Managing Director – Theatre Projects Manitoba
Are you an energetic leader and a fierce advocate for the value of live theatre? Are you a resourceful problem-solver who sees obstacles as opportunities for growth? Do you have a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and a passion for the everyday citizen? Are you interested in fearlessly tackling the risky business of theatre-making with a team that values innovation, collaboration, kindness, and a great sense of humour?
Terrific—we’re looking for someone with organizational vision to help lead Theatre Projects into its next cycle of growth and dynamism.
We want to hear from you!
About Theatre Projects Manitoba
Founded in 1990, Theatre Projects Manitoba (TPM) is located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. Our office and performance spaces are on Treaty One Territory, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. In this place, TPM strives to provide a place where art and community meet; generating artistic experiences that view this world through a passionate, fearless lens.
TPM plays a unique role in Manitoba’s theatrical ecosystem. We function as a generator in our community; a connector and a champion of artists, pushing forward the expression of our form. TPM is project driven and artistically focused. We strive to build creative processes that serve the work, work that speaks to our many intersecting communities. It is our strong belief that professional theatre, created in partnership with a community and its artists, can inspire awe, wonder, and discourse. Our goal is to continue to build artistic cultural narratives that speak to and for all the people in our community.
TPM is a values-led organization committed to reconciliation and dedicated to creating and supporting a culture of inclusiveness onstage and off that reflects the diverse community we serve. We acknowledge the need to adapt and transform our work to reach beyond existing traditional boundaries which are oftentimes invisible, and know that as a historically white institution we must actively seek out and listen to those voices that have been underrepresented. Read our company value statement. We are a theatre at large, renting spaces to suit the needs of each project.
Annual Budget: $350,000- $425,000
Staff: 2 full time; 2-3 part time
Position Description:
We are seeking a Managing Director who is a strong co-leader and can bring stable yet visionary leadership to the administrative portfolio of the company. This is not an artistic position but it is a CREATIVE position. Our Managing Director will be someone who understands that creative risk is where the magic happens and will ensure that these leaps of faith are supported by responsible management.
TPM functions in a co-leadership model where each Director has their own area of focus and expertise, but both are working closely on most aspects of the company’s operations. That said, because we are a small company, both the Artistic and Managing Directors are required to do a lot of hands-on work to execute their vision.
We strongly encourage submissions from all qualified individuals from all communities regardless of gender, age, race, sexual orientation or abilities. We believe in diversity, equity and inclusion and TPM is committed to reflecting this community in which we live, work and play.
This is a full-time permanent position.
Hours of work/Schedule: 35 hours per week; flexible and variable – some evening and weekend work is required.
Generous vacation allowance (starting at 4-weeks paid vacation per year)
Salary range: $45,000 to $55,000 plus health benefits (moving expenses negotiable)
Start Date: August 2023 or a mutually agreed upon date.
The following qualifications/experience are ESSENTIAL in this position:
- A love of the performing arts.
- Strong, collaborative decision-making abilities.
- Excellent project management skills.
- Strong financial management skills and some experience in creating, managing, presenting, and interpreting budgets.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills.
- Experience within Canada’s professional theatre and performing arts ecosystem (familiarity with the Manitoba theatre scene an asset).
- Exceptional communications skills, both written and verbal.
- A track record of positive fundraising, sponsor and donor stewardship and acumen in researching and writing grants.
- Ability to forge partnerships and cultivate support from the private sector.
- Enthusiasm for empowering staff to achieve priorities; ability to lead a team and inspire leadership in others.
- Fluency with Microsoft Office suite.
The following qualifications/experience would be an asset in this position:
- 5+ years experience independently producing or working in an administrative or producing position in a professional theatrical organization. Similar and related experience will be considered.
- Familiarity with the various labour agreements in Canadian theatre.
- Post-secondary education in Arts Management, Theatre Production, or Business Administration. Education in other specializations or equivalent work experience will be considered.
