Organization

Banff Centre exists to inspire artists and leaders to make their unique contribution to society and aspires to be the global leader in arts, culture, and creativity. Founded in 1933 and located in Banff National Park, Banff Centre’s history is the story of some of the most iconic and outstanding artists from Canada and around the world who have helped forge the Canadian cultural identity.

In January 2009, Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education and Technology confirmed a mandate for Banff Centre as a specialized Arts and Culture Institution providing non-parchment, post-secondary education programs in the arts and creativity, as well as in leadership development, mountain culture, and the environment. As Canada’s leading post-graduate arts institution, Banff Centre offers intensive training and career development programs for emerging and established artists across all artistic disciplines, including opera, music, dance, film and media, mountain culture, visual arts, and Indigenous arts. As a champion of arts and creativity, Banff Centre Leadership programs prepare and empower leaders from a wide range of sectors to make an impact in a rapidly shifting world. Its programs integrate the power of the arts, the wisdom of Indigenous practice, and the extraordinary beauty of Banff National Park. Programs in the cultural, Indigenous, and corporate sectors connect participants with others who share their commitment to positive change in cultural institutions, Indigenous communities, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government.

Prior to the global pandemic, Banff Centre annually welcomed more than 3,500 artists and leaders in approximately 120 learning programs and more than 26,000 attendees participated in 360 conferences. Activities included more than 150 premieres, 50 commissioned artistic works, and 400 performances and events for approximately 80,000 audience members. Banff Centre’s performance facilities include the newly renovated 638-seat Jenny Belzberg Theatre, as well as the 246-seat Margaret Greenham Theatre, which consists of a studio space with a fixed audience rake, soft black masking, and a fixed grid in a venue that is used extensively for dance, drama, intimate music events, and meetings. Additionally, Rolston Recital Hall, with a maximum seating capacity of 226, has a natural acoustic setting in a venue that can be configured for performance or recording situations. From the stage, performers have an extraordinary view of the majestic mountain peaks, and its attached control room is used to record from the hall or Bentley Chamber Music Studio, which seats up to 100. The Club, with a total capacity of 161 or 120 seats, is a cabaret space with a low stage, flexible seating, limited backstage space, and a warm and intimate atmosphere. The Shaw Amphitheatre is Banff Centre's most majestic and engaging venue with a spectacular 360-degree view of Banff's mountain ranges and an open starry sky at night. In the heart of Banff Centre’s campus, the 1,700-seat outdoor amphitheater s an ideal location for a post-session event or can be enjoyed from a private reception on one of the Kinnear Centre's terraces.

Banff Centre looks forward to a bright future as its Creative Pathways, Banff Centre’s Strategic Plan: April 2021 inspires the Albertan, Canadian, and global creative landscape through five pathways:

• Create: Inspiring and Advancing Creative Leaders
• Connect: In Relationship to Each Other and Our world
• Grow: Revenue Growth and Diversification, leveraging Banff Centre’s Unique Place and Convening Ability
• Partner: Strategic Partnerships to Ensure Relevant, Impactful Development and Delivery of Banff Centre Programs
• Engage: Commitment to Continued Communication and Engagement with Banff Centre’s Key Communities

Banff Centre Arts programs consist of an array of Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Indigenous Arts, Literary Arts, and Media + Production, as well as the Leighton Artist Studios and other artist facilities. The Performing Arts is dedicated to creating and presenting contemporary works in dance, music, opera, theatre, and interdisciplinary art forms with hands-on training and professional development for artists and technicians at every career stage. Visual Arts is committed to contemporary art and curatorial practice with remarkable programs, exhibitions, facilities, faculty, and artists from around the world. Indigenous Arts consists of rigorous, transformative programs for Indigenous artists, inspired by Banff's unique power of place. Literary Arts at Banff Centre is a space to hone skills and develop work with expert faculty in literature and journalism.

Position Summary

The Executive Director, Marketing and Communication (EDMC) will lead and is responsible for the marketing and communications functions of the organization. Their role involves setting strategic leadership, planning, evaluation reporting, brand management, public relations, advertising and promotion, market research, metrics and analytics, crisis management, audience services, partnerships and sponsorships, managing teams, and ensuring that the organization's marketing and communication efforts are aligned with the Banff Centre goals and objectives. The EDMC is a senior leader and will work collaboratively across the organization, motivate a diverse team of professionals, and be responsible for department budgets. This position reports the President & CEO and plays a crucial role in shaping the organization's image, reputation, and public perception.

