The Jewish Museum and Archives of BC is dedicated to the collection, preservation and sharing of community memory of Jewish life in BC. A dynamic, creative and collaborative Director of Community Engagement (DCE) will contribute to the achievement of this objective by securing financial support for the institution, developing innovative public programs, building strategic partnerships with likeminded organizations, and recruiting volunteers to aid in this work. 

This is a permanent, full-time position (35 hours weekly) reporting to the Executive Committee of the JMABC Board of Directors and providing a monthly written report to the Board of Directors. Expectation is that time will be divided 50:50 between Programming and Development. The DCE works in collaboration with the JMABC staff (comprised of the Administrator and Archivist) and the Board to guide the direction, growth and success of the organization. While JMABC staff work in a non-hierarchical arrangement, the DCE leads specific projects and supervises contract workers, interns, and volunteers and speaks publicly on behalf of the organization.  As such, the DCE must be an effective and supportive leader and mentor and excellent communicator, as well as having fundraising and grant-writing skills and experience and database management capability.  

Preferred educational qualification: Master’s degree in History, Museum Studies or related field

Desired skills and experience:

• creative
• flexible
• team-player and collaborator
• effective and supportive leader and mentor
• excellent oral and written communication skills
• fundraising and grant-writing skills and experience 
• database management capability
• experience in the museum sector

Salary range $55,000-65,000 plus benefits. 

Specific Accountabilities:

Committee Affiliations

• Programming
• Development
• Strategic Planning
• Marketing / Communications

External Affiliations

The DCE represents the JMABC externally within the local Jewish community, to the broader community, in the press, and on professional associations including:

• Canadian Museums Association
• BC Museums Association
• Lower Mainland Museum Educators
• Council of American Jewish Museums
• Museums and the Web

Programming

The DCE leads the creation and delivery of all JMABC public programs, including but not limited to:

• Temporary, Travelling, and Online Exhibits
• Historic Walking Tours
• Guest Speakers
• Panel Discussions
• Film Screenings
• Dinners
• Book launches
• School Programs
• Special Events
• Podcasts
• Films
• Online Broadcasts

While all public programs should be designed to further the JMABC mandate and be in keeping with the aims of the JMABC Strategic Plan, the specific formats should evolve to suit the times, retain existing members and attract new members and supporters across the province.

The DCE is supported in this work by the Programming Committee, volunteers and temporary staff. The DCE should be in frequent communication with the JMABC Administrator and Archivist to ensure that public programs support the work being completed by other departments and enhances public awareness about the BC Jewish Community Archives and its holdings.

Further tasks include:

• Recruiting, training and supervising volunteers, students, and interns to aid in development and delivery of public programs and events. Requesting criminal record checks as necessary and completing all paperwork/reporting to granting agencies;
• Responsible for educational programs and materials to support the JMABC mandate;
• Seeking out and preparing grant applications in support of JMABC Programming;
• Preparing and maintaining records, reports, and correspondence pertaining to programming, special events, students/interns and volunteers;
• Establishing and maintaining communication and partnerships with community groups, educational institutions, teachers, other museums, etc. in both the Jewish and general communities regarding school programs, public programs, and special events;
• Tracking and reporting on program attendance/participation;
• Staying abreast of innovative work in the field and seeking ways to bring innovation to the JMABC.

Development

The JMABC is a registered charity committed to operating with financial stability. In 2012, the Board of Directors passed a resolution stating that the organization would only embark on new projects in cases where necessary funding was fully secured in advance. In adherence to this policy, the DCE is responsible for securing funding for all JMABC public programs.

This includes:

• Building budgets for all planned JMABC projects, each comprised of a balanced variety of funding sources;
• Completing grant applications, including all necessary reporting;
• Securing project sponsorships, both financial and in-kind;
• Fostering relationships with potential funders and sponsors;
• Seeking partners to disperse project costs;
• With the support of the Development Committee, creating and enacting an ongoing engagement strategy to retain and grow JMABC membership and nurture existing and potential project sponsors such as Sustainers of the Archives. This includes regular communication with members and donors, hosting engagement and appreciation events, and ensuring timely and genuine follow-up with all JMABC supporters.
• The DCE is obliged to stay current on development practices throughout the charitable sector, identifying strategies and approaches that may benefit the JMABC.

While the JMABC Archivist is responsible for securing financial support for archival projects, the DCE provides assistance in these efforts as needed.

Overarching Responsibilities

• Preparing a monthly report for distribution to the Board of Directors;
• Collaborating with staff and relevant Board committees to create a programming calendar/plan for the coming year;
• Contributing to the preparation of the JMABC annual budget;
• Represent the JMABC at conferences and meetings dealing with educational programming, museum programming and development;
• Seeking out and pursuing professional development opportunities as appropriate.

The Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia is an equal opportunity employer that fosters an inclusive, equitable and accessible environment. We thank all applicants for their interest in the JMABC however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.