POSITION: Managing Director, Canadian Stage
LOCATION: Toronto, ON
WEBSITE: www.canadianstage.com
REPORTS TO: Artistic and General Director
THE ORGANIZATION
Located in Toronto, Canadian Stage is Canada’s leading not-for profit contemporary theatre company. Founded in 1987 the company is dedicated to developing and producing landmark Canadian works and to programming international contemporary theatre. Past productions have been awarded some of Canada’s most prestigious literary and performing arts honours, including the Governor General’s, Chalmers and Dora Mavor Moore Awards. The company combines contemporary theatre, dance, visual and cinematic arts in a dynamic and diverse playbill featuring leading artists (directors, choreographers, actors and more) from Canada and around the world.
The Company presents an annual season of works at the Bluma Appel Theatre, the Berkeley Street Theatre and a summer Shakespeare production with a contemporary focus in Toronto’s High Park. Canadian Stage holds to the highest standards in every aspect of its productions, delivering an intelligent and thought-provoking live theatre experience. Through its long-standing commitment to educating the public and nurturing theatre professionals, Canadian Stage plays an essential role in bringing the joys of contemporary theatre into the lives of millions of audience members in Toronto, one of North America’s largest theatre centres.
THE POSITION
Become a vibrant, leading part of Canada’s performing arts community as you help move Canadian Stage into the future. The Managing Director is responsible for providing the strategy, management and implementation of the day to day activities of the Canadian Stage Company. Canadian Stage is seeking a Managing Director with experience in the performing arts with drive and ambition who will work in collaboration with the Artistic & General Director to lead the senior management team, manage the company’s financial portfolio and increase awareness and sales for Canadian Stage productions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Administration/Operations
- Develops and manages the annual operating plans and budgets
- Oversees the general administration of the company including HR and IT
- With Artistic and General Director sets organizational structure for Company staffing
- Manages the relationship with the St. Lawrence Centre, including the day to day affairs and the negotiation of the annual rental agreement for the Bluma Appel Theatre. Negotiates the terms of the Company’s leased theatres and administrative space.
- Oversees Director of Production and Operations, and Operations Manager, in the day to day maintenance of the administrative, theatrical and public facilities of the company.
- Oversees Manager of Volunteer Resources in staffing the Company’s Berkeley Street and Dream in High Park Volunteers
Marketing/Communications/Revenue
- Leads Associate Director of Marketing in the budgeting and generation of all earned revenue, including subscription, singles, group and school ticket sales at the Bluma Appel Theatre, Berkeley Street Theatres, and the Dream in High Park
- With Associate Director of Marketing, sets pricing and marketing strategies to attract the diverse constituency of Canadian Stage
- Leads Associate Director of Marketing in setting Audience Development strategies and goals to attract attendees and supporters from all walks of Toronto life
- Manages Associate Director of Marketing in the operation of a year-round, full time Box Office and Front of House staffs and systems.
- Oversees the Associate Director of Communications in the management of the Company’s public and press relations strategies, with the goal of directing maximum public attention to the work of the Company
- Leads the Associate Director of Communications in the Education and Outreach strategy
- Leads Assistant Production Manager and Director of Production and Operations in programs that generate significant income from Berkeley Street Theatre rentals
- Act as a company spokesperson as needed.
Producing/Production
- Manages the Production process, from the Director of Production’s show budgets, overseeing the process from budget to realization
- Responsibility for the Associate Producers, and the negotiation of domestic and international theatrical production rights for all plays, through to the artist contract negotiation process and the tending to all artist considerations
- Leads the co-production negotiation and contracting process
- Lead contact for the relationship with the Berkeley Street Program Partner companies and manages the Associate Producer’s contracting negotiations and relationship management
- Negotiates terms of new theatrical properties, including commissioning new works
- Develops the Company’s international presentation network
- Member of the artistic programming committee
- Reads prospective scripts, sees potentially programmable plays
Finance
- Leads the Financial management of the company
- With Controller, leads staff through monthly reforecasting of budgets
- Presents financial statements to the Finance and Executive Committees
- Approves all major expenses
- Leads Company’s PCI compliance strategy and efforts
- Oversees cost, inventory and theft control measures
- With Controller, oversees annual Audit and related issues
- Supervisory role in the development of the financial component of municipal, provincial, federal and foundation grant applications
Board
- Ex-Officio member of the following: Nominating Committee, Strategy Committee, the Board’s Executive and Finance Committees, and the Ad Hoc Marketing Committee
- Prepares and presents Managing Director’s Report to Board of Directors at the monthly Executive and Board meetings
Strategic
- With the Board Strategy Committee and the Artistic and General Director, participates in the development of the company’s Strategic Plan
- With Artistic and General Director, manages relationships with federal, provincial and civic funders
- With Artistic and General Director, manages relationship with City of Toronto, and consults on strategies to address municipal issues
- Strategic planning, with a focus on:
*Producing and the development of an international co-producing and touring network
*Marketing specific to subscription and single ticket sales and pricing strategy
- Leads any Feasibility Study planning and execution
- Participates in Company’s Advocacy programs
Labour Relations
- Leads negotiations on all collective bargaining agreements, including those with International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Locals 58 and 822, Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, and the American Federation of Musicians Local 149
- Represents Canadian Stage for PACT, TAPA, CAEA and other industry association-related requirements
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
- 5-10 years of senior management experience in the performing arts; a background in live theatre, an asset
- Experience and understanding of the Production process
- Experience in successfully managing a complex theatre or related environment
- A demonstrated sense of leadership, vision, collaboration and team building with strong interpersonal skills, integrity, high energy and creativity
- Strong finance and administration background; business savvy
- An understanding and keen appreciation of the importance of marketing in audience development and community outreach to all the company’s constituents
- An in-depth understanding of the Municipal, Provincial, Federal funding bodies for the Arts
- A strong team player who enjoys an environment of working partnerships at all levels
COMPENSATION
- A competitive, experienced-based compensation package will be provided with salary and applicable benefits.
CONTACTS
- Daniel Weinzweig, Managing Partner
- Office: (416) 645-3776
- Cell: (416) 418-8875
- Email: daniel@searchlightcanada.com
- John McQuaker, Senior Associate
- Office: (416) 901-5817
- Cell: (416) 464-5443
- Email: john@searchlightcanada.com
We thank all those who apply, however only those advancing in the process will be contacted.
