The Position:
The Royal and McPherson Theatres Society (RMTS) seeks a Manager of External Affairs, responsible for the planning, management, and execution of a more coordinated approach to government funding, corporate sponsorship, and the development of new community partnerships with the goal of increased activity/usage and financial underwriting.
With a new mission, vision and values, the RMTS has created a new brand proposition: “Our medium is theatre, our production is community.” In the past the RMTS has focused essentially on the rental business and preservation of its two historic assets.
A newly created position, the Manager of External Affairs reports directly to the Executive Director of the RMTS, and is responsible for government advocacy and grantsmanship, the solicitation and stewardship of corporate sponsorships, the creation of new special promotions, the development of new community partnerships, and overall increased activity and underwriting for the RMTS.
The Manager is charged with growing the capacity of RMTS resources to support a broader spectrum of arts organizations and communicating the value of the theatres, arts services, and performing arts in the Capital Regional District (CRD). Measures of success will include demonstrated responsiveness by municipal political and bureaucratic leaders, audience development and growth for client programs, and support for the sustainable expansion of RMTS resources.
The new Manager will play an important role on the senior staff team of the RMTS and must be very familiar with the performing arts industry in order to be a full partner in the planning process. The senior staff includes the Finance Manager, the Manager of Client Services, the Technical Director, the Front of House Manager, and the Box Office Manager.
The Manager will build effective relationships with government representatives, corporate sponsors, the tourism industry, special event planners, conference coordinators, and other business stakeholders.
The RMTS’s annual operating budget is approximately $3.5 million, with a staff complement of 20 full-time and approximately 75 part-time.
Background:
The RMTS manages two key historic assets in Victoria which together form the region’s performing arts centre and was created in 1998 as a not for profit charitable organization. The Royal Theatre (1416 seats) is owned by the Capital Regional District and receives funding from the municipalities of Saanich, Victoria, and Oak Bay. The McPherson Playhouse (774 seats) is owned by the City of Victoria and receives funding from that City. Both facilities are made available by the RMTS for artistic, community, and corporate uses. The RMTS does not engage in any presentation activity of its own at this time.
Over the past fifteen years, the RMTS has operated one of the most active and successful government-owned performing arts centres in Canada. It has consistently provided excellent professional facility licensing, box office, and advisory services to performing arts organizations from the Greater Victoria area and through North America.
Reliable operating support from the building owners (the City of Victoria and the CRD) has been instrumental to its success, although rates of support have been frozen since 1998. The operating subsidies now represent 12% of the RMTS’s expense budget, one of the smallest subsidies of any government-owned theatre centres in Canada. Despite this, the RMTS has been managed in a fiscally conservative manner and has achieved modest surpluses while steadily undertaking capital improvements.
The RMTS Board of Directors is made up of one municipal Councillor from each of Saanich, Victoria, and Oak Bay, plus three directors appointed by the CRD Board of Directors, and five elected Directors. The Board endeavours to provide support and strategic advice, as well as governance and oversight, to the management team.
The RMTS is home to Pacific Opera Victoria, the Victoria Symphony, Ballet Victoria, Victoria Operatic Society, Kaleidoscope Theatre, Dance Victoria, and the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, among many key user groups.
The RMTS is committed to engaging the community in the arts, and is dedicated to providing extraordinary experiences for everyone who shares in this remarkable community asset. Every member of the RMTS team tries to maintain the highest standards of quality and customer service in every action, performing in an environment of proactive team effort, outstanding customer service, active brand advancement, and passion for mission fulfillment.
Required Professional Skills and Abilities:
We seek an individual with 7 to 10 years of experience in cultural management (with at least 4 years of senior management), in a performing arts facility or major performing arts organization; a bachelor’s or master’s degree; a background in government relations, advocacy, corporate sponsorship, and the building of community partnerships; knowledge of and proficiency with ticketing databases (Tessitura), grantsmanship, and event coordination.
A thorough grounding in all aspects of fund-raising including planned giving, capital campaigns, major gifts, and board development would be extremely useful as a background for this position.
The position requires strong interpersonal, managerial, analytical, and organizational skills.
Success in this role requires someone who is imaginative, highly self-motivated, and works in a self-directed manner. This individual must be able to articulate a well thought out plan of action with clear goals and objectives and then manage the implementation of such a plan.
Application Process:
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits package. Deadline for applications: Friday, March 18, 2016. Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume with a list of references, and salary expectations to:
Margaret Genovese
gvasearch@gmail.com
Genovese, Vanderhoof & Associates
77 Carlton Street, Suite 1103
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5B 2J7
Preference given to qualified Canadian applicants.
For additional information: www.rmts.bc.ca, www.genovesevanderhoof.com.
