Programming Director

As Massey Theatre Society’s Programming Director, you will be responsible for the artistic leadership of programming taking place in the various venues. Reporting to the Executive Director, the role is accountable for creating and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan and involves working with the Senior Management and staff Team, and overseeing a team of Associate Artists and Support staff.

You will be an experienced leader who understands both the artistic and operational requirements of a not-for-profit arts organization. The ideal candidate will continue to define and raise profile locally, regionally, and nationally, sustaining and improving strategies to secure the centre’s long-term artistic and financial growth, increase organizational resiliency, and ensure its artistic legacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Lead programming by articulating and advancing the artistic vision of performing arts for the organization that reflects its commitment to excellence for both community and artists.
• Lead a team comprised of the Visual Art and Community Arts and Placemaking staff and Program Support Staff.
• Work collaboratively with the Senior Management Team to lead and implement a long-term strategic planning cycle for the organization that identifies short and long-term performing arts artistic goals.
• Act as spokesperson for the company with members of government, public funders, trade and professional organizations, corporate sponsors, major private supporters, and the media.
• Participate in Senior Management Leadership Team of Indigenous Cultural Development Director, Operations Director and Marketing and Communications Director and Executive Director.

Programming Vision

• Oversee the performing arts support team.
• Oversee the programming seasons’ professional and community performing arts’ productions in collaboration with the Senior Management Team to ensure a sustainable balance between the Society’s artistic direction and financial stability.
• Support outreach to artistic networks to bring the perspectives, talents and visions of new artists to enhance the company’s creation, programming and production of new work.
• Implement the three-year performing arts programming plan developed by the Executive Director and Performing Arts Consultant
• With the team, develop, a Community Engagement plan, and oversee its implementation.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team in the promotion of performing arts activities.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, approve and select producing partnerships and creative teams for the development and production of projects.
• Ensure programming reflects cultural diversity and gender balance.

Production and Logistics

• Be responsible for the performing arts programming and production activities undertaken by at both Massey Theatre and Complex and Anvil Centre Theatre.
• Write, negotiate, and sign contracts.
• Manage an annual budget of approximately $400,000 in programming expenditures and ticket sales between $100,000 and $400,000, providing reforecasting during the year.
• Communicate program activity space booking, technical, artist and audience services needs to the rest of the team.
• Prepare portion of quarterly and annual reports related to programming.
• Be accountable for overseeing the development and execution of productions to meet the artistic standards of the organization.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships through effective influence with industry partners, stakeholders (public and private funders) and producing partners (venue partners, co-producers and presenters).

Grants and Fundraising

• Lead the process of timely performing arts grant application preparation and reporting in collaboration with the Senior Management Team.
• Identify sponsor proposals with team.
• Identify and research new funding sources.
• Track and report on grant allocations to programs.
• Track grant expenditure timelines.
• Oversee qualitative and quantitative data collection.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Minimum 8 years of experience in a senior leadership position in the arts, not-for-profit or entertainment industry or a related sector.
• Proven track record of successfully leading the operations of an organization artistic success.
• Visionary artistic leadership with significant experience as a performing arts professional.
• Outstanding leadership skills.
• Superior strategic planning skills.
• Strong collaborative decision making abilities.
• Exceptional and inspiring communications skills, both written and oral.
• Effective delegation skills and ability to hold staff accountable to high standards of professionalism.
• Strong skills as a mediator and negotiator.
• A passion and commitment to the performing arts and their value to society.
• Familiarity and ability with computer skills including Word and Excel.