Position Overview

The Director of Administration is a strategic role that will lead key operational and administrative functions at the National Music Centre (NMC). This position is integral to supporting the President and CEO in driving the organization’s strategic priorities and ensuring organizational culture across all departments. The Director functions as a key advisor to the CEO and provides direction and leadership to the wider NMC team.

This position requires a detail and solution-oriented leader with project-management operational experience, who can navigate key and multiple priorities, and foster a culture of collaboration and excellence. The Director will work closely with the NMC Leadership Team to ensure NMC’s operations are aligned with its vision and strategic objectives, while also providing some administrative support to the office of the CEO.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Office Coordination:

• Strategic Alignment: Work directly with the President and CEO to manage, prioritize and execute on key strategic initiatives, ensuring that priorities are effectively communicated and implemented in partnership with NMC’s Leadership Team.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with the President and CEO to foster and manage relationships with including partners, donors, grantors, sponsors to further NMC’s mission and strategic goals.
• Oversee Visitors Services, Café, Retail, Third-Party Events and Production teams: Lead and manage staff from these teams to provide high quality service internally and externally.

Responsibilities: 

• Operational Excellence: Ensure the seamless execution of public serving activities, optimizing processes, budgets, training and resources to deliver high-quality experiences that align with NMC’s strategic vision.
• Event-Activities Coordination: Provide coordination and support across the events and production teams to ensure successful planning, execution, and evaluation of NMC’s internal and external events.
• Visitor Services and Third-Party Rentals Oversight: Oversee staff and front-line operations from Visitor Services, Café, Retail staff and Third-Party Rentals, delivering high quality customer service.

General Administration:

• Departmental Coordination: As needed, support the operational functions of key departments, including but not limited to, internal events, production and visitor services ensuring alignment with organizational goals, maximizing efficiencies, and adapting to evolving business needs.
• Culture, Human Resources and Team Development: Lead the development and implementation of HR strategies that enhance NMC’s organizational culture. Role also supports recruitment, onboarding and employee engagement in partnership with NMC’s third party HR firm.
• Budgeting & Financial Oversight: Collaborate with department leads to develop, manage, and track departmental budgets, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic alignment with NMC’s long-term objectives.
• Third-Party Relationships: Act as the liaison with NMC’s third-party HR provider, ensuring effective coordination and communication between the CEO’s office and external partners.

Qualifications/Requirements 

• Relevant Experience: Minimum 7–10 years experience in administration and/or project management and/or events within operations that serve the public, either in non-profit or for-profit ecosystems, including special events, festivals, conferences, museums, science centres, performing art centres, art galleries or similar.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a strong ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Event Management: Minimum 5 years of experience in event management, including strategic oversight and production, with a focus on large-scale, high-profile events.
• People: Experience with human resources practices, including recruitment, employee relations, and organizational development.
• Technology Proficiency: Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and other project management or HR software tools in both Apple and Microsoft platforms.
• Cultural Fit: Demonstrated alignment with NMC’s core values of community, diversity, innovation, passion, teamwork, and fun. A passion for community building with a national (ie. Canadian) perspective in music, culture, considered an asset.
• Language Skills: Multi-lingual capabilities (e.g., French, Spanish, Hindi et al) are considered an asset.
• Service: Experience in operations that provide high quality service to the public.
• Work Location: This position is a full-time role located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• Work from Home: This position is primarily on-site and in the office at National Music Centre (Studio Bell) in Calgary, Alberta with some work from home hours as approved by the President & CEO as required.
• Hours: Flexibility is required to work some evenings and weekends dependent on the season and calendar of events.  

Key Relationships

• President and CEO
• Leadership Team
• Senior Manager, Production
• Manager, Events & Client Services
• Manager, Visitor Experiences, Café and Retail
• EA to President & CEO
• Volunteer Board of Directors
• King Eddy Restaurant and Live Music Venue Team
• Departmental Managers (Business Development, Production, HR, etc.)
• External vendors and partners