Director General, Strategy, Public Affairs and Arts Engagement
Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada
Date: 6 hours ago
City: Ottawa, ON
Contract type: Full time
Established in 1957, the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) is Canada’s national public arts funder, supporting Canadian artists and arts organizations across the country and around the world. The Council invests in the creation, production, and dissemination of the arts, strengthening a dynamic cultural sector that contributes significantly to Canada’s national identity, economy, and global reputation. The Council is a dynamic, highly respected federal Crown corporation with a mandate to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and production of works in, the arts for the benefit of all Canadians.
About The Role
Reporting to the Director and CEO, and leading a multidisciplinary team, the Director General will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across a broad portfolio that includes strategic policy, communications, research, evaluation, data analytics, international engagement, and arts promotion, including the Canada Council Art Bank, Public Lending Right program and suite of prizes. They will shape and advance the Council’s public engagement mandate, while ensuring the effective delivery of strategies that celebrate Canadian artistic excellence and enhance the visibility of the arts both nationally and internationally. A skilled communicator and relationship builder, the Director General will work closely with government partners, cultural institutions, and international networks to strengthen the Council’s influence and impact. They will champion innovation, equity, and strategic alignment, ensuring that the Council’s initiatives remain relevant, measurable, and aligned with its long-term vision. The portfolio has an annual budget of $29 million and 70 staff.
The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and strategic executive leader with extensive experience in public affairs, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, ideally within the arts, cultural, or public sectors. A visionary and collaborative leader, they will bring a deep understanding of the value of public investment in the arts and a proven ability to translate strategic vision into impactful action. With exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, they will inspire and guide multidisciplinary teams across diverse portfolios including communications, research, strategic policy and planning, and arts promotion. Bilingual and results-driven, the successful candidate will champion innovation, equity, and public engagement, while advancing the organization’s national and international reputation and ensuring its programs and initiatives remain relevant, accessible, and aligned with strategic priorities.
To Apply
To fill this position, Canada Council for the Arts has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online at https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/30619. For more information, please contact Dominik Legault , Principal & Head of ESG of Odgers. We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive and accessible to all. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please contact the Council directly.
For people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or TTY users, please use your preferred MRS (Message Relay Service) or IP service to contact us.
The Canada Council for the Arts is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the individuals and communities we serve. We invite applications from individuals with any combination of backgrounds, origins, identities, and forms of self-expression. The Council is committed to enhancing the representation of the following groups within its workforce: Indigenous people, Black people, racialized people, Deaf people, people with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQI+ and gender-diverse communities.
Please note that all persons requiring accommodation and/or assistance in completing the Canada Council’s Careers application process are welcome to proactively contact the Council for support.
About The Role
Reporting to the Director and CEO, and leading a multidisciplinary team, the Director General will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across a broad portfolio that includes strategic policy, communications, research, evaluation, data analytics, international engagement, and arts promotion, including the Canada Council Art Bank, Public Lending Right program and suite of prizes. They will shape and advance the Council’s public engagement mandate, while ensuring the effective delivery of strategies that celebrate Canadian artistic excellence and enhance the visibility of the arts both nationally and internationally. A skilled communicator and relationship builder, the Director General will work closely with government partners, cultural institutions, and international networks to strengthen the Council’s influence and impact. They will champion innovation, equity, and strategic alignment, ensuring that the Council’s initiatives remain relevant, measurable, and aligned with its long-term vision. The portfolio has an annual budget of $29 million and 70 staff.
The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and strategic executive leader with extensive experience in public affairs, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, ideally within the arts, cultural, or public sectors. A visionary and collaborative leader, they will bring a deep understanding of the value of public investment in the arts and a proven ability to translate strategic vision into impactful action. With exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, they will inspire and guide multidisciplinary teams across diverse portfolios including communications, research, strategic policy and planning, and arts promotion. Bilingual and results-driven, the successful candidate will champion innovation, equity, and public engagement, while advancing the organization’s national and international reputation and ensuring its programs and initiatives remain relevant, accessible, and aligned with strategic priorities.
To Apply
To fill this position, Canada Council for the Arts has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online at https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/30619. For more information, please contact Dominik Legault , Principal & Head of ESG of Odgers. We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive and accessible to all. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please contact the Council directly.
For people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or TTY users, please use your preferred MRS (Message Relay Service) or IP service to contact us.
The Canada Council for the Arts is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the individuals and communities we serve. We invite applications from individuals with any combination of backgrounds, origins, identities, and forms of self-expression. The Council is committed to enhancing the representation of the following groups within its workforce: Indigenous people, Black people, racialized people, Deaf people, people with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQI+ and gender-diverse communities.
Please note that all persons requiring accommodation and/or assistance in completing the Canada Council’s Careers application process are welcome to proactively contact the Council for support.
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