The Director will lead and advance HCH’s mission as a dynamic centre for artistic excellence, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration that uplifts Humber’s strategic direction. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Academic, partnering with the Senior Dean, Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design, and developing an impactful Advisory Committee, they will be responsible for shaping a strategic vision that aligns with Humber’s institutional goals while managing the balance between academic programming, research initiatives, and external partnerships. The Director will bring a sophisticated approach to stakeholder engagement, ensuring that competing interests—such as academic access to specialized spaces balanced with community access—are managed with diplomacy and strategic foresight. They will oversee artistic programming, curating a global ecosystem of independent and emerging artists that contribute to the cultural vibrancy of South Etobicoke and the GTA.

The Director will provide leadership across multiple divisions, working closely with faculty, students, marketing, advancement, alumni relations, public safety, and external partners including artists, booking agents, festival organizers, granting bodies, and sponsors. Maintaining a high level of visibility, the Director will represent HCH at industry conferences, panels, and media engagements, strengthening its reputation as a premier arts and cultural hub. The Director will drive financial sustainability by securing funding through sponsorships, donor relations, earned revenue opportunities, and grants, ensuring a robust business model that supports both operational needs and long-term growth. Their leadership and entrepreneurship will be essential in navigating the increasing complexity of access, fiscal responsibility, and communication strategies related to the use of HCH facilities. With a deep understanding of artistic direction, industry trends, and academic research, the Director will serve as a key figure in fostering a thriving, innovative, and inclusive cultural environment throughout the Humber community.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Operational Leadership

• Develop and implement a strategic and operational plan for the HCH that is aligned with Humber’s Strategic and Academic Plans.
• Initiate and infuse artistic and cultural activity across Humber’s Lakeshore campus, collaborating with the six Deans of academic and programmatic divisions to embed creativity as a driver of the student experience and for community vitality.
• Establish and grow authentic relationships with relevant internal and external stakeholders and leaders to support the development of HCH partnerships, projects, and related activities.
• Lead and support student, faculty, and external partner activities related to applied research, skills development, and experiential learning activities within the HCH.
• Coordinate with relevant internal and external leaders to ensure that appropriate facilities, equipment, and resources are available for HCH programming and activities.
• Champion the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and access to ensure an artistic and organizational culture that respects different perspectives and nurtures an environment of goodwill, inclusion, and empowerment at all levels.
• Oversee development, implementation, and compliance of HCH specific policies and procedures.
• Embrace other strategic vision and operational leadership roles, as needed.

Revenue Enhancement and Business Development

• Lead and facilitate the development of funding initiatives for HCH operations and programs in collaboration with Government Relations, Advancement & Alumni, Research & Innovation, and the HCH Advisory Committee.
• Meet or exceed key revenue driver targets under the direction of the Senior Dean of Faculty of Media, Art & Design and in collaboration with relevant internal stakeholders and external associations, tourism and trade associations, and government branches involving Economic Development & Culture (EDC), private businesses within and related to the cultural industries.
• Activate strategic partnerships with artists, creators, and cultural organizations to expand stakeholders, build audiences, and diversify earned revenue opportunities for HCH.
• Ensure quality control in Humber submissions and proposals, grants, and other business development strategies, so that they align with academic and artistic excellence, Humber strategic goals and policies, and overlapping interests from local communities.
• Collaborate with Continuous Professional Learning and Conference Services to identify and deliver additional revenue generation opportunities.
• Embrace other revenue enhancement and business development roles, as needed.

Community Ambassadorship and External Relations

• Maintain awareness of new and existing industry trends, creatives & performers, connecting opportunities across Humber faculties, departments, and divisions.
• Represent Humber and the HCH on external committees and panels locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Advance the HCH strategy, value proposition, and related business opportunities amongst internal divisions and with relevant stakeholders and community connections.
• Build relationships and community connections with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring close alignment with the Office of the Principal of the Lakeshore Campus, all academic divisions and particularly with the Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design, Humber Government Relations, and local municipal leaders from Toronto, Peel, and Mississauga
• Embrace other community ambassadorship and external relations roles, as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

