Operations Manager
Terms: Permanent part-time
Hours: 28-hrs per week, with occasional evening and weekend work
Salary Range: $48,000 – $54,000 salary commensurate with experience
Benefits: Extended health and dental benefits, 4-weeks’ vacation, professional development leave and stipend.
Application deadline: Open until filled. The application review will begin on Jun 30, 2023.
Start date: Aug, 2023 (flexible).
About Western Front
Western Front is one of Canada’s leading artist-run centres, and is located on the unceded, ancestral, and occupied, traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations of the Coast Salish peoples in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 1973, Western Front operates out of a heritage building that houses a gallery, performance space, AV studios, archives, artist-in-residence accommodation, and a number of organizational and residential tenants connected to Western Front’s history.
Within this unique environment, we deliver a multidisciplinary program that supports artists to produce and present work, and to foster public exchange at a local, national, and international level. We do this through new work commissions, exhibitions, performances, concerts, publishing, residencies, and workshops. Western Front also preserves and provides access to an ever-growing audio-visual archive that documents the organization’s history of artistic programming and production of media artworks.
Job Description
Western Front is looking for an Operations Manager to join our dynamic team. Western Front is at an exciting moment of growth, and the Operations Manager will support the implementation of a new strategic plan and facilities plan that will guide the organization over the coming years.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Operations Manager is a key member of the leadership team. They are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations across general administration, finances, human resources, facilities, and risk management, to ensure the effective, well-resourced, and sustainable delivery of our programs and services. The Operations Manager will also identify and implement opportunities for process improvement and systems change.
Responsibilities
Operations
- Assist the Executive Director with the development, implementation, and review of the organization’s operational plan.
- Contribute to human resource management, including with policy development, onboarding, and maintenance of employee records.
- Lead the recruitment, training, and supervision of casual Front of House staff, volunteers, and interns.
- Manage the operational aspects of the organization, including box office, tenant leases, venue rentals, publications sales and digitization services.
- Provide administrative support to Executive Director including the coordination of meetings, preparing and distributing documents, and taking minutes, and managing and maintaining a range of calendars, organizational files, and records.
- Ensure compliance with the BC Societies Act, including membership administration and filing annual reports.
- Oversee the day-to-day management, care, and maintenance of Western Front’s heritage building and office systems, including purchase of equipment and supplies, and negotiation and management of vendor and service provider contracts for cleaning services, repairs, etc.
- Work with the Executive Director and staff to write, and prepare financial data and engagement/attendance statistics, for operating, project and capital grant applications and reports.
- Work with the Technical Manager to ensure that all health and safety regulations are met and that regular training, monitoring and evaluation is carried out, and that recommendations for improvement are implemented.
- Contribute to addressing exclusionary barriers for artists, audiences, and staff who identify as Indigenous peoples, people from racialized communities, women, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, including by identifying new strategies for engagement.
Finances
- Assist with annual operating and capital budgets, including preparing financial reports and making recommendations concerning budgets, investments, and other financial matters to the Executive Director, the Board of Directors and its committees.
- Manage day-to-day processing of accounts receivable and payable, and track cash flow.
- Process donations and ensure compliance related to Western Front’s fundraising activities.
- Work with the bookkeeper to ensure all financial records are kept in accordance with appropriate accounting standards, including overseeing financial reconciliation, fulfilling tax-related duties, and ensuring compliance with Canada Revenue Agency requirements.
- Assist with the annual audit.
- Assist with the ongoing evaluation and improvement of all financial systems and controls.
Qualifications
- At least 5-years of experience in operations management, administration, or finance/accounting experience in the non-profit and/or arts and culture sector an asset.
- Experience advancing new ideas and approaches to enhance work culture.
- Proven budget management skills, including an understanding of accounting principles, and experience in financial reporting.
- A track record of effective work with an Executive Director and/or Board of Directors.
- Experience with human resource practices and processes, including those that support greater focus on organizational justice, equity, diversity and inclusion such as inclusive hiring, pay equity, etc.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and persuasively.
- Proven experience with Microsoft Office (especially Word and Excel), Client Relationship Management (CRM) databases, Google Drive, and a Mac work environment an asset, though we are happy to provide training if you do not have these skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to working collegially and collaboratively to build respectful and trusting relationships with a diverse group of board, staff, community members, and stakeholders.
- Ability to work both independently and with others in a highly collaborative work environment.
- Resilience and stamina to work across multiple tasks with competing deadlines.
How to Apply
Please submit a brief statement of intent and curriculum vitae (resume) to info@westernfront.ca with the subject “Operations Manager”. Statements of intent may be submitted in the form of a cover letter, a video, an audio recording, or a slideshow presentation. We thank all applicants, and advise that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Employment Equity
Western Front actively supports equity, diversity and inclusion. We believe that diversity strengthens and enriches us, and are committed to making the arts and cultural sector a more diverse and equitable place. We encourage those who can contribute to the diversification of ideas and lived experiences, including Indigenous peoples, people from racialized communities, women, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities to apply. If you wish to self-identify, please do so in your statement of intent.
All qualified candidates are welcome to apply, however Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those who hold a Canadian work permit will be given priority.
Accessibility
Western Front is partially accessible. We are currently conducting feasibility planning to improve the accessibility of our heritage building. If you have specific questions relating to accessibility, please email info@westernfront.ca
