THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an Executive Director to assume the artistic direction and leadership of La Guilde (Canadian Guild of Crafts).  Reporting to the President of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will oversee La Guilde’s permanent collections, historical archives, art gallery, and programming. The Executive Director will collaborate closely with the Board on a strategic plan aimed at ensuring the continued relevance and sustainability of La Guilde, drawing on its many strengths to further the development of this thriving organization. Our new leader will be responsible for all activities relating to the operation of La Guilde, including financial management and team leadership. 

ABOUT LA GUILDE

A prestigious vitrine in the Museum district on Sherbrooke Street West in Montreal, La Guilde actively pursues its not-for-profit mission since 1906 and is committed to supporting and encouraging Inuit, First Nations, Métis, and Fine Craft artists to ensure the viability of their practices.  It offers a space for sharing and exploration through a wide range of exhibitions, cultural activities, and educational programs to develop knowledge, openness, and raise awareness. La Guilde continues to preserve and develop a permanent collection of Canadian art.

La Guilde's cultural and educational activities (conferences, creative workshops, guided tours, meetings with artists, etc.) are partly financed by sales revenue from its art gallery, one-time grants from the various levels of government, as well as valued support from generous donors.

La Guilde's temporary exhibitions, about ten each year, encourage emerging and established artists to push the limits of their creativity and raise public awareness of different artistic practices. Over the years, La Guilde has established strong cultural partnerships, including its annual participation in the International First Peoples Festival and the Contemporary Native Art Biennial (BACA), two important events for promoting art in Montreal.

With unparalleled knowledge and expertise in Indigenous art and Canadian crafts, La Guilde has distinguished itself by the quality and originality of the works it offers to its various audiences. The gallery offers its clientele more than 1,000 unique works exploring different mediums such as glass, stone, paper, textiles, ceramics, wood, and metal. Since 2017, more than $1,300,000 has been placed in the hands of artists.

La Guilde’s permanent collection is comprised of 1,574 artefacts, and the archives of 262 linear feet are a true window on the history of Indigenous art and Fine Crafts in Canada in addition to telling the story of its 117 years of existence. Since 1906, La Guilde has been committed to the conservation, preservation, development, and promotion of a significant collection of museum quality. The permanent collection has allowed the preservation of more than  thirty traditional expertises—making them accessible to current and future generations. The collection is an unparalleled reference for conferences, academic content, publications, and institutions that come to consult it.

Our Values

• SHARING: In a spirit of inclusion and synergy, La Guilde seeks to gather and share knowledge, experiences, and ideas while encouraging open dialogue and social engagement.
• OPENNESS: La Guilde pledges to be curious, open-minded, open to the world, and to create greater understanding and awareness among its communities.
• INTEGRITY: With authenticity, respect, and transparency, La Guilde pledges to take a thoughtful and coherent approach in line with its vision.
• COLLABORATION: La Guilde builds long-lasting relationships with its partners, artists, and publics, and strives for a positive environment based on solidarity, teamwork, and trust.
• PROFESSIONALISM: Building on 115+ years of experience, La Guilde strives for excellence and values artistic quality and attention to detail. It listens carefully and recognizes the contributions of everyone involved.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Our History
• Our Values
• Press Room
• Exhibitions
• Activities and Events
• Collections and Archives
• Our Team

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In this role, the Executive Director will:

Strategic Planning

• Engage Board members, staff and other stakeholders in a process to review and update the strategic plan to ensure a shared vision. In this collaborative process, establish clear goals, strategies and actions that will further the mission of La Guilde and ensure its financial growth and sustainability for its continued development.
• Support the Board in its priorities of organizational direction-setting, monitoring progress and fundraising.
• Provide regular reports and updates on progress and activities to the President of the Board, its members and committees for its decision-making and fiduciary oversight.
• Implement Board policies and identify and recommend changes as appropriate.

Fundraising, Government Grants and Other Revenue Generation

• In conjunction with the Board, lead the effort to build a stronger financial position to secure the long-term sustainability of La Guilde through program revenue generation, government grants, sponsorships, and fundraising efforts.
• Develop and implement an annual revenue generation plan, strengthening existing relationships and cultivating new ones, soliciting contributions from various
• Support and encourage Board members to effectively participate in fundraising, particularly for major gifts. Work with the Board in prospect identification, cultivation, and stewardship.
• Oversee grant requests to foundations, government agencies, and corporations.
• Act as La Guilde’s chief spokesperson and deliver oral presentations to private and public potential donors, benefactors, philanthropic organizations, and the general public.

Leadership and Operations Management

• Oversee and efficiently manage all aspects of the organization’s operations, guided by Board policy and La Guilde’s strategic plan.
• Foster strong working relationships with members of the Board and related committees.
• Ensure an appropriate staffing structure is in place to support development goals and strategies.
• Lead, manage, develop and mentor an existing team of full-time and part-time professionals.
• Establish annual goals, objectives and expectations for direct reports and manage staff in achieving these outcomes.
• Manage the cost-effective internship and temporary worker programs to support the strategic goals of La Guilde.
• Effectively manage La Guilde’s finances and the annual operational budget.

Artistic Direction, Management of the Permanent Art Collections and Historical Archives

• Oversee and ensure the relevance, augmentation, preservation, interpretation, and accessibility of La Guilde’s permanent collections and historical archives.
• Provide artistic direction for the procurement of high-quality, original, and limited-edition art pieces for the Gallery.
• Conceptually oversee the development of innovative and relevant exhibitions, lectures, and educational programs.
• Provide oversight of La Guilde’s activities and programs to ensure quality standards are maintained, and metrics are used to measure program performance, impact and results.

Marketing and Communications

• Oversee the development and implementation of realistic strategies to increase La Guilde’s visibility, increase visitation and program participation, and significantly broaden the support base.
• Ensure the use of market research, social media and other tools to assess customer needs, inform decision-making, develop responsive programming, and expand audiences.
• Develop partnerships with local, national, and international cultural and tourism organizations and institutions to optimize opportunities for joint initiatives and collaborative marketing promotional strategies.
• Represent La Guilde at local, regional, national, and international associations and committees, as well as at public events and in the media.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY COMPETENCIES

• Previous leadership experience at a senior management level, at an art museum, gallery, or non-profit organization, ideally in the cultural sector.
• An interest in, and ideally knowledge of Canadian art and Fine Crafts, Inuit art, First Nations art, and Métis art are strong assets.
• Proven success building, leading, and supporting high-functioning staff teams.
• Experience working closely with a Board is a strong asset.
• Solid experience developing and implementing strategic and annual business plans.
• Demonstrated success in raising funds from public and private sources in the form of donations, corporate partnerships, and government grants.
• Marketing expertise, preferably in the cultural sector.
• Knowledge of financial management and experience managing budgets and fiscal accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully create, manage, and develop diverse stakeholder relationships, that is, with staff, Board members, donors, government, clients, and corporate and community partners.
• Diplomatic with solid negotiation, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically and to plan and act proactively to drive growth.
• The candidate should be energetic and collaborative and possess both vision and business management acumen.
• Ability to incite enthusiasm and motivate others to achieve desired outcomes.
• Excellent bilingual communication skills in French and English, both oral and written.
• A post-secondary degree is expected for this position.

The candidate is expected to have an understanding of and enthusiasm for La Guilde’s mission, historical value, programs and activities, as demonstrated through work experience, volunteer work, personal interest, and/or education.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of La Guilde. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Sylvie Battisti, Vice President, KCI Search + Talent by email at LaG

All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence. Interested candidates should send resume and letter of interest to the email address listed above by June 9, 2023.

To view the full Position Brief, please visit:  www.kcitalent.com

La Guilde is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations will be provided at any stage of the hiring process upon request. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact Sylvie Battisti with any enquiries or for assistance.

Please note that the hiring salary range for this position is $100 000 et 115 000.