Executive Director

Company Overview

Young People’s Theatre (YPT) recently launched the next stage in the company’s 58-year history, co-led by Artistic Director, Herbie Barnes and Executive Director, Nancy Webster. This new era also marked the unveiling of YPT's expanded and renovated theatre complex, more than 10 years in the making. As Canada’s largest and oldest professional theatre for young audiences, the company produces and presents a full season of theatre and arts education programming, serving approximately 150,000 patrons annually. With the purchase and renovation of YPT 161 Studios across the street from its historic theatre, YPT has expanded its footprint, increased its accessibility, refreshed its lobbies, and upgraded the theatrical equipment capabilities of its 433-seat Ada Slaight Stage and 115-seat Studio. United in vision, the two facilities now anchor the corner of Front and Frederick streets in downtown Toronto creating Canada’s largest theatre complex for young people. With its broad-ranging educational programs and exceptional productions, the company has an annual operating budget of approximately $5 million.

YPT’s locations are, 165 Front St E and 161 Frederick St. YPT office staff are currently operating in a flexible work model that blends in-office and remote work.

The family-friendly employee culture at YPT (given that hours are primarily daytime) encourages ingenuity, teamwork, and an atmosphere of learning. In fact, learning is at the centre of everything we do. 

With the upcoming departure of Executive Director, Nancy Webster, YPT is currently searching for candidates for the full-time position of Executive Director. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to co-lead Canada’s largest professional theatre for young audiences, a respected arts institution representing one of the most culturally diverse audiences in the country.

Job Description

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director works in partnership with the Artistic Director to achieve all of YPT’s goals. The Executive Director also works closely with the Senior Directors of Administration and of Finance to lead and to achieve the strategic, revenue-generating, and operational objectives of the company. 

The Executive Director is the primary external ambassador and advocate for YPT, stewarding current partnerships and generating new relationships with all stakeholders, including donors, government representatives, the Board of Directors, and other senior volunteers – and continuously promotes the unique two-pronged mandate of YPT: artistic excellence and arts education.

We are seeking a team-builder capable of working hand in hand with the Artistic Director to inspire and promote the collaborative theatre spirit amongst staff, volunteers, and the artistic community; an innovative yet practical leader; and a strategic thinker prepared to address and resolve changing internal and external challenges.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

Leadership - in collaboration with the Artistic Director:

• Articulate a clear vision of the company’s values and objectives for the 40+ person staff.
• Bring innovative and creative thinking to how the company can achieve its vision.
• Develop, manage, and work toward the tactical achievement of a strategic plan that reflects the artistic vision, and values of the company.
• Coach and manage a team which includes the:
  • Senior Director of Administration and Senior Director of Finance;
  • Directors of Education & Participation; Marketing & Communications; Operations; Development; Literary Management; Production & Planning; and a
  • Human Resources & People Systems Manager.
• Manage and build key external relationships with granting organizations, government and agency officials, donors, and senior representatives in Canada’s cultural community.
• Develop excellent, affordable, and accessible seasonal programming that represents the best in theatre for young audiences, and innovative educational programs that align with the work on stage.
• Ensure that financial planning supports strong new play development initiatives and commissions.
• Continually seek new and exciting opportunities for the company to expand its group of stakeholders.

Board Relations

• Develop a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Board of Directors, its Executive Committee, and all Board-based committees and task forces.
• Meet regularly with the Co-Chairs and members of the Executive Committee and report to the Board as required on strategic initiatives, and operational priorities of the company.
• Ensure the preparation of all information for, and meet seven times per year with, the Board, Finance and Executive Committees.
• Work with the Governance Chair on recruitment and strategy in relation to Board membership.
• Work with Board Fundraising Committees to ensure achievement of development targets.
• Work with Board as a whole and with individual members to continuously enhance governance and human resources policies, in addition to remaining up to date on legislative requirements for charitable organizations.

Financial Stewardship

• Work with the Senior Director of Finance to prepare an annual operating budget for YPT, maintaining a reasonable reserve for emergency.
• Develop short- and long-term financial objectives in consultation with the Board’s Finance Committee, and undertake the work required to achieve them.
• Collaborate with the Artistic Director to ensure that the artistic programming supports the achievement of the company’s financial goals and remains within budget.
• Review and monitor the financial results on a frequent basis to allow for timely corrective measures where possible.
• Ensure with the Senior Director of Finance that all financial controls and legislative requirements are in place.

Grants

• Work with specific senior members of the management team to ensure continued success in operational grant applications to all levels of government.
• Identify and pursue additional potential sources of revenue from granting bodies to help achieve financial and artistic objectives.
• Review, monitor, and ensure all grant reporting is in on time and appropriately complete.
• Establish and pursue positive communications with granting bodies and staff.

Development

• Work actively with the Director of Development and their department to lead YPT’s development strategy and key activities, including donor development/engagement with foundations, individuals and corporations, as well as fundraising events and programs.
• Act as a key communicator in developing strong relationships with all donors to increase their engagement with the company.

Marketing & Communications

• With the Director of Marketing & Communications, oversee all marketing and communication strategies to build upon the YPT brand and ensure seasonal promotional and revenue targets are met, including ticketing and educational revenue.
• Oversee all communications, publicity, and media relations to ensure that YPT is widely promoted and recognized locally, nationally, and where possible, internationally.

Education & Participation

• Work with the Associate Artistic Director, Education to ensure that educational programming meets the artistic vision of the company, is strongly aligned with the professional theatre onstage, and reaches deeply into the larger community so that both education and stage work are as accessible as possible to every child.
• Oversee the development, administration, promotion, and evaluation of all programming.

Human Resource Management

• Work with all management, and particularly the Human Resources & People Systems Manager, to ensure an equitable and positive working culture that is reflective of YPT’s commitment to learning, including professional development wherever possible.
• Ensure that all policies remain up to date and relevant, including Human Resources; Child Safety; Health & Safety; Pay Equity; and Fire/Evacuation Process.
• Work closely with the Director of Production & Planning to ensure adherence to and renewal/negotiations of Bargaining Agreements with IATSE 51 and IATSE 828.
• Where required work with management to recruit, select, and retain employees.
• Hire, supervise and oversee senior management of the company and conduct regular performance reviews.
• Serve as an ad hoc member of two staff committees: Sustainability; Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, the objectives of which are embedded in all strategic planning.