ROSEBUD THEATRE & SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (Rosebud) is seeking a creative, and energetic individual to serve as its next Artistic Director. Reporting to the Executive Director and  the Board of Governors, the Artistic Director will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategic direction for all artistic programming within the Theatre and School. The Artistic Director will be a leader in the Rosebud community with a strong desire to engage with the wider theatre, and theatre training, communities in Alberta and across Canada. The ideal candidate will understand and embrace Rosebud’s unique position in the cultural and spiritual landscape of the province, will offer an inspiring and unifying artistic vision for arts programming and training, and will have a drive to build public and private sector support to deliver on strategic artistic priorities and embrace collaboration with the Rosebud team to maximize earned and contributed revenue.

As the artistic leader of the organization, the Artistic Director will play an active role as a thought- partner to the Executive Director in planning for the organization’s overall advancement. Supporting and partnering with artists, staff, students, board and volunteers, the Artistic Director will operationalize the strategic plan while building a thriving, creative and diverse culture serving Rosebud patrons, students, artists, and the Rosebud community. The Artistic Director will conceptualize and implement a plan to continue to grow Rosebud’s artistic objectives, collaborating with the Executive Director and Board of Governors in devising and realizing successful artistic strategies for the future of the organization.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity for an artistic professional who can bring together their vision, experience, and passion for theatre to Rosebud. The Artistic Director must have an interest in training the next generation of storytellers and working with Rosebud School of the Arts and will want to invest themselves in the success and growth of Rosebud and its educational programs. The Artistic Director will be a person who will find personal fulfillment in being part of the future of Rosebud.

The Organization

In 1973, LaVerne Erickson, started the Rosebud Camp of the Arts as a summer outreach program for Calgary youth who had rarely been outside of the city. The summer programs soon expanded into weekend vacations throughout the school year and in 1977 the Rosebud Fine Arts High School was formed with five students attending.

As part of Rosebud’s centenary in 1983, the school’s drama department launched the Rosebud Historical Music Theatre. Staff and students wrote the play, rehearsed it, and performed it on an outdoor stage, drawing hundreds of interested theatre goers. Thus, began the widely acclaimed Rosebud Theatre which now attracts thousands annually to its productions.

Today, Rosebud Theatre & School of the Arts encompasses a post-secondary guild school focused on professional training in various areas of theatre and a professional company producing five plays throughout the year in two venues, the Rosebud Opera House (seating capacity 232)and the Rosebud Studio Stage (Black Box Theatre, seating 65-95). Offering matinee and evening shows up to seven times a week, each Opera House performance includes a full buffet and livedinner music in the quaint setting of the historic Haskayne-Kenney Mercantile.

The mission of Rosebud is to enrich lives by offering grace and understanding through the art of storytelling, the practice of mentorship, and the gift of hospitality.

• The mandate of Rosebud Theatre is to produce professional live theatre that illustrates the beauty and complexity of life through an inclusive and grace-filled perspective while mentoring the next generation of theatre artists.

• The mandate of Rosebud School of the Arts is to provide arts training within a community of faith-based artists where students are equipped to be catalysts for transformation in our world.

• The mandate of Rosebud Mercantile is to provide generous hospitality to our patrons, employment for our students and community, and support for the Rosebud School of the Arts endeavours.

Our Core Values

• We value the adventure of grace embodied in the story of Jesus.

• We value community that cultivates diverse gifts and perspectives.

• We value curiosity as a path towards excellence and truth.

• We value being in the Rosebud valley: its beauty, its stories, and its people.

Artistic Director Roles & Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director in all financial matters, and to the Board of Governors in matters of artistic programming, the Artistic Director is the organization’s guiding artistic visionary and will cultivate relationships between the Theatre, the School and the Community. This individual will provide artistic leadership, theatre leadership, organizational management and administration, community building, mentorship and training, educational programs and will support the organization with creativity and vision in accordance with the strategic plan, objects, and all policies of the company.

Artistic Leadership

• Lead all elements of the successful presentation of Rosebud productions, special artistic events, collaborations, and co-productions whilst upholding the mission, vision, and values.

