Operations Manager
Art Metropole is seeking an experienced and collaborative Operations Manager to join our small and dynamic team during a key period of institutional growth. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Operations Manager will play a central role in ensuring the organization’s operational and financial sustainability while contributing to an internationally recognized artist-run centre, bookstore, publisher, and distributor.
The Operations Manager will oversee the organization’s day-to-day operations, financial administration, and other internal systems while supporting revenue-generating and fundraising initiatives. The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys building efficient processes, identifying new opportunities for growth, and working collaboratively within a creative environment. The Operations Manager will help strengthen Art Metropole’s capacity to support artists by developing the organizational infrastructure that drives our artistic mission.
Key Responsibilities
Organizational Management:
- Oversee the day-to-day operations, ensuring efficient administrative systems and workflows.
- Develop and improve operational systems and procedures that support Art Metropole’s staff, artistic programming, and long-term financial sustainability.
- Supervise operational staff and external contractors as required.
- Support the Board of Directors through meeting preparation, reporting, policy development, and other governance administration.
Bookstore & Distribution Operations:
- Oversee the operational management of Art Metropole’s bookstore and distribution activities, including inventory systems, sales processes.
- Manage vendor and consignment relationships, wholesale fulfilment for distribution clients, purchasing for the bookstore, and related shipping and receiving.
- Work closely with the Executive Director to ensure bookstore operations support the organization’s artistic vision while maintaining strong financial performance.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and increase sales across in-person and online channels.
- Lead the ongoing development and improvement of Art Metropole’s inventory management systems, CRM, e-commerce, website, and other digital infrastructure.
- Assisting with retail duties in-person at AM’s shop location(s), including its main location at 896 College St, as well as at pop-up shops and fairs periodically.
Financial Management:
- Oversee financial administration, budgeting, cash-flow monitoring, and financial reporting in collaboration with the Executive Director and external bookkeeper.
- Support annual audit and CADAC reporting.
- Monitor organizational performance against annual budgets and provide financial analysis to support organizational planning
- Work collaboratively with the Executive Director on fundraising initiatives, including sponsorship opportunities, donor stewardship, and grant administration.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will bring a combination of operational leadership and financial acumen to this role, along with an appreciation for contemporary art and artist-initiated publishing as well as a passion for Art Metropole’s mandate. Key qualifications include:
- Experience managing operations within arts/cultural organizations, artist-run centres, publishing, retail, or similar environments.
- Strong financial-management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
- Experience developing operational systems and improving organizational processes.
- A demonstrated ability to identify and implement revenue-generating initiatives.
- Excellent organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Demonstrated initiative and the ability to work independently while contributing collaboratively within a small team.
- Confidence supervising staff, managing external contractors, and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
- Experience with CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, inventory-management software, or related digital tools, especially within a retail environment, is an asset.
- Familiarity with grant administration, fundraising, and nonprofit governance is an asset.
- Experience working with contemporary art, artist-initiated / small-press publishing, or artist-run organizations is an asset.
Art Metropole is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, POC, or visible minority, and individuals of diverse genders, abilities, and sexual orientations. We recognize that no candidate will possess every qualification listed above and encourage individuals with transferable skills and relevant experience to apply.
Compensation and Benefits
Art Metropole is proud to be a Living Wage employer, certified by Ontario Living Wage Network. This is a full-time position with an annual salary of $52,000, with a 35-hour work week. The position includes medical, vision, and dental insurance and 2 weeks paid vacation per year, with an additional 2 weeks paid time off during our regular holiday closure in December/January.
The position allows for a mix of remote and in-person working, though requires the majority of work to take place at Art Metropole’s shop and office located in Toronto. Working occasional evenings and weekends can be expected as needed for Art Metropole events/openings.
How to Apply
Please email a PDF containing your resume and cover letter to the Hiring Committee at hiring@artmetropole.com by September 2, 2026, 11:59PM EST. Please include "Operations Manager" in your email's subject line.
We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
