Executive Director

Company Overview

Who Are We?

Ghost River Theatre is a nationally acclaimed devised theatre company based in Calgary with a more than 20-year history of daring performance creation. Based at the West Village Theatre in Calgary (Mohkinstsis), Ghost River Theatre prioritizes its collaborators and art above all else though ‘humans-first’ policies, with an emphasis on culture, creation, and community. 

Ghost River Theatre calls Treaty 7 territory our home base, which is the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy, which includes the Kainai, Siksika and Piikani nations, Tsuu T'ina (Dene) Nation and the Stoney Nakoda Nation, which include the Bearspaw, Chiniki, Wesley Nations and the Metis Nation Region 3.

Ghost River Theatre is committed to providing an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully, and have equal opportunities. Everyone who works with GRT is expected to uphold our Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment, Bullying and Non-Discrimination Policy. 

Our Work

Led by Artistic Director Eric Rose, GRT creates, develops, and mounts original productions through a significant investment in imaginative research and development. We make our work in a rigorous, supportive, collaborative-creation environment that recognizes and utilizes the unique abilities of all participants, premiering our work in Calgary and then touring it nationally and internationally. Our work embraces a hybrid of high-tech visual spectacle with low-fi theatrical magic.

Our Vision

GRT’s vision is to create and present new Canadian theatre that is innovative, original, and highly theatrical. Our artistic mission is to approach performance creation in the spirit of collaboration – creating and presenting original Canadian theatre experiences that engages our audiences by addressing challenging contemporary and topical themes while emphasizing the personal, human experience. 

Commitment to Equity 

Our Values include: Collaboration is both process and purpose. Devised material can only arise out of a commingling of minds. Accordingly, a plurality of perspectives is integral: the more diverse the ensemble, the richer and more reflective the output. 

As part of our 35/50 commitment and efforts towards ensuring equity, diversity, inclusivity and accessibility at GRT, we are recruiting to build a diverse team of people of all backgrounds and identities. 

We are committed to actively supporting anti-racism and anti-oppression and work against systems of oppression. Our work in this area includes our board and staff recently completed anti-racism and indigenous cultural competency training, minimizing barriers to art by offering pay-what-you-can tickets so we can share our work with as many people as possible, and providing an Artist in Residency program to support and amplify diverse emerging artists. Our work here is never done, and we will continue to be active listeners in our communities, and partake in workshops, learning opportunities, and events to help us work toward a more equitable workplace and community.

Job Description

The Role

We are recruiting an Executive Director to join our team on a full-time salary contract, with a six month probationary term. This is an opportunity to co-lead one of Calgary’s leading independent theatre companies. Ghost River Theatre is seeking an inspiring and visionary Executive Director (ED) to work in collaboration with Artistic Director (AD), Eric Rose, to continue the company’s strategic priorities, while continually challenging the status quo. 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will continue to develop a forward-looking vision that both increases audiences and deepens their engagement with the Calgary community. The ED will continue to develop new and innovative business models that attract both audiences and support from sponsors, donors, and community partners.

With bold aspirations for the future and together with the AD, the ED will lead GRT to a higher level of international engagement while continuing to prioritize our contributions to the Calgary arts and culture landscape and providing vision and leadership to support advancing our 35/50 commitment.

The ED shares responsibility for the overall strategic management of the organization and is wholly responsible for providing leadership of the administrative, financial, and general operations of the company, including oversight of finance, marketing and audience development, fund development, community engagement, as well as administrative work.

SALARY:
This wage is $58k/year plus a monthly cell phone allowance, and annual health spending account, unlimited vacation days (upon completion of successful probationary period) and a moderately flexible work schedule. You are expected to work from West Village Theatre, however working from home can be occasionally accommodated.

Who Are You?

For this position, we are looking for someone who is passionate about arts leadership and can work in a nimble devised theatre environment. There are a variety of skills and experiences that would be an asset in this role, including: 

Arts Leadership

• Minimum five years’ experience in the arts industry would be an asset. Successful leadership within a performing arts organization or other relevant experience, with a demonstrated track record of achieving financial sustainability.

• Experience supporting shows, intensives or touring productions, including planning, monitoring, and execution of marketing, promotion, and sales.

• The ability to successfully develop, implement, and evaluate long-term strategic and annual tactical plans.

• A commitment to inclusive and strategic leadership, vision, collaboration, and team building.

• Experience working with a board of directors, or an understanding of non-profit governance.

Financial Oversight and Fund Development

• Financial management skills and experience creating, managing, presenting, and interpreting short and long-term budgets.

• Experience in managing fundraising strategies and campaigns and identifying new sources and increased levels of contributed income.

• Experience identifying opportunities for government support, writing targeted government grant applications and managing tracking and reporting.

Audience & Community Development 

• Experience building and effectively managing audience and stakeholder relationships/partnerships, including with donors, boards, audience, government, community relations.

• Experience and knowledge in marketing, advertising, and public relations activities; This would include use of social media, data analytics and the digital world in building brand and engagement.

• Experience creating and implementing a marketing and communications strategy.

• Experience public speaking and communicating with a variety of stakeholders.

Management & Administration

• Experience recruiting, hiring, interviewing candidates and managing contractor relationships.

• Experience with facility management including negotiations of leases and ongoing landlord stewardship, as well as project management of renovations, leasehold improvements, and maintenance.

Traits & Characteristics

• Knowledge of and familiarity with the Canadian and local Alberta performing arts sector.

• Demonstrated engagement in the cultural sector in the wider community.

• Outstanding communication and presentation skills. Able to speak and write persuasively and serve as a spokesperson for the company in public and in the media.

• A proactive and dynamic professional who inspires confidence and credibility, has a strategic orientation and an honest, transparent and collaborative style.

• A genuine commitment to establish an internal culture that values people and provides an opportunity for everyone to flourish.

• Dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity, cultural diversity, and broadening access to the arts.

• A confident, calm, and tactful professional approach that demonstrates EQ with an ability to deal with a wide variety of people and with changing internal and external conditions.

• A pragmatic and effective problem-solver.