Executive Director

Job Description

The Executive Director (ED) is a creative and strategic leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations of the Canmore Museum and its associated facilities. Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Directors, the ED ensures the museum meets annual strategic goals and financial targets and upholds positive relationships in the community. Working collaboratively with museum staff, associates, and contractors, the ED oversees the development of programs, exhibitions, and collections; procures the necessary financial resources to support all museum activities; leads the Board of Directors in the delivery of fundraising strategies; develops risk management strategies, policies, and ensures organizational compliance; leads the museum’s strategic planning process and annual budget process; and shows exemplary staff leadership.

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
● Daily oversight of museum operations, working closely with the Exhibitions & Collections Manager to manage museum facilities.
● Responsible for ensuring staff are working within a safe environment, Health & Safety protocols are in place and adhered to.
● Daily administrative business management including approving expenditures in alignment with the budget.
● Oversight of the contracting process and all contracts issued by the Museum for services.
● Oversight of the development of exhibitions, educational programs, volunteer programs, donor programs, and community initiatives to ensure alignment with mission, strategy, and goals.
● Works collaboratively with staff and contractors responsible for creative and curatorial oversight and delivery of exhibitions, educational programs, and initiatives.

HUMAN RESOURCES
● Leads a team of four core staff (Operations Manager, Exhibitions & Collections Manager, Program & Outreach Coordinator, Visitor & Retail Services Coordinator).
● Oversight and management of contract curatorial associates and consultants.
● Oversight and management of contract business operations consultants (Bookkeeper, communications consultants, etc.).
● Ensures a positive, collaborative, and supportive team environment.

FUND DEVELOPMENT
● Develops strategies to grow community awareness and relationships in support of the Canmore Museum. Effectively manages and strengthens existing relationships, while building new ones.
● Leads the Board of Directors in delivering on fundraising strategies and annual targets.
● Generates support from foundations, corporate sponsors and individual donors.
● Secures grants in support of museum operations and projects, working with staff and subject matter experts. Ensures reporting on grants occurs in a timely way. Maintains positive and productive relationships with funders and government agencies.
● Oversight of earned revenue generation from admissions, program fees, and retail services.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
● Responsible for managing the overall financial performance of the organization, and reporting to the Board of Directors on financial targets.
● Develops and proposes revisions to financial strategies for Board approval.
● Maintains effective administrative systems for business management, tracking of information, budgeting, and reporting.
● Oversight of the work of a contract Bookkeeper.
● Uses sound business practices and fiscal data as a tool to support decision making and future business planning.
● Leads the annual budgeting process for the organization in collaboration with the Chair of the Finance Committee.

OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION
● Leads staff and associates to develop plans to submit for board approval,
● Ensures all operational plans and reports meet strategic and operational goals and are delivered within budget.
● Oversees the museum’s strategic planning process, working with consultants/contractors where feasible.
● Oversees operational plans to ensure adequate human and financial resources are present.
● Reports to the Board on operational planning
● Works with staff to evaluate projects and initiatives.
● Works with staff to ensure that the museum is compliant with leases entered into with the Town of Canmore or other entities, and that properties owned by the Museum are maintained.
● Leads the development of strategies for longer term facilities for the museum.

BOARD ADMINISTRATION
● Engage the board in business planning, community outreach and fundraising.
● Prepares and delivers regular updates in Board meetings and works with staff and Bookkeeper to prepare detailed quarterly reports for presentation to the Board.
● Attends all Board meetings as the primarily point of contact and representative of the organization.
● Oversight of meeting scheduling, preparation of agendas and board packages for distribution and discussion.
● Prepares Requests for Decisions and necessary supporting documents to facilitate decision making.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
● Builds awareness of the Museum’s work and role in the community.
● Builds and maintains relationships and partnership with local non-profits, business and government partners with shared interests.
● Raises the profile of the Museum in the wider museum and cultural community.
● Works in conjunction with community advisory committees to lead initiatives connected to program and organizational development
● Recognizes the role of museums in the history of colonization of Canada and ensures initiatives align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action, and the Canadian Museum Association Moved to Action: Activating UNDRIP in Canadian Museums where relevant.
● Proactively builds authentic and trusting relationships with diverse cultural communities through direct outreach, engagement and participation.
● Is knowledgeable of provincial, national and international standards for museum practices.
● Is knowledgeable and remains current of wise practices of non-profit organizational leadership and maintains high standards of professionalism and integrity in all relationships.
● Cultivates partnerships with organizations in the galleries, museums, libraries, and archives (GLAM) sector.