• Select and develop the annual season of productions and creatively balance artistic excellence with financial and operational realities.

• Oversee all casting and production-related activities for the organization, including putting together show-related creative teams.

• Serve as an artist within the season of artistic offerings by Rosebud (e.g., as a director, playwright, actor, designer, dramaturge, or other creative presence).

• Direct a minimum of two shows per season.

• Identify, assign, and manage all guest directors for Rosebud Theatre & School of the Arts productions.

• Conceive of new, sustainable structures for building internal strengths to support artistic operations.

• Take an active role in production meetings and provide guidance and expertise for problem solving through the production process.

• Be active in Rosebud’s thriving theatre scene as a welcoming colleague, collaborating with other theatres in the region, provincially and across Canada as appropriate.

• Possess an interest in new play development and curate relationships with playwrights creating original work that may be in alignment with Rosebud’s vision and values..

Rosebud Leadership

Together with the Executive Director:

• Lead and act as an ambassador for Rosebud Theatre & School of the Arts.

• Develop a positive workplace culture, leading by example to align with the brand, vision, mission, and values of Rosebud Theatre & School of the Arts.

• Work collaboratively with the Management Team and the Board of Governors to implement

the organization’s strategic plan identifying short and long term artistic and business goals, budgets, and operational plans.

• Work with the Executive Director on budgets, forecasts and reporting.

• Be a collaborative partner to the Executive Director in Board of Governor activities. Act as the primary artistic liaison to the Board of Governors, accountable for timely, accurate and transparent communication, and attend Board meetings as required.

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with external industry partners, stakeholders (public and private funders) and producing partners.

Management and Administration

• Lead the artistic vision of the organization in a highly collaborative and communicative manner, always showing deep respect and appreciation to artists, staff, students, audiences, and stakeholders.

• Inspire staff to do their best work and support their professional development as individuals and as leaders within the theatre community.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director in all strategic planning processes.

• Provide proactive leadership and management to artistic staff and maintain a positive working environment.

• Demonstrate critical and strategic thinking, and excellent problem-solving skills.

• Coordinate and conduct annual performance reviews for direct report staff members which include measurable results.

• Develop and actively monitor artistic budgets and be accountable for their outcome.

• Create the seasonal production calendar in collaboration with the leadership team.

• Work collaboratively with Management and Staff to promote educational programs, and learning and artistic opportunities for students.

• Communicate with donors, sponsors, and subscribers throughout the season, inspiring their continued support.

Community Building

• Demonstrate a personal commitment to the values of Rosebud Theatre & School of the Arts by promoting and creating an environment where the good of the community is held in the highest regard, and the adventure of grace is evident in the ethos of the work.

• Create strong relationships and foster reciprocal community engagement between Rosebud and other theatres, arts organizations, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations within Rosebud, the region and beyond.

• Build networks with other theatres and search for the most exciting professional artists locally, regionally, and nationally.

• Lead by example by actively promoting a culture that embraces Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and community engagement.

• In collaboration with the marketing department, develop and implement marketing ideas for season productions.

• Serve as an ambassador for Rosebud in interviews, conferences, and public relations opportunities.

• Attend and participate in all of Rosebud’s major fundraising and patron events.

Mentorship & Training

• Ensure that Rosebud is offering programs and initiatives that prioritize accessibility for the entire community and artistic opportunities for both in the Theatre and the School.

• Support and provide creative inspiration for the Production Department to be a local leader for the stage and beyond.

• Serve as a sounding board for all departments to ensure that all programs and programming are fully integrated with all artistic activities and vision.

• Ensure that Rosebud is offering programs and initiatives that prioritize accessibility for the entire community and artistic opportunities for both in the Theatre and the School.

Education

• Support the programs of Rosebud School of the Arts (RSA), by providing artistic vision, mentorship, apprenticeship opportunities, and training throughout the season and curate a season of RSA student productions that facilitate opportunities for challenge and growth.

• Create apprenticeship opportunities for senior students during the Rosebud Theatre season.

