Job Posting: Programming Director

SENIOR PROGRAMMING POSITION SEARCH : APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 7, 2021

Massey Theatre Society – Programming Director

DESCRIPTION

Exceptional Art and Community Impact – an activator, a visionary, a lover of all arts, with a track record for making things happen.

Massey Theatre Society was established in 1983 as a venue based arts organization. The Society now operates two theatres and a 35,000 square foot arts complex formerly components of New Westminster Secondary School. The historic Massey Theatre (est. 1949) is a 1,260 seat proscenium theatre within the complex at the corner of Eighth and Eighth in uptown New Westminster. The new Anvil Centre Theatre (est. 2014) is a 360 seat, flexible, contemporary theatre within the multi-functional Anvil Centre on Columbia Street in Downtown New Westminster.

The past five years have brought significant growth in venue activities, organizational capacity and programming development. The organization is now a significant generator of artistic and community engagement programs. It holds a long term lease of the Massey Theatre and Complex and a programming and operating service agreement at the Anvil Centre Theatre.  A new digital hub is being launched and the MTS is poised to grow and increase its impact which is broad and inclusive of all communities.

ABOUT THE POSITION

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, coproducers 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.

CONTACTS

This position will interact with members and officers of the following groups:

• Canada Council for the Arts
• Department of Canadian Heritage
• BC Arts Council
• BC Touring Council
• New Westminster Arts Council
• Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Association (GVPTA)
• BC Alliance for Arts and Culture
• Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC)
• Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (Equity)
• Executive leadership of local theatre companies
• Local and national peers (CAPACOA, CINARS, North American Folk Alliance, etc.)  Local, national, and international artists in various areas of the performing arts.
• Historic users of the Massey Theatre including Royal City Music Theatre, New Westminster Symphony Orchestra, Royal City Youth Ballet, The Maple Leaf Singers, Mushtari Begum Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance, New Westminster Family Place, Pride New West and School District 40 Fine Arts Program.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position typically operates in an office environment, as well as overseeing work taking place in theatres, scene shops, studios, and other external locations, dependent on the nature of the artistic work being presented or considered.
• Hours of work: On average, 37.5 hours per week, but periods of higher than normal work volume should be expected during the season.
• Evening and weekend work required, particularly when during the runs of performances, festivals, celebrations and other events. An averaging agreement will be put in place.
• The position may require some travel after the Covid-19 quarantine and travel ban is lifted. Typically, this will be no more than 3 weeks per year.

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.

REMUNERATION

• Salary – $70,000 plus benefits
• Six month probationary period
• Benefits – Extended Health, Dental, LTD, Life Insurance, Matching 3% RRSP contribution
• Vacation – starting with 3 weeks, after 5 years 4 weeks
• Travel – budget for travel to showcasing conferences
• Expense Budget for Tickets and Mileage / Transit

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Massey Theatre Society exists and operates on the unceded traditional territories of Hul’qumi’num speaking Coast Salish peoples of Qayqayt, Musqueam, Kwantlen, Kwikwetlem and Katzie. We are committed to providing access to the space to those peoples and to contributing to their efforts toward cultural resurgence through our work. Consultation and direct employment of Indigenous people is a priority in these and other efforts.

The Society is influenced by, and of service to, a broad range of communities, world views, ways of working and lived experiences. With conscious intention we are seeking a candidate whose identity may not have been equitably included in our organization, or the professional artistic sector historically. We encourage applicants to articulate their personal connections and perspectives, in relation to systemic barriers, so that we may advance creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants are required to submit a professional resume and a maximum two page letter expressing their interest. Candidates should describe their related skills, experience and special qualities and characteristics that will add to the selection committee’s understanding of their qualifications. References may be submitted at the time of application, or it is acceptable that they be added upon request.

A Selection Committee comprised of Executive Director –Jessica Schneider, Arts Consultant – Gary Cristall, and associates will identify candidates to be interviewed. Interviews may involve additional Leadership staff members and a member of the Board of Directors.

Interviews will be conducted via online conference during the week of June 14. We will endeavour to complete shortly thereafter. The position will start as soon as possible.

Application Deadline:
June 7, 2021 at midnight

Submit Applications to the Selection Committee via email to: Jessica@masseytheatre.com

Reference material:
Massey Theatre Programming and Organizational Structure pdf
City of New Westminster 2016 Census Info
City of New Westminster Arts Strategy
Tourism New West