Executive Director

Airdrie Arts and Culture Council; Airdrie; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

An established nonprofit organization is seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead and innovate within the Airdrie arts and culture scene. This dynamic role involves strategic planning, community engagement, and financial oversight to ensure sustainable growth and impact. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in nonprofit leadership, grant writing, and fundraising, coupled with a passion for arts and culture. Join a dedicated team focused on enriching the community through creative experiences and partnerships. If you are a proactive leader ready to make a difference, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in senior leadership roles with experience in nonprofit.
• Proven ability to lead teams and foster community partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and community engagement initiatives.
• Oversee fundraising efforts and financial management.

Skills

Strategic planning

Grant writing

Fundraising

Financial management

Marketing and communications

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Team leadership

Digital literacy

DEI and cultural competency

Tools

Google Suite

Canva

WordPress

Job description

Executive Director – Airdrie Arts and Culture Council

Location: Airdrie, Alberta

Position Type: Part – Time, Contractor Position (17 Hours/Week), with the potential to grow into a full-time position

Salary Range: Compensation based on skills and experience

Reports To: Board of Directors

Application Deadline: May 16th

Start Date: June 2025

Organizational Overview:

The Airdrie Arts and Culture Council (AACC) is an independent society dedicated to nurturing and promoting arts, culture, and creative experiences in Airdrie. Through advocacy, community engagement, education, and support for local creatives, we are building a thriving and inclusive cultural landscape.

Executive Summary of the Role:

The Executive Director (ED) will be the operational and strategic leader of the AACC, responsible for driving the organization's vision, fostering sustainable growth, and ensuring community impact. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will lead the organization through a period of exciting development, cultivating partnerships, engaging the community, and strengthening the AACC’s infrastructure and programming.

Mission of the Role:

Lead and innovate in cultivating a vibrant arts and culture scene in Airdrie, fostering community engagement, and ensuring sustainable growth and impact.

Key Strategic Results:

Strategic Growth of Arts & Culture:

Expand and enhance Airdrie’s cultural landscape by increasing public engagement, supporting artists, and broadening the reach of cultural initiatives.

Strengthened Community Relationships & Partnerships:

Develop meaningful collaborations with businesses, educational institutions, artists, and government to amplify collective impact. This includes strengthening the AACC’s membership program to grow engagement, support, and advocacy within the community.

Financial Stability & Resource Optimization:

Ensure the long-term financial health of the AACC through effective budgeting, innovative fundraising, and successful grant acquisition.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Organizational Leadership

• Develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans aligned with the AACC’s mission and community needs.
• Champion the organization’s values and vision both internally and externally.
• Lead DEI strategies and organizational growth to adapt to evolving cultural needs.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Serve as the public voice of the AACC, fostering strong relationships with artists, community members, businesses, educators, and public officials.
• Represent the AACC at events, speaking engagements, and within the broader nonprofit and arts sectors.

Fund Development & Grant Writing

• Lead all fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, sponsorships, grant applications, and campaigns.
• Develop scalable giving programs to increase individual, corporate, and public support.

Financial Oversight

• Manage and report on budgets, cash flow, financial statements, and compliance with all municipal and provincial regulations.
• Ensure efficient resource use and transparent financial management.

Governance and Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain organizational policies and procedures to ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, bylaws, and best practices.
• Work with the Board to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with legal and ethical standards.

Program Development & Event Oversight

• Oversee design and delivery of accessible, diverse, and engaging cultural programs.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and adapt based on community feedback and evolving needs.

Membership Program Growth:

• Oversee the development and implementation of strategies to grow the AACC’s membership base.
• Create value-driven member benefits, outreach initiatives, and communications that foster long-term member relationships and support.

Communications, Branding & Marketing

• Develop marketing strategies to enhance visibility and community participation.
• Oversee social media, PR, newsletters, and brand consistency across platforms.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, supervise, and support staff, volunteers, and contractors.
• Cultivate a positive and inclusive work culture, aligned with the AACC’s values.

Essential Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic planning and implementation
• Grant writing and fundraising (government and private)
• Financial and budgetary management (non-profit sector)
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance, policy development, and regulatory compliance
• Marketing, communications, and PR
• Event and program development
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership-building
• Staff leadership and team management
• Public speaking and advocacy
• DEI and cultural competency
• Digital literacy (Google Suite, Canva, website CMS like WordPress, CRM tools)

Key Attributes:

• Visionary and forward-thinking
• Adaptable and innovative
• Passionate about arts and culture
• Highly collaborative and community-driven
• Resilient and solutions-oriented
• Ethical, accountable, and inclusive
• Skilled communicator (written and verbal)

First 90 Days – Onboarding Focus

1. Conduct a full organizational and financial review
2. Establish relationships with staff, board, artists, partners, and funders
3. Begin developing a revised or refreshed strategic plan with measurable outcomes
4. Review and assess current organizational policies and compliance practices and identify areas for improvement

Vital Metrics for Success:

Tracked weekly/monthly in collaboration with the Board:

• New partnerships initiated
• Growth in active AACC memberships
• Grant applications submitted and sponsorship leads pursued
• Community engagement data (socials, attendance, newsletter metrics)
• Budget adherence and fundraising milestones
• Event planning milestones
• Team and volunteer engagement indicators

Ideal Candidate:

You are a dynamic, hands-on leader who brings a rich blend of experience, perspectives, and skills developed through a career marked by increasing responsibility and complexity. With a proven ability to coach and mentor teams, you confidently articulate organizational vision in a way that inspires action and drives results. Your approach to leadership is proactive and solution-oriented—you're skilled at identifying challenges early and navigating them with clarity and purpose.

You lead with integrity and authenticity, embodying the values of transparency, collaboration, and belief in the power of community. With a minimum of 3 years in progressively senior leadership roles, you have successfully guided multiple teams in service delivery while fostering meaningful partnerships that create shared value. Ideally, your experience includes working within the Airdrie community, giving you insight into its unique landscape and enabling you to align your leadership with the mission and impact of the Airdrie Arts and Culture Council.

To Apply:

If you are a visionary leader, passionate about arts and culture, and ready to drive change, we want to hear from you.

Please submit your resume, cover letter, compensation expectations and a 1-minute video telling us why you believe you are the best person for this dynamic role, by email to: [e-mail].

Applications will be accepted until May 16, 2025.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply and encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds. If you require any accommodations during the interview process, please contact us in confidence:

[e-mail]

Only those candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted. The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.

We look forward to discovering how you can contribute to our mission and enrich the Airdrie community. Your journey in transforming the arts and culture scene begins here!