Now Hiring: BCMA Executive Director

The British Columbia Museums Association (BCMA) Council is seeking a passionate, experienced, business-focused, and strategic Executive Director. Preferably based in or near the Association’s office on the unceded lands of the Lekwungen peoples (Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations) in Victoria. The successful candidate will carry out the BCMA’s strategic priorities and work collaboratively with Council, membership, and key partners to facilitate the mission of the Association to support a thriving arts, culture, and heritage sector.

Position Expectations:

Position Expectation:

• Works collaboratively with BCMA Council, members, and key partners to develop initiatives of benefit to the Association’s members including professional development and networking opportunities such as: annual conference, regional workshops, webinars, a podcast series, and mentorship programs
• Manages, monitors, and reports regularly on BCMA finances including identifying risks and making future budget recommendations
• Explores, plans, and implements revenue generating initiatives
• Advocates and promotes BC’s museum community on behalf of BCMA to all levels of government and sponsors
• Initiates, manages, evaluates and reports on new BCMA projects
• Under the direction of BCMA Council, develops, implements and revises as necessary a business plan that includes the goals, objectives, policies, and priorities of the organization as guided by the Strategic Plan
• Oversees and supports grant writing and community/corporate sponsorships
• Manages staff, services and activities of BCMA
• Hires, coaches, supervises, trains, and evaluates staff and volunteers and oversees the work of professional consultants
• Effectively communicates with Association members and key partners, including media and government
• Creates and maintains relationships with key partners including GLAM partners, Arts Service Organizations (ASO)s, Provincial & Territorial Museum Associations (PTMAs) governments, sponsors and professional organizations
• Undertakes research assignments that link to museum practice and bring value to the organization and members
• Implements and maintains an office IT plan and manages all of the association’s digital properties
• Organizes and attends all Council meetings and provides support to committees where necessary
• Works with committees and contractors on organization of annual conference, AGM and other events
• Manages member communications including a listserv, social media, website, branding, and print communications
• Other duties as required

Working Relationships:

This position will work closely with the following:

• BCMA members
• BCMA Council
• BCMA Council committees/working groups
• BCMA staff and contractors
• BC Arts Council, provincial Arts Service Organizations, and other partners and donors
• Provincial and federal government partners and funding agencies
• Provincial & Territorial Museum Associations (PTMAs)
• Professional GLAM organizations
• Royal BC Museum (as the office hosting partner)

Candidate Requirements:

• Prefer five years relevant management experience plus relevant degree, or significant relevant lived experience, in management, museum studies, archives, heritage, history, communications, or combination
• Understanding of and experience with Indigenous cultural heritage and wise practices for relationship building and collaboration
• Demonstrated ability to think, plan and act strategically with experience working in a fast-paced organization coordinating multiple projects
• Financial management experience
• Ability to advance plans methodically through to effective implementation
• Experience with grant writing, sponsorship, and revenue development
• Experience managing large events
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strategic planning and project management experience
• Substantial experience and understanding of the cultural sector and heritage/arts service organizations. An understanding of the sector in British Columbia is a strong asset.
• Effective and demonstrated strategic partnership building experience
• Flexibility to travel to meetings, conferences and workshops
• Experience bringing an entrepreneurial eye to a not-for-profit setting
• Knowledge of and experience with government relations and advocacy
• A passion for the BCMA’s values and strategic priorities

Salary:

Typical work hours: Monday – Friday (35 hours per week)

$75,000 – $85,000 annual salary plus statutory benefits & group health plan

This is a permanent position with an anticipated start date in July to August, 2025.

The BCMA is a virtual-first organization and the team works remotely. We welcome applications from any location in British Columbia, though being available to be in Victoria and Vancouver for meetings with key partners and the Government of BC is a requirement.

About the BCMA

Founded in 1957, the British Columbia Museums Association (BCMA) supports a thriving arts, culture, and heritage sector through collaboration, networking, advocacy, innovation, and professional development. Since our founding, the BCMA has grown to include more than 450 members in every corner of British Columbia including museums, art galleries, science centres, Indigenous cultural organizations, First Nations, heritage sites, botanical and zoological gardens, cultural centres, conservation institutes, grassroots arts organizations, exhibition galleries permanently maintained by libraries and archives, and nature reserves.

The BCMA supports the professionals and volunteers who work in BC’s cultural sector and we aim to improve the cultural literacy of all British Columbians. The BCMA collaborates with arts, culture, and heritage partners to engage with all levels of government to share stories and make them aware of the true impact our sector has in communities large and small across the province. Since 2017 the BCMA has won several provincial and national awards for its work to support BC’s arts and culture sector through innovative programming, timely resources, and cross-country collaborations. In 2023, the BCMA updated its mission, vision, and values to better reflect its organizational priorities and how the sector is growing.

Vision:
Create space for BCMA members to engage in meaningful, courageous dialogue, and equitable actions.

Mission:
Through bold advocacy and collaborative leadership, the BC Museums Association supports the arts, culture, and heritage sector to thrive.

Values:
We will uphold and respect the following values:

• Accountability – Accepting responsibility with integrity, transparency, and openness
• Bravery – Using position, voice, and privilege to support a more just future
• Equity – Listening to underrepresented voices and supporting social justice
• Innovation – Redefining what is possible to spark transformative change
• Relevance – Demonstrating leadership within our community and the global cultural sector
• Respect – Cultivating humility, listening deeply, honouring diverse voices

Our Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The BC Museums Association (BCMA) office is located on the traditional, unceded lands of the Lekwungen peoples (Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations). We respect past, present, and future Indigenous stewards and recognize that we are uninvited guests on this territory. As a reflection of the provincial scope of our membership and organization, we recognize that our affiliates occupy the ceded, unceded, and sovereign territories of Nations across what is referred to as British Columbia.

We are committed to supporting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the museum and cultural sector and in our own organizational practices. If you are interested in working with us, but see something in this posting that excludes you, please reach out to us. We are committed to decolonizing our practices and creating an inclusive working environment that accommodates all backgrounds and abilities. If you have questions about this role and potential accommodations, please reach out to the BCMA.

You can read about our ongoing commitment at museum.bc.ca/JEDI.

How to apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to bcma@museum.bc.ca by 12:00 pm (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

If you have any questions about the application process, please email us at bcma@museum.bc.ca.