Executive Director; Maternity Leave Children’s Choir

Executive Director – Maternity Leave Contract

Position Title: Executive Director
Position Location: Hybrid – Remote and in-person in the Ottawa area
Reports to: OCC Board of Directors
Contract term: 1-year maternity leave
Number of hours: Full-time (35–40 hours/week)
Remuneration: $52,000 – $62,000, commensurate with experience
Start Date: Ideally May 1, 2026

About the Ottawa Children’s Choir
The Ottawa Children’s Choir (OCC) was founded in 1958 and incorporated as a not-for-profit charitable organization in 1998. The Choir exists to enrich the lives of our choristers, families, and the community through the arts and to foster the next generation of choral musicians. We offer a rigorous instructional choral program for children aged 5 through 18 in multiple ensembles, providing musical training, rehearsals, performances, educational outreach, mentoring, and community engagement.

About the Position
The Executive Director (ED) is the senior administrative leader of the Ottawa Children’s Choir and a key partner to the Artistic Director and Board of Directors. The ED oversees day-to-day operations, financial management, human resources, grant writing, and stakeholder engagement while supporting the strategic direction and sustainability of the organization. We are seeking a dynamic and resourceful leader with a strong understanding of nonprofit operations, a passion for youth arts education, and the organizational skills to manage a high-volume, high-impact environment.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking & Visioning – Ability to align operations with long-term mission and goals
• Collaborative Leadership – Fosters positive relationships with staff, board, families, and community
• Financial Acumen – Skilled in nonprofit budgeting, audit prep, and grant accountability
• Fund Development – Proven ability to secure and manage funding streams
• Equity & Inclusion – Commitment to accessible, inclusive programming and leadership
• Communications – Exceptional written and verbal communication
• Project & Time Management – Highly organized with capacity to manage multiple priorities
• Arts Advocacy – Strong belief in the transformative power of music and community arts

Tasks

• Provide leadership and coordination for administrative workflows, including supervision of administrative staff, collaboration with Artistic and Volunteer Teams, and oversight of day-to-day operational systems
• Oversee HR matters including contracts, onboarding, reviews, and policies
• Support strategic plan development and implementation in collaboration with the Board and Artistic Director
• Lead budget planning, monthly reconciliations, and financial reporting
• Manage all bookkeeping, government filings (e.g., payroll, HST), and year-end audit preparation
• Track and report to the Board on grant and program funding

Fund Development & Grant Writing

• Research, write, and submit grants annually
• Manage donor and sponsor relationships, including receipting and stewardship
• Coordinate fundraising with the Fund Development Committee such as the peer-to-peer fundraiser (Sing-a-thon!)

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee social media, email newsletters, and website content
• Serve as OCC spokesperson for community, funder, and media relations
• Messaging for recruitment and public engagement

Program Oversight

• Support choir registration, tuition assistance, and family engagement
• Oversee event logistics and venue coordination for all concerts and camps
• Ensure safe, inclusive, and efficient rehearsal operations in collaboration with the Artistic Director

Governance & Reporting

• Attend and report at monthly Board meetings and all OCC concerts and public events
• Collaborate with committees and Board members on policy, development, and planning
• Support board training, onboarding, and documentation

Requirements

• Full-time/Part-time/Project based leadership experience in arts administration or nonprofit management (Minimum 3 years)
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, bookkeeping, or financial oversight
• Experience managing people and teams
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Proficiency with Google Suite, Accounting software (Quick Books preferred), grant platforms, and registration software

Assets

• Lived or professional experience in choral music or music education
• Experience with marketing, event planning, or youth programming
• Knowledge of the Canadian arts industry
• Experience with Canadian art and non-profit funding landscape

Applications

The OCC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If you wish to apply for this position, please send the below details to presi