Job Description

Executive Director

Oakville Galleries

Oakville Galleries is one of Canada’s leading contemporary art museums, presenting, collecting, and interpreting the work of contemporary artists across a range of disciplines, media, and cultural contexts. With a distinctive presence in Oakville and a commitment to bold artistic practice, public engagement, education, and community connection, the Galleries play an important role in the cultural life of the town and the wider contemporary art landscape.
 
Oakville Galleries is now seeking an inspiring, entrepreneurial, and artist-centred leader to serve as its next Executive Director. This is a significant opportunity to lead the organization into an ambitious new era as a dynamic, inclusive, and publicly engaged contemporary art museum with deep local roots and national and international relevance.
 
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for the strategic and financial direction, operational leadership, and overall management of Oakville Galleries. Working closely with staff, the Board, the Town of Oakville, artists, donors, funders, partners, and community stakeholders, the Executive Director will strengthen the Galleries’ institutional and artistic identity, deepen its relevance to diverse audiences, and champion the role of contemporary art in civic and cultural life.
 
The successful candidate will bring a compelling vision for artistic excellence, public engagement, fundraising, accessibility, and inclusion. They will be responsible for advancing Oakville Galleries’ strategic priorities, supporting ambitious artist-centred programming, building audiences, cultivating partnerships, and ensuring the organization’s financial sustainability. A central priority will be leading the Galleries’ capital and revitalization ambitions, serving as a persuasive advocate for the organization’s artistic, civic, operational, and capital future.
 
The ideal candidate will bring senior leadership experience in a contemporary art gallery, museum, cultural institution, or closely related arts organization. They will have a sophisticated understanding of contemporary art and visual culture, strong networks across the art world, and a record of building trusted relationships with artists, curators, cultural partners, donors, funders, civic leaders, and community stakeholders. They will be an effective fundraiser and external ambassador, with demonstrated success cultivating donors, securing support, and developing partnerships. Experience with a capital campaign, institutional renewal project, or major facility initiative would be considered a significant asset.
 
Oakville Galleries is seeking a leader with strong financial and operational acumen, experience working effectively with a Board of Directors, and the ability to lead, support, and develop a committed team of arts professionals. The successful candidate will bring sound judgement, entrepreneurial energy, excellent communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to equity, Indigeneity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. They will understand how to work effectively within a municipal and civic context while sustaining the artistic ambition and broader profile of a contemporary art institution. A master’s degree in art history, curatorial studies or arts administration would be considered an asset; however, the committee welcomes candidates who bring equivalent senior experience and demonstrated expertise.
 
Located on the shores of Lake Ontario between Toronto and Hamilton, Oakville offers an exceptional quality of life in one of the Greater Toronto Area’s most attractive and well-connected communities. The town combines access to Toronto’s arts, cultural, academic, and business networks with the character of a lakeside community known for its neighbourhoods, waterfront, parks, schools, restaurants, and active civic life.
 
Perrett Laver is assisting Oakville Galleries with this search. Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae and a covering letter addressing the candidate’s interest in the role and alignment with the opportunity.
 
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter detailing how you fulfil the role description and personal specification to Perrett Laver’s Vacancies page (https://apptrkr.com/7260405) quoting reference 8502. The deadline for applications is Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 9:00am ET.
 
This is a full-time, in-office role based in Oakville, Ontario.
 
Oakville Galleries offers a salary for this position ranging from $180,000 to $200,000 CAD, commensurate with experience. The compensation package also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including a defined benefit pension plan.
 
Oakville Galleries is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of the audiences we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities.
 
Oakville Galleries acknowledges that the land on which it operates is the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit.
 
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Required languages: English

Education level: Master’s degree

Required skills: See Description

Closest intersection: East Oakville