Start Date: September 2024 Applications due July 26, 2024 @ 6pm EST Salary: $40,000 – $50,000 Environment: Part-Time, Hybrid (Mostly at home, but festival will require onsite participation)
ABOUT THE JOB:
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be a thoughtful leader and relationship builder with skilled decision making, sound financial management, and a passion for comic books and graphic novels. Our organisation is in a time of transition, as we pursue new leadership, ideas, and opportunities. This role will work in close collaboration with our festival producer and board of directors to help set the direction of one of the world’s best comics festivals.
As a leader of our not-for-profit you will lead a small team of part time workers and volunteers to organise a wide-array of activities that make up the festival experience. Strong consideration will be given to individuals who embrace and promote reconciliation, diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work.
ABOUT TORONTO COMIC ARTS FESTIVAL:
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) exists to promote the breadth and diversity of comics as a medium of literary and artistic worth. As an outreach event, we strive to provide a snapshot of the modern comics industry by programming guests and exhibitions that appeal to various tastes and all ages.
TCAF accomplishes this through the many events and programs that make up the Festival experience. Historically, the festival consists of an artist exhibition and marketplace; professional development programs, educational programming; and many off-site and lead up events in typical years.
In 2024, TCAF welcomed more than 28,000 attendees across all its festival events.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Vision & Strategy:
Brings inspirational leadership in collaboration with the Board of Directors & staff team.
Work with the board of directors and other stakeholders to vision and pursue organizational goals.
Develops strong partnerships with governmental, civic, and community organisations.
Takes the lead in strategic planning & policy development in response to the needs of the festival.
Board Management:
Establishes and maintains reporting and approval protocols.
Keeps the board fully informed of the vision, planning, budgeting/finances, activities, and administration of the organisation through regular meetings and communication.
Works with the Board leadership to recruit and educate board members.
Advocacy & Government Relations:
Establishes strong relationships with political and public service leadership at all levels of government.
Develops strong working relationships with local City Councillors, Business Improvement Areas (BIA’s), local developers, and community advocates.
Advocates for the importance and impact of the arts in the long-term growth of the Toronto Comic Arts Festival.
Staff Leadership & HR:
Offers inspiring, collaborative, and caring leadership to (12) part-time team members and a roster of seasonal and volunteer staff.
Leads by example to ensure a healthy, positive, and supportive work environment grounded in principles of equity and inclusion.
Shares responsibility for hiring, contracting, and sustaining staff and negotiating with suppliers with the Festival Producer.
Fundraising and Revenue Generation:
Identify and pursue new sources of funding and opportunities for increasing the festival's sustainability.
Sets fundraising strategies and goals and leads fundraising efforts through community relationship building.
Leads the development of compelling grants, reports, and cases for support.
Uses an entrepreneurial mindset to identify, build, seek, and secure new business opportunities that sustain the organisation’s ongoing impact.
Financial Management:
Takes responsibility for budgeting and controls and financial risk management.
Track and monitor spending for the organisation.
Ensure compliance with tax and other regulations.
Oversees the work of a part-time bookkeeper and liaises with auditors in preparation of financial statements.
Festival Management:
Create a high-quality festival experience for festival participants, including ensuring strong customer service, effective visitor flow, and clear communications.
With support from Festival Producer, ensures that all arts programming is run effectively.
Contribute to curation process of featured guests and exhibitors
Identify and address any challenges or issues that arise during the planning and execution of the festival.
Program, Community and Creative Management:
Develops and leverages fruitful, caring, and productive relationships with creative partners including artists, arts organizations/collectives, Business Improvement Areas (BIA’s), etc.
With support from staff colleagues, ensures that all arts programming is run effectively.
Ensures all programming granting obligations are met.
With support from staff colleagues, ensures that volunteer programs encourage participation and provide opportunities for community participants.
Pursue & develop year-round programming.
Marketing and Promotion
Oversee marketing efforts for the festival and other TCAF programs including establishing marketing timelines, channels, and messaging.
Promote programs or events through a variety of channels from printed copy to social media, press releases and other paid advertisements.
Manage content on the TCAF website during the off festival season.
Pursue methods of tracking exhibitor and attendee statistics as needed.
REQUIREMENTS:
Five or more years of transparent and high integrity non-profit leadership experience.
Strong knowledge of Toronto’s arts programming and funding environment.
Experience with smaller scale organisations charged with large programming mandates.
Eligible to work in Canada. (Position is based in Toronto)
Experience implementing virtual programs such as virtual events; experience using digital marketplace software.
Proven track record of support for equity and inclusion initiatives, including building earned trust with equity-deserving communities, artists, and creative partners.
Strong ability to forge meaningful partnerships with individuals and organizations of influence, including public, private, and community sectors.
Experience and skill in working with a Board of Directors or other senior volunteers.
High level of strategic thinking and planning.
Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate effectively with a small team.
A history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results.
Active fundraising experience. Excellent donor relations skills.
Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting. (Proven experience managing a budget in excess of $200,000.)
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Strong public speaking ability.
Strong work ethic, high degree of energy, and an overall passion and care for artists and artistic communities.
COMPENSATION:
The salary range for the ED position is $40,000-$50,000 and a holiday closure period in December.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter and resume in a single pdf attachment with attention to contact@torontocomics.com. Please include your name and “executive director” in the subject line.. TCAF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in its employment.
In accordance with the accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) accommodation will be provided during the recruitment process for applicants with disabilities.