Project Manager, Regent Park Arts and Cultural Centre

Position Type: Full Time     Contract (2 years)       

Location: Toronto – Liberty Village

Artscape makes space for creativity. We build projects that harness the power of the arts to transform buildings, neighbourhoods and cities.  While Artscape’s development work is focused in Toronto, it shares its expertise with others across Canada and around the world through conferences, workshops, reports, publications, online resources and a consulting practice.

Artscape operates as a social enterprise and is comprised of 3 not-for-profit organizations: a development arm, a charity, and a housing provider. Artscape currently operates 7 multi-tenant creative complexes in Toronto and has 12 others in development. Artscape has been a leader and catalyst in a wide range of major revitalization projects including the award-winning Artscape Wychwood Barns, and multiple other projects on Queen Street West, Liberty Village and The Distillery Historic District.

The development of a new arts and cultural centre as part of the ongoing revitalization of Regent Park has been a standing ambition for Toronto’s east downtown and a long held aspiration of the Regent Park community. This $37 million capital project was announced in December of 2009 with major funding contributions from federal and provincial governments and land dedicated by the City of Toronto. The centre will be developed and operated by Artscape in collaboration with Toronto Community Housing and The Daniels Corporation. The Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre will be located on Dundas Street East between Sumach and Sackville Streets and will be designed by the award-winning Diamond + Schmitt Architects.

The Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre will anchor culture as a primary driver in the community’s revitalization, both physically and symbolically. The integration and celebration of Regent Park’s cultural richness in the revitalization will play a central role in its success and in the creation of a socially inclusive, liveable, healthy, safe and vibrant neighbourhood. Tenants will be selected by an RFP process that will take place in early 2010. The non-profit arts community has already expressed strong interest in the Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre.

The Project Manager for the new Regent Park Arts and Cultural Centre will report to Artscape’s President and CEO. The Project Manager will oversee all aspects of the Regent Park Arts and Cultural Centre development. Responsibilities will be wide ranging from overseeing design and construction of the centre to developing strong relationships with Artscape’s tenants, partners, investors, and stakeholders. The Project Manager will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders through teams focused on capital project management, design construction, stakeholder relations, operations and fundraising.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior manager with a minimum 10 years professional experience in property development. Experience in project management is a definite asset for this position. He or she will have a creative and entrepreneurial outlook. Demonstrated success in delivering consistently high quality, innovative projects in a timely, financially responsible and strategically sound manner is essential. A proven ability to organize, build organizational capacity, multi-task, set priorities, meet deadlines and work under pressure of time constraints will be key. A background in the arts and/or not-for-profit sector is a definite asset.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure that the goals and objectives of the project are met
• Oversee the planning, design and construction of the Regent Park Arts and Cultural Centre
• Coordinate the work of the work of multiple teams and committees including: project management, design, and construction
• Work collaboratively will teams responsible for stakeholder relations, communications, finance, tenant services, operations and fundraising to ensure an integrated approach to the project’s development
• Support the efforts of the fundraising team as required
• Steward relationships with a wide range of partners, investors, tenants and stakeholders
• Prepare contracts and negotiate revisions, changes and additions to contractual agreements with architects, contractors, consultants, sub-tenants, suppliers and subcontractors
• Ensure that the project is delivered on time and within budget
• Effectively apply Artscape’s methodology and enforce project standards
• Ensure project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately
• Develop systems, strategies, and policies that contribute to the overall management of Artscape

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 10 years experience developing property or management of multi-million dollar capital projects
• Creative and entrepreneurial outlook
• Excellent interpersonal, management and organizational development skills
• Strong, conceptual, strategic, analytical and negotiating skills
• Ability to independently trouble shoot and solve problems in a fast paced, results oriented environment
• Excellent judgment, good common sense
• Goal oriented with high standards and focus
• Ability to develop and maintain established protocol and processes
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills and computer literacy

For more information on Artscape, visit www.torontoartscape.on.ca. The Vision 2011 document will be of particular interest.

Deadline for Applications: January 15, 2010 by 12:00 noon.

Salary is negotiable commensurate with experience. Artscape offers an employee health benefit package.

TO APPLY:

Please respond with a cover letter outlining the qualifications and experience you would bring to position and a resume. In addition, please provide detailed contact information for two professional references.
Applications will be received in confidence by mail, courier or email only and should be forwarded to:

Fana Seife
Executive Assistant to CEO
Artscape
Suite 224, 171 East Liberty Street
Toronto, ON M6K 3P6
fana@torontoartscape.on.ca
Attention: Regent Park Arts and Cultural Centre Project Manager Submission

No phone calls or emails please. Artscape thanks all applicants however only those being considered for an interview will be contacted directly.

Artscape is an equal opportunity employer. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in all its work. We work proactively to be fair and equitable in practice and to build diversity into our teams, creative communities, programs and services.