Stratford Summer Music and the Executive Director
Stratford Summer Music [SSM] is an annual festival in a city known internationally for its cultural distinction and its tourism charm. SSM’s concerts and events are celebrated and supported by the public, by private and corporate patrons, by governments and by media.
Since its inception in 2001, prominent and emerging Canadian artists and ensembles, joined by world musicians of renown, have performed in the Stratford venues which the festival uses as its concert and event locations. The Festival currently has a four week summer program with over 45 performances and a number of off season events.
SSM is committed to produce, to the highest standards possible, an annual program of diverse and exciting performances which explore a wide range of genres. SSM offers performances of musical richness and excellence rarely found outside large urban centres.
The current General Manager, Kendra Fry, will depart on September 30, 2023, after two and one half years of service to SSM, to pursue her consulting practice in Church Repurposing. The Board is now recruiting for the position with the updated title of Executive Director.
SSM Mission Statement
Stratford Summer Music stages an annual summer music festival of diverse musical experiences for both regional and wider audiences, to celebrate music and to enhance the reputation of the Stratford region as an exceptional home for all the arts.
The Role
Responsible directly to the Board of Directors and working closely as a partner with the Artistic Director, who develops the programming and special events for each season, the Executive Director, is the senior administrative officer of the organization, generally responsible for the music festival’s financial, administrative, office management, personnel, marketing and promotional affairs.
Responsibilities
General Administration: Manage the day-to-day operations and business of the festival and work closely with the Artistic Director who is responsible for the artistic content and presentations of the festival. Responsible for regular reports to the Board, coordination of materials and regular reporting at Board meetings.
Financial Management: Accountable for administering all Board-approved financial activities of the festival. Responsibilities include:
a) Preparation of yearly budgets in consultation and co-operation with the Artistic Director.
b) Presentation of the annual budget to the Board.
c) Preparation of monthly financial reports for the Board.
d) Support the Artistic Director with negotiation and overseeing fulfillment of all contracts required to deliver the festival season.
e) Preparation and writing of Grant applications.
f) Institute and maintain, with the assistance of the Board, effective budgetary control and administrative procedures.
g) Liaise with SSM’s Investment Manager and keep current on endowed funds
h) Work with and support the auditors in their annual audit activities.
i) Assist the Board with governance review and policies as required.
j) Be a signing officer of the organization, along with the Chair and Treasurer of the SSM Board.
Office Management: Responsible for the smooth running of the SSM office and:
a) Ensure all required SSM documentation is held at the SSM office in a logical and secure manner.
b) Administer and monitor the ticket sales system.
c) In consultation with the Artistic Director, select, hire, train and supervise all administrative, volunteer and seasonal staff.
d) Ensure website, social media sites, print and phone messaging are monitored and maintained with relevant and current information.
Fundraising and Special Projects: Co-ordinate fundraising activities which support the budgeted, annual fundraising objectives, including:
a) Maintain and grow the festival’s donor bases.
b) Preparation, with oversight of fund development / communications staff, for all fundraising documents e.g. Donor, Sponsor and Grant applications.
c) Work with appropriate Board committees and staff to ensure that major fundraising activities and projects are successful.
d) Identify and develop additional opportunities for the advancement and development of festival fundraising activities.
e) Work with the Artistic Director and the Board to maintain existing major donors and supporters and to identify and win new major donors.
Sales, Marketing and Promotion: Oversight of all marketing and communications activities and promotion of the festival. Responsibilities include:
a) In consultation with the Artistic Director, establish the sales, marketing and promotional direction of the festival and evaluate the results of the marketing initiatives.
b) Implement the Board-approved Strategic Plan and, with the Artistic Producer and the Board, participate in development of Strategic Plans
c) Work on local/regional/national media relations & promotional plans and activities in consultation with the public relations firm.
d) Represent SSM on community and professional associations, organizations and events
Key Relationships
• The Board of Directors
• Artistic Director and Staff of SSM
• Patrons, audiences and the broader community
• Donors, sponsors and volunteers
• Municipal, provincial and federal governments, each of which provides grant funding to SSM
• Canadian and international music presenters, agencies and organizations
• Partner cultural institutions
• Media
Experience
• A minimum five years of experience with senior management level responsibility in arts/culture management,
• Understanding of, and ideally experience with, cultural festival operations, music production and artistic processes.
• Passion for live music in all its genres.
• Fundraising experience in the cultural/NFP environment
Characteristics
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills
• Productive team builder and leader
• Possess the financial acumen required to balance programming excellence with revenue goals
• Strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret information quickly and accurately and to implement directives
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience with grant application writing and process
• Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed during the festival season
• Ability to maintain complete confidentiality of information as appropriate
Stratford, Ontario
Located in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, Stratford is a thriving community of 32,000 residents, two hours west of Toronto. Each summer, over half a million tourists visit Stratford, both to attend the world renowned Stratford Festival, and for the vibrant musical, culinary, heritage and environmental attractions which far exceed that of any comparable small Canadian city. Stratford is a family community, a farming community, a technology hub, and a manufacturing base. Its parklands are exquisite, its population warm and welcoming.