Director, Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national arts funder, with a mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.” The Council’s grants, services, initiatives, prizes, and payments support Canadian artists, authors, and arts groups and organizations. This support allows them to pursue artistic expression, create works of art, and promote and disseminate the arts and literature. Through its arts funding, communications, research, and promotion activities, the Council fosters ever-growing engagement of Canadians and international audiences in the arts. The Council’s Public Lending Right (PLR) program makes annual payments to creators whose works are held in Canadian public libraries. The Council’s Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts through exhibition and outreach activities. The Council is responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO to contribute to a future of peace, reconciliation, equity, and sustainable development.

The Council’s Board is composed of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and not more than nine other members. The Council has the responsibility for the overall stewardship of the Corporation and is expected to provide strategic guidance to management and to oversee the activities of the Corporation. It has a duty to act in the best interests of the Corporation and to exercise care and due diligence. The Board is also responsible for evaluating the performance of the Director and Chief Executive Officer on an annual basis.

The Director and Chief Executive Officer is responsible, under the direction of the Board, for providing dynamic corporate leadership for the management of the Canada Council’s resources and assets and for the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations in meeting its mandated objectives.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Canada Council for the Arts website.

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work on one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language.

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study, or an acceptable combination of relevant education, job-related training and/or experience;


• Significant corporate leadership and management experience at the senior executive level in a public or private organization, including managing human and financial resources;


• Experience in leadership development, strategic management and succession planning;


• Experience in public speaking and community engagement;


• Experience in advancing diversity and inclusion strategies in an institutional context;


• Experience in reporting to and/or serving a board;


• Experience in dealing with the federal government, preferably with senior government officials;


• Experience working with the arts and cultural sectors; and


• Experience in the communications, social media and media sector, such as the distribution of creative and digital content, would be an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the legislative framework, mandate, funding activities and business activities of the Canada Council for the Arts, its strategic priorities as well as its policy issues;


• Financial literacy and knowledge of sound governance and management principles and practices;


• Knowledge of the federal government’s policy agenda and how it relates to the Council, especially in arts funding;


• Knowledge of the arts and cultural sectors of Canada, including their unique regional dimensions;


• Knowledge in the areas of information technology, technological evolution related to the digital field, the supporting environment of national creative content, government relations, human resources or marketing would be an asset;


• Ability to manage and provide corporate vision, leadership and the strategic direction needed to ensure that the Council can fulfill its mandate and achieve its objectives;


• Ability to identify, analyze and define priorities and strategies;


• Ability to focus the energies and talents of the Council’s employees and motivate them to achieve corporate objectives;


• Ability to develop effective working relationships with the Council’s Board, its management, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and his office, the Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the key stakeholders and partners of the Council; and


• Superior communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to represent the Council with a wide range of stakeholders and appear before Parliamentary Committees, when required.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Dynamic advocate for the arts


• Innovative and strategic leader


• High ethical standards and integrity


• Tact and diplomacy


• Sound judgment


• Superior interpersonal skills


• Collegiality

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under the Forms and reference material.


• All appointees are subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.


• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must reside in or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region or to a location within reasonable commuting distance.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications (more information available here) will begin on November 9, 2022. Candidates should apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.