Director, Theatre Arts
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential.
We acknowledge, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as “Minhrpa” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Band – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.
The Opportunity
The director, theatre arts is responsible for leading the vision and implementation of theatre arts programming at Banff Centre.
The director’s role is to create a compelling vision for programs that meet the ambitions and objectives of the Banff Centre strategic plan, meet the needs of Canadian and international artists in the 21st century and increase the profile and reach of our nationally and internationally renowned programs.
Theatre arts is one of many disciplinary areas at the Banff Centre and the incumbent will work closely with directors of all other arts disciplines at the Centre, and with the Dean of Arts and Leadership, to plan and design not only specific portfolio programs, but also cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs where appropriate. The incumbent will also work closely with the program operations team to ensure that innovative theatre arts programs for artists and practicums are delivered at the highest possible level.
Excellent knowledge of theatre arts practice and education is essential (including a broad working knowledge of dance, opera, playwrights, and theatre). An excellent professional network of contacts within performing arts communities in Canada, North America and internationally is also essential, along with a deep understanding of professional development at the post-secondary level and beyond.
Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting to Dean of Arts and Leadership, below are some key accountabilities:
Strategic Planning
- Works with the Dean of Arts and Leadership to understand and implement the strategic goals and business objectives of Banff Centre as they relate to theatre arts and arts programming overall.
- Working with other Banff Centre arts Directors, and the Dean, Arts and Leadership, creates a comprehensive Theatre Arts program plan, annually and over a 3-year planning horizon, which includes program evaluation metrics.
Programming
- Creates an annual comprehensive and integrated program plan for the department area, working with program managers and other subject experts. This includes designing residency programs and planning for their implementation and evaluation.
- Designs programs that are in alignment with our Strategic Plan (Creative Pathways, released 2021); the provincial government’s Alberta 2030 post-secondary strategy, which focuses on training for jobs and work-based learning; and Canadian Heritage’s arts training objectives.
- Develops an active public facing component to all residencies through live performances, and open-studio events.
- Leads diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion efforts to ensure programs are representative and inclusive in order to reflect the changing cultural, economic, and political developments that affect artist and audience needs across the Canadian and Bow Valley landscape.
Operational Management
- Works closely with recruiting, and the Office of the Registrar to ensure program materials are clear, comprehensive, and accessible to potential applicants.
- Assists in identifying new potential donors, sponsors, and in the development of donor proposals, government and other grant proposals with development team.
- Ensures that the human resources are in place to meet program objectives by working with the operations teams in order to build a highly motivated, knowledgeable and accountable team.
Financial Management
- Manages the budget required to deliver excellent programming by working with the finance teams, program managers, and the Dean of Arts and Leadership.
- Ensures the program plan is utilizing existing endowments.
Relationship Building
- Utilizes effective contacts within the theatre arts, education and funding communities nationally and internationally to ensure the on-going relevance of theatre arts programs to artists and practicum participants, while enhancing the value of these programming areas.
- Fosters relationships with donors to ensure good stewardship of past gifts.
- Fosters relationships with audience members.
- Contributes to the enhancement and safeguarding of the reputation and image of the Banff Centre with the community and the general public.
Communications
- Communicates the Centre’s vision and goals internally and to the broader external community.
- Maintains regular contact with all departmental directors to discuss opportunities and issues affecting stakeholder groups.
Leadership and Influence
- Provides creative and strategic leadership, vision and program direction and design to theatre arts residencies, through experience and knowledge of the music culture and community.
- Leads a team in a unionized environment that achieves its financial and non-financial objectives within an environment of collaboration, communication, and innovation.
- Encourages a positive, respectful and professional workplace characterized by a commitment to learning and creativity and by high levels of personal fulfillment.
- Sound knowledge of the collective agreement and ensure compliance.
- Promotes the continuing development of an organizational climate which encourages creativity, innovation and risk taking, which rewards individuals for productivity and quality improvement.
- Provides leadership through upholding Banff Centre’s safe work practices, anti-harassment policy, participant code of conduct, alcohol and drug policy, and other Banff Centre policies.
- Addresses issues and concerns impacting residency program participants, faculty, and staff while working with Participant Resources and Security Services.
Human Resource Management, Team Building and Interdivisional Cooperation
- Enables the theatre arts staff to function as a high performing team at all times, maintaining open communication, clear objectives and priorities, and a culture of positive behavioral intent that is consistent and in alignment with Banff Centre values and is welcoming and inclusive, supporting a diverse workforce.
- Ensures that employees fully understand their roles, responsibilities, and performance standards and provide ongoing formal and informal feedback, coaching and support as employees strive to achieve expectations.
- Fosters an internal culture that maintains the highest standards for customer service, excellence of staff, participant and guest experience, and fiscal, operational, and organizational integrity.
Qualifications and Educational Requirements
- 10+ years of proven collaborative and inclusionary leadership.
- 10+ years of established performance, and educational career.
- Network and reputation in the Canadian and International theatre arts community to attract high profile artists to the Centre and build Banff Centre profile and reputation in the theatre arts realm.
- Active member of theatre arts associations and groups.
- Related university degree with a deep understanding of theatre arts education and professional development at the post-secondary level.
- Previous experience in setting a compelling vision and utilizing creativity, innovation and a strong business acumen to delivery on this vision.
- Background and or interest in working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
- Operational awareness (budgets, grants and fundraising).
- Experience working with external donors and stakeholders from government, the private and public sectors.
- Highly motived and energetic – contemporary and forward-looking while honoring legacy and what has been built.
- Effective communication and presentation skills.
- Adept in the planning and organization required to successfully launch multiple projects at once.
- Multi-lingual (an asset).
- Experience in capital projects (an asset).
- Previous working in an unionized environment (preferred).
Employment Terms and Benefits
- In accordance with the terms of employment governing Management/PSP employees, this is a salaried, full-time position, subject to a six month probationary period.
- The successful candidate will enjoy twenty paid vacation days and four personal days annually, extended medical and dental benefits, and participation in an employer-matched pension plan.
Benefits of working at Banff Centre are:
- Staff housing options (based on availability)
- Professional Development
- Staff cafeteria and restaurant discounts
- Onsite fitness facility at a discounted rate – first month free for new staff!
Application Process
We are accepting applications for the Director, Theatre Arts until a suitable candidate is found.
Please apply directly on the Banff Centre’s Careers page, visit banffcentre.ca.
Candidates offered a position with Banff Centre, in this capacity, will be required to obtain a criminal record check verifying a clear record before a final job offer can be finalized.
Visa Requirements: Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Banff Centre is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.
