Archive for month: February, 2015

If you’ve ever been looking to get involved with the Cultural Exchange, we’ve got two such opportunities open right now.

We’re looking for an Interim Executive Director. A complete job description is elsewhere on our website, including details on how to apply. Applications need to be in by Friday, February 27 at 5 p.m.

We’re also looking for Workshop Tour artists for 2015. Those details are also over at our website. Applications need to be in by Monday, March 16.

The Cultural Exchange is currently looking for an Interim Executive Director. Below, you’ll find all the details for the position, along with information on how to apply at the very bottom. Applications are due Friday, February 27 at 5 p.m.

Job Purpose

The Interim Executive Director is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society, Inc. (the SCES) according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. The regular duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director contained herein apply to the Interim Executive Director as appropriate.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Interim Executive Director performs some or all of the following:

Leadership

• Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect the SCES
• Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on all aspects of the SCES’s activities
• Foster effective team work between the Board and the Executive Director and between the Executive Director and staff
• Along with the Chair of the Board, act as a spokesperson for the SCES when appropriate
• Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the Board as directed by the Board and jointly with the Board when appropriate
• Represent the SCES at community activities to enhance the SCES’s community profile

Operational planning and management

• Develop an operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction and the Ends of the SCES
• Ensure that the operation of the SCES meets the expectations of its clients, Board and Funders
• Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the SCES
• Draft policies for approval by the Board and prepare procedures to implement SCES policies; review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate
• Ensure that personnel, member, donor, and volunteer files are securely stored and privacy/confidentiality is maintained
• Provide support to the Board by preparing meeting agenda and supporting materials

Program planning and management

• Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the SCES’s programs and services
• Ensure that the programs and services offered by the SCES contribute to the SCES’s mission and ends and reflect the priorities of the Board
• Monitor the day-to-day delivery of the programs and services of the SCES to maintain or improve quality
• Oversee the planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of special projects

Human resources planning and management

• Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery
• Oversee the implementation of the human resources (HR) policies, procedures and practices including the development of job description for all staff (altogether, the “SCES HR Manual”)
• Establish a positive, healthy, and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations
• Recruit, interview, and select staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the SCES’s mission, as needed and in accordance with the budget
• Ensure that all staff receives an orientation to the SCES and that appropriate training is provided
• Implement a performance management process for all staff which includes monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review
• Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance
• When necessary, discipline staff in accordance with the SCES HR Manual and all applicable legal obligations

Financial planning and management

• Work with staff and the Board to prepare a comprehensive budget
• Work with the Board to secure adequate funding for the operation of the SCES
• Research funding sources, oversee the development of fund raising plans and write funding proposals to increase the funds of the SCES
• Participate in fundraising activities as appropriate
• Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board
• Ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed
• Administer the funds of the SCES according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the SCES
• Provide the Board with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditure of the SCES
• Ensure that the SCES complies with all legislation covering taxation and withholding payments

Community relations/advocacy

• Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the SCES and to identify changes in the community served by the SCES
• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the SCES

Risk management

• Identify and evaluate the risks to the SCES’s people (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control those risks
• Ensure that the Board of Directors and the SCES carries appropriate and adequate insurance coverage
• Ensure that the Board and staff understand the terms, conditions and limitations of the insurance coverage

Authority

• The Executive Director’s authority is limited by the Executive Limitations as set out in the Board’s Governance Policy Manual

Qualifications

Education and experience

• Post-secondary graduation in a related field with five or more years of progressive management experience in a voluntary sector organization

Knowledge of:

• Leadership and management principles as they relate to non-profit/voluntary organizations
• All federal and provincial legislation applicable to non-profit sector organizations including but not limited to: employment standards, human rights, occupational health and safety, charities, taxation, CPP, EI, health coverage
• Current community challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the SCES
• Human resources management principles
• Financial management principles
• Project management principles

Proficiency in the use of computers for:

• Word processing
• Financial management
• Email
• Internet

Personal characteristics

The Executive Director should demonstrate the following:

• Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile, and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ethical Behaviour: Understand ethical behaviour and business practices, and ensure that own behaviour and the behaviour of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the SCES.
• Effective Communication: Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the SCES and to create new opportunities.
• Ability to Focus on Member Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the parameters of SCES.
• Ability to Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance the effectiveness of SCES.
• Leadership: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the SCES.

Terms of Employment

• The Interim Executive Director will receive an annual salary on a pro rata basis
• The Executive Director will primarily work in the SCES office, but the mission of the SCES may sometimes take them to non-standard workplaces.
• The Executive Director shall work a standard work week, but may be required to work additional hours to accommodate activities such as Board meetings and representing the SCES at public events.

Interested persons should email their resumes to scessask [at] gmail.com. The deadline is Friday, February 27 at 5 p.m. The SCES thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The thoughts of all those at the Cultural Exchange are with the family and friends of Narcisse Blood, Michael Green, Lacy Morin-Desjarlais, and Michele Sereda. The loss not only of such great members to the prairie art and education communities but of, by all accounts, such wonderful people is a blow to us all. They will be sorely missed.