VANCOUVER ART GALLERY ASSOCIATION

Permanent Full-Time Excluded Position

Director of Strategic Communication and Branding

About Vancouver Art Gallery

The Vancouver Art Gallery Association (Association) believes creativity is fundamental to an open and engaged world. The Association strives for art experiences that create paths of shared perspectives leading to engaged and diverse communities supporting a collective future together. The Association operates a museum located in downtown Vancouver on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.

The Vancouver Art Gallery, one of the largest art museums in Canada, and the largest arts organization in Western Canada, is undergoing a multi-phase organizational transformation. With a permanent collection of over 12,000 works of art, the Gallery is implementing a campaign to build a new purpose-built gallery facility in downtown Vancouver, the Chan Centre for Visual Arts. This is a moment of growth, exploration and innovation, as the Gallery re-articulates its relationship to community and audiences to re-imagine what an art museum in the 21^st century can be.

As a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the BC Societies Act and a recognized charity, the Association’s funding is dependent on contributed and earned revenue and municipal, provincial, and federal grants, as well as foundation support and the generosity of its donors.  The Association had over 150 employees pre-COVID and has put in place the foundation for post-COVID recovery and strategic development.

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of Strategic Communications and Branding is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic communications that move forward the mission, vision and values of the Vancouver Art Gallery. This position will generate and execute communications efforts that increase unaided awareness of the Gallery, while focusing content on key brand messages and strategic priorities.  This position will be responsible for generating earned media and will coordinate public affairs activities on behalf of the Gallery.  From time to time this position will be a key spokesperson for the Gallery and manage any media issues that arise over time.  This position will be responsible for the branding guidelines of the institution and ensure that all communications channels are on message.

Works closely with Director of Publishing and Content Strategy and other staff across the organization to mobilize creative content in broad contexts, multiple languages, formats and platforms.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Works closely with Gallery leadership team and staff, develops in concert with the appropriate stakeholders, the communication strategies within the context of the Gallery’s 5-year Strategic Plan, campaign plan and annual business plan.

Prepares, administers and monitors the departmental budget.

Works closely with all divisions to advance the Gallery through earned media in various markets. Determines priorities, tracks progress, revises plan as needed.

Works collaboratively with leadership in the Program Division (Curatorial, Education and Museum Services departments) to disseminate audience-focused content for an integrated digital and onsite strategy including a user-friendly website and digital presence for the Gallery that is in alignment with overall brand strategies.

Ensures overall consistency of Gallery’s brand, including consistent and unified voice, graphic standards and style, ensuring that the Gallery presents a cohesive vision across all media and platforms.

Oversees the development of public relations and communication plans to meet institutional goals and objectives and maintain high and continuous public exposure of the Gallery. Based on market and audience research directs the creation of communication strategies appropriate to targeted markets.

Oversees the maintenance of a current and effective “crisis” or “controversy” communication policy and procedures.

Monitors the Gallery’s public profile and advises the CEO and the Senior Team on a regular basis.

Monitors and supports accessibility of communications content to foster a diverse and inclusive organization.

Leadership and Staff Management

Provides leadership, training, and support to communications staff to implement established goals and objectives.  Selects, communicates, guides and directs all those involved to contribute fully to the realization of the Gallery’s strategic and operational goals.

In conjunction with the Chief Advancement Officer, Director of Publishing and Content Strategy and other staff, ensures total integration of all marketing and development strategies to reinforce overall institutional consistency.

Represents the Gallery with a high level of integrity and professionalism.

Adheres to Gallery policies and supports management decisions in a positive, professional manner.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in a related field (art, literature, writing, journalism) humanities, or related academic discipline preferred. Background in writing and art history including 20th and 21st century art desirable. Five to seven years’ experience in a senior communications management position with non-profit, cultural organizations; extensive experience developing and implementing marketing plans, communication strategies and membership activities.
• Experience in supervising staff, financial analysis and managing budgets required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of branding, marketing and communications concepts, practices and techniques.
• Demonstrated knowledge of arts and culture, ability to communicate complex ideas to wide and diverse audiences.
• Excellent communication skills including public speaking, proposal writing and formal presentation skills.
• Excellent ability to work in a leadership role with staff, gallery and community contacts, stakeholders and volunteers.
• Extensive experience with media relations, issues management and institutional branding.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills and great attention to detail.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
• An additional language is preferred.

Please send your cover letter and resumé, in confidence to the Director of Human Resources, Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2H7, Fax: (604) 682-1086 or email: .  This position is open until filled.

The Vancouver Art Gallery commits to providing equitable access to everyone. We actively support accessibility, anti-racism, LGBTQ2S+ inclusion and encourage diversity in our staff, visitors, volunteers, and programming. We cultivate a safer space where all voices are heard, valued, and represented. The Gallery stands against hatred, discrimination, racism, homophobia, and transphobia.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those short-listed will be contacted.