Executive Director

About this position

Salary: $38.50/hour, average of 5-10 hours/week, with variances corresponding with festival activities.

Duration: 12-month contract (with the possibility of extension for additional term(s) dependent on funding)

Location: Vancouver, BC (remote)

Job Description:

The Executive Director is the key management leader of the Vancouver Comic Arts Association (VanCAA). We are seeking a dynamic, results-oriented professional who is passionate about arts-based community development and interested in the ongoing development of the organization. The Executive Director manages a small team of staff and contractors, and is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, fund development, budget, and strategic plan of the organization. This is a part-time employment opportunity reporting directly to the VanCAA Board of Directors. The Executive Director should be passionate about comics and their creators, and strive to create and identify opportunities to showcase both.

The Executive Director should also be committed to advancing equity and diversity in all aspects of the festival in order to help foster an inclusive comic arts community. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented and equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to: people with lived racialized experiences, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. 

About VanCAA:

The Vancouver Comic Arts Association is a non-profit society focused on celebrating comics, art, and storytelling. VanCAA programs the annual Vancouver Comic Arts Festival (VanCAF) celebrating comics, and year-round programming including readings, panels, workshops, and artist exhibitions. 

Note that VanCAF normally occurs over the May long weekend in Vancouver, and is the heart of what we do at VanCAA. It is important that the incoming Executive Director is available to support in the lead up to and days of the festival.

Executive Director Responsibilities:

• Organizational Mission and Strategy:
  • Work with board and staff on developing and implementing a strategic plan that reflects organizational values and creates opportunities for programs that work supports organizational growth.
  • Organizational lead on developing and maintaining relationships with key community stakeholders. These can include artists, arts organizations, international partners, government bodies, funders and more
• Operations:
  • Develop organizational policies and procedures for day-to-day operations and oversight.
  • Responsible for the hiring, management, and retention of organizational staff (Festival Director and Education Coordinator) and collaborates with them on operational priorities and projects.
  • Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
• Financial Performance and Viability:
  • Responsible for fiscal management of the organization while operating within the approved budget, ensuring maximum resource utilization, and keeping VanCAA in a positive financial position.
  • Developing, overseeing and implementing fund development strategies including grant applications and sponsorships.
• Board Governance:
  • Communicates effectively with the Board and provides, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts (or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field)
• 3+ years experience working in arts-based non-profits (or equivalent experience)
• A team leader with management experience
• A people person who loves networking and making connections
• A passionate supporter of the arts with a strong working knowledge of independent comics and comic creators
• Passion for community building and program development
• Skilled in writing grant applications, reporting, and project management
• Experienced working with and developing budgets based on various granting and funding relationships
• Works well independently and takes initiative with minimal direction
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends for VanCAF events and board meetings
• Has a personal & professional commitment to decolonization
• Background experience and knowledge around EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) and accessibility

Benefits:

• Flexible hours (make your own schedule!)
• Remote work
• Growth opportunity in growing organization
• Significant onboarding support and professional development
• Travel opportunities

Posting closes July 28, 2023