U’mista Cultural Centre, Executive Director, Alert Bay

U’mista Cultural Centre, Executive Director

ABOUT THE CENTRE

The U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay tells an epic story of resistance and resilience. The Centre opened in 1980 to house repatriated Kwakwaka‘wakw ceremonial regalia that had been seized by government authorities in 1922 during the Potlatch Ban.  Our mandate is, “to ensure the survival of all aspects of the cultural heritage of the Kwakwaka‘wakw.”  The U’mista Cultural Centre is 12,200 sq. ft., designated as a Category A institution, and consists of exhibition space, a gift-shop, a small library and archives, administration space, collections store and a space for the storage of regalia belonging to members. The U’mista Cultural Centre plays a central role in our local community and has an international reputation for its innovative work in repatriation and representation of Kwakwaka’wakw culture. The Centre promotes understanding and discussion through research, acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, loans, travelling exhibitions, special projects, education and outreach programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the overall artistic vision and operations of the Centre, including exhibitions, collections, acquisitions, programs and direction and management of professional staff.

The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the long-term vision for the U’mista, including developing and carrying out strategic plans for programming, staffing and facility needs, and expansion.

The Executive Director oversees U’mista’s fiscal responsibilities to external funders, including approving annual budget plans, authorizing expenditures, and ensuring operations and programming initiatives are undertaken within available resources in accordance with U’mista’s and external agencies’ policies and guidelines.  The ED interprets financial information for the Directors, responding to their questions and ensuring they have the necessary information to make informed decisions.

The Executive Director is also responsible for overseeing fund development and fundraising for U’mista’s operations, acquisitions, programming, research, and special projects.

Responsibilities also include overseeing and working with U’mista’s collections’ team in developing a program of exhibitions and programming; overseeing the preservation of the Potlatch Collection, general and educational collections.

The ED acts as U’mista’s representative by creating and maintaining a positive professional image for the Society through ongoing liaison with communities, governments and clients, developing and maintaining positive working relationships with other museum and cultural Centres, other organizations and individuals and representing the Society at various events and conferences.

The ED supports the Board of Directors so they may function effectively, including providing good information, clear advice and recommendations for action or decisions and acting as a liaison between Society members and the Board of Directors.  The ED leads the Board, staff and volunteers in processes to establish plans and priorities to ensure that the needs of the Kwakwaka’wakw are being prioritized.

Requirements:

1. An acceptable criminal record check.
2. Knowledge of and agreement to comply with the U’mista Cultural Society Personnel Policy and Code of Ethics.
3. Has read, signed and is willing to abide by the U’mista Cultural Society Oath of Confidentiality.
4. Has a satisfactory reference check from a minimum of three different references.

Qualifications:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is preferred but a combination of education and relevant experience would be considered.
2. An understanding of the Kwak’wala Speaking Peoples culture, language and history is necessary.  Experience working with and for a Kwakwaka’wakw community is an asset as is Kwakwaka’wakw ancestry.
3. Experience in museum work is preferred or a strong, proactive commitment to further training in this area.
4. Proven leadership/management skills.
5. Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving abilities.
6. The ability to work under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors which requires the capacity to work with a fair degree of independence.
7. Proven ability to write proposals and reports.
8. Ability to understand and interpret financial information and to plan and manage financial resources in accordance with available budgets.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply by 5:00pm, June 30, 2020. Applicants must send application documents to director@umista.ca Please send the following: cover letter; curriculum vitae or resume; and statement (1 page; max 250 words) summarizing their experience in and approach to leadership roles.

Applicants are also asked to provide names and contact information for at least three referees who may be approached at a later date to provide confidential and objective assessment of the applicant’s suitability for the U’mista’s directorship position.

Enquiries may be directed to Selection Committee, via email (director@umista.ca) with “UMISTA director search” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin in June 2020 and will continue until the position is filled. At a later stage, long-listed applicants may be asked to participate in a pre-screening interview on Skype.  Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in Alert Bay (if possible) or by Skype.

Salary range $63,600 – $69,160.