Job Posting

The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (TPP) at Harbourfront Centre is Canada’s leading public gallery devoted exclusively to the art of our time and is recognized as an important centre for contemporary art in North America. Since 1987, The Power Plant has been on a mission to create an open culture and community for people to be face-to-face with thought-provoking contemporary art and ideas. We have a culturally diverse workforce and audience whose lives and communities we seek to enrich through encouraging exploration of self and society. More than a gallery, The Power Plant is a community hub that caters to adults, youth, and children through broad and unique programming. It is a window into a diverse range of ideas and perspectives that inspire unlimited personal discovery. To learn more about us, please visit www.thepowerplant.org.
 
We are currently looking to bring on board a motivating, forward thinking, and dynamic Visitor Services Coordinator to manage and direct all activities related to the front of house team and the delivery of exemplary visitor service experience for a diverse audience.
 
ROLE STATEMENT 
Position Title: Visitor Services Coordinator
Department:The Power Plant
Reporting to:Head of Public Programs and Outreach
Direct reports:Lead Gallery Attendants; Gallery Attendants; Volunteers
Compensation: $45,000- $50,000/yr
Type of Employment:Full Time
 
 
Summary of Function:
The Visitor Services Coordinator plays a fundamental role in shaping and coordinating The Power Plant front of house team by implementing and leading strategic plans aimed to significantly develop the visitor services and volunteer experience. Under the supervision of the Head of Public Programs and Outreach, key responsibilities include championing progressive visitor services for diverse audiences; coordinating front of house staff, volunteers, and public and group tours; coordinating retail operations on-site and online including maintaining inventory; coordinating distribution of publications; performing administrative duties such as reception, database entry, statistical reporting; coordinating support for exhibitions, education and public programs, as needed.
 
 
 
DUTIES 
 
Front of House Staff Coordination
 
• Under the direction of the Head of Public Programs and Outreach, recruit, hire, train, schedule and evaluate Lead Gallery Attendants /Gallery Attendants. 
• Assign projects to Lead Gallery Attendants / Gallery Attendants. 
• Review Lead Gallery Attendants / Gallery Attendants timesheets to ensure accuracy. 
• Organize and lead educational meetings for Lead Gallery Attendants / Gallery Attendants, including additional staff (i.e. Exhibitions, Installation, Membership, etc.) as needed.
• Provide coverage as a Lead Gallery Attendants, as needed; availability to work flexible hours which may include weekends.
• Coordinate all aspects of front of house operations by maintaining, reviewing and enhancing procedures in Front Desk Resource Manual. 
• Monitor incident reports, security issues, and exhibition equipment with Head of Installation & Facilities and Registrar. 
• Update all program and exhibition informational signage in consultation with Communications team. Update general telephone/email messaging and respond to inquiries.
• Visitor Services: Champion a progressive visitor service approach and a welcoming environment for diverse audiences to enhance the visitors’ experience and their ability to engage with contemporary art in meaningful ways. 
• Implement and oversee admission, information dissemination, and collection and processing of visitor statistics and surveys; works to resolve visitor complaints.
 
 
Tours, Administration, Staff/Volunteer Support 
 
• Coordinate tour bookings, schedule Gallery Attendants to facilitate tours, and expand upon Gallery Attendants touring abilities. Lead tours for individuals/groups, as needed; record tour statistics.
• Conduct outreach to various stakeholders and groups in order to establish and increase group tours.
• Act as receptionist during office hours and installation periods; respond to general inquiries by telephone and email, welcomes guests for appointments, process mail, arrange and sign for deliveries, and other office duties as assigned. 
• Assist with the upkeep of and reporting in Tessitura or CRM database software.
• Coordinate with Curatorial team (Exhibitions and Public Programs), and Development team to ensure front of house staff and volunteer support in galleries (visitor engagement, security, etc.), during public programs (lectures, in-gallery programs, etc.), and donor related programs and fundraising events, including Power Ball. Work during events and programs, as needed.
 
 
 
Retail Services & Publication Coordination
Maintain store processes, Tessitura (CRM database), and inventories. 
• Coordinate on-site and online retail by ordering publications, merchandise and supplies; ensuring accurate cash handling, financial reconciliation, and inventory controls (in consultation with Finance Manager); maintain well-organized merchandise storage; and, facilitate in-coming/out-going deliveries.
• In consultation with Publications Officer, select and order publications and additional merchandise for sale, including consignments, with input from Curatorial team (Education & Public Programs and Exhibitions). 
• Assist with development and distribution of artist-designed merchandise and/or limited editions, as needed. 
• Cultivate relationships with book distributers, keeping them up-to-date on available titles, negotiate prices, invoicing, and coordinate shipping.
 
Volunteer Coordination 
• Recruit, train, and schedule volunteers; record volunteer hours accurately; ensure timely distribution of incentives for recognition of volunteer benchmarks. 
Special Projects 
• Support Head of Public Programs and Outreach with special projects, as assigned.
 
Skills, Experience & Attributes
Essential Criteria
 
• A postsecondary degree in an art related field, Art History, Museum Studies or related field
• Minimum of 2 years administrative experience
• Strong work ethic
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; to coordinate multiple tasks with tight deadlines
• Knowledge of contemporary visual art; gallery tour methods; the contemporary arts community in Toronto
• Familiarity with office systems and technical aptitude to operate office equipment (computer hardware and software, POS machine, audio/visual and exhibition equipment)
• Attention to detail, especially regarding security of gallery and artworks, recording statistics, handling inventory and sales, etc.
• Prior experience with staff and volunteer coordination; gallery security; retail sales and inventory control; and, visitor/customer service
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to supervise diverse staff and to liaise with other departments
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including people-management skills, conflict resolution and maintaining confidentiality
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to work flexible hours during events
• An understanding of, and commitment to The Power Plant’s mission and values
• An understanding of and commitment to The Power Plant’s mission and values.
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Non-Canadian applicants must have a valid employment Visa and proper documentation authorizing their ability to work in Canada for the full duration of the contract.
• Remote work from home is currently in place, however the candidate must be able to work on site at our downtown lakeside gallery as needed, and when a return-to-work directive is in place.
• The Power Plant recognizes its heightened duty to protect employees from health and safety risks during the current pandemic. As such, an offer of employment shall be conditional on proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with a vaccine series approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization.
 
Desirable Criteria 
• Prior experience at an arts organization in the not-for-profit sector 
• Familiarity with Tessitura or CRM software
 
 
 
HOW TO APPLY:
 
The Power Plant is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
 
Acceptable applications must include a current resume, and a cover letter addressed to Gaëtane Verna, Director of The Power Plant, indicating why you wish to join the team, how you would meet the essential criteria for this key position, and your salary expectation.
 
To apply, please submit your application to jobs@harbourfrontcentre.com by no later than December 10, 2021. Please quote Visitor Services Coordinator (The Power Plant) in the subject line of your application.
 
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. Suitable accommodations will be available upon request during the hiring process.