Director of Operations and Performance Facilities

Company Overview

The Faculty of Music is Canada's largest and most renowned university-based music program for professional musical training, creation, performance, education, and research. Home to a diverse and dynamic community of scholars, performers, composers, and educators, the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music offers a supportive community in one of the world's most diverse and dynamic cities. We provide a superb learning environment, an internationally renowned teaching faculty, multiple performance halls, and an outstanding music library collection. With degrees and diplomas available in numerous areas of study, our array of courses and programs provides our 900 students an exceptional opportunity to explore various fields within music. With over 600 concerts and events annually, the Faculty is an exciting and vibrant place to work, study, and visit.

Our faculty members include musicians who perform on the world's most prestigious stages and record for major labels, scholars who present at leading international conferences and publish with top presses, educators who offer workshops and masterclasses at universities and conservatories worldwide, and composers whose works are performed by renowned ensembles and commissioned by acclaimed musicians and arts organizations.

Job Description

Description:

Working under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Associate Dean, Performance and Public Events, the Director of Operations and Performance Facilities leads the strategic direction and implements and maintains operational best practices to ensure the provision of effective services for the Faculty as they relate to the Faculty’s theatres, performance spaces, and overall facilities operations. They are responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating business plans, financial and operational procedures, and encouraging a culture of service excellence and continuous improvement.   

Specifically, with respect to the Faculty’s theatres, they have overarching responsibility for the successful implementation of all production elements (lighting, sound, set design and construction, etc.) for all productions. They ensure a successful patron experience, safe-working practices, and approve all repair and maintenance of the theatre resources and equipment. They consult with and advise the Associate Dean, Performance and Public Events on logistical implementation of the events season. They oversee the business development and generating revenue activities through the rental of performance facilities by actively seeking out partnerships within the University community and the greater Toronto geographical rental prospects.

They have a broad set of responsibilities involving planning for and management of physical facilities (non theatre) and related services that support a diverse array of teaching and research programs and users (staff and students) in the Faculty of Music community.

Key facility (non theatre) management responsibilities, include developing long and short-term plans and priorities for building operations, building maintenance, building services, and building security, managing within approved budgets. Developing short and long-term plans for building renovations and improvements; working with the property manager to maintain the physical asset and execute minor and major construction/space improvement projects.

Exploring and implementing opportunities to improve the utilization and functionality of building spaces to meet the growing needs of the Faculty; overseeing the management of the Faculty’s space inventory and space allocation requirements of the faculty community, implementing changes on a regular basis to meet the growth requirements and shifting priorities of faculty constituents; managing the health and safety activities and compliance with relevant laws, regulations, statutes and University policies/procedures; managing the faculty’s infrastructure, capacity and capability for emergency planning and emergency response.

The Director plays a key role in supporting the faculty, staff, students, and guests of the Faculty by providing a safe, healthy, accessible, and functional environment for the achievement of all elements of the academic vision.

 Note: This role is not currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the  University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Theatre production, Arts Administration, with Facility Management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Project management certification an asset.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of five (5) years’ recent full scope managing theatre operations experience including supervising associated staff preferably in unionized environment. Proven experience with general building facilities operations management. Superior strategic planning skills. Must have experience administering budgets, developing, and managing performance schedules and servicing multiple user groups. Proven leadership skills and experience in team building, including leading change and adapting to new technologies, life cycle and successful record with issues management. Strong collaborative decision making abilities.

SKILLS:

Very strong organizational skills, including balancing multiple responsibilities and effectively meeting deadlines. Very strong planning and project management skills: able to plan, identify and execute on deliverables with short timelines. Strong computer skills in all Microsoft Office applications. Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills with ability to build and maintain positive and professional relationships. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with all levels of staff and volunteers; proven ability to develop creative plans and solutions; results oriented; and strong problem-solving abilities. Mechanical aptitude an asset, familiarity with specific theatre facility systems required (e.g., technical lighting and sound). Knowledge of labour, employment standards, health and safety and public safety legislation required.

OTHER:

Commitment to the University’s mission and values and an understanding and commitment to diversity and equity issues. Valid Class ‘G’ driver’s license, with access to a vehicle. Must have current and up to date CPR and First Aid certification. Sound knowledge of relevant health and safety codes. Flexibility with regard to work schedules (day, evening, weekend) A passion and commitment to the performing arts.