Interim Production Manager (maternity leave coverage)

About the Chemainus Theatre Festival: Founded in 1993, the Chemainus Theatre Festival is a not-for-profit professional theatre company located on Vancouver Island. The Chemainus Theatre Festival is dedicated to building a just, equitable, inclusive, diverse, and accessible workplace and community. We encourage all interested applicants to apply and will consider all submissions inclusive of all ages, ability, gender, race, ethnocultural identity, or any other basis. With gratitude, we acknowledge the Puneluxutth (Penelakut) Tribe and the hul’qumi’num speaking peoples, on whose traditional territory we work and play.  

Position Overview:  

The Chemainus Theatre Festival is seeking an Interim Production Manager for a full-time term to cover a maternity leave from June 2, 2025, to June 26, 2026. The ideal candidate will be available for a part-time start late-April.

Reporting to the Artistic Director, the Interim Production Manager is responsible for the administration and operations of the theatre’s production department. This position requires skill and experience in producing professional theatre in a not-for-profit setting. A thorough grounding in all aspects of theatre production, superior communication, time management and familiarity with budgeting and scheduling production activities are essential. The position requires integrity, passion, humour and self-care in support of the art and craft of live, professional theatre.

Key Responsibilities: 

·        Fulfilling all responsibilities in a manner consistent with the Chemainus Theatre Festival’s mission statement, respectful workplace policy and communication credo.  

·        Upholding the professional image and name of the theatre during all dealings with staff, guest artists and the public.   

·        Manage the overall production department budget with careful oversight of departmental spending.

·        Communication of departmental updates in a timely, professional and respectful manner to CTF staff and guest artists.  

·        Creating, modifying and/or interpreting various technical and shop drawings.  

·        Researching, planning, and budgeting production elements for the season.

·        Providing a safe, tidy, clean and well-maintained work environment which adheres to company policy, Worksafe BC, CAEA, Actsafe and industry best practices.   

·        Hiring, training, orienting, scheduling and supervising production administration staff and continuing and seasonal unionized employees represented by IATSE Local 168.

·        Dispatching casual unionized employees with support from IATSE Local 168.

·        Administering payroll for production staff and guest artists.

·        Negotiations and administration of guest artist contracts.

·        Attending or running departmental and company meetings as required.  

·        Supporting or assisting other CTF production departments as required. 

·        Other production tasks as assigned by the Artistic Director.   

Required Qualifications & Skills: 

·       Post-secondary education in theatre production and/or prior service in a similar position.  

·       A collaborative, creative, and strategic thinking individual with experience in not-profit theatre production. 

·       Self-directed, able to identify and undertake tasks with limited direction or information when required.  

·       Strong organizational, and project management skills.  

·       Strong verbal and written communication skills.  

·       Ability to switch focus and effectively prioritize tasks.  

·       Willingness to learn and develop skills.   

·       Comfortable working in dynamic and deadline-based environment.  

·       Experience working in a team-based collaborative environment with a positive attitude towards delivering high-quality presentations in an environment of mutual respect.   

·       Holds confidentiality, diplomacy and discretion in high esteem as this position deals with sensitive information for staff and guest artists.

·       Holds safety in high esteem and is familiar with guidelines and regulations from Worksafe BC, CAEA, Actsafe and Theatrical Industry standards  

·       Ability to work with diplomacy and tact with a wide range of relevant people and groups. 

·       Knowledge of the terms and conditions of the ADC and CAEA theatre agreements for contracting and oversight of guest artists.

·       Experience managing a unionized staff.

·       Strong knowledge of office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, Sharepoint).  

·       Experience with Payworks payroll management software an asset

·       Class 5 BC driver’s license an asset 

·       Basic First Aid certification an asset 

·       Available to work evenings and weekends when required.  

·       Other conditions may include working alone, working at heights, working around power tools and power equipment, lifting of at least 50lbs, use of stairs, driving of company vehicles (owned and rented), and working in low-light environments. Occasional travel may be required.  

Compensation & Benefits: 

·       Bi-weekly salary of $2,400 to $2,560, commensurate with experience.

o   4% vacation pay

o   Eligible for the CTF health & dental benefits package after completion of a 3-month probationary period

·                 2 Complimentary Dinner & Theatre tickets to each CTF mainstage production.  

·                 CTF Company Card benefits which include additional staff discounts for the Playbill Dining Room, Gallery Gift Shop, CTF Cabaret Series Tickets and applicable local Chemainus businesses 

Hours of Work:  

To facilitate a smooth onboarding for this position the ideal candidate will be available to begin training part-time late April and moving to full time on June 2nd.

This is a full-time salaried position on CTF’s management team. Work on evenings, weekends and extended days is expected in the weeks leading up to the opening night of each mainstage production.  

*Flexibility of the above dates may be negotiable for the right candidate