Digital Alberta, a non-profit association, seeks a dynamic executive director to take it into the future. In order to better meet the needs of the growing membership and the digital media industry, the Board of Directors has determined that an Executive Director is needed.
The new Executive Director will be expected to build upon the existing track record and lead the association as it advances its program goals in the years ahead. The position calls for a creative leader with outstanding strategic management and communications skills, as well as political savvy and a bold leadership spirit.
Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the executive director is responsible for overall management and operation of Digital Alberta and protection of the organization’s financial assets while ensuring compliance with board directives.
Background
Digital Alberta is an industry-led organization devoted to promoting and connecting our thriving digital media community across Alberta, Canada. Through professional development workshops, advocacy work, and business development activity, Digital Alberta is building the digital media industry provincially and promoting it abroad.
The digital media industry is defined as the creative convergence of digital arts, science, technology and business for human expression, communication, social interaction, and education. The industry spans several disciplines, including but not limited to: audio, video, game design, animation, modeling, simulation, and interactive design. Digital media is produced across several platforms including web, game consoles, HDTV, DVD, and mobile devices.
Skills and Experience:
- proven management and administrative skills, including financial and human resource management
- knowledge and experience in the areas of Digital Media
- understanding of the ICT sector
- superior verbal and written communications skills
- strong strategic planning and organizational ability
- good communications skills and presence with the full range of media
- excellent interpersonal skills essential to dealing effectively with a diverse group of interested and influential individuals as well as maintaining staff morale and direction
- knowledge of Provincial and Federal organizations that support Digital Media initiatives
Duties and Responsibilities
1. The executive director directs the overall operations, budgets and capital assets of Digital Alberta by:
- assessing short and long term financial and capital needs and making recommendations to address them
- drafting and monitoring the annual operating budget and reporting regularly to the board on Digital Alberta’s financial situation
- identifying and pursuing all appropriate revenue sources and government grants and assisting with fundraising activities and events undertaken by the board
- implementing board policies and directives with regard to financial management and advising the board and committees on financial priorities and budget matters where appropriate.
2. The executive director manages all permanent, part-time and contract staff and volunteers to ensure efficient operation of Digital Alberta by:
- developing (implementing) human resources policies and procedures and establishing clear lines of communication and authority
- assigning areas of responsibility, delegating duties and allocating tasks
- setting and monitoring standards for performance and ethical conduct
- interpreting organizational policies to the staff
- advising staff on work-related problems
- directing staff to access professional development and training to upgrade their skills
- regularly evaluating staff performance and recommending merit and other salary increases and promotion
- hiring staff to fill vacancies
- terminating an employee or taking disciplinary action.
3. The executive director, with board approval and in collaboration with staff members, plans the overall programming direction and activities of Digital Alberta by:
- identifying the needs of the membership of DA
- presenting a balanced program of workshops, mixers, market access programs, incubator events and special ancillary programs that reflect Digital Alberta’s mandate and community
- developing a budget for each program and event within the overall program budget
- developing and maintaining liaison with exhibition and programming sources in the province and beyond
- presenting the proposed program schedule to the board
- developing and maintaining a good working relationship with partners, alliances and stakeholders within the Digital Media Industry within Alberta
4. The executive director promotes Digital Alberta and its programs in the media and to the general public, and manages the image of Digital Alberta in a senior public relations role by:
- developing (implementing) a public relations policy or procedures
- developing and maintaining liaison with a wide range of groups and delegating other staff members to represent Digital Alberta when appropriate
- attending events to serve as Digital Alberta’s host and introducing guest speakers, artists and programs
- approving all major promotional copy and design circulated in the name of Digital Alberta and approving media releases
- speaking or lecturing to community groups on request
- giving media interviews on request
5. The executive director develops and maintains processional liaison with the digital media community in support of mutual concerns and to promote the sector by:
- adhering to a professional code of conduct
- offering professional cooperation and support to colleague organizations within the digital media industry
- supporting advocacy efforts on behalf of the digital media industry.
6. Under the authority of the board of directors and in accordance with established policies and procedure, the executive director will:
- assisting the Board in the development and implementation of long-term goals and objectives for the organization
- serving as a resource person to the Board and its committees, and to the membership
- implementing all policies, programs and other directives of the Board
- ensuring all pertinent information is circulated to the Board and/or membership in a timely manner
- overseeing the arrangement of, and formally reporting to, all Board and membership (through the Board)
Please email info@digitalalberta.com if you are interested in applying for this position.
