VANCOUVER ART GALLERY ASSOCIATION

Permanent Full-Time Excluded Position

Director of Publishing and Content Strategy

About Vancouver Art Gallery

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

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 Gallery’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 CEO, and as a member of the Program leadership team, the Director of Publishing and Content Strategy will play a key role in conceptualizing and coordinating the Gallery’s content and presentation of itself and its programs via diverse media to convey a strong identity with broad visibility. They will be responsible for planning and implementing comprehensive museum publishing, digital media, and design programs. They will also be responsible for ensuring quality and production of exhibition and collection catalogues; printed, electronic and internet-based materials; advertisements; museum products; facility and exhibition signage in cooperation with museum staff and external consultants; and overseeing financial operation of the department.

Works closely with Director of Strategic Communications and Branding, and other staff across organization to develop a holistic content strategy and bring an integrated, forward-thinking approach to address the rich, multidisciplinary exhibitions, performances, programs, and ideas developed by Gallery staff and artists, and oversee the production of 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 publishing and content strategies within the context of the Gallery’s 5-year Strategic Plan, campaign plan and annual business plan.

Plays an instrumental leadership role in integrating the Program Division with the Gallery’s Audience Development and Strategic Communications departments to support the Gallery’s overall goals toward a cohesive voice and identity.

Develops an arc of engagement and learning platforms encompassing our physical site and website as well as readers of our publications that successfully matches content to communication channel.

In consultation with Program leadership team and Director of Strategic Communications and Branding shapes a creative and participatory interpretive approach to Vancouver Art Gallery exhibitions, performances, and programs that supports creative and social learning for broad and diverse audiences.

Works collaboratively with leadership in the Advancement Division (Strategic Communications and Audience Development departments) to develop 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 web strategies.

Prepares, administers, and monitors the departmental budget.

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

Ensures overall consistent and unified voice, graphic standards and style, ensuring that the Gallery presents a cohesive vision across all media and platforms.

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 publishing department 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.

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:

• Comprehensive knowledge of publishing, editing.
• 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 curatorial management position (or equivalent experience) with non-profit, cultural organizations; extensive experience developing and implementing publications in a variety of formats including exhibition catalogues, brochures, websites, and apps.
• Strong knowledge of interaction between publishing and marketing and demonstrated ability to conceive and execute strategic publishing and digital media plans. Proven competence as a project manager with ability to set priorities, anticipate demands, and coordinate stringent deadlines. Ability to make informed recommendations and decisions to achieve institutional goals on schedule and within budget.
• Experience in supervising staff, financial analysis and managing budgets required.
• 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.
• 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.