“The Honens International Piano Competition, based in Canada, prides itself on awarding accomplished pianists who are complete musicians. This may seem a lofty claim, but the Honens has a long list of thoughtful awardees to back it up.”—The New York Times
 
THE ORGANIZATION 
 
Honens discovers, nurtures and presents Complete Pianists—21st century artists for 21st century audiences.
 
Esther Honens created a legacy of musical excellence to be enjoyed for generations. In 1991, knowing she was near the end of her life, Mrs Honens gave $5 million to endow an international piano competition in her hometown of Calgary, Canada. Her generosity, vision and love of music continue to touch the lives of Calgarians, Canadians and musicians and music-lovers around the world.
 
The triennial Honens Piano Competition’s ‘Search for the Complete Pianist’ awards the world’s largest prize of its kind, $100,000 and an artistic and career development program valued at a half million dollars.  The Honens Competition discovers a unique, imaginative and informed artist, an emerging Complete Pianist whose distinctive voice, versatility and ease as a communicator demonstrate that he/she is ready to professionalize a career.  Honens is committed to nurturing lifelong artistic and professional development of its Laureates. 
 
Every September, Honens presents Calgary’s only summer classical music festival.  The event features four days of extraordinary music making, with free and ticketed events.  There is something for everyone including performances by some of the world’s top pianists, an Open Air concert, late night programming, Storytellers for children and learning opportunities for Alberta’s emerging talent.
 
Honens is active in the community through its Open Air concert, Masterclasses, Music as a Second Language performance lectures, free concerts by Competition Semifinalists during the Competition and Storytellers which introduces children and their families to the fun of classical music through narrated stories set to music for piano, in both concert and school settings.
 
THE POSITION
 
The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the Esther Honens International Piano Competition Foundation. Collaborating with the Artistic Director, he/she is responsible for creating and realizing the vision of Honens. The President reports directly to and is an ex-officio member of Honens Board of Directors.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES
 
Strategy & Policy
• Develops strategies and policies for consideration by the Board, and implements these strategies and policies as approved by the Board
• Defines and applies key performance indicators with the management team
• Ensures coherence between the vision, mission, values, and all Honens activities
 
Artistic Leadership
• Provides guidance and oversight to the Artistic Director who, together with the President, is responsible for devising and articulating a clear artistic vision that demonstrates Honens’ values of excellence, innovation, engagement, and integrity
• Provides guidance and oversight to the Artistic Director, who is responsible for designing and implementing all aspects of a triennial international piano competition, an annual Festival, the signature artist development program for Honens Laureates and ensuring appropriate CD production and online streaming activity
• The President, working with the Artistic Director, ensures that Honens maintains its reputation as a leader in the field of music competitions
• The President ensures that Honens, through the Artistic Director, is well connected with all relevant people and institutions in the music world that will assist the current Honens Prize Laureate to launch a successful professional career
 
Fundraising
• Establishes fundraising targets and is ultimately responsible for reaching fundraising goals
• Identifies, delegates to and collaborates with capable staff and volunteers to reach fundraising goals
• Initiates fundraising campaigns and leads solicitations
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships and relationships with individuals, businesses, non-profit and government sectors in Calgary and beyond.
 
Marketing & Communications
• Serves as Honens’ chief spokesperson
• Leads management and volunteers in ensuring that Honens’ brand values of excellence, innovation, engagement and integrity inform all communication with and experiences presented to stakeholders
• Establishes Honens as ‘top-of-mind’ in its field
• Oversees concept, design, content and delivery of communications of brand strategies to advance strategic goals
• Works with the Artistic Director and Director, Marketing & Communications to market the Competition internationally
• Ensures that the most appropriate staff members attend concerts, festivals, competitions and conferences worldwide, and ensures membership and involvement in organizations that advance Honens’ strategic goals
• Identifies and maintains relationships with existing and potential Honens brand champions
 
Community Engagement & Education
• Ensures that Honens identifies and maintains relationships with strategic communities of support (existing and potential audiences, and stakeholders from individual, government, foundation and corporate spheres)  
• Ensures that Honens identifies and understands the goals of its key stakeholders and remains relevant to their interests through the design and refreshment of community and learning programs in order to maintain and increase Honens’ perceived value
• Ensures all community engagement and education programs align with Honens’ values.
 
Financial Management & Operations
• Ensures financial sustainability of Honens while increasing the financial position/capacity of the organization when possible
• Oversees the preparation and presentation of budgets, business plans and financial forecasts following appropriate accounting principles  
• Ensures that reporting systems accurately reflect the organization’s financial position at all times
• Establishes and maintains the integrity of financial controls and procedures
• Identifies risks and ways of managing and mitigating risks 
• Manages and administers Honens activities in alignment with the strategic and business plans, and budgets approved by the Board
• Reports to the Board on the material use of outside consultants
• Ensures compliance as an Alberta-based Canadian charitable organization
 
Human Resource Management
• Assesses personnel needs, recruitment strategies, and determines remuneration
• Establishes job descriptions; identifies key performance indicators; leads, supervises and evaluates performance; recognizes, retains and/or dismisses accordingly
• Creates an appropriate environment to stimulate employee morale and productivity
• Builds a culture that encourages creative thinking, one that anticipates demands and seizes future opportunities
• Provides, when possible and advisable, professional development opportunities
• Oversees recruitment and engagement of Chairmen and committee members of ad hoc Advisory
 
Committees
• Maintains regular communication with Chairmen of Board Standing Committees
• Oversees recruitment and engagement of Volunteer Coordination Committee Chairman/Chairmen.
• Delegates staff to work with volunteer committees
• Oversees recognition, retention and/or dismissal of volunteers
 
Other
• Performs other tasks as may reasonably be assigned by the Board
• Reports to the Board and the Chairman of the Board as requested
 
CANDIDATE PROFILE
 
• A minimum of 5 to 7 years of senior leadership experience, with a record of success leading a complex organization with a wide range of stakeholders, in an institution or company known for quality and excellence
• A history of sound fiscal management
• An understanding of classical music, particularly piano music, with a profound belief in its importance to society
• A commitment to the development of young musicians and pianists
• A goal-oriented pacesetter with a demonstrated ability to create momentum in pursuit of institutional objectives
• A history of developing and implementing successful marketing strategies
• A reputation for integrity and strong, creative leadership
• A record of building funding relationships with both institutions and individuals and experience in successfully leading a significant endowment or capital campaign
• A proven ability to work with government regarding funding, support, and policy change
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with outstanding social skills
• Experience in guiding, engaging, and supporting senior leaders
• An undergraduate or post-graduate degree
 
CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES
 
• A confident and influential communicator who is engaging, outgoing and personable 
• A master team builder, enabler, coach and mentor 
• A pro-active and dynamic professional who inspires confidence; a superior intellect with strategic orientation and a polished presence
• A results-oriented person with a high level of ethics and integrity who understands the importance of ensuring Honens continues to be a world-class innovator in international piano competitions
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
• A self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit and strategic business skills
• Intellectually curious and an out-of-the-box thinker
• Strong organizational skills, can focus, prioritize and get it done
• An innovative and enthusiastic leader who inspires by example
• An enthusiastic fundraiser
• Disciplined, takes initiative and accepts ownership with a hands-on approach
• Enjoys working under pressure, and is accomplished at multi-level multi-tasking
• Enjoys working and leading in a complex, open and transparent environment
 
COMPENSATION
 
A competitive compensation package will be provided, including base salary and benefits (LTD, medical, mileage paid, dental, group insurance, life insurance and vision care). Salary range between $140,000.00 to $170,000.00, commensurate with experience.
 
HOW TO APPLY
 
Please apply by email with your cover letter and resume. Send to Searchlight Recruitment Inc.: honens@searchlightcanada.com
 
Honens is an equal opportunity employer.
 
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those advancing in the process will be contacted.