We're Hiring: Gallery Director

Closing Date: August 11, 2023

POSITION: Director
POSITION DETAILS: Full time, Permanent
COMPANY: McIntosh Gallery, Western University
LOCATION: London, Ontario
REPORTS TO: Vice-President, Academic
# OF DIRECT REPORTS: Four
WESTERN UNIVERSITY: https://www.uwo.ca/ 
CITY OF LONDON: https://london.ca/living-london 

THE ORGANIZATION 
Established as the first university art gallery in Ontario in 1942, the McIntosh Gallery (the Gallery) is a centre for the presentation and dissemination of advanced practices and research in the fields of art history and contemporary visual art. The Gallery serves the students, faculty, and staff of Western University (the University) and the broader community of the City of London. Ongoing programs and services actively promote innovative projects in the production, exhibition, interpretation, and collection of visual culture.

The vision of the McIntosh Gallery is to be nationally recognized as a leader among university-based public art galleries for creative interpretation and scholarly research in art and visual culture.

THE POSITION
This is an opportunity for a creative and strategic leader to set future directions and deliver on the vision for an established university art gallery in a thriving city. The Director will provide strategic leadership and management of overall Gallery operations, programs, and Western University’s art collection, ensuring long-term sustainability of the McIntosh Gallery. You will develop and implement strategic administrative plans, and manage the allocation of financial, human, and physical resources.  You will provide leadership to Gallery staff in overall direction of programs and the professional care and development of significant art collections. You will develop strategies to enable the Gallery to improve its operations and achieve its goals.    

The Director is an accomplished visual-arts professional with energy, vision, and enthusiasm. You will be both leader and ambassador for the McIntosh Gallery and will sustain positive relationships with the University administration and faculty, staff, members, volunteers, artists, patrons, granting agencies, the local community, and arts organizations in Canada and internationally.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

  • Provide strategic leadership to Gallery staff, while articulating a clear vision which supports and enables staff to excel in delivery of services.
  • Guide and approve an annual cycle of exhibition and outreach programs, in collaboration with Gallery staff, lead program development to ensure the smooth integration of activities supporting the artistic vision, quality and relevance of the programs and collections at the gallery and support the critical innovation central to the Gallery’s reputation.
  • Direct overall Gallery programming including travelling exhibitions, international programs, off-site projects, cooperative and collaborative projects, publications, and loans of art for use by other art organizations.
  • Develop and implement strategic and tactical plans in collaboration with the Vice-President, Academic, and work with the McIntosh Gallery Committee, on the development and implementation of policies.
  • Provide leadership and direction to staff, establish priorities, distribute work and resources, conduct performance reviews, and assign project teams; and provide training to ensure all areas of responsibilities are effectively, efficiently, and productively completed.
  • Work towards making the collection accessible and supportive of the experiential learning, teaching, and research mission of the University.
  • Manage and maintain critical relationships with the City of London, Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council, and other relevant organizations.
  • Work with senior administration to oversee the planning and development of a new gallery space.
  • Develop collection policies to include indigenous protocols (see Truth and Reconciliation Recommendations).

Exhibitions & Programming

  • Oversee the overall artistic direction of the Gallery in relation to collecting, exhibiting, and education.
  • Negotiate and manage contracts and agreements; maintain liaison with artists, their agents, freelance curators, and other galleries.
  • Collaborate with curatorial staff and other galleries and institutions to plan and present compelling exhibitions.
  • Supervise the management and development of the permanent collection in concert with curatorial staff.
  • Maintain awareness of artistic and cultural imperatives to ensure the Gallery’s exhibitions and programming are reflective of and engage with London’s diverse communities; and collaborate with area indigenous organizations to develop culturally specific exhibitions and outreach programming.
  • Create opportunities for students to be actively engaged in gallery programming.
  • Explore arts-based programming opportunities with other arts services and organizations in the city.

Finance & Administration

  • Develop and analyze revenue and expense models for financial resources and prepare annual budgets for approval, supporting the Vice-President, Academic’s decisions regarding the allocation of resources and offering of programs.
  • Manage, administer and review all financial plans and budgets, including trust funds.
  • Monitor financial risk management and develop and monitor procedures to ensure operational risks are minimized.
  • Ensure sound financial control and accounting practices are in place.
  • Work with senior administration to plan for the long-term financial needs and capital requirements of the Gallery as the University looks toward developing new and accessible gallery space(s).

Fundraising & Development

  • Work on expanding the donor base and lead and steward fundraising initiatives with individual donors and sponsors.
  • Build and maintain positive relationships with funding agencies and prospects, including public funding (local, provincial, and federal), to sustain and pursue funding sources and ensure the financial resilience of the Gallery.
  • Secure funding from external sources for the University Art Collection and Gallery activities including preparing and/or coordinating grant submissions and briefs to foundations and government funding agencies (such as the London Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Ontario Arts Council).

Outreach & Advocacy

  • In collaboration with appropriate University and Gallery staff, the Director is responsible for the promotion of the McIntosh Gallery and its programs.
  • Enhance the Gallery’s public image and its brand identity.
  • Attend openings and major events, serving as the Gallery’s host, and introduce guest speakers, artist exhibitors, or programs.
  • Develop and maintain professional liaison with all levels of the arts community, in support of mutual concerns and promotion of the development of the arts.
  • Serve on Committees of professional art organizations and serve as a juror in art competitions on request.
  • Maintain good relations with all media outlets both locally and nationally.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

  • A Master’s Degree in Art History, Fine Art, Curatorial/Museum Studies, or a relevant discipline.
  • A minimum of five years of senior leadership experience, with a track record of success leading a gallery or museum, including curatorial experience, or experiential equivalent.
  • Strong budgeting and financial management skills.
  • A sophisticated knowledge of visual art, its histories and critical discourse, and in-depth understanding of the Canadian context; strategic awareness of current art museum issues, and the regulatory and public funding environments.
  • Familiarity with art collection development and management would be an asset.
  • Demonstrated track record of fundraising and donor development success.
  • Operational and administrative experience in managing an arts facility of similar size to the Gallery and overseeing exhibitions and collections.
  • Brings an awareness of and an interest in Indigenous art and artists.
  • Experience in human resource management while motivating others, delegating effectively, and managing conflict.
  • Knowledge and awareness of how to develop and engage diverse audiences.
  • Strong organizational and administrative skills; able to prioritize and juggle multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Experience in working effectively with senior staff in a large and complex organization.
  • Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Accessibility.

COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package will be offered, with salary range of $120,000 to $135,000 commensurate with experience, plus benefits.  

Western offers a comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to extended health, dental, vision and pension. For more information regarding the benefit package please visit: https://www.uwo.ca/hr/benefits/your_benefits/professionals_managers.html

This position is a regular full-time, permanent position within the Professional & Managerial Association at Western University. 

HOW TO APPLY
Please apply by email with your cover letter and resume by no later than Friday, August 11th. 2023. Send to: McIntosh@searchlightpartnersgroup.com   

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Although accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process; please note that the McIntosh gallery is not accessible to those with mobility issues.  If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact the Provost Office at provostvpa@uwo.ca or phone 519-661-2111 x.87278. 

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those being considered for interviews will be contacted by Searchlight Partners.