Canada Media Fund Board of Directors - Appointment opportunity

On this page

• Position
• Description
• The Canada Media Fund
• Compensation
• How to apply
• Official languages and diversity
• Selection criteria
  • Essential qualifications
  • Asset qualifications
• Appointment process
• Conditions of appointment
• Privacy notice statement

Position

One part-time member of the Canada Media Fund (CMF) Board of Directors starting in winter 2023. The appointment is for a term of approximately three years (up to spring 2025).

Description

The Government of Canada is looking for an experienced, future-oriented individual to join the board of the largest audiovisual content fund in Canada. The ideal candidate is one who is capable of envisioning the many opportunities on the horizon for Canadian audiovisual content development, production, distribution, and promotion in any format and on any platform, and who is ready to take a leadership role in positioning the sector as a whole to benefit. The candidate requires a high level of independence from all funders and beneficiaries of the CMF program in Canada’s screen industries.

The CMF is a cornerstone of the Canadian audiovisual content production sector, supporting the development and production of audiovisual content in a wide variety of formats, including video games, traditional television shows, web series, and more. It is an active and important influencer in the sector, and as a member of its Board of Directors, you will be at the forefront of the significant evolution facing the sector and will help to chart a course forward.

The Canada Media Fund

The Canada Media Fund is a non-profit corporation that fosters, promotes, develops, and finances the production of Canadian content and applications for audiovisual media platforms. It is funded via regulatory contributions from Canada’s cable, satellite and internet protocol television (IPTV) distributors and direct contributions from the Government of Canada. Its programming budget is approximately $350 million annually. Of note, the CMF invests more than $10 million annually in Indigenous production via its Indigenous Program.

The Board of Directors of the CMF has fiduciary responsibility over the corporation. It ensures that all activities conducted by the corporation are in full compliance with the terms of the corporation’s contribution agreement with the Department of Canadian Heritage and all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

The CMF’s Board of Directors is responsible for the stewardship of the corporation, including oversight of the Program and the corporation’s other activities, taking a leadership role in the development of the corporation’s strategic direction, and ensuring that management conducts the business and affairs of the corporation in accordance with its objectives. The Board conducts business through regular meetings of the full Board, the Audit Committee, and the Governance and Human Resources Committee.

The Board consists of nine directors, who are nominated by two member organizations: the Canadian Coalition for Cultural Expression (CCCE), representing Canada’s cable, satellite and IPTV distributors, which elects six directors, and the Government of Canada, through the Department of Canadian Heritage, which elects three. The Chair is elected by the Board and is also a director.

Further details can be found on the Canada Media Fund website.

Compensation

This is a part-time position. Following a ministerial nomination, the selected candidate does not become a member of the Public Service of Canada. Directors are compensated by the CMF as follows (amounts subject to revision):

• Annual retainer:
  • Chair of the Board: $60,271
  • Committee Chairs: $46,814
  • Other Directors: $36,142
• Meeting fees:
  • $1,446 full-day
  • $722 half-day

How to apply

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Applications must include the following:

• a cover letter addressing the education and experience criteria listed below, including specific examples of how you meet any applicable criteria
• a copy of your curriculum vitae
• the name and contact information for two references

Applications should not include sensitive personal information, such as your Social Insurance Number, birthdate, or proof of citizenship. Note that information sent by e-mail is not protected.

Please send your application by email to the linked address.

Applications received after October 23, 2022 may not be considered. Please note applications must be sent electronically. Hard-copy applications will not be accepted at this time.

Documents received after the deadline may not be accepted. All documents may be submitted in either French or English.

Please note that evaluation strategies including an assessment grid may be used, and as such it is likely to your advantage to be as specific as possible when describing your experiences in your application.

Official languages and diversity

The government is committed to ensuring that its appointments reflect Canada’s diversity. Preference will be given to qualified candidates who self-identify as members of underrepresented linguistic, regional and employment equity groups. Employment equity groups include: women, members of First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities, Black and racialized people, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. If you wish to self-identify as a member of one or more of these groups, please do so in your cover letter. Note that, if provided, this information may be kept for statistical purposes.

Bilingual proficiency in both English and French will be considered an asset while assessing candidates for this position, but it is not a mandatory requirement for consideration. You are encouraged to include your ability to speak and understand your second official language in your application. If required, simultaneous translation will be made available for Board meetings in English or French as appropriate.

Selection criteria

Essential qualifications

To be considered eligible for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements. Please be as specific as possible in your application when relating your experience to these qualifications:

• Proficiency in either English or French
• Organizational leadership experience, such as serving as a member of a board of directors for a public, private or non-profit organization AND/OR experience as a senior leader within the private, public or non-profit sectors (for example, as a senior executive within an organization (for example, CEO), managing academic entities and/or large grants), as a widely recognized “thought leader” influencing policy direction within an industry, etc.)
• Experience in the development and execution of complex strategies, programs, plans and/or projects (including large and complex research projects)
• Experience in managing human resources and knowledge of related administrative processes (including related legislation and regulations)
• Knowledge of sound organizational governance principles and risk management processes
• Financial literacy (for example, ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that can reasonably be expected of an organization the size of the CMF)

