PRESIDENT
Fort Calgary
Situated where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet in Treaty 7 territory, the place that we now call Fort Calgary National Historic Site has played a central role in both ancient and more recent histories of this region.
The site is rooted in place-stories and memory practices of the Blackfoot, Iyarhe Nakoda, Tsuut’ina and Métis peoples; the land was a natural gathering place to hunt, trade, and hold ceremony. Later, due to the land’s natural topography and social significance, it was where the North West Mounted Police built Fort Calgary in 1875. Recognized as a National Historic Site in 1925, it served as a train yard until 1975 when the lands were bought by the City of Calgary. Today it is at the heart of the city.
We recognize that Fort Calgary is a layered place. It has multiple histories. We seek to demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation through the adoption of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s guiding principles.
As caretakers of this unique National Historic Site, we aim to present these histories in an honest way to connect people by deepening their understanding, enhancing their curiosity, and informing their context for contemporary life.
The President has the unique opportunity to lead Fort Calgary’s identity and strategy for the benefit of future generations, including by leading the organization through a required major capital project. This forward-thinking leader will ensure the effective implementation of Fort Calgary’s strategic priorities and objectives, in alignment with the organization’s vision, mission, values, and guiding principles. The President will provide operational and strategic oversight to all the aspects of the organization’s functions.
With demonstrated organizational leadership, the President is responsible for implementing and ensuring strong policy and governance practices, delivering excellent and meaningful programming, and stewarding Fort Calgary as a National Historic Site and as a City-owned facility and public resource. The President will lead a team that strives to exhibit and reflect its Values and Guiding Principles.
The President will be inspired by and will successfully navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by operating within a complex multi-stakeholder environment amid complicated and sometimes conflicting understandings of histories and the resulting present-day perspectives that people may have of the organization. As a transparent operator and trustworthy relationship builder, the President will cultivate strong partnerships with key stakeholders both externally and internally. The President will also serve as a community builder and brand ambassador and key spokesperson for the organization.
The ideal candidate will be a visionary with strong organizational and leadership capabilities. Approximately 10 years of executive level experience working with multi-stakeholder organizations is required, along with exceptional and proven relationship building skills. Experience with one or more major-capital projects is considered an asset.
We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage members of designated groups (women, aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities) to self-identify on their applications.
Janet Soles and Associates has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Fort Calgary.
For more information about this opportunity, or to apply, please send your curriculum vitae and letter of interest in confidence to [email protected] .
