division of Strategy, Public Affairs and Arts Engagement.

• Advise the Director General, and other senior executives on evolving issues; identify risks to Council’s programs and reputation; recommend solutions.

Education

• Undergraduate degree in arts management, administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience in a field related to the responsibilities of the position.

Experience

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible arts granting management experience directly related to the principal responsibilities of the position.
• Five (5) years in a management position.
• Experience in supporting and enabling the arts sector engagement, partnerships, and the development of key networks.

Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of the diverse Indigenous communities across Canada, including their needs and interests.
• Knowledge and experience of how the federal government functions, notably within the context of a Crown corporation.
• Knowledge of the Canada Council, its mandate, policies, programs, legislation, and/or the field of social or cultural funding.
• Knowledge of national and international arts communities.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong business acumen, with the ability to assess qualitative and quantitative outcomes against the financial and program objectives, and the ability to effectively steward public funds by monitoring performance/output
• Ability to translate the Council’s broad, strategic goals into program-specific actions and outcomes
• Strong people leadership skills to: motivate, guide and support staff in delivering on stated program deliverables; and, to support employees’ career development and performance management needs
• Strong communications and collaboration skills, with the ability to develop and nurture relationships with key stakeholder groups (e.g. within Council, within arts communities, with governmental and/or institutional partners)
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to conceptualize, develop, implement and manage projects of a diverse nature, while meeting objectives, timeframes and budgets
• Strong ability to provide strategic advice
• High level of organizational and administration skills, with particular strengths in strategic planning, human resources and financial management
• Excellent judgment, analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to engage, coach and motivate teams to work collaboratively.

Bilingual Requirements

The requirements in the second official language are:

• An advanced level in reading comprehension (C)
• An intermediate level in writing (B)
• An advanced level in oral (C)

 *Important: Please submit your resume and a cover letter clearly demonstrating how you meet the above qualifications for Education and Experience. Please note that selection for further consideration will be based solely on the information provided in your cover letter, resume and application.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive and accessible to all. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please contact the Council directly.

For people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or TTY users, please use your preferred MRS (Message Relay Service) or IP service to contact us.

The Canada Council for the Arts is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the individuals and communities we serve. We invite applications from individuals with any combination of backgrounds, origins, identities, and forms of self-expression. The Council is committed to enhancing the representation of the following groups within its workforce: Indigenous people, Black people, racialized people, Deaf people, people with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQI+ and gender-diverse communities.

We encourage you to include information on how you identify in the Voluntary Self-Identification section of the application form. This information is used during the recruitment process to enhance representation of historically underserved and marginalized communities, as per the Employment Equity Act and the Council's ongoing commitment to equity. This information is also used for reporting at an aggregate level.

Please note that all persons requiring accommodation and/or assistance in completing the Canada Council’s Careers application process are welcome to contact the Council for support.