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 National Homeland of the Red River Metis. 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 creative innovator, and a connector and a champion of artists. TPM is project driven and artistically focused. We strive to build creative processes that support making excellent art 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.
TPM is a values-led organization committed to reconciliation and dedicated to creating and supporting a culture of inclusiveness onstage and off. 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 HERE
We are a theatre at large, renting spaces to suit the needs of each project.
Annual Budget: $350,000- $500,000 (depending on projects and partnerships year on year)
Staff: 2 full time; 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.
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, external venues/ partner organizations, and the public.
- This is a full time, position under a 3 year contract with option to renew. Hours of work/Schedule: 35 hours per week; flexible and variable – some evening and weekend work is required.
- 4-weeks paid vacation
- Salary range: $52,000-$56,000 commensurate to experience
- Opportunity to participate in TPM’s benefits program
- Start Date: August 2025 exact date to be mutually agreed
The following qualifications/experience are ESSENTIAL in this position:
- A love of the performing arts.
- Strong strategic thinking and decision-making abilities.
- Enthusiasm for empowering staff to achieve priorities; ability to lead a team and inspire leadership in others.
- Excellent project management skills.
- Creative problem solving and resourcefulness both independently and in collaboration with others.
- Strong financial management skills and some experience in creating, managing, presenting, and interpreting budgets.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills.
- 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.
- Experience in Canada’s professional performing arts ecosystem (familiarity with the Manitoba theatre scene an asset).
- Exceptional communications skills, both written and verbal.
- Fluency with Microsoft Office suite.
The following qualifications/experience would be an asset in this position:
- 3+ years experience in development and fundraising in the non-profit sector (especially the performing arts)
- 3+ years experience independently producing or working in an administrative or producing position in a professional theatrical organization. Similar and related experience will be considered.
- Experience in governance including strategic planning and working with and/or serving on Boards
- Post-secondary education in Arts Management, Fundraising, Theatre Production, or Business Administration. Education in other specializations or equivalent work experience will be considered.
- Any experience in communications and marketing in the cultural sector (or in your work as an indie producer)
- Familiarity with the various labour agreements in Canadian theatre.
- Fluency with Quickbooks and database management.
- Experience in mentoring.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Managing Director 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Lead, 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. Secure maximum support from Public Funders working jointly with the Artistic Director.
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 and oversee 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 and Marketing
- 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 structure and work culture, 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 introducing yourself as an arts leader and answering the following questions:
- What are you excited to bring to a co-leadership partnership at TPM in this pivotal moment for live arts in Manitoba?
- What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing TPM and the wider sector as we enter our 35th year of operations?
- How would you guide TPM to meet these challenges and maximize the potential of these opportunities?
- Contact information for at least two (2) professional references. (Additional references may be requested later in the process).
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.
TPM welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request during the assessment and selection process.
All offers of employment with TPM are contingent on provision of a clear criminal and vulnerable sector check.
Please email applications with attachments as a single PDF file to: board@theatreprojectsmanitoba.ca
Applications will be accepted until July 7th. Please note that résumés will be assessed as they are submitted and as a result, interviews may occur prior to the submission deadline.
All applications will be treated as confidential.
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.