Strategic Leadership

• Developing and implementing marketing and communication, audience services and partnership and sponsorship strategies that align with the organization's overall goals and mission.
• Collaborate with the President and CEO, SLT and TLG to translate Banff Centre’s strategic goals into actionable plans, ensuring that operations are aligned with the organization’s long-term objectives.
• Demonstrate respectful, effective, and appropriate communication to achieve divisional and organizational buy-in for marketing and communications activities and initiatives.
• Cultivate and enhance authentic relationships in the local and national communities that Banff Centre serves.
• Build awareness of the Banff Centre among internal and external partners and engage them in the Centre’s vision and plans.
• Speak and present in a clear and credible manner, listen for diverse perspectives, and set mutually beneficial expectations with a variety of stakeholders.
• Embrace other strategic leadership and operational excellence responsibilities as needed.

Planning, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Ensure that marketing and communications adhere to long-term strategic and financial goals.
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders to build both three-year and annual plans with strategies for raising the profile of the organization and its programs, increasing participant recruitment, and supporting the promotion of conference and hospitality activity.
• Plan, develop, and implement strategies that:
• build audiences for our festivals, performances, exhibitions, and conferences that showcase our participants and highlight new work created at The Banff Centre,
• develop and implement marketing plans that will maximize enterprise revenue.
• Oversee the development of The Banff Centre’s marketing and communications priorities and the annual operating budgets for the department.
• Present regular progress reports to the President and CEO, Board of Governors, and The Banff Centre Foundation Board of Directors.
• Using data and analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing and communication efforts and make data-driven decisions.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess the organization’s performance, identifying trends, issues, and areas for improvement.
• Regularly report on marketing and communications goals and progress to the President and CEO, Board of Governors, and the Banff Centre Foundation Board of Directors.

Brand Management

• Protecting and enhancing the organization's brand reputation through consistent messaging and branding strategies.

Public Relations

• Building and maintaining relationships with the media, stakeholders, and the public to promote a positive image of the organization.

Content Creation

• Overseeing the creation of marketing collateral, such as brochures, websites, press releases, and social media content. Provide creative and contemporary materials and tools to support marketing and communications activities, including proposals, presentations, and correspondence .

Advertising and Promotion

• Developing and executing advertising and promotional campaigns to reach target audiences.

Audience Services

• Oversees the audience services team, ensuring a welcoming and positive guest experience for all audience members that maximizes ticket revenue and creates loyal customers. Ensures all health and safety protocols are followed.

Market Research

• Conducting market research and analysis to understand consumer and industry trends, competition, and audience preferences.

Partnerships and Sponsorships

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive partnership and sponsorship strategy. Identify potential partners and sponsors that align with Banff Centre’s goals and values and optimize impact of partnerships on revenue and brand awareness. Create compelling sponsorship proposals that align with sponsors’ objectives and deliver maximum value to the Banff Centre. Negotiate sponsorship agreements and manage contracts. Work with cross-functional teams to fulfill partnership and sponsorship agreements and to ensure that sponsors receive appropriate visibility and recognition. Track and report on the performance of the sponsorships

Crisis Management

• Being prepared to respond to crises or negative public events that may affect the organization's reputation.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensuring that marketing and communication efforts comply with relevant laws and regulations, such as those related to data protection and advertising standards. Ensures compliance with Banff Centre policies, procedures, protocols. Ensures compliance with the collective agreement that applies to unionized staff and the Terms and Conditions governing management/psp employees.

Team Empowerment and Oversight

• Team Management: Overseeing and managing marketing and communication teams, which may include professionals responsible for public relations, social media, content creation, branding, and advertising and audience services.
• Recruit, lead, motivate, and mentor a diverse staff and set clear performance accountability measures.
• Influence and inspire others to act in an energetic, committed fashion in pursuit of a positive organizational culture.
• Ensure that the necessary policies, systems, safety responsibilities, and procedures are in place and regularly reviewed for effectiveness.
• Establish and guide revenue and expense budgets, providing analysis, oversight, and administrative rigor to all areas of the division.
• Guide a regular process of staff review and evaluation that ensures the highest ethical standards in all division activities.
• Collaborate with Vice President, Talent, and Culture and the President & CEO to ensure the necessary organizational structure, are in place and regularly reviewed for effectiveness and to recruit and develop succession planning for key positions as needed.
• Embrace other team empowerment and oversight responsibilities as needed.
• Implement strategies for attracting, retaining, and developing top talent within the organization, ensuring a capable, diverse, motivated, and productive work environment.
• Committed to leading a healthy work and learning environment free of harassment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Foster collaboration between different department to ensure smooth communication and efficient workflows, ultimately leading to improved overall performance.
• Identify opportunities for improving marketing and communication processes, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing productivity across the organization.
• Collaborate with the cross-functional teams to fulfill partnership and sponsorship agreements.

