The Frye Festival is accepting applications for the position of Interim Executive Director for a maternity leave replacement. To apply, please send a cover letter and your resume (including your contact information) by email to dg.ed@frye.ca no later than November 22, 2020.
JOB DESCRIPTION Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is chiefly responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and organizational objectives. The Executive Director’s primary mandate is to plan, organize and execute a midsized literary festival, plus year-round events, and to ensure that the organization makes consistent progress on its long-term goals. Other key responsibilities include providing leadership by overseeing communications, funding, finances program development and administration allowing for the optimal use of organizational finances, staff and resources. The Executive Director manages a small team of three permanent employees (full- or part-time), including the Director of English Programming, the Communications, Marketing, and Audience Development Manager, and the Operations Manager.
Administration and finances
Implements and enforces the General By-laws and Policies and Best Practices adopted by the Board of Directors.
Maintains official records and documents, and ensures compliance with federal and provincial regulations.
Participates actively, with the Board of Directors, in the implementation of the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, guiding the organization’s actions and working towards short-, medium-, and long-term goals.
Plans Board meetings and provides orientation for new Board members.
Hires and supervises full- and part-time employees as well as contract staff, and implements a performance management system to ensure the team’s efficiency.
Identifies and assesses the organization’s risks, whether they relate to its human resources, assets, finances, reputation, or brand, and takes measures to control those risks.
Oversees office and financial administration (temporarily managed by the Director of English Programming), including but not limited to all matters related to salaries, Revenue Canada requirements, banking, accounting, and the preparation of fiscal year-end documents for the auditor.
Oversees budget updates for approval by the Board of Directors as well as ongoing operations (temporarily managed by the Director of English Programming), and ensures that the budget is balanced at the end of the fiscal year.
Manages the Frye Festival Endowment Fund.
Oversees the coordination of committee meetings in order to maintain a regular schedule; chairs meetings or delegates the chairmanship to committee chairs.
Writes the organization’s annual report and oversees its translation.
Represents the Frye Festival regionally, nationally, and internationally at literary events to build and strengthen partnerships, share expertise, and recruit authors/guests.
Fundraising
Prepares and submits government funding applications (municipal, provincial, and federal) and associated activity reports. Oversees the sponsorship program, including identification of sponsors, submission of funding applications and reports, and activation of sponsorships.
Oversees the annual donations campaign.
Initiates and manages fundraising and social fundraising activities.
Communications
Writes (or supervises the writing of) press releases and the content of certain promotional tools.
Oversees the development and implementation of the organization’s communications plan.
Oversees the production and translation of promotional tools.
Acts as spokesperson for the organization, as does the President of the Board.
Programming and production
Oversees and actively participates in the organization of a mid-sized literary festival at the end of April, as well as other non-festival events (September to May) that are in line with the organization’s strategic objectives.
Oversees the development of French-language programming (temporarily managed by the Programming Committee), which includes searching for authors, developing links with publishing houses, sending invitations to authors, designing activities and schedules, and showcasing books.
Oversees the logistical organization of events, including venue and equipment rentals, accommodations, travel itineraries, event moderating, etc.
Establishes and maintains productive relationships with community and programming partners to achieve the organization’s objectives.
Oversees the management of the Youth Program and the Volunteer Program.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Excellent English and French writing and content development skills.
Excellent English and French presentation, oratory and verbal skills.
Excellent organizational, problem-solving and negotiation skills.
Demonstrated ability to deal with people sensitively, tactfully, diplomatically and professionally.
High level of integrity, confidentiality and accountability.
Effective leadership, team and personnel development and relationship building skills.
Ability to interpret and implement criteria, guidelines, policies and procedures.
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher).
Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization and execution skills.
Strong knowledge of fiscal management and responsibility, funding development, contracts and partnerships.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Canadian literary landscape considered an asset.
Valid Class 5 New Brunswick driver’s licence.
The position of Interim Executive Director is subject to the following conditions:
START DATE: February 1, 2021, for a period of sixteen (16) months.
WORK SCHEDULE: annual average of 28 hours per week (4 7-hour days), as follows*:
September to December: 28 hours/week (4 days)
January to April: 35 hours/week (5 days)
May to August: 21 hours/week (3 days)
*With the exception of February 2021, which corresponds to the successful candidate’s training period, at 21 hours per week.
HOLIDAYS AND OFFICE CLOSURES: 2 weeks’ paid vacation annually (not to be taken between February 1 and May 30), as well as statutory holidays (8 days) and special office closures:
Paid Christmas holiday (December 23 to January 2)
Post-festival office closure (3 days)