This competition will be used to fill two Program Officer positions for the Digital Strategy Fund. The results of this competition may also be used to fill other similar vacancies, on a temporary or regular basis.

Be part of an exciting initiative at Canada Council for the Arts! We are seeking professionals with digital expertise to contribute to the Canada Council’s new vision for the arts sector. As one of the Council’s Strategic Priorities to amplify the quality, scale and sharing of Canadian art through digital technology, you will contribute to the transformation of the Arts milieu into the digital world.

About the Canada Council for the Arts

Join our team and play a role in supporting Canadian creativity. The Canada 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. We offer competitive salaries and benefit package. For more information about the Canada Council for the Arts, please visit our website at www.canadacouncil.ca. You will find more information on Canada Council’s Digital Strategy Fund here and here.

About the role

Under the direct supervision of the Manager, Digital Strategy Fund, the Program Officer actively contributes to the execution of the Canada Council’s digital strategy for the arts sector.

As the Program Officer, you will:

• manage the delivery of grants to artists, arts groups, arts organizations from all disciplines across all regions of Canada;
• share your knowledge and awareness of innovation, digital intelligence, online communities, emerging technologies and platforms, as well as digital trends to build best practices, processes and partnerships within the framework of the new Digital Strategy Fund, launching next Fall, 2017;
• leverage your networks in the national and international digital and tech communities to organize, and participate in working group and evaluation committees;
• sustain relationships in the arts and digital communities and share your knowledge of artistic and digital practices, digital culture and digital industries;
• travel across the country to conduct national outreach and communications for the Digital Strategy Fund, and represent Council at various events;
• assess the eligibility of applicants and projects; provide assessments in internal committees; provide information and impartial commentary during peer assessment committee meetings;
• make recommendation for grant recipients and amounts;
• contribute to the achievement of Digital Strategy Fund program outcomes, Council’s strategic direction and the development of Council policies;
• provide financial and organizational analysis;
• work to ensure access for professional Canadian artists and arts organizations to Council programs, funds and services; and perform other related duties.

You may be required to travel up to 30 days per year and on occasion, work irregular hours.

Basic requirement of the position

Education

• An undergraduate degree in digital media, digital communications, interactive media, digital humanities, arts practices, arts administration, or equivalent combination of professional experience and education related to the responsibilities of the position.

Experience

• Five (5) years of experience in the arts or digital fields
• Experience in various artistic disciplines would be an asset
• Experience analyzing financial and statistical data utilizing a computerized system

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of digital practices, digital culture, digital impacts, and implications.
• General knowledge of the current state of the arts in Canada.

Skills & Competencies

• An understanding of the complexities and interrelationships of organizations, institutions and stakeholders of the digital world, and the artistic sector.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, team working, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent judgment, time and priority management, organizational and leadership skills
• High degree of professionalism, diplomacy, tact and sensitivity
• Ability to perform analysis of financial statements and statistical data
• Ability to adapt and take on responsibilities related to new programs and services
• Ability to synthesize information, write reports, analyze budgets and understand financial statements
• Ability to facilitate consensus and resolve conflicts
• Ability to chair and manage committees

Bilingual Requirements

• This position requires the use of both official languages. The requirements in the second official language are: an advanced level in oral and in reading comprehension; and an intermediate level in writing.

These positions are located in Ottawa.