Asset qualifications

The following qualifications are considered an asset. Please indicate in your application whether you meet any of the following additional criteria:

• Bilingual proficiency in English and French
• Experience in / knowledge of best practices in equity and inclusion, support programs for under-represented groups, anti-racism leadership and initiatives, or equity-based research, funding or program development
• Experience in / knowledge of the Indigenous audiovisual sector and/or Indigenous legal and policy frameworks
• Experience in or knowledge of at least one of Canada’s audiovisual creative industries (for example, film, television, video game and/or other audiovisual media production or distribution)
• Knowledge of the role that the CMF plays in the sector, as well as the environment in which it operates, including the larger regulatory framework
• Experience working in the Interactive Digital Media market (for example, production or distribution of video games, immersive technologies (augmented and/or virtual reality), animation and visual effects, app development, etc.)
• Experience in or knowledge of new and emerging audiovisual mediums, formats, and technologies (for example, user-generated video, social media platforms, convergent formats, etc.)
• Experience in or knowledge of financial decision-making (for example, experience managing the finances of a large or complex organization, or formal education/certification relating to financial management, or related experience)
• Experience serving as a member of a board of directors or in a leadership position with a significant role reviewing and approving annual operating budgets
• Experience and deep understanding of domestic and/or foreign audiovisual media markets
• Experience in change management
• Experience in establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with varied stakeholders, such as federal, provincial or municipal governments, industry associations, private-sector clients, unions, community organizations, non-governmental organizations, etc.
• Experience in / knowledge of public policy development and delivery
• Experience in public and government relations, marketing and communications
• Academic degrees or professional certification in a relevant field of study (for example, accounting, finance, business, management, communication, media studies, etc.)

Appointment process

• Application Stage
  • Your application will be reviewed against the stated criteria. Applications that do not demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria will not be considered further. Please be as explicit as possible in your application when responding to the qualifications in the poster, detailing not only that you have the experience, but how and when you acquired it, and what it consisted of. For example:
    • Okay: “I have significant experience in the Interactive Digital Media sector”
    • Better: “I worked for the Interactive Digital Media sector between [dates] (see resume)”
    • Best: “I have significant experience working as a [title], between [dates] in the Interactive Digital Media industry for [companies], producing Canadian video games and exporting them internationally. During this time, I [functions relevant to the position].”
  • Depending on the volume of applications received, additional screening criteria may be applied at this stage, including selection based on demonstrated asset criteria met and other possible considerations noted in this poster, such as self-identification of members of underrepresented linguistic, regional and employment equity groups.
• Interview Stage
  • If your application is selected to move forward, you will be contacted to schedule an interview. Interviews will take place virtually, via video, using services such as Microsoft Teams. Candidates will be responsible for arranging their own Internet connection and relevant equipment (for example, a computer and camera). You will not be required to purchase any software, but you may be required to download an application. Best efforts will be made to accommodate the candidate’s accessibility requirements during the interview process. Further details will be provided to you when the interview is scheduled.
  • The interview stage will be used to seek additional details regarding the qualifications you identified in your application, as well as to ask additional questions regarding your knowledge, skills, and abilities relating to this role. It is also an opportunity for candidates to ask any questions they may have about the position and related expectations.
• References Stage
  • If you are successful in the interview, the references provided in your application will be contacted to verify the information you have provided, including how you meet the previously noted requirements. Additionally, information will be sought regarding the following personal attributes in your current and recently held positions:
    • Strategic and innovative leadership
    • High ethical standards, integrity, and impartiality
    • Tact and diplomacy
    • Sound judgement
    • Superior interpersonal skills

Please note that only successful candidates will be notified at each stage of the process.

Conditions of appointment

The successful candidate must commit to:

• attend board meetings when and where required (a minimum of four board meetings will be held each year)
• participate in board committees where and when required
• fulfil the duties and responsibilities of a member of the board as per the CMF by-laws and Board Charter

Prior to being appointed, you must demonstrate that you are free of any conflict of interest relative to the position. To do so, you must be able to meet the definition of independence as set out in the CMF’s by-laws. This includes demonstrating that you and your immediate family members are independent from the CMF, Funders, Beneficiaries, and their affiliates. This includes employment by, being a substantial shareholder of, or having a contractual relationship with any of the aforementioned groups. For instance, a candidate employed by a broadcaster which has a CMF performance envelope would not meet the definition of independence. Prior to being appointed, you will be required to submit a detailed questionnaire outlining any ties you or your family have to the CMF, Beneficiaries, Funders, or their affiliates.

Privacy notice statement

The personal information you provide on this application is collected for ministerial appointment purposes. This information may also be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates and for statistical reporting on diversity and employment equity. The information is collected under the authority of paragraph 4(2)(d) of the Department of Canadian Heritage Act and uses of this personal information are described in Standard Personal Information Bank PSU 919 - Members of Boards, Committees and Councils.

Your personal information is protected under the provisions of the federal Privacy Act. Under this Act, you have the right to access your personal information and request changes to incorrect information. If you wish to avail yourself of this right or require clarification about this Privacy Notice Statement, contact by email the Director of Access to Information and Privacy, Canadian Heritage. For further details on requests for access or correction, please consult the Info Source publication.