- Social Media literacy including familiarity with Canva.
- Fluency with Quickbooks and database management.
- Experience in mentoring.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Managing Director regularly reports to the Board of Directors and works in close collaboration with the Artistic Director to ensure the successful alignment of artistic, production, and organizational needs and priorities.
Vision & Company Leadership
- Develop new and innovative Arts management practices that further the values of the company while keeping a pulse on national and international trends in the theatre ecology.
- Generate and evaluate financial and organizational goals, objectives, and strategies to support the strategic plan and overall artistic vision of the company into its next era of growth, success, and financial sustainability.
- Plan administrative direction and manage administrative function including office staff & volunteers.
- Pursue ongoing personal professional development.
- Co-represent (with the Artistic Director) the company to PACT and other professional organizations locally, nationally and (if relevant) internationally.
- Sustain a work culture that is safe, collaborative, flexible, inclusive, and fun; nurturing an exciting workplace where people can bring the best version of themselves.
- Be an advocate and resource for emerging arts administrators and leaders.
Fundraising & Stakeholder Stewardship
- Develop, manage and/or execute TPM’s annual fundraising strategy and targeted campaigns, in collaboration with the Artistic Director.
- Maintain relationships with major sponsors and donors and actively cultivate new prospective supporters (sponsors, foundations, and donors), as well as seeking new and renewed revenue sources.
- Work with the Artistic Director to secure maximum support from Public Funders.
Financial
- Develop, and implement production, programming, and operations budgets, providing oversight and control, with input from the Artistic Director.
- Monitor and control revenues and expenditures and cash flow.
- Work with TPM’s bookkeeper on all financial matters, transactions and reports.
- Oversee year-end audit and Charitable Information Return.
Administration
- Manage all human resources functions, in consultation with the Board of Directors and Artistic Director.
- Supervise payroll, and maintenance and issuing of employee records and all related government forms and filings.
- Supervise management of the Theatre's database & information systems including box office systems and reporting.
Communications
- Work with the Artistic Director, to develop and manage the communication and marketing strategy of the company, taking an active role in the oversight of communications, media relations, and engagement with external stakeholders.
- Be a public facing representative of the company, attending events, speaking to the public, our stakeholders, and media.
Production
- Provide producing support to the Artistic Director, Production Manager, and company:
- Negotiate and enter into agreements and contracts on behalf of the Theatre, including technical and artistic personnel selected by the Artistic Director, and obtaining rights and permissions.
- Oversee/maintain production budget in cooperation with the Production Manager.
- Ensure collective agreements and individual and organizational contracts are upheld.
APPLICATION PROCESS
We acknowledge that stepping into collaborative leadership is a significant move for both parties and we welcome any questions you may have throughout the process.
Feel free to reach out to the Artistic Director if you’d like to have an in-depth conversation before you apply about the company, our current strategic priorities, and visions for the future.
If you don’t feel you meet all essential requirements listed in this posting but have a strong track record as an artistic collaborator and leader and are passionate about this position, we encourage you to submit an application. The hiring committee will consider whether any skills identified for the position not yet gained can be learned or developed efficiently.
Interested applicants should submit the following materials:
Resume/CV
A cover letter (max 2 pages) introducing yourself as an arts leader and answering the following questions:
- From your perspective, what is the role of the arts in our world?
- What does arts leadership mean to you today?
- What are you excited to bring to arts leadership at this pivotal moment for live arts in Manitoba?
Contact information for at least two (2) professional references, upon request. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s prior knowledge and agreement.
All applications will be treated as confidential.
First interviews are anticipated in early July.
Please submit applications with attachments as a single PDF file to: careers@nataliebell.ca
We are accepting applications until June 18th or until the position has been filled.
This position is based in the Theatre Projects Manitoba Office and can accommodate a mix of in person and remote work. It requires interaction with other staff, facility renters and the public.
We thank everyone for their expression of interest—and are truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying—but with the limitations of time, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