• Teach advanced classes and/or direct student productions as appropriate.

• Support the mission of the School in providing arts training within a community of faith-based artists, where students are inspired to become catalysts for transformation in our world.

Embrace what makes RSA unique, such as:

o Every year students travel to New York City; London, England; or Canada’s West Coast to immerse themselves in theatre, workshops, and tours.

o Students can attain apprenticeship opportunities with Rosebud Theatre.

o Mentorship students receive acting and vocal coaching in small groups.

o Students train in a community of believing artists, each receiving personalized guidance, mentoring, and practical training to prepare them for a career in the performing arts; and students are supported because RSA is a place where inspiration abounds, and students are challenged in their life-long journey of integrating faith and art.

Traits and Characteristics

Proactive, dynamic, independent, self-motivated, detail and people-oriented, the Artistic Director will have exceptional artistic, social, verbal and written communication skills and value frequent interaction and collaboration with others. The Artistic Director will be an experienced and entrepreneurial professional with the vision to actively pursue Rosebud’s goals with creativity and determination and will have a high degree of personal accountability – with a commitment to exceeding expectations. This individual will balance tasks and projects with a sense of urgency and possess superlative interpersonal and communication skills that articulate compelling verbal and written messages for support. A self-sufficient and self-managed arts professional with a highly organized approach, the Artistic Director will have the ability to achieve organizational objectives with artists, staff, students, board members, volunteers, donors, and prospective supporters. This individual will bring an affinity for Rosebud’s mission, vision and values along with a passion to positively impact the organization’s long-term success.

Other key Traits and Characteristics of the role include:

Leadership & Creativity – Organizing and inspiring people to support a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction and the ability to creating innovative approaches with respect to programming, process, technologies and/or systems to achieve the desired result.

Faith & Ethos – As Rosebud is an organization with Christian faith as part of its core values, the Artistic Director’s creative work is informed by, and integrated with, their personal faith.

Teamwork, Mentorship and Interpersonal Skills – Cooperating with others to meet the objectives of the Theatre and the School and the ability to effectively communicate to build rapport while relating to many different people while facilitating, supporting and contributing to the professional growth of others in the organization.

Decision Making, Resiliency & Personal Accountability – Analyzing all aspects of a situation to make consistently sound and timely decisions with the ability to quickly recover from adversity and being answerable for personal actions.

Flexibility, Time and Priority Management – The acuity to prioritize and complete tasks to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames while readily modifying, responding and adapting to change with minimal resistance.

Qualifications & Experience 

As an organization offering post-secondary training, a degree in higher education is an asset. Qualified candidates will have 5 – 7 years of progressive professional experience at a leadership level with increasing responsibility in an artistic leadership role, in theatre, performing arts, or educational sector. Candidates must possess expertise in, and willingness to, mentor and develop the next generation of storytellers and must have the ability and desire to relocate to Rosebud.

Application Instructions

Rosebud Theatre & School of the Arts Artistic Director search is led by Martin Bragg, Nicola
Dawes and Sarah Geddes of Martin Bragg & Associates. To apply in confidence please email
your letter of interest and resume to Martin Bragg & Associates at rosebud@mbassociates.ca
The deadline for applications is 5:00pm on Friday August 30th, 2024, and candidates are
encouraged to apply early, as interviews will begin quickly. All candidates will receive an
acknowledgement of their application. No phone calls please.

Rosebud strives to honour and respect the diverse cultures, languages, abilities, and
perspectives that each staff member brings to the organization. We are dedicated to creating an
inclusive environment that welcomes the humanity of our students, staff, contract instructors,
guest artists, board members, donors, and patrons. We are committed to providing a supportive
work and educational environment where the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion are
trained, fostered, and intentionally practiced. Through conscious reflection, and deliberate action
and discussion at all levels, we aim to create a culture of care and safety where diversity can
flourish.

Rosebud strives to hire without discrimination toward race, colour, creed, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family status, age, language, or national origin.
We are committed to recruiting and retaining a group of diverse, qualified staff members who
advance Rosebud’s mission through a fair and equitable hiring process. The qualