Advisor, Cultural Programs (1 Year Contract/Job Rotation)

Position Type:

Closing Date:

Salary/Wage Range:

Working for the City of Burlington

A great career is closer than you think. Come work for the City of Burlington, where you'll be joining an innovative and progressive workplace focused on building a 21st century city that respects the diversity of our residents, visitors and employees; and prioritizes continuous opportunities for you to learn and grow.

We don't just spend time attracting the best talent. We spend time and resources to keep the best talent. This may include: flexible working hours, mobile and hybrid working arrangements, a great pension and benefits package, as well as programs to foster innovation and leadership.

Type of Vacancy

Existing Vacancy

Hours of Work

35 hours per week

Contract Length

Up to August 2027

Department

Recreation, Community & Culture

Location

This position is eligible for a hybrid work model. When attending an event or meeting in person, your primary office location will be based out of City Hall. Work location is subject to change at the discretion of the City due to operational demands. Effective September 2027 this role will be required to be on site 50% of the time each month.

Position Overview

Be part of shaping Burlington’s cultural future!
The City of Burlington is seeking a dynamic and passionate cultural professional to join our team as Advisor, Cultural Programs. Reporting to the Manager, Cultural Programs, you’ll oversee public art projects, lead innovative cultural programming, and administer the arts and culture grant program. You’ll build strong partnerships with artists and cultural organizations, and ensure programs reflect the principles of accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on how residents and visitors experience arts and culture in Burlington, while shaping the city’s cultural vision.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the delivery, maintenance, and evaluation of Burlington’s public art programs and installations.

• Support the administration of arts and culture grant programs, including community outreach, and funding adjudication.

• Develop, deliver, and evaluate cultural programming initiatives aligned with the priorities of the Culture Plan.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, artists, and cultural organizations to expand cultural access and engagement across the city.

• Collaborate with internal departments to integrate cultural initiatives into city-wide projects and priorities.

• Monitor program outcomes and key performance indicators, preparing reports and updates for the Manager, Cultural Programs.

• Manage project budgets, monitor expenditures, and support year-end financial reporting.

• Ensure all cultural programs and services are delivered in alignment with principles of accessibility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous cultural protocols.

• Represent the City of Burlington as a cultural leader in the community, fostering dialogue, innovation, and collaboration in arts and culture.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a creative and collaborative cultural professional who is passionate about expanding access to the arts and shaping Burlington’s cultural future. You’re someone who thrives in partnership with artists, community groups, and colleagues, and who brings both vision and strong organizational skills to delivering high-quality cultural programs.

Education & Experience

• 3-year post-secondary diploma or degree in Arts Administration, Cultural Studies, Museum Studies, or a related field.

• 2-4 years of progressive experience in planning and delivering cultural programs, community arts initiatives, or public art projects, ideally within a municipal or non-profit setting.

• Demonstrated leadership in managing project teams made up of artists, vendors, and community partners is considered a strong asset.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrated experience coordinating arts or cultural programs, including logistics, partnerships, and community engagement.

• Solid understanding of public art program administration and best practices.

• Familiarity with municipal arts funding, grant programs, and cultural policy frameworks.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage artists, cultural organizations, community members, and internal stakeholders.

• Experience managing budgets, tracking expenditures, and reporting on outcomes.

• Ability to lead and support staff in a collaborative team environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools (e.g., MS Teams, SharePoint, Excel).

Nice to Have

• Experience administering or supporting grant and funding programs.

• Knowledge of public art conservation and maintenance.

• Training in Indigenous cultural awareness or Truth and Reconciliation.

This position may require occasional travel between sites and/or City facilities.

Police Check Requirement

This position requires the successful candidate to provide a clear criminal record check with a vulnerable sector screening at their own expense.

Accommodations

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the City of Burlington accommodates the individual needs of applicants with disabilities within the recruitment process. Please call us at 905-335-7602 or email us at: [email protected] if you require accommodation to ensure your equal participation in the recruitment and selection process.

Note to Applicants:

We thank all those who apply for positions, but only those applicants who are invited for an interview will be contacted.