DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING
Context
Established in Montreal in 1960, the National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) is the leading professional training institution for theatre artists in Canada. We are a co-lingual place of learning, offering programs of the highest quality in English and French to actors, directors, designers, production specialists, and playwrights.
NTS is a centre of excellence in the field of theatre training. We have developed our hard-earned reputation by promoting pedagogical practices that embrace tradition while also championing invention, that place equal value on both performance and creation, and that are constantly questioned and adjusted. Our ambition is to remain a leading centre of learning and experimentation that will help prepare young artists to redefine the role of theatre in the 21st century. With a foundation of rigorous training and a meaningful connection to the long tradition of theatre in Canada, our graduates are equipped to become leaders in the field and to contribute to the renewal of theatre in Canada.
We are determined to always look to the horizon, to understand the context and challenges our students will face as they begin their professional lives. To that end, we are constantly seeking new partnerships, innovations and outreach opportunities to increase our influence and contribute substantially to the advancement of the theatre arts and culture. In particular, we celebrate our unique position as a co-lingual school in Canada and recognise our civic footprint in Montreal as one of our greatest tools for building engagement. We take great pride in our numerous public performances by both our English and French sections at the renowned Monument-National, which we own and which operates as a professional venue when not in use by students. Our numerous outreach programs are expanding, led by flagship initiatives such as TEC (Theatre Engaging Communities), Horizon Diversité and our participation in Les Journées de la culture.
Administratively, we are striving to have our work reflect the creativity, ambition and energy of our learning practices. Our departmental work should serve as a model of innovation and efficiency that our students can learn from, and that the industry seeks to emulate. In particular, our work in communications should similarly contribute to the health of the cultural milieu across the country.
In November 2013, the National Theatre School of Canada officially launched its strategic plan Horizon 2020 – The Future Intersects with the Present. This plan serves as a blueprint for all of our activities, in particular how we communicate with the world, and offers us a bold set of guiding principles to take us into the next era of our development.
General Responsibilities
The Director of Communications and Marketing is responsible for overseeing the creation and implementation of the policies, strategies, projects, partnerships, and initiatives related to communications, marketing, outreach and the general positioning of the NTS within local, national and international communities. With the Strategic Plan as a guide, the Director is tasked with remodelling the department to reflect and augment the creativity and vitality of the School’s activities. This new-look department will act as a model of modern communications from which our students and the wider culture community can learn.
Organizational Structure
This position is one of seven reporting to the CEO. The others include the two Artistic Directors (English and French), Chief Financial Officer, Director of Development, Director of the Monument-National, and Head of Training and Administrative Support.
The incumbent is a member of the Management Committee and the Coordination Committee, and occasionally attends meetings of the Board of Directors upon the invitation of the CEO.
The Communications and Marketing team is made up of three full-time professionals (including the Director) and is supported by numerous external collaborators, notably in graphic arts, translation and revision. The annual budget for Communications and Marketing, excluding salaries and benefits, is approximately $250,000.
The School’s principal spokespersons are the CEO and the two Artistic Directors. The Director of Communications and Marketing may also be called upon to perform this role.
Specific Responsibilities
The incumbent is responsible for:
- Setting the general objectives of the NTS with regards to communications, public relations, marketing, and branding, as well as ongoing reporting on those activities, including an annual accountability report with appropriate quantitative and qualitative metrics;
- Devising and implementing the School’s communications and marketing strategies and projects, both internally and externally, and responding to the information needs of diverse clienteles (annual auditions, performances, political and economic decision-makers, etc.), while devoting constant attention to the various media and social networks;
- Introducing innovations in our communications strategies and helping to develop a unique, indispensable voice for the NTS in the wider ongoing conversation about arts and culture;
- Working closely with the English and French sections as well as the Director of Development to forge, implement and promote partnerships that broaden our reach and help us build the NTS community, especially by adding communications acumen and logistical support for our varied outreach programs;
- Advising the CEO and management on matters of communication and marketing, positioning and the visibility of the institution, the Monument-National and its directors and spokespersons on a local, national and international level;
- Leading department staff to produce exceptional product, on deadline and within budget;
- Supervising and contributing directly to the writing, translation, revision, and dissemination of all written communications of the School, on all platforms;
- Planning and coordinating the NTS’s participation in various public events aimed at achieving its communications objectives;
- Planning and coordinating the communications support required for the School’s fundraising;
- All other duties related to the position’s mandate or assigned by the CEO.
Requirements
- Undergraduate degree in communications or related discipline;
- Ten years of experience in the field of communications and marketing;
- Exceptional communication skills in both spoken and written English and French;
- Proven skills in judgement, negotiation, organization, and personnel management;
- Ability to deal with artists, as well as government and institutional partners;
- Ability to initiate and manage a variety of projects and to find the best resources at the lowest cost;
- Knowledge of the latest digital technologies and their use in the field of public relations;
- Proven ability to oversee the content and design of written and audio-visual documents, ensuring that they are in keeping with the School’s image;
- An openness to new ideas and ways of doing things, a reputation for innovation;
- A desire to work collaboratively in a creative environment;
- A passion for arts and culture, and a desire to work towards ambitious goals in service of that passion.
Application
Please send a detailed covering letter and CV no later than September 26th to Monique Néron at moniqueneron@ent-nts.ca or by regular post marked CONFIDENTIAL.
Only those candidates being considered for the position will receive a reply.
The National Theatre School is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
