Member, National Arts Centre Corporation

The National Arts Centre is Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts. It presents, creates, produces, and co-produces performing arts programming in various streams (the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, and Popular Music and Variety) and nurtures the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada. The National Arts Centre is located in the National Capital Region on the unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation.

The National Arts Centre Corporation was established as a federal Crown corporation in 1966 under the National Arts Centre Act, as part of the Centennial celebrations. As a national institution and member of the Canadian Heritage Portfolio, the Corporation is responsible for operating and maintaining the National Arts Centre, developing the performing arts in the National Capital Region, and assisting the Canada Council for the Arts in the development of performing arts elsewhere in Canada.

The National Arts Centre is governed by a Board of Trustees that is expected to provide strategic guidance to management and oversee the activities of the Crown 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 the annual performance evaluation of the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board is accountable to the Minister of Canadian Heritage for the stewardship of the Corporation’s management. The National Arts Centre reports annually to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage, who tables its annual report. The Auditor General of Canada is the external auditor.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the National Arts Centre Corporation’s 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 achieve 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;
  


• A professional accounting designation (CPA) would be considered an asset;
  


• Experience on a board of directors / trustees, ideally of a major not-for-profit organization in the arts;
  


• Experience with current corporate governance practices, preferably for a Crown corporation;
  


• Experience at the executive or senior executive level within the private or public sector;
  


• Experience in the development of strategies, objectives and plans, as well as risk oversight and financial management;
  


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


• Experience in the arts community or in the Indigenous performing arts community would be considered an asset; and
  


• Experience in fundraising activities and revenue generation would be considered an asset.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of the National Arts Centre Corporation, its business activities and funding model, strategic priorities, as well as its governing legislation;
  


• Knowledge of the current challenges and opportunities for Canadian cultural institutions;
  


• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of Crown corporations and their boards, including the fundamental accountabilities to all Canadians;
  


• Knowledge of sound governance principles, strategic planning, corporate risk management, and monitoring and evaluation of performance;
  


• Financial literacy and knowledge of the federal government's expectations regarding accountability and reporting;
  


• Knowledge of the arts and cultural sectors and familiarity with a range of artistic disciplines would be an asset;
  


• Ability to engage in strategic discussions, foster debate among Board members, and facilitate consensus and manage conflicts should they arise;
  


• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other Board members, National Arts Centre's management, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage as well as their staff and the Board's partners and stakeholders; and
  


• Ability to anticipate emerging issues and trends and to develop strategies to enable the Board to seize opportunities and solve problems.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• A passion and commitment to the performing arts


• Collegiality and the ability to work well with others


• High ethical standards


• Sound judgment, integrity, and impartiality


• Superior interpersonal skills


• Diplomacy, tact and discretion
  
  

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 Forms and reference material.


• All appointees will be 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 Commissioner, 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 behaviors 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 behaviors 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.


• This position requires an average annual time commitment of 12 to 16 days and Members are expected to prepare to discuss documents circulated in advance of each meeting.


• Members must be willing to attend Board meetings at least four times a year, for two and a half days each, in Ottawa and via conference calls as necessary.


• Members must take part in the life of the National Arts Centre by attending performances and special events.


• Members must act as an ambassador for the National Arts Centre in their own community.

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 here) will begin on April 22, 2024. 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.