Ideal candidate

• 5+ years’ experience as a General Manager or related positions within dance, theatre, and/or the performing arts context.

• Experience with:

  • budget forecasting, management and preparation, and fiscal reporting (accounting is outsourced) 

  • securing and managing funding from the public (Art Councils) and private funders, ideally as an organization

  • board reporting and governance

  • human resources in regards to recruiting, managing, and contracting staff, interns, volunteers, contractors, and artists

  • non-profit organizational structures and procedures

  • all aspects of virtual and analogue live art event production, marketing and promotion (including traditional and social media platforms).

• A generous and generative collaborator, with an interest in co-leadership approaches.

• Strong skills in written communication.

• Lived experience and/or compassionate understanding of the barriers that independent dance artists—including Asian diasporic dance artists—experience in Kanata/Canada.

• Knowledge of evolving equity and accessibility contexts, conversations, and practices, with a particular understanding of anti-racism.

• Knowledge of, and existing relationships within, the cultural sector in Tkaronto/Toronto, Ontarí:io/Kanadario/Ontario, and Kanata/Canada.

• Tools: proficiency with Plooto (or similar), Excel advanced, CADAC, government funding platforms, social media channels (Facebook, Instagram), Wix and GoDaddy (or similar), MailChimp (or similar)

Detailed responsibilities

Financial management

• Accounting and budgeting: 

  • Prepare and oversee operating and program budgets and financial reports, in conjunction with the Artistic Lead. 

  • When necessary, conduct cash flow analysis and projections.

  • Arrange the annual audit, hiring and working with the auditor as required.

  • Maintain our financial records (e.g., for audit purposes) with the Bookkeeper. 

  • Handle accounts payable, using Plooto. 

  • Liaise and work with the Bookkeeper on accurate financial statements.

 

Administrative and operational 

• Support the Artistic Lead in operationalizing our new co-leadership model, drawing on the consultants’ report. This includes administrative support for new processes, mechanisms (e.g., the curatorial committee), and other innovations. 

• Recruitment, contracting, and onboarding: 

  • Manage the recruitment and onboarding of staff and contractors.  

  • Develop and administer contracts and agreements to support programming, including artist, production, and administrative contracts and venue and partnership agreements. 

• CanAsian Dance Board support and reporting: 

  • Support the board in organizing board meetings and the AGM. 

  • Report at board meetings and the AGM, and provide summary reports and financial statements to the board.

  • With the Artistic Lead, evaluate our new co-leadership model as part of ongoing board reporting. 

  • Support the board and any board subcommittees as requested. 

  • Support the board’s development (board recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and training). 

• Maintain and improve administrative and operational functions with the support of an Administrative and Marketing Assistant (position currently to be filled):

  • Maintain administrative and operational databases, systems and processes, identifying and implementing improvements where feasible. 

  • Field general enquiries as required.

  • Maintain an archive of all CanAsian Dance activities (photos, videos, marketing materials). 

  • Uphold and update CanAsian Dance’s policies and procedures, and support developing further articulations in response to a changing ecology. This includes instituting policies and procedures related to equity and accessibility. 

  • Document and maintain institutional knowledge of administrative and operational systems. 

 

Project management and supporting program delivery 

• Plan programming in collaboration with the Artistic Lead and the three Curatorial Committee Members, including scheduling and logistical elements. 

• Project manage our programming activities and maintain strong working relationships with all associated personnel, partners (e.g., presenters), and communities. 

• Support the Artistic Lead in program delivery as required (e.g., liaising with venues; assisting with artist scheduling; handling insurance). 

• Evaluate artistic programs and projects in collaboration with the Artistic Lead and with input from the three Curatorial Committee Members. 

 

Funding and fundraising 

The following activities will be done in collaboration with the Artistic Lead, and may also involve the support of a fundraising subcommittee of the CanAsian Dance board: 

• Support the Artistic Lead in securing and reporting against operational and project funding from government funders, donors, sponsors, and crowdfunding campaigns. This includes identifying and applying for new sources of funding. 

• With the Artistic Lead and the CanAsian Dance board, identify and implement revenue generation strategies. 

• Develop and maintain fundraising infrastructure, including donor and sponsor agreements and fundraising policies. 

• Provide administrative and logistical support for fundraising activities and initiatives.

• Monitor and manage donations (primarily through CanadaHelps) and create donation receipts when necessary.

• Maintain and update CADAC for operational funding applications and reporting. 

 

Marketing and communications 

Oversight of

• Promote CanAsian Dance and our programming through our website, e-newsletter, social media channels, approaches to the media, paid advertising, and any print materials. 

• Market and promote public outcomes, such as performances. 

• Manage administrative communications with partners, collaborators, and other organizations. 

 

Organizational and operational visioning and planning 

• During the contract:

  • Collaborate with the CanAsian Dance board, Artistic Lead, and three Curatorial Committee Members to inform the revision of the organization’s vision, mission, and values. 

  • With the Artistic Lead, and with input from the three Curatorial Committee Members, co-create a strategic plan with the CanAsian Dance board, identifying strategic and critical paths for organizational growth and sustainability.

  • In conjunction with the Artistic Lead and CanAsian Dance board, plan the operationalization and potential evolution of our new co-leadership model, drawing on the consultants’ report. 

• Conduct short- and long-term operational planning. 

• Proactively manage the succession of key staff in collaboration with the Artistic Lead. 

 

Other conditions

• You are responsible for all government taxes. This is a renewable contract position where taxes are not deducted. 

• If you charge HST and provide an HST number, it will be added to your fee. 

• You will participate in an annual performance appraisal by the CanAsian Dance board.