General Manager

Company Overview

CanAsian Dance is seeking to hire an Artistic Lead and a General Manager. Successful candidates will contribute to a historic time for the organization, as we implement co-leadership approaches to our work and sharpen the activist dimension of our role. 

We are accepting individual applications for each role or alternatively, joint applications from duos who are applying for both roles. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, and will close by end of day, Friday January 26, 2024. For queries and to request accommodations during the hiring process, please contact admin@canasiandance.com.

Note: The Artistic Lead and General Manager will be members of what will be a five-person Curatorial Committee. Hire for the remaining three committee members is anticipated to begin in spring 2024.

For more information on our transition to co-leadership, read our latest news!

Job Description

The General Manager is responsible for managing CanAsian Dance’s operations to evolve, support, and sustain our artistic development and operational systems. You will support CanAsian Dance across the full spectrum of our activities, including working in and operationalizing our new co-leadership structure. 

You will be energized about working in a collaborative environment that decentres the Eurocentrism of the dance sector and foregrounds Asian diasporic dance artists and practitioners of Asian dance forms. 

 

General Manager (Part-Time, Contract)

Hours: 24 hours per week (3 days per week) 

Fee: $48,384 for an ~17-month contract ($28 per hour). (Note: Subject to funding, we hope to either extend this contract or establish this position as a permanent role) 

Works collaboratively with: the Artistic Lead and three Curatorial Committee Members. (Note: Under a new co-leadership model, CanAsian Dance will be led by a five-person Curatorial Committee. The committee will comprise an Artistic Lead, a General Manager, and three Curatorial Committee Members) 

Location: The successful applicant will primarily work from home but should ideally be based in or near the Greater Toronto Area.

Reports to: CanAsian Dance Board of Directors

Start date: Mid-February 2024 or by negotiation

 

Responsibilities

Financial (15%)

• Accounting and budgeting: 

• Handle accounts payable, using Plooto. 

• Liaise and work with the Bookkeeper on accurate financial statements.

• Prepare and oversee operating and program budgets and financial reports, in conjunction with the Artistic Lead and as approved by the CanAsian Dance board. 

• When necessary, conduct cash flow analysis and projections.

• Arrange the annual audit, hiring and working with the auditor as required.

• Maintain our financial records (e.g., for audit purposes), in conjunction with the Bookkeeper. 

• Submit a monthly package of CanAsian Dance credit card statements and supporting invoices for CanAsian board review. 

 

Administrative and operational (15%)

• Support the Artistic Lead in operationalizing our new co-leadership model, drawing on the consultants’ report. This includes providing administrative support for new processes, mechanisms (e.g., a curatorial committee), and other innovations. 

• Recruitment, contracting, and onboarding: 

• Manage the recruitment and onboarding of staff and contractors.  

• Develop and administer contracts and agreements to support programming, including artist, production, and administrative contracts and venue and partnership agreements. 

• CanAsian Dance Board support and reporting: 

• Support the board in organizing board meetings and the AGM. 

• Report at board meetings and the AGM, and provide summary reports and financial statements to the board.

• With the Artistic Lead, evaluate our new co-leadership model as part of ongoing board reporting. 

• Support the board and any board subcommittees as requested. 

• Support the board’s development (board recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and training). 

• Maintaining and improving administrative and operational functions:

• Maintain administrative and operational databases, systems and processes, identifying and implementing improvements where feasible. 

• Field general enquiries as required.

• Maintain an archive of all CanAsian Dance activities (photos, videos, marketing materials). 

• Uphold and update CanAsian Dance’s policies and procedures, and support developing further articulations in response to a changing ecology. This includes instituting policies and procedures related to equity and accessibility. 

• Document and maintain institutional knowledge of administrative and operational systems. 

• Support the Artistic Lead in challenging the Eurocentrism of the dance sector and advancing our cultural ecology—for example, by administering public campaigns, and writing and (re-)publishing social media posts. 

 

Project management and supporting program delivery (40%)

• Plan programming in collaboration with the Artistic Lead and the three Curatorial Committee Members, including scheduling and logistical elements. 

• Project manage our programming activities and maintain strong working relationships with all associated personnel, partners (e.g., presenters), and communities. 

• Support the Artistic Lead in program delivery as required (e.g., liaising with venues; assisting with artist scheduling; handling insurance). 

• Mentoring and advising independent dance artists (program participants) in arts administration.   

• Evaluate artistic programs and projects in collaboration with the Artistic Lead and with input from the three Curatorial Committee Members. 

 

Funding and fundraising (10%)

The following activities will be done in collaboration with the Artistic Lead, and may also involve the support of a fundraising subcommittee of the CanAsian Dance board: 

• Support the Artistic Lead in securing and reporting against operational and project funding from government funders, donors, sponsors, and crowdfunding campaigns. This includes identifying and applying for new sources of funding. 

• With the Artistic Lead and the CanAsian Dance board, identify and implement revenue generation strategies. 

• Develop and maintain fundraising infrastructure, including donor and sponsor agreements and fundraising policies. 

• Provide administrative and logistical support for fundraising activities and initiatives.

• Monitor and manage donations (primarily through CanadaHelps) and create donation receipts when necessary.

• Maintain and update CADAC for operational funding applications and reporting. 

 

Marketing and communications (10%)

• Engagement, promotion, communications, and supporting advocacy: 

• Promote CanAsian Dance and our programming through our website, e-newsletter, social media channels, approaches to the media, paid advertising, and any print materials. 

• Market and promote public outcomes, such as performances. 

• Manage administrative communications with partners, collaborators, and other organizations. 

 

Organizational and operational visioning and planning (10%)

• During the 18-month contract:

• Collaborate with the CanAsian Dance board, Artistic Lead, and three Curatorial Committee Members to inform the revision of the organization’s vision, mission, and values. 

• With the Artistic Lead, and with input from the three Curatorial Committee Members, co-create a strategic plan with the CanAsian Dance board, identifying strategic and critical paths for organizational growth and sustainability.

• In conjunction with the Artistic Lead and CanAsian Dance board, plan the operationalization and potential evolution of our new co-leadership model, drawing on the consultants’ report. 

• Conduct short- and long-term operational planning. 

• Proactively manage the succession of key staff in collaboration with the Artistic Lead. 

 

Other conditions

• You are responsible for all government taxes. This is a renewable contract position where taxes are not deducted. 

• If you charge HST and provide an HST number, it will be added to your fee. 

• You will participate in an annual performance appraisal by the CanAsian Dance board.