Director & CEO

Toronto Arts Council & Toronto Arts Foundation acknowledge the diversity of the First Peoples of this area and recognize the territories of the Wendat, the Anishnabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Today, Toronto is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and around the world and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work, to live and to meet on this territory.

Toronto Arts Council (TAC) is the City of Toronto’s funding body for artists and arts organizations. Since its inception in 1974, TAC has offered innovative and responsive programs which have enabled artists and arts organizations to create, explore, and thrive. With funding of over $25M annually, grants from the TAC lead to exhibitions, performances, readings, and workshops seen across the city by over 5 million people each year. The Toronto Arts Foundation (the Foundation) is Toronto’s charity for the arts. It believes that the arts help cities thrive and provides research, programs, and awards that express the diversity and dynamism of Toronto. Established in 1995, the Foundation has successfully championed artistic excellence in the City of Toronto for close to three decades and is strongly positioned to bring further attention and investment to the sector.

Both TAC & the Foundation are committed to weaving the arts into the very fabric and identity of this global city, connecting every Toronto neighbourhood with the transformative social and economic benefits of the sector. At this promising time in the organization’s trajectory, TAC & the Foundation invites applications and nominations for the role of Director & CEO—someone who will further this commitment by playing a central role in shaping the future of Toronto’s diverse arts scene.

For the role of Director & CEO, the successful candidate is dynamic and tenacious—someone who comes with a compelling organizational vision that reflects the opportunities and complexities of a multifaceted arts landscape. They will be a skilled decision-maker and solutions-finder, bringing their unique ability to imbue personal wisdom into discussions focused development, possibility, expansion, social change, creativity, and creative problem solving. The Director & CEO will: embody a generosity of spirit and altruism; embrace and promote reconciliation and Indigeneity as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion in all their forms; and, be a credible leader who can quickly gain the respect and confidence of a high-performing staff complement, a mosaic of world-class talent and the overall artist community, the City of Toronto, members of the Boards, and a vast array of external organizations currently interfacing with TAC & the Foundation or destined to become future friends of the organization.

While no candidate will possess all desired skills/experience in equal measure, the following skills/experience in particular are seen as possible markers for the candidate most likely to realize success in the role: a) several years of senior leadership experience, preferably gained in the arts sector or not-for-profit sector more broadly; b) experience reporting to Boards and Advisory Committees, and a strong comfort around or direct experience in advocating and dialoguing with external partners and different levels of government; c) experience with fundraising and philanthropy; and, d) strategic planning experience, and a proven track record of operationalizing ambitious ideas and stated objectives.

To ensure an applicant list that has greater representation from Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, thereby reflecting Canada’s diverse population, TAC & the Foundation are partnering with BIPOC Executive Search. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply, although Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Resumes can be sent to Melissa Sumnauth or Jason Murray by e-mailing msumnauth@bipocsearch.com.
TAC & the Foundation believe in creating spaces where anyone can be involved, engaged, empowered, and inspired, and adheres to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

If you require accommodations at any stage of the hiring process, please notify Melissa Sumnauth at the e-mail address above.
The salary for the role of Director & CEO will be approximately $190,000 depending on skills and experience. We thank everyone for their expression of interest—and are truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying—but with the limitations of time only those selected for an interview will be contacted.