Executive Director Fondation du Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal

Since 1983, the Fondation du Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal has actively supported the MAC in its mission of extending the reach of Québec, Canadian and international contemporary art. A legally incorporated charitable organization, the Fondation is led by an independent Board of Directors.

The Fondation is currently engaged in the largest fundraising campaign in its history, intended to support the MAC’s architectural renewal project. The Musée is scheduled to reopen in an expanded and transformed building at Place des Arts, in the heart of the city’s downtown and the country’s largest cultural district, in 2025.

Reporting to the Fondation Board and the MAC’s senior management, the Executive Director develops and directs the Fondation’s philanthropic strategy and is responsible for the financial, operational and human resource management of all related activities, at a time of strong growth and high visibility.

This position offers a unique opportunity to make a direct contribution to funding the activities of the country’s first and largest museum devoted to contemporary art and one of Québec’s most important cultural infrastructure projects.

Role 

Provides unifying and collaborative leadership in order to carry on the mission of the Fondation, which is dedicated to providing financial support for the Musée’s activities and programming as well as its building renewal project, and is responsible for the strategy, planning, management and oversight of the Fondation’s various initiatives and for managing a small, close-knit, effective team of employees.

Initiates and implements multichannel fundraising campaigns. Identifies opportunities (gifts, bequests, sponsorships, fundraising, grants), develops proposals, makes presentations and works closely with a high-profile fundraising campaign cabinet as well as a number of committees.

Together with the team, solicits and manages gifts and bequests, in kind and in cash, securities or immovables.

Draws up the Fondation’s operating plan in conjunction with the museum’s senior management, and attends to business development and planning of philanthropic activities, including stewardship and fundraising events.

Draws up and manages the operating budget, prepares accountability and other reports, and ensures sound management of human and financial resources through the establishment of strict, appropriate administrative policies and procedures.

Supports the activities of the Fondation Board and associated committees, and pays constant attention to providing exemplary governance.


Sits on the MAC’s executive committee, representing the Fondation’s interests and acting as a liaison between the Fondation Board and the MAC.

Prepares the philanthropic succession in various ways, such as holding events designed to increase awareness among a younger audience of the social impact of philanthropic engagement.

Finally, as Fondation spokesperson, raises its profile in different forums, including media platforms, and partners with the MAC’s Marketing and Communications team to market its activities and create strong branding, mission and messaging alignment.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Philanthropic Activities:

• Develop strategic planning, in collaboration with the Fondation Board, and see that it is implemented.
• Develop, direct and oversee fundraising and philanthropic activities and events, including the fundraising efforts to complete the Capital Fundraising Campaign underway (target: $10 million).
• Identify new corporate, private and institutional (grants, subsidies) prospects, and manage a portfolio of contacts with significant individuals and organizations in order to maintain a network of productive and lasting relations.
• Manage and increase a portfolio of $12 million in assets in keeping with best practices and rules in the field.

Governance:

• Support the Board and its committees in order to ensure their smooth operation and sound governance.
• Prepare all of the documents required by Board members to perform their duties, such as meeting agendas, financial statements and the annual budget, and transmit them in transparent, efficient and timely fashion.
• Present reports and recommendations on the operations and finances of the Foundation and propose policies or amendments to existing policies and procedures emulating best practices and industry standards to ensure exemplary governance.
• Act as a liaison between the Foundation Board and the MAC.
• Inform the Foundation Board Chair of any issue or activity that may significantly affect the Foundation and require Board attention.
• Keep up on best practices in philanthropy and governance governing non-profit organizations at the federal and provincial levels, and recommend programs and policies by analyzing the changing needs of the donors and the industry, identifying trends and evaluating options.
• Manage government relations.
• Ensure mutually beneficial relations between the MAC and the Fondation Board, to be formalized by a memorandum of understanding.

Human Resources, Financial and Operational Management:

• Lead and mobilize the Fondation team in implementing the strategic plan; accordingly, establish an operations plan for achieving the objectives through clearly set tasks, appropriate delegation of powers and clear accountability.
• Recruit, train, supervise and evaluate employees.
• Draw up and manage the Fondation’s annual operating budget and those for the different activities, while always ensuring that profitability/performance ratios are maintained in accordance with best practices in the field.
• Ensure that the Fondation’s administrative operations and procedures comply with best professional practices and the compliance rules of the different authorities that govern it, and see that accountability reports to the different stakeholders are produced in accordance with schedules and requirements.
• Consult experts, if necessary, to obtain legal, accounting, banking or other recommendations.
• Design a communication plan to increase the visibility of the Foundation’s activities and enhance its brand image, consistent with that of the MAC.
• Act as official representative and spokesperson for the Fondation at all its activities and events.
• Safeguard the Fondation’s reputation by always acting ethically, responsibly and with integrity, according to the highest standards of governance.
• Monitor day-to-day developments, the legislative environment and the world of business and philanthropy, and be on the lookout for opportunities.

Candidate Profile

The incumbent will be known for her/his ethics and integrity, which she/he will embody at all times, in both words and actions, and will display judgment, effectiveness and generosity, with respect to the community of philanthropists and partners as well as team members and suppliers.

Experience:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the position.
• Ten or more years of experience in the philanthropic sector and with securing several gifts over $100,000.
• Five or more years of experience in financial management and human resources. Experience in event production would be an asset.
• Working knowledge of income tax rules and regulations related to philanthropic activities.
• Five or more years of experience in relations with a board of directors.
• Recognized for carrying out major, innovative projects, ideally in the cultural sector.
• Exceptional abilities in managing donors and in executing successful stewardships of gifts.
• In-depth understanding of the cultural ecosystem in Québec and Canada.

Skills:

• Inspirational leadership and strong ability to develop productive relationships, communicate, convince, influence and mobilize a wide range of stakeholders.
• Outstanding sense of business development and ability to devise and direct major initiatives, strong attention to details and liking for innovation.
• Superior political sense, strategic thinking, sound judgment and analytical skills.
• Ability to work with a team, with an open mind, a benevolent spirit and a listening ear.
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines; flexibility and adaptability.
• Complete fluency in French (written and spoken) and excellent knowledge of English. Ability to express her/himself in the media.
• Tact, diplomacy and utmost discretion.

In keeping with the Act respecting equal access to employment in public bodies, the MAC and its Fondation encourage women, Indigenous people, members of visible and ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities to submit applications.

All those who are inspired by this exciting challenge are invited to submit a detailed letter of intent and curriculum vitae, no later than September 3, 2021, to: [email protected].

Only those candidates selected following analysis of their application will be contacted for an interview with the jury.