The Opportunity
The Montreal Bach Festival (MBF) is seeking a dynamic, multi-talented Director of Finance and Administration who has a passion for classical music and will enthusiastically help manage the organization, fundraise, and tell our unique story. A newly created position, the Director of Finance and Administration will join the MBF at a pivotal juncture, and will have the opportunity to shape the role and lead the organization into its next exciting chapter.
Reporting to Alexandra Scheibler, the founder, executive and artistic director of the Montreal Bach Festival, the Director of Finance and Administration will head the office team (marketing, box office, event coordinator/office assistant) as the chief business officer responsible for conducting the operations of the MBF including concert production, revenue generation, Board facilitation, community outreach and financial oversight. The Director will work closely with the Board to build on the MBF’s reputation of artistic excellence and keep it thriving and sustainable through increased financial strength and community engagement. The new incumbent will appreciate the MBF’s remarkable history, and will share enthusiasm for its mission.
About the MBF
The Montreal Bach Festival is North America’s premier destination for the timeless musical genius of Johann Sebastian Bach and the cultural legacy that he has inspired. Through a series of concerts and educational programs, the Bach Festival showcases our elite musicians to the world and brings world class performers to Quebec. It contributes significantly to Montreal’s international reputation as a cultural metropolis, attracting both international and local audiences to enrich the life of Montrealers as well as its communal life. The greatest artists in the world come to Montreal to honor Johann Sebastian Bach. His infinitely beautiful music has found a home at the Montreal Bach Festival.
The MBF is a registered charitable not for profit organization, managed by a dedicated Board of Directors of ten and a small team. Operations are funded by ticket sales, donations, sponsorships and government grants.
The Ideal Candidate
The Director of Finance and Administration will be a proven non-profit sector leader with familiarity and passion for music, and experience in Board relations, ideally from the performing arts industry. A highly flexible individual who combines leadership qualities with excellent communication, fundraising and organizational skills, the ideal candidate will have a desire and ability to partner with volunteer Board members to develop and execute the MBFs plans in support of its continued artistic vision for music excellence.
Experienced in working with and supporting volunteer Board members, the Director will liaise regularly with the President of the Board, provide members with update reports as required, and seek out their knowledge, understanding, and connections to leverage opportunities.
Possessing a strong results-oriented work ethic, the ideal candidate will be a pragmatic and effective problem- solver, who will ensure that all administrative details are in place for our annual concert series. Working independently, with autonomy on daily matters, the successful candidate will exercise resourcefulness, sound judgement, attention to detail, and will engender a sense of trust and credibility with MBF stakeholders and community members.
Demonstrating willingness and proven ability to multi-task, the ideal candidate will effectively administer the logistics for the day to day priorities while also taking the lead on development and fundraising initiatives. Experienced in leading and managing fundraising strategies and identifying new sources of contributed income, the Director will seek to successfully build local, provincial and national relationships with related organizations, government officials and funding agencies. The candidate will also pro-actively work with volunteer Board members to engage with and develop a community of individual major gift donors as well as corporate and foundations partners.
The ideal candidate will be able to articulate the MBF vision in ways that inspire and motivate others to advance the reputation, fiscal sustainability, attendance and community support for the MBF. Demonstrating excellent communication abilities, the successful candidate will be a strong ambassador for the MBF. The candidate will be fluently bilingual, both verbally and in writing, and will effectively present the artists and works performed using accessible language. The successful candidate will possess solid interpersonal skills to relate with and build productive and cohesive working relationships with a variety of constituents, including musicians, artist managers and stagehands as well as outside entities such as vendors.
The Director will oversee, guide and encourage the other staff members in a small office environment, as well as a number of external independent contractors who contribute to the MBF’s success. A transparent and positive leader with a strategic orientation and solid integrity, the Director will bring vigor and eagerness to help us advance and sustain one of the finest music organizations of Montreal.
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
Management and Administration
- Effectively and efficiently manage the MBF’s finances and the annual operational budget.
- Oversee and efficiently manage all aspects of the organization’s operations, guided by the Board’s vision, artistic direction and policies.
- Contracting artists upon consultation with the artistic director; contracting with venues, freelancers, employees, etc.
- Lead and manage staff and freelancers.
- Plan and manage guest artists’ logistics as well as concert detail requirements with vendors and external technical resource providers.
- Ensure appropriate resources are in place to support goals and strategies.
- Foster strong working relationships with Board members.
Fund-raising and Development
- Lead the effort to generate additional revenues and continue to secure the long term sustainability of the MBF through, government and foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, program advertising and major gift fundraising efforts.
- –Develop and implement an annual revenue generation plan, strengthening existing relationships and cultivating new ones, soliciting contributions from a variety of constituencies.
- Research, review and write grant proposals to foundations and government agencies, and sponsorship requests to corporations.
Governance facilitation and support
- Work closely with Board members, staff and other stakeholders to establish clear goals, strategies and actions that will further the mission of the MBF and ensure its financial growth and sustainability.
- Support the Board in its priorities of organizational direction-setting, monitoring progress and fundraising.
- Provide regular reports and updates on progress and activities to the Board President and the Board members, for decision making on artistic direction, administration and governance.
- Work closely with and support the Artistic Director by overseeing financial contract negotiations with artist managers and other details of artistic administration.
Key Experience & Competencies
- Previous experience in a management position in the non-profit arts and culture sector, including program administration, fundraising, and financial oversight.
- Strong familiarity with, and a passion for, classical music.
- Demonstrated success in raising funds from public and private sources in the form of donations, sponsorships, memberships, and foundation and government grants.
- Experience managing staff and volunteers and ability to interact with a variety of constituents including musicians, artistic managers as well as vendors and independent contractors.
- Experience working both autonomously, as well as collaboratively with the Board.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically and to plan and act pro-actively.
- Strong organizational, project management and problem solving skills with the ability to multi-task.
- Ability to incite enthusiasm and to motivate and persuade others to achieve desired outcomes.
- Excellent bilingual communication skills in French and English (verbal and written).
- Self-sufficient and experienced with computers (Macs) Microsoft Office and Excel, Adobe Creative Cloud, website management, and design/web marketing (Mailchimp) etc.
- A post-secondary degree is expected for this position. A degree in Arts or business administration will be considered an asset. Experience in accounting.
Deadline for applications: Monday, September 23, 2019.
Salary commensurate with experience. Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest, resume, and list of references in confidence to:
Margaret Genovese
Senior Partner
Genovese, Vanderhoof & Associates