Executive Director

Northern Lights School of Dance; Whitehorse; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Northern Lights School of Dance Society is seeking an Executive Director to begin September 1, 2026, or as mutually agreed. The ED will lead the organization as chief executive and operational leader, reporting to a volunteer Board of Directors.

Based in Whitehorse, Yukon, NLSD is a not-for-profit youth dance program with a long history of affordable, high‑quality instruction and community engagement. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, governance, budgeting and fundraising

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in a related field (e.g., Fine Arts, Dance, Business Management, Accounting, Not-For-Profit Finance, Leadership).
• Three to five years of participation in the Arts (as participant, supporter, teacher, Board member, employee, contractor).
• Proven leadership expertise including development of teams and achievement of organizational strategic goals.
• Experience in nonprofit management and governance.
• Knowledge of legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements pertaining to not-for-profit Societies under Yukon Societies Act.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic vision and operational management for the organization.
• Oversee budgeting, fundraising and financial stewardship.
• Engage with the Board, staff, dance families and the broader community to advance NLSD’s mission.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Fundraising

Nonprofit governance

Communication

Staff supervision

Board engagement

Community engagement

Team building

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Fine Arts

Business Management

Not-for-Profit Finance

Job description

The Northern Lights School of Dance Society is seeking an Executive Director, to begin September 1, 2026, or as mutually agreed.

Northern Lights School of Dance, NLSD, is a not-for-profit youth dance program in Whitehorse, Yukon. The school enjoys a long history of providing affordable, high-quality dance instruction and performance opportunities to Whitehorse children and youth, as well as delivering on a commitment to bring dance to the wider community. At present, over two hundred families have enrolled their children and youth in a variety of dance classes for the 2026-27 dance year.

The Executive Director serves as thechief executive and operational leaderof the organization, accountable to a volunteer Board of Directors. The ED balances strategic vision, operational management, financial stewardship, and community engagement to ensure that NLSD fulfills its mission effectively.

The ideal candidate will bring the following qualifications, competencies and experience:

• Post- Secondary Diploma or Degree in a related field, including but not limited to Fine Arts, Dance, Business Management, Accounting, Not-For Profit Finance, Leadership, etc.
• Passion for the vital nature of youth participation in the Arts
• Three to five years of participation in the Arts; participant, supporter, teacher, Board member, employee, contractor, etc.
• Ability to inspire others
• Proven leadership expertise including successful development of teams and achievement of organizational strategic goals
• Ability to foster collaboration and motivate diverse teams
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills when working to engage with the Board, staff, dance families and community
• Five or more years of experience in management including direct supervision of staff and employee performance appraisal
• Proven financial acumen, budgeting, fundraising and reporting
• Experience in nonprofit management and governance
• Knowledge of relevant legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements pertaining to not-for-profit Societies under the Yukon Societies Act

Candidates who have education, training, and/or experience equivalent to the qualifications listed above may be equally considered.

For more information about Northern Lights School of Dance, please visit our website at www.nlsdyukon.com.

A complete role description for the NLSD Executive Director can be requested by emailing [e-mail].