Appointment opportunities | Archived opportunities 

Portfolio: Canadian Heritage

Position title: Chairperson

Organization: National Arts Centre Corporation

Headquarters location: Ottawa, Ontario

Workplace location: Ottawa, Ontario

Type: Part-time

Per diem: $ 375

Annual retainer: $8,400

Closing date: October 22, 2026

Opportunity number: 248828-67

The National Arts Centre Corporation (the National Arts Centre) is responsible for developing the performing arts in the National Capital Region and assisting the Canada Council for the Arts in the development of the performing arts elsewhere in Canada.

The National Arts Centre, located in the National Capital Region, is Canada’s bilingual, multidisciplinary home for the performing arts. It presents, creates, produces, and co-produces programming in various streams—Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, Popular Music and Variety—and nurtures the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada.

The Corporation is governed by a Board of Trustees who provide strategic guidance to management and oversee its activities, exercising care and due diligence. The Board evaluates the performance of the President and Chief Executive Officer on an annual basis and is accountable to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. The National Arts Centre reports annually to Parliament through the Minister when it tables its annual report.

The Chairperson is responsible for conducting board meetings in such a way that the corporation carries out its mandate and objectives effectively, ensures good value for the funding provided by taxpayers, remains viable, and holds management accountable for its performance.

The Chairperson represents the National Arts Centre at certain official functions and contributes to official events by preparing and delivering remarks in both official languages. They also act as an ambassador for the National Arts Centre in their own community and may be asked to identify philanthropic opportunities.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found by following the Organization website link above.

Education and Experience

Please ensure that the information provided in your curriculum vitae and cover letter clearly demonstrates how you meet the following requirements:

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study such as business administration, public administration, law, arts administration, cultural management, finance, economics, communications, non-profit management, leadership studies, or arts and humanities disciplines (e.g., music, theatre), or a combination of education, training, and experience deemed equivalent;

• Experience with current corporate governance practices on a board of directors/trustees, ideally of a major not-for-profit arts organization, preferably as chairperson;

• Experience in the development of strategies, objectives and plans, risk oversight and management, and corporate best practices;

• Experience at the senior executive level in a national organization, preferably in the arts and cultural sector, and dealing with the federal government, preferably at the senior level;

• Experience in philanthropy, fundraising activities, and revenue generation;

• Experience working or volunteering with organizations in the arts, cultural or performing arts sector.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The following criteria will be assessed:

• Knowledge of the mandate and mission of the National Arts Centre, its business activities and funding model, strategic priorities, as well as its governing legislation;

• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the Chairperson, the Board of Trustees, and the President and Chief Executive Officer of a Crown corporation, including the fundamental accountabilities to all Canadians;

• Knowledge of the current challenges and opportunities facing the performing arts and cultural sector and its institutions;

• Knowledge of and respect for Indigenous context and cultures;

• Financial literacy and knowledge of the federal government's expectations regarding accountability and reporting;

• Superior communication skills, both oral and written, in both official languages;

• Ability to manage communications with a variety of stakeholders;

• Ability to lead strategic discussions, foster debate among board members, facilitate consensus and manage conflicts should they arise;

• Ability to anticipate emerging issues and trends, and develop strategies to enable the board to seize opportunities and solve problems;

• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with the National Arts Centre's management, the Minister and his office, the Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, and various partners and stakeholders.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages is preferred.

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency when assessing applicants. Your online profile must include your proficiency in speaking and understanding your second official language.

Personal Attributes

The following will be verified by references at a later date:

• Strategic and innovative leadership

• Diplomacy, tact and discretion

• Sound judgement and impartiality

• Superior interpersonal skills

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Government of Canada is committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace and to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. Appointees will be expected to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

Candidates who belong to one or more of the designated employment equity groups are encourage to self-identify when applying. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women.

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• All appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout the duration of their appointment.
• All appointees are subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, within 60 days of their appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities.
• All appointees are subject to the Terms and conditions applying to Governor in Council appointees. They must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values, principles and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles throughout their time in public office. 
• Appointees must also respect the principles of any code of conduct that applies to the organization to which they are appointed.
• The appointee must preside each board meeting, four times per year, with two days of committee and board meetings in Ottawa (virtual attendance by exception). Board and committee conference calls are held for special purposes as required.
• The appointee must commit to the position an average of 30 to 40 days annually, including regular communications with the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Corporate Secretary.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette and shared on the Government of Canada’s LinkedIn page.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be considered for other appointment opportunities.

How to Apply

Candidates must submit their application package, including their curriculum vitae and a cover letter addressed to the Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 22, 2026, via the Governor in Council Appointments website.

For additional information and guidance on the application process, including available accommodations, please visit the How to Apply page on our website. For support and technical assistance, please visit the Troubleshooting page.