The Director will be a dynamic and resourceful leader, adept at navigating a fast-paced and evolving environment. With a strong competitive drive and an instinct for innovation, they will confidently champion HCH’s mission, engaging stakeholders with a compelling vision for its future. Comfortable balancing high-level strategy with hands-on execution, the Director will build strong relationships across diverse audiences, fostering collaboration and adaptability in pursuit of shared goals. This individual will thrive in situations requiring quick thinking, strategic decision-making, and an ability to pivot rapidly between tasks while maintaining a results-driven approach. A confident communicator and natural connector, the Director will leverage past experience, intuition, and emerging opportunities to shape HCH as a vibrant cultural and creative hub. With an urgency to act and a keen ability to maximize efficiency and impact, they will drive forward new ideas and partnerships that elevate HCH’s role within Humber and beyond.

Other key competencies include:

• Leadership and Personal Accountability – The authenticity to influence and inspire others to believe and participate in an impactful vision while holding oneself answerable for personal and professional actions.
• Diplomacy and Time & Priority Management – The dexterity to analyze all aspects of a situation and listen to many points of view to make consistently sound decisions and facilitate agreements with and between multiple individuals and stakeholder groups with emotional intelligence.
• Interpersonal Skills – The agility to effectively and tactfully handle difficult or sensitive issues while organizing and influencing people to believe in a vision and sense of purpose and direction.
• Planning, Organizing, and Flexibility – The capacity to define and diagnose key aspects of a challenge and then establish a rigorous yet adaptable course of action to achieve the desired multifaceted project and stakeholder engagement outcomes.

Qualifications

A minimum of seven to nine years of senior management expertise in leading the programming, presentation, and promotion of a multidisciplinary performing arts venue within a not-for-profit, academic, or government setting is required. Sound knowledge and proven ability assessing risk and related opportunities in music, film, theatre, or other performing arts disciplines are expected, and experience working in a multi-unionized environment with a deep understanding of health and safety standards is appreciated. A comprehensive understanding of venue and staff capacity utilization and management, audience development, community ambassadorship in an academic environment, major cultural organization, or elsewhere in the creative sector is needed. A specialized university degree or equivalent experience as a fine arts practitioner in production, management, business, research, or policy is expected with a master’s degree preferred. Exceptional relationship management, donor cultivation, and creative industry expertise and connections are preferred. The ability to work flexible hours on evenings and weekends is required in best serving the needs of numerous stakeholders and the community that HCH will serve.

Compensation and Benefits

Humber provides a competitive and equitable compensation package estimated to be in the range of CAD$150,000 to $200,000 plus performance bonus opportunities (approximately USD$100,000 to $140,000). A comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off and holidays; health, medical, dental, vision, and prescription drugs; long-term disability, and life insurances; and defined contribution retirement plan, among others found here. The quality of life in Toronto and Canada provides an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth in a welcoming society.

Applications and Inquiries

As part of an inclusive process, interested applicants are invited to inquire and/or submit a cover letter that uplifts their qualifications for the outlined position; a resume that highlights a chronological career progression, education, and associated accomplishments; and a production-oriented curriculum vitae that demonstrates how the applicant’s past experience has made a meaningful contribution to contemporary creative arts, media, design, higher education, and/or society.

Humber is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Arts Consulting Group will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. To submit materials (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/humber-polytechnic-seeks-director-humber-cultural-hub/.

Humber Polytechnic is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of our students and our city. We actively seek Indigenous Peoples and individuals from equity-deserving groups with demonstrated skills and knowledge to deal with all aspects of equity, diversity and inclusion in a post-secondary environment.
 
Humber supports employment equity. Racialized workers, women, Indigenous workers, LGBTQ2S+ workers and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For the purpose of statistical data collection, applicants are strongly encouraged to voluntarily self-identify. Humber’s diverse workplace also supports Francophone workers and young workers.

About Humber Polytechnic

ACG is the leading provider of hands-on interim management, executive search, revenue enhancement, strategic planning & community engagement, and facilities & program planning services for the arts and culture industry. ACG consultants are located in communities throughout North America to best serve the needs of our clients. ACG team members have decades of combined senior leadership experience in every artistic and cultural discipline and area of functional management expertise. As specialists in the management of arts and cultural institutions who are personally and passionately committed to the creative industries, we are recognized internationally for our expertise, personalized approach, and extraordinary results.

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