Job Description

Summary The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has an opportunity for an experienced leader with arts management and/or policy experience to join a newly structured Granting leadership team, under the direction of the Director of Granting and working closely with a second Associate Director of Granting, to ensure granting policies, programs, processes and people are effectively supporting and advancing the arts community and serving the people of Ontario through OAC\xe2\x80\x99s vision, mandate, business and strategic plan, Reset, Renew, Revitalize.

Key Responsibilities Directly manages and supervises relevant granting staff (Program Officers and Program Administrators) and applies equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility principles to hiring, mentorship, training and development, discipline, performance management and evaluation, compensation, approval of attendance, expense claims, and travel in a unionized environment.

Provides direction, advice and support to Program Officers on difficult or complicated matters related to programs and grant decision-making and as necessary meets with stakeholders/applicants or to explain policy, hear concerns/complaints and discuss new initiatives.

Supports the development of, and ensures the implementation of OAC equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility policies, processes and practices in granting, outreach, services development and partnerships.

Participates in planning and priority setting for the annual cycle of the Granting department, budgets, and monitors progress throughout the year.

Provides support and consultation for the Director of Granting on matters related to serving the needs of the arts sector and the public.

Supports the development of and is responsible for the implementation of an Outreach Plan that is in line with strategic goals of increasing, changing, developing identified communities and/or targets, and works with program staff to inform, establish and execute the plan and goals.

Assesses, revises, develops and implements granting policies and processes related to serving the needs of the arts sector and public, ensuring consistent application across all granting activities, as assigned by the Director of Granting.

Works closely with granting staff and relevant granting committees to develop or revise granting policies, processes, guidelines and program design. Chairs relevant unit committees and meetings, as well as other granting, corporate and organizational committees, as required.

Ensures internal and external granting policy documents, guidelines and information are maintained and utilized consistently.

Responsible for reviewing and approving grant funding recommendations to be presented to the Director of Granting, approves the recommended peer assessment panels and ensures OAC strategic plan and relevant policy is followed in the peer assessment panel selection.

Supports the evaluation process for new or revised programs, with focus on concept approval, eligibility, funding priorities and arts sector needs assessments.

Maintains significant relationships with the arts community and arts funders. Regularly attends or participates in events, conferences and meetings to keep up to date and gather information on sectoral or public policy issues, trends and developments and to represent OAC.

Acts as a backup for Director of Granting and other Associate Directors of Granting during absences and as delegated with respective decision-making authority and approvals.

Requirements:

Key Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in the arts or an arts-related field, or the equivalent in relevant work experience and other education;
• Significant experience (usually 5 plus years) in the arts as an arts manager, arts funder, policy maker or leader in the arts;
• Comprehensive people and team management experience, preferably in a unionized environment, backed by excellent managerial, interpersonal, consultative, teamwork and facilitation skills;
• Experience leading and implementing positive change through policies and programs, to support the advancement of Indigenous communities and/or other equity-deserving communities, is a priority;
• Broad knowledge of the history, current trends and issues related to the arts in Ontario;
• Demonstrated knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and intersectionality principles or best practices in the arts and the awareness of the impacts of funding decisions on equity-deserving communities.
• Good working knowledge of other related arts granting programs and private foundations;
• Clear understanding of OAC mandate and objectives and awareness of the ways OAC\xe2\x80\x99s granting policies, programs and processes support the arts;
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the peer assessment process;
• Excellent understanding of granting policy development and extensive experience drafting and writing policies in clear and plain language;
• Strong communication and conflict management skills, with a proven ability to successfully build trust, listen, and foster a collaborative environment with individuals and groups with diverse identities, lived experiences, and perspectives;
• Demonstrated diplomacy, emotional intelligence and experience working in a confidential capacity;
• Sound conceptual, analytical, financial, problem-solving and decision-making skills and judgement;
• Adaptable and fast learner with the ability to prioritize, multi-task and administer efficiently;
• Demonstrated superior written and oral communication skills in English; bilingualism in French is a definite asset;
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills in Microsoft 365 Office suite;
• Ability to work overtime on a regular basis and/or travel as required.

Additional Info: OAC recognizes that interested individuals may not meet all of the above qualifications and possess other relevant education, and professional and lived experience that would make them the right candidate. Applicants are invited to share this with us in their cover letter.

OAC is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce. Applications from all interested individuals are welcome and individuals from equity-deserving groups are encouraged to apply and indicate this in your application. OAC values a diversity of perspectives, ideas and lived experiences as an asset in serving Ontario\xe2\x80\x99s arts community.

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