Director of People & Facility Operations

Company Overview

We’re Buddies in Bad Times (but you can call us Buddies) – we’re not your typical theatre company. We’re proudly, loudly, and unapologetically queer. For us, queerness isn’t just about checking boxes – it’s about shaking things up, breaking rules, and celebrating the fabulous misfits who make our world more interesting. As the world’s longest-running queer theatre, we’ve spent 46 years pushing boundaries and creating space for voices that challenge norms. We value liberation, audacity, and artistic rigour, and are constantly curious about how they can show up, not just in the work on our stages, but in how we operate as an organization.

Job Description

ROLE:

Think of this as being the ultimate backstage pass to running a queer cultural institution. You’ll be one-third of a leadership throuple, working alongside our Artistic Director and Director of Finance & Development to keep this glorious queer ship not just afloat, but sailing fabulous new horizons. Reporting to the Board of Directors, this role is about making sure the magic happens behind the scenes – from keeping our historic building standing proud to nurturing our incredible team and turning our social enterprise bar, Tallulah’s Cabaret, into THE queer hotspot it deserves to be.

We’re looking for someone who can balance big dreams with practical know-how, someone who gets that running a queer cultural institution means being both highly organized and delightfully subversive. You’ll be a key player in shaping how Buddies operates, ensuring our practices align with our values of liberation, audacity, and artistic rigour.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Strategy & Leadership (Because Even Rebels Need a Plan)

• Partner with the leadership team to develop and execute strategic plans that keep Buddies fierce and sustainable
• Create and monitor our “queer performance indicators” (yes, that’s what we’re calling them) to measure success
• Bring fresh perspectives to how we can better serve our communities
• Participate in Board meetings and organizational planning

People & Culture (The Human Side of Things)

• Build and maintain a workplace culture that’s as vibrant as our programming
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and professional development that reflects our values
• Develop and implement HR policies that protect and empower our team
• Lead performance management processes that foster growth and accountability
• Ensure our anti-oppressive values show up in all our people practices

Facility Management (Keeping the House in Order)

• Be the fairy godparent to our beloved but aging building at 12 Alexander Street
• Oversee maintenance, repairs, and improvement projects
• Manage relationships with contractors, inspectors, and regulatory bodies
• Ensure we’re meeting all building codes and safety regulations
• Lead emergency preparedness planning (because even queer spaces need to be ready for anything)

Tallulah’s Cabaret Operations (Where the Magic Happens After Dark)

• Oversee our social enterprise bar/performance venue
• Work with the team to make Tallulah’s THE destination for queer nightlife
• Ensure we’re meeting all our licensing and safety requirements
• Manage security procedures and incident response
• Balance commercial success with community access and affordability

ABOUT YOU:

You’re not just looking for a job – you’re looking for a place where your operational excellence can support queer excellence. You bring:

• A minimum of 5 years experience keeping chaos organized (aka operations/HR/facilities management)
• A track record of building inclusive, equitable workplaces
• Experience managing facilities and understanding building systems
• Strong leadership skills and a collaborative approach
• Excellence in communication and relationship building
• A passion for supporting queer arts and culture
• The ability to think strategically while managing daily operations
• Experience with policy development and implementation
• Crisis management skills (because sometimes the show must go on)
• A sense of humor (trust us, you’ll need it)

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience in arts/cultural organizations
• Knowledge of theatre operations
• Background in food & beverage or nightlife venues
• Understanding of non-profit governance
• Experience with change management

WHY BUDDIES?

We’re an institution, but we’re not institutional. We’re professional, but never boring. We’re committed to:

• Creating space for radical queer expression
• Supporting and developing queer artists
• Building community through art and activism
• Doing the ongoing work of organizational change
• Making our corner of the world more fabulous

Benefits & Perks

• Extended health benefits
• Flexible scheduling
• Professional development opportunities
• Free tickets to shows
• Being part of a legendary queer institution
• Working with amazing artists and creators
• Contributing to Toronto’s queer cultural landscape

Join us in writing Buddies’ next chapter – we’re ready for someone amazing to help make queer magic happen.