Interim Executive Director

Date Posted: October 31, 2025

Application Deadline: November 14, 2025 (Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.)

Start Date: December 1, 2025

Gross Salary: $5,000-$5,500 gross per month (commensurate with experience).

Term: Full-time 6-month contract (with the possibility for extension).

Organization Description:

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) is a public, non-collecting gallery that exhibits local, regional, and national contemporary visual art and offers arts education in the Durham Region. Its mission is to center collaboration to deliver dynamic and inspiring contemporary art exhibitions and educational programs within an environment that champions equity and inclusion.

Position Description:

The Interim Executive Director is the senior administrative officer of the VAC, responsible for setting the overall direction of the organization, providing leadership to the full-time, part-time, contract and volunteer staff, working directly with and reporting to the Board of Directors, and overseeing day-to-day financial and administrative management of the organization. The person in this role fulfills a wide range of specific duties, including:

  • Managing the overall operations, budgets, financial and HR records, and capital assets

  • Ensuring proper systems, procedures, and policies are in place for effective and efficient operation of the gallery and delivery of services

  • Managing all human resource-related processes and systems, including recruitment, orientation, performance evaluation, legal and policy compliance, etc.

  • Ensuring the VAC presents a balanced program of exhibitions, interpretive programs, educational programs, and ancillary activities that reflect the VAC’s mandate and community at the VAC facility and related external sites

  • Overseeing the production of exhibition catalogues

  • Writing grant applications for operational and project funding

  • Overseeing and routinely monitoring the effectiveness of all communications, outreach, promotional, and fundraising campaigns and initiatives

  • Overall, ensuring that the programs and services offered by the organization contribute to its mission and reflect the Board's priorities.

The Interim Executive Director is expected to work a standard work week, but will also be expected to work some evenings and weekends to accommodate activities such as Board meetings and representing the organization at exhibition openings, fundraisers, and other public events.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

  • Experience: A minimum of five (5) years in the not-for-profit sector, or three (3) years of experience in management or not-for-profit leadership, preferably in a visual arts-related organization (or equivalent experience)

  • Education: A university degree in a related field (Arts Management, Arts Administration, Museum Studies, Fine Art, Art History, Not-for-Profit Management, Management, etc.)

  • Knowledge: A sophisticated understanding of current issues, trends, challenges, and unique requirements of not-for-profit, charitable, and community-focused organizations, and a demonstrated ability to translate that knowledge into practical, effective operational plans

  • Skills:

    • Financial Management

      • Developing and analyzing operational, project, and multi-year budgets and financial reports

      • Managing day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping, including payroll

    • Human Resources & Communication

      • Working collaboratively with staff, board members, artists, funders, members, community partners, and government

      • Leading teams to achieve goals and support the organization’s mission

      • Hiring, supervising, coaching, evaluating, and, when necessary, transitioning staff

    • Project Management

      • Assessing organizational needs, resources, and risks

      • Setting priorities, timelines, and key milestones

      • Tracking progress and evaluating outcomes

    • Fundraising & Development

      • Preparing successful grant applications and reporting on funded projects

      • Researching new funding opportunities and developing fundraising initiatives

    • Computer & Technology

      • Comfortable with office and communication tools (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, Gmail, Google Workspace)

      • Experience with bookkeeping and financial reporting software (e.g., QuickBooks)

      • Familiarity with arts-sector platforms for data and reporting (e.g., CADAC – Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada)

Accessibility:

  • Work Environment:

    • While performing the duties of this job, the Interim ED frequently works with a computer, and the noise level in the work environment is usually

      moderate.

    • The Interim ED frequently interacts with scheduled and unscheduled visitors, class participants, volunteers and deliveries.

    • The Interim ED often works alone.

    • The Interim ED is required to travel on occasion between the VAC and events as needed, in addition to local travel for business purposes.

  • Physical Demands:

    • While performing the duties of this job, the Interim ED is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel objects or controls.

    • The Interim ED frequently is required to talk, hear, stand, walk, and sit.

    • The Interim ED must occasionally reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel.

    • The Interim ED must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

    • The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is an equal-opportunity employer committed to employment equity and building strength through diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and encourage women, visible minorities, and Indigenous peoples to apply. Acknowledging that we are not a fully accessible building, we make every effort to accommodate where possible, ensuring that we are inclusive in our hiring process.

  • Accommodation:

    • Accommodations are available on request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process. For more information about our accessible workplace, including accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the application process and beyond, please contact board@vac.ca.

How to Apply:

Deadline for applications is: November 14, 2025 (Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.)

Applications must include:

  • a cover letter (no longer than two pages) that addresses the necessary qualifications for this position and outlines why you want to work for the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, and

  • a current resume (no longer than three pages), submitted as one or two attachment(s) to an email message that has “VAC Interim Executive Director Position” in the subject line.


Contact:

To submit your application or for more information, please contact:

Jen Berger
Chair - HR Committee and Chair - Board of Directors
board@vac.ca