Risk Management

• Identify potential brand and reputational risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring compliance with regulations and industry standards.

Change Management

• Lead organizational changes, restructures, process reengineering efforts, ensuring seamless transitions, and maintaining operational continuity for the Marketing and Communications team.

Resource Management

• Oversee resource allocation, including budgeting, staffing, and allocation of assets, to achieve optimal utilization and meet strategic goals.
• Budget Management: Development budgets and forecasts as per established deadlines while meeting targets, managing the budget for marketing and communication activities, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to achieve desired outcomes.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access

• Support the development and implementation of strategies to promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and access across Banff Centre
• Support team members participating in training session to educate on unconscious bias, cultural competency, and other diversity-related development processes.
• Conduct and support assessments of workplace accessibility for employees, participants and guests with disabilities and determine and implement improvements as required.
• Ensure work environment is welcoming and progressive for members of diverse and Indigenous Communities.
• Design, implement and monitor Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Actions where appropriate.

Other related duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in marketing, communications or business administration, public relations or a related field or equivalent related experience. This position also requires at least 10 years at a senior management level with progressive increasing responsibility in a marketing and communications environment.
• A deep respect for and participation in the arts and culture sector.
• Strong leadership qualities and teamwork that creates trust, builds confidence, and develops high performing and engaged teams.
• Creative aptitude, problem-solving, and the ability to work well under pressure are essential personal qualities for the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and levels.
• Experience in managing change, driving innovation, and optimizing processes.
• Knowledge of relevant industry trends, regulations, and best practices.
• Adaptability and resilience to navigate through dynamic business environments.
• Commitment to implementing and supporting Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
• Commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, equity, and access practises with respect to recruitment, hiring and talent development processes.
• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills. The ability to develop and implement comprehensive marketing and communication strategies to achieve organizational goals. Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to inform decision-making.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, from team members to the public and stakeholders.
• Experience in brand management and maintaining a consistent brand image and message across all communications.
• A solid understanding of public relations principles and experience in building and managing relationships with media and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in digital marketing, social media, and content marketing strategies. Familiarity with marketing technology and analytics tools.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets effectively, allocate resources, and make data-driven financial decisions.
• Experience in crisis communication and the ability to handle negative events that may affect the organization's reputation.
• Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations in marketing and communication, such as data protection and advertising standards.
• The capacity to adapt to changing industry trends and technology, as well as the ability to pivot marketing and communication strategies accordingly.
• A strong network of professional contacts in the marketing and communication field can be beneficial for this role.

Community

The spectacular beauty of the Canadian Rockies surrounds the Banff Centre campus, which is spread over 42 acres and includes a variety of theatres, recital halls, practice rooms, production facilities, visual art spaces, conference facilities, residences halls, restaurants, and staff housing, just a few blocks from downtown Banff, Alberta. Banff Centre is located in Banff National Park, founded in 1885 as Canada’s first national park and now serving as the flagship of the nation’s park system. Banff National Park encompasses 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of mountainous terrain with many glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forests, and alpine landscapes. More than three million visitors a year make the pilgrimage to the park for a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, skiing, and camping in some of the world’s most breathtaking mountain scenery. It serves as a key component of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.

The Town of Banff (Banff) is a unique mountain community located in the breathtaking Bow River Valley that many Banff Centre employees call home. Incorporated as a municipality in 1990, Banff has a population of approximately 10,000 residents. Tourism is Banff’s economic driver, with more than four million people visiting Banff National Park every year. The town thrives with a diverse mix of residents and visitors from all around the world. Banffites embrace the mountain lifestyle of hiking and biking in the summer and skiing and snowboarding in the winter, while acknowledging an obligation as stewards of the national park and the value of living in a safe and caring town.

In addition to the national park’s extraordinary beauty and Banff Centre’s many varied programs, Banff residents can enjoy the Banff Public Library, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff Park Museum National Historic Site of Canada, Cave & Basin National Historic Site of Canada, and a variety of sports clubs and leagues. Families with children will find multiple public and private K-12 educational opportunities in Banff and the nearby community of Canmore. With a population of approximately 1.2 million residents, Calgary is just a 90-minute drive from Banff and offers all the amenities of a major metropolitan area, including an international airport.

Compensation and Benefits

Banff Centre offers a comprehensive compensation package with a competitive and equitable salary, plus transitional housing, professional development opportunities, employee cafeteria plan, and subsidized fitness membership, among other benefits. In addition to the Government of Alberta Health Plan, Banff Centre offers extended health and dental insurance, life insurance, vacation time, and participation in a retirement plan.