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Executive Director

Organization: St. Paul & District Arts Foundation in St. Paul, Alberta

Deadline to apply: May 31, 2022. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Position type: Temporary 

Compensation: $20/hour

Reports to: St. Paul & District Arts Foundation Board of Directors 

The St. Paul & District Arts Foundation:  

Located approximately 200 km Northeast of Edmonton and 160 km Northwest of Lloydminster, the St. Paul & District Arts Foundation operates out of its home, the Maggie Porozni Foundation for the ARTS Building. The building includes a gallery, 2 dance studios, vocal studio, art room, Artist in Residency room, office, and waiting room. The St. Paul & District Arts Foundation is a registered charity and arts education centre focused on youth in St. Paul and surrounding areas. We provide educational programming in visual, theatrical, dance, music, circus, and literary arts. We are committed to the presence and contributions of all persons regardless of age, culture, abilities, bodies, ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation and gender identity, marital status, nationality, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. 

Mandate: To advance education by providing structured programs regarding visual, theatrical, dance, music, and literary arts, and by providing opportunities for students to publicly exhibit and present their skills; To advance the public’s appreciation of the arts by providing high-quality artistic performance in public venues accessible to members of the community; and To undertake activities ancillary and incidental to the aforementioned charitable purposes. 

Values: Fairness – We demonstrate diversity, equity, and accessibility in our programs and operations. Creativity – We encourage and support artistic curiosity, courage, and imagination. Community – We work in service to our community, by reaching out, building relationships, and providing programs that are inclusive. Education – We provide opportunities for learning and opportunities for teaching. 

Vision: We bring community together to make art happen. 

Mission: Providing a home for making, learning, and appreciating art in all its forms.

JOB TITLE AND DESCRIPTION

  1. The initial job title of the Employee will be the following: Executive Director. The initial job duties the Employee will be expected to perform will be the following:
    • Directs the day-to-day operations
    • Implements policy
    • Hires, trains, delegates, supervises, evaluates, and releases staff
    • Attends all board meetings, and is invited to all committee meetings
    • Acts as a consultant to the board and its committees

Key Responsibilities:

  • Policy Management
    • The Executive director:
      • Administers the day-to-day operations of the organization
      • Directs the staff’s implementation of policy
      • Prepares procedure statements for board policies
      • Supports board committees as needed, while refraining from doing the work of the committees
  • Strategic Planning
    • The executive director:
      • Conducts both an internal and external environmental scan to identify emerging issues that affect the organization.
      • The internal scan brings to the board’s attention issues arising from within the organization, such as the increased need for technological resources. The external scan identifies issues that may have an impact on the organization, such as a change in provincial funding policies.
      • Sets specific organizational goals and outcomes, under the direction of the board of directors
      • Sets goals for management practices 
      • Sets program and service goals
      • Identifies the required resources to achieve the goals
      • Communicates with key stakeholders to identify the changing needs and conditions of the community that is served by the organization
      • Considers the impact of several alternative plans to address the changing conditions
  • Visioning
    • In cooperation with the board of directors, the executive director:
      • Participates in the creation of an organizational vision
      • Develops programs and services that work towards the vision, within the policy guidelines set by the board
    • Leadership
    • The executive director:
      • Works in collaboration with staff, and relevant community agencies and groups, to accomplish objectives and fulfill responsibilities
      • Encourages team-building by facilitating open communication and positive working relationships with staff
      • Establishes control and follow-up mechanisms for the organization
  • Program Management
    • The executive director:
      • Facilitates the research, planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services
      • Makes sure that programs and services meet the board’s policy guidelines, and reflect the board’s priorities
      • Supervises the implementation of the organization’s programs and services
  • Personnel Management
    • The executive director:
      • Interprets board policy decisions to staff
      • Hires, supervises, evaluates, and releases staff
      • Trains and motivates staff
      • Sets clear, results-oriented goals, with realistic and measurable outcomes
      • Supports goal achievement, and coaches and monitors performance
      • Assists individuals in developing the necessary skills to be successful within the organization 
      • Supports and encourages staff initiatives
      • Observes and evaluates ongoing performances
      • Provides regular, appropriate, and constructive feedback
      • Supervises the recruitment, selection, orientation, and training of service volunteers 
      • Assists the personnel committee
  • Financial Management
    • The executive director:
      • Implements the board’s policies for the allocation and distribution of resources
      • Maintains sound bookkeeping procedures 
      • Provides the board with regular statements of revenues and expenditures
      • Administers the funds of the organization, according to the budget approved by the board
      • Advises the finance committee
  • Risk Analysis
    • To keep the board informed about the organization, the executive director:
      • Evaluate, in broad-based terms, the potential assets and liabilities of a project, proposal, or strategy
      • Makes sure that both risks and opportunities have been identified and evaluated
      • Assesses potential threats to the organization’s image
      • Assesses risks to the organization’s financial security and growth
      • Provides regular, reliable, and comparable reports on the organization’s progress
  • Advocacy management
    • The executive director:
      • Promotes community awareness of the organization’s mission and aims
      • Participates in networking and community relations activities on behalf of the organization
      • Builds strong working relationships with others, both inside and outside the organization, and enlists their support for accomplishing tasks
      • Assists the advocacy committee in preparing an advocacy program, and acts as an advocate for the organization and its programs in the community
      • Works with key external stakeholder groups
      • Identifies and researches funding opportunities
      • Facilitates a communication plan that informs the community of the activities and direction of the organization
      • Seeks public speaking opportunities
      • Supervises the membership recruitment campaign
  • Executive Director’s Performance Appraisal Process
    • The executive director:
      • Cooperates with, and participates in, the performance appraisal process
      • Assists in the assessment of outcomes
      • Recommends change when necessary
      • Informs the board of directors about situations that affect the executive director’s ability to meet his/her goals

Qualifications and Skills 

The successful applicant will be dependable and professional and have:

  • a passion for the arts 
  • attention to detail
  • good organizational skills
  • the ability to work without supervision and as part of a team
  • strong communication and customer service skills 
  • computer literacy, and experience with new technologies
  • Effective problem solving and time-management skills 

Though it is not required, the ideal candidate will also have experience with:

  • Not-for-profit or charitable organizations

Minimum Requirements  

  • The applicant:
    • is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; and
    • is legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
    • Must provide a Criminal Record check and Vulnerable Sector check
  • Level of education:
    • Post-secondary education related to business administration, education, or arts or a post-secondary student enrolled in business administration, education, or arts. 
  •  The ideal candidate must be available to work onsite 

HOW TO APPLY 

Email your cover letter and resume to   If you have any questions, call us at 780-645-2781.