Development & Rentals Coordinator

Company Overview

ABOUT THE GRAND THEATRE

The Grand Theatre is known for world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario. As Southwest Ontario’s premiere producing theatre and one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians. 

As a vibrant cultural hub and not-for-profit professional theatre, the Grand serves to gather, inspire, and entertain audiences in London and beyond. At our home in downtown London, we create productions on two stages: the Spriet Stage (839 seats) and the Auburn Developments Stage (144 seats). The Grand season of theatrical offerings runs from September to May, and we collaborate with companies and artists across the country through our co-productions that see London-made artistic and creative work travel to audiences nation-wide. Through our successful COMPASS New Play Development Program, the Grand is committed to developing and premiering new, original works and supporting the growth and reach of theatre writers and creators. Our recently renovated venue offers a contemporary and welcoming environment that is also home to several successful music series’, community arts rentals, cultural and special events. 

A cornerstone of the organization is our place as a teaching theatre, exemplified in our many mentorship programs and highlighted in our annual Grand Theatre High School Project. As the only program of its kind in the country and currently in its twenty-sixth year, the High School Project involves as many as one hundred high school participants annually from schools across the region. These students participate at no cost and take on roles both on stage and off, in a fully realized mainstage production under the direction of a professional creative team. 

The Grand Theatre is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lnaapéewak and Attawandaron Peoples. We acknowledge with gratitude the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional Indigenous Peoples and of all the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (also known as North America). We are honoured to live, work, and tell stories together on this land. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & RECONCILIATION

The Grand Theatre is committed to creating and practicing a company culture that ensures an accessible, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming space for all.  We encourage applicants to review the Grand’s commitments to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation on our website to confirm that your personal and professional values are aligned with this vision, and we invite you to reflect on these commitments in your submission.

Job Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Grand Theatre (London, ON) has an exciting opportunity in our development department for an aspiring, dynamic, and energetic fundraising and development professional. The BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & RENTALS COORDINATOR will work closely with the Director of Business Development, along with the rest of the development department, to achieve ambitious annual goals, and grow our partnerships and memberships. The successful candidate will also ensure the successful planning and execution of rental bookings & events.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

·        Assist in the development and implementation of sales & fundraising plans and strategies including but not limited to business subscriptions, advertising, group sales, and VIP program sales

·        Prepare proposals, contracts, and invoices for sponsors and partners while maintaining and improving file management systems

·        Conduct research into grants & foundations to support the theatre, assist in preparation of applications and report submissions, and help coordinate accounts with various funding bodies

·        Provide assistance to the Development Directors in execution of donor & sponsor events and receptions – coordinating invites, RSVPs, catering, set-up & tear-down of events

·        Ensure accurate database management through Tessitura and other programs, booking and tracking of tickets for sponsors, partners, and group sales clients

·        Maintain and create accurate reports, transactions, and data as required

·        Respond to rental inquiries by providing quotes, scheduling information, and other details as required

·        Collaborate with internal teams on rental bookings and assist in organizing the planning and execution of events, ticket sales, financial needs, and production requirements

·        Meet with rental clients as needed to provide tours, answer questions, and help prepare them for their event

·        Prepare rental contracts and coordinate estimates, deposits, and necessary paperwork to aid in the booking and the final settlement process

·        Maintain and awareness and understanding of conditions related to rentals, including: the Grand’s EDI-R mandates, safe & respectful workplace policies, client expectations, and the collective agreement with IATSE Local for Spriet Stage events, Health & Safety policies, rental rates & conditions

·        Provide customer service and sales over the phone, email, and in-person for entire portfolio

·        Other tasks & responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications & Competencies

·        A combination of education & work experience will be considered that may include:

o   Formal training in business, fund development, hospitality, theatre studies, public relations and/or event planning

o   Minimum of 1-2 years of fund development and/or sales administration

·        Experience in special events coordination is an asset

·        You are a creative & energetic people-person with a passion for the arts, live entertainment, and/or live theatre sectors

·        You are outstanding in interpersonal skills, project coordination experience, and work well with all levels of staff, as well as external stakeholders and clients

·        A team player who can work well independently, collaborate with others, and willing to lend a hand to get the job done

·        Professional writing & communication skills are required:

o   High proficiency in written & verbal communication and can demonstrate on sales and appeals calls, write effective mail communications, proposal, and other assets

·        You have the willingness and comfort with initiating direct contact with sponsors and partners within the business organization and beyond

·        You are highly organized with an impeccable attention to detail while handling diverse and simultaneous tasks – meeting deadlines on time, remain accountable for your tasks, and have great follow-through

·        You use data to help drive decisions and strategy

·        Have a clear understanding of inter-connectedness between fund-raising and patron/donor/sponsor customer service

·        Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office, Teams, and familiarity with CRM databases (Tessitura preferred)

·        Experience working in e-communication software (Wordfly preferred)

Position Details

·        This full-time role directly reports to the Business Development Director and collaborates closely with the Director of Development and co-coordinator; The role interacts with other senior leaders, admin staff, front of house staff, and production staff

·        The Grand’s work environment is primarily in-person at 471 Richmond Street in downtown London, Ontario, with regular office hours from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. This role requires frequent evening and weekend work, particularly surrounding opening nights, events, and deadlines as per our development & events calendars

·        Salary range is between $35,000-45,000 per annum, commensurate with skills & experience

·        The Grand offers a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous extended health & dental coverage, retirement benefits, and complimentary tickets;

·        Prospective employees must be legally able to work in Canada, provide an up-to-date and clear police information check, and agree to the theatre’s employee handbook and health & safety policies, as part of the employment agreement.