The Canada Council for the Arts is a federal Crown corporation created by an Act of Parliament in 1957 “to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.” The Council offers a broad range of grants and services to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations. The Council reports to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage and is receives most of its funding from the Government of Canada.
The Head, Strategic Audience-Centred Communications, takes the lead for integrated corporate strategic communications, including planning, budgeting and performance measurement and management, to ensure that the Division has the capacity to develop and foster the Council’s “brand” as a national funder which promotes and fosters the development of the Canadian professional arts sector. The position takes the lead for operational management and implementation of integrated audience-based communications strategies, services and functions, and media and public relations activities, in order to implement the transformation and transition of the Council’s communications activities from a program-based culture to a audience-based culture.
The ideal candidate is bilingual in both official languages and has:
an honours bachelors degree or equivalent in communications, liberal arts or business management, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience in media and public relations, audience-focussed communications, planning, performance measurement and other related fields;
seven years of progressively responsible communications and communications management experience in the areas of responsibility, preferably related to the arts environment;
skills in the areas of management, media relations, communications strategies and techniques;
excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership and problem-solving skills; and
knowledge of the arts practices in Canada.
This position is located in Ottawa and may require up to 20 days of travel a year.