Executive Director

The Board of Button Factory Arts in Waterloo Ontario is seeking a motivated and fiscally prudent Executive Director to lead a team that ensures the Button Factory Arts flourishes, innovates and shines.
Salary: $60,000 - $65,000

An inclusive artistic hub, Button Factory Arts enlivens Waterloo and Waterloo Region with a mandate that inspires and facilitates artistic exploration and creativity.
In 1982, the Button Factory was designated by the City of Waterloo as a historical and architecturally significant landmark. Waterloo Community Arts Centre (Button Factory Arts) was established in 1994, and in September 1996, was granted a long-term lease at the Button Factory. It is a vital part of Uptown Waterloo. Button Factory Arts will celebrate its 30th birthday in 2024.
Button Factory Arts survived the pandemic with online programs, some of which are now permanent. The centre is now thriving with the return of in-person workshops, drop-ins, lessons, exhibitions, shows, and rentals. It provides family and youth programing including popular day camps and P-D day events. Button Factory Arts is developing partnerships with a variety of local charities and arts organizations by creating ongoing arts programming throughout Waterloo Region.

Duties

Ensure the effective and efficient management of BFA’s day-to-day operations, programs, and services
Undertake the development of a Strategic Plan
Develop short and long-term operational plans consistent with the overall Strategic Plan Develop, review and implement the Strategic Plan, policies and procedures, in conjunction with the Board of Directors (BOD)
Develop and implement, with the assistance of the Finance Committee, yearly budgets for review and approval for the Board of Directors, then ensure BFA operates within approved budgets
Supervise the accounting and bookkeeping functions
Provide leadership on revenue generation and the acquisition, maintenance, and retention of corporate sponsors and funding partners
Develop and execute fundraising partnerships, donations, grant applications, and other initiative towards generating revenue for the organization
Strengthen and maintain a goal-oriented, creative, and innovation-oriented culture among staff, board members, and volunteers that stresses a high degree of teamwork, integration, responsiveness, and the pursuit of excellence
Implement and ensure best practices in human resource management throughout the organization, including recruitment, orientation, training and development, retention, succession planning, and performance review.
Supervise and provide leadership for all staff/contractors of the organization. Liaise effectively with the City of Waterloo.

Education and Experience

Minimum of one relevant post-secondary degree such as finance, business, or the arts with equivalent experience. Business experience is an asset.
Proven financial management skills including budgeting, forecasting, and overseeing preparation of financial statements and resource development. Previous experience with revenue generation, including the acquisition, maintenance, and retention of corporate sponsors and funding partners, would be an asset.
Demonstrated success in fundraising, stewardship and grant writing
Previous involvement in supporting a Board of Directors, including developing strategic
plans and policies, providing strategic advice that informs decision-making, and with
organizational governance and reporting.
Strong interpersonal skills with experience developing relationships and collaborating with
a broad range of stakeholders, including volunteers, elected officials, community partners,
sponsors, and member organizations.
Experience working with, or on, a Governing Board of Directors
Comfortable with technology related to retail, business, and on line meetings
Five (5) years of professional leadership at a senior level in a nonprofit or equivalent
environment; experience in marketing, development, revenue generation, and event
coordination is an asset.

Skill Attributes and Values

Able to balance vision with pragmatism and financial reality
Strong presentation skills.
Communicates well both in writing and orally.
Understands social media, traditional media and marketing
Has a track record for a collegial style and has garnered the respect of colleagues.
Fosters employee engagement
Values and promotes diversity.
Able to pull divergent views and perspectives together.
Fosters creativity
Respectful of the organizations current success while demonstrating foresight and
seeking opportunities for the future
Engages others and leads through change
Sees the big picture
Maintains and strengthens relationships with stakeholders such as city staff, local
politicians, members of the board, instructors, staff, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and
public and private community organizations
Demonstrates an understanding of the arts
A satisfactory Police Records check is a requirement for this position.

Statement on Equity

Recognizing the lack of diversity and equity in art and technology spaces, Button Factory Arts takes
an intersectional approach towards inclusive representation. We promote initiatives to reduce
financial barriers to access, collaborate with arts and community organizations that support
equity-seeking groups, and work to increase representation in all levels of leadership and
participation within the Button Factory Arts community.
Button Factory Arts welcomes and encourages people from marginalized communities and
intersecting identities to apply. This includes black people, people of colour, women,
LGBTQ-identified persons, non-binary and non-conforming people, members of ethnic minorities,
immigrants, and persons with disabilities.

Application Deadline

If you would like to learn more, please send a letter of introduction and a resume to:
janemitchell@bell.net by June 12th, 2023.
A satisfactory Police Records Check is a requirement for this position.
Only applicants that will be interviewed will be contacted.

Founded in 1994, Button Factory Arts is a non-profit organization, educational facility, gallery and gift
shop, studio space, and rentals dedicated to offering arts education and promoting engagement with
the arts in our community. Our programs support art forms that foster and support the full cycle of
artist from beginner to professional, and artistic practice through education, support, and exhibition.
Button Factory Arts is one of the largest arts employers in the Region of Waterloo.