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Capital Pride is seeking an experienced community builder, exceptional leader and skilled event planner to take on the role of Executive Director. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for organizing and facilitating all Capital Pride events, ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the organization, representing Capital Pride to the media and in the community, and providing overall organizational leadership.

The Executive Director will lead the overall coordination of Capital Pride’s two flagship festivals — Winter Pride and the Summer Festival — and other events throughout the year. The selected candidate will develop relationships with community organizations and governmental stakeholders, and fundraise through sponsorship opportunities and grant applications. The Executive Director will also recruit and manage festival staff and volunteers, establishing work plans and priorities and setting timelines and deadlines. They will have experience in event production and promotion and be passionate about supporting, celebrating and advocating for the 2SLGBTQI+ community.      

The Executive Director will need to be self-motivated, organized and hardworking. The position is 40 hours per week, with additional evening and weekend hours required leading up to and during WinterPride and the Summer Festival. 

Position Type: Full-time, permanent

Start Date: Flexible, but aiming for mid-July 2023

Annual Salary: Starting $80,000 (commensurate with experience and with the possibility of additional bonuses and raises)

Location: Ottawa, ON

Language: Primary working language is English; French language skills are a strong asset and are highly encouraged

Reports to: Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors

Deadline to apply: June 9, 2023

CORE COMPETENCIES

The Executive Director will be a capable and effective leader who is committed to supporting 2SLGBTQI+ communities. The Executive Director will have demonstrable experience growing organizations, implementing strategic plans, fundraising, applying for grants, leading teams and organizing multi-day events or festivals. 

The following skills and experience are required:

  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in festival or event production and/or non-profit organizations
  • Minimum 2 years experience managing staff and volunteers
  • Experience with budget preparation and financial management
  • Experience with venue management, negotiating vendor contracts, and coordinating artists
  • Experience with media relations
  • Event or festival marketing experience, including both traditional and digital marketing 
  • Demonstrable success in sponsorship development, grant and proposal writing, and/or planned giving programs 
  • Understanding of non-profit organizational governance and experience working with a volunteer Board of Directors
  • Understanding of issues affecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQI+ community
  • Reliable, self-motivated and able to work productively without supervision
  • Excellent time-management skills 
  • Strong communication skills

The following attributes are definite assets:

  • Bilingualism (EN/FR)
  • Experience negotiating and managing artist contracts 
  • Familiarity with the National Capital Region’s 2SLGBTQI+ community including community organizations and groups

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leadership

  • Provide leadership, direction and support to Capital Pride volunteers and staff through effective communication, goal-setting, delegation and performance evaluations
  • Ensure Board members have timely, relevant and accurate information to fulfill their mandate and realize Capital Pride’s strategic plan
  • Identify and develop annual priorities in conjunction with the Board of Directors
  • Encourage harmonious relationships between the Board, staff, volunteers, and community members through effective communications

2. Event Planning and Execution

  • Manage the organization of Winter Pride,the Summer Festival and year round programming. 
  • Identify and book artists, speakers and performers for official Pride events with special consideration for those from underrepresented communities 
  • Ensure event plans are executed within approved budgets 
  • Lead Capital Pride’s participation in the City’s Special Event Advisory Team (SEAT), including festival site planning, emergency and risk planning and working with various municipal partners.
  • Monitor event activities in order to ensure compliance with site regulations and local laws, satisfaction of event attendees and resolution of any problems that arise
  • Ensure event plans fulfill partnership and grant obligations
  • Coordinate with external suppliers and partners involved in event production
  • Conduct post-event evaluations in order to determine how future events can be improved

3. Financial Management

  • Ensure sound financial management and control, budget preparation and forecasting in accordance with all pertinent legislation and policy
  • Develop annual operating budget in collaboration with the Board of Directors’ Treasurer for Board approval
  • Manage the efficient and effective use of the organization’s resources
  • Act as a signing authority for Capital Pride

4. Sponsorship and Grants

  • Manage Capital Pride’s sponsorship program, including both cash and in-kind sponsorships. 
  • Identify grant opportunities and develop high-quality grant applications

5. Administration and Governance

  • Act as the official point of contact for all inquiries.
  • Participate in board and committee meetings, including preparing monthly board reports. 
  • Prepare comprehensive post-Festival reports each year, for both WinterPride and the Summer Festival
  • Attend and report at Annual General Meetings and Special General Meetings 

6. Communication and Community Engagement

  • Oversee Capital Pride’s internal and external communications including media relations, social media, and marketing efforts.
  • Direct the development of WinterPride and the Summer Festival’s marketing and promotions plans, including both local marketing and tourism destination marketing
  • Develop and carry out media relations strategy, including production of media releases, coordination of interviews with organizational spokespeople and occasional media interviews as required
  • Identify opportunities for community partnerships and perform outreach activities to strengthen Pride’s relationship with community groups. 
  • Represent Capital Pride at community events, on local and regional committees, networks or initiatives, as required 
  • Maintain a positive image and relationship with local, provincial and federal governments and departments, and other external stakeholders

7. Staff and Volunteer Management

  • Manage staff team (summer staff team, other full-time staff and contractors) 
  • Recruit, train and lead a dedicated team of volunteers to execute WinterPride, the Summer Festival and all Capital Pride events

Capital Pride believes in work led by and for our communities. As part of our commitment to equity, indigenization, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression we encourage applications from queer individuals, trans and non-binary people, Indigenous, Black and people of colour (IBPOC) individuals, Two-Spirit people, people living with HIV, people living with Hepatitis C, disabled people, 2SLGBTQI+ women, and other people with fabulous and diverse identities and experiences.

Capital Pride creates opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Canada’s capital region.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email your application to [email protected] and put the job you are applying for in the subject line (Executive Director).

Deadline is June 9, 2023

All applicants are required to provide: 1) a cover letter explaining how they meet the requirements of this position; and 2) an up-to-date resume. Applications received without all the required documents may not be considered.

We appreciate all applicants’ enthusiasm for the role. Only those selected for an interview will be notified.

ACCESSIBILITY 

If this process presents barriers to access, please email us at [email protected] with the subject line “Access: Executive Director Application” to discuss alternative formats for submitting an application.

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