DIRECTOR, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Company Overview

Introducing the National Arts Centre
The National Arts Centre (NAC) is Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts. The NAC presents, creates, produces, and co-produces performing arts programming in various streams—the NAC 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 NAC is located on the traditional, unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation.

At the National Arts Centre, we believe the performing arts are vital to the human experience. A house of dreams for the Canadian performing arts, we work with artists and arts organizations from across this land to revitalize our sector.
Curious to learn more? Read our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, The Journey Ahead.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism and Accessibility
We are on a journey, committed to ensuring that equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples will guide our actions.
The NAC welcomes applications from candidates who can help us meet our vision, and contribute to the diversity of lived experiences, perspectives, and approaches. When you join the NAC, you will be part of an inclusive community working hard to dismantle barriers to employees’ well-being, access, potential, and success. The NAC actively seeks candidates who identify as women, Indigenous, Black, Persons of Colour (IBPoC), members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and people with disabilities. We encourage you to self-identify in the recruitment process.

Job Description

DIRECTOR, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Competition number: J0524-0869
Status: Full-Time continuing
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (35 hours per week)
Annual/hourly salary: $114,00 - $142,000 (position with benefits and pension plan)
Closing date: June 24, 2024
Anticipated start date: As soon as possible

Key activities:
The Director, Diversity and Inclusion, shall lead the NAC in its efforts to become a culturally diverse, equitable, accessible and inclusive institution and lead the implementation of the NAC’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism 2023-2026 Action Plan and the NAC’s Accessibility Plan 2022-2025. A significant part of the role involves working with the NAC’s Leadership to review, revise and influence policies, processes, training and systems that support an inclusive work environment. Leading the EDI Champions, the incumbent will become a trusted advisor and advocate for NAC employees.

In addition, by engaging in a strong partnership with all levels of the organization, the Director, Diversity and Inclusion provides guidance and advice on internal communications to employees, external communications and audience engagement strategies.

Activities include, but are not limited to:
• Collaborate with senior management to create strategic alignment and build diversity, equity and inclusion solutions in an effort to promote a culturally diverse and inclusive institution;
• Lead the implementation of the NAC’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism 2023-2026 Action Plan and lead the EDI Champions steering committee overseeing its delivery;
• Lead the implementation of the NAC’s Accessibility Plan 2022-2025;
• Create internal communication plans (and content) to support and promote the NAC’s EDIAR Action Plan & Accessibility Plan;
• Review the NAC’s programs and policies to provide advice in addressing systemic racism and exclusionary practices to ensure equitable representation and inclusion of IBPoC, 2SLGBTQIA+, diverse communities and equity deserving groups;
• Propose and develop relevant best practices and guidelines to reflect the NAC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism;
• Provide advice and guidance on communications strategies internally and externally from an inclusive language point of view;
• Support and sponsor the creation of Employee Affinity Groups (e.g. Indigenous Network, PWD Network, Black Employees Network, 2SLGBTQIA+ Employee Network, etc.) and promote inclusive and supportive spaces.
• Develop, coordinate, facilitate and deliver skills development training, learning opportunities and awareness programs in areas of human rights, discrimination, harassment, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, unconscious bias and accessibility for employees;
• Revise the NAC’s Employment Equity Plan, assess our performance associated with legislative requirements pertaining to the Employment Equity Act and prepare report to the federal government, as required for Employment Equity compliance and annual Multiculturalism report to government;
• Review the NAC’s Accessibility Plan 2022-2025 and assess our performance associated with legislative requirements and prepare report to the federal government, as required for Barrier Free compliance and annual Accessibility report to government;
• Provide regular reports to the Board of Trustees and the organization on the implementation progress of the NAC’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism 2023-2026 Action Plan, on the NAC’s Accessibility Plan 2022-2025 and related matters;
• Create a plan to measurably raise awareness, facilitate conversation and allow employees to voice their concerns regarding diversity and inclusion;
• Assist the Human Resources department in maintaining unbiased hiring practices and implement strategies to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion; influence training, talent management, development and retention.

Required qualifications:
• A deep understanding and relevant experience in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practices with the ability to take pedagogical and theoretical ideas into relevant and practical application;
• Understanding of the impacts of colonization in Canada and a commitment to reconciliation;
• Experience using data to underscore strategy development, to support key decisions, and present data to senior leadership;
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a similar role;
• Exceptionally skilled communicator (verbal/written) able to present to both internal and external audiences, ensuring clarity in messaging and encouraging action;
• Ability to connect and engage and build strong working relationships at all levels of the organization as well as with external partners;
• OR Exceptional relationship builder and proven ability to lead and inspire a team, articulate a vision and influence stakeholders;
• Regarded as a compassionate and collaborative leader;
• Maintenance of strict confidentiality, as required;
• Strong analysis and project management skills;
• Knowledge of Employment Equity / Accessibility Canada Act / Compliance legislation and requirements / Federal employment laws;
• Advanced computer skills using MS Office;
• Creative, influential and innovative, with the capability to motivate change;
• Fluent in both French and English;
• A passion for the performing arts is an asset.

This position is located in Ottawa. Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position requires physical presence (in-office work 6 days out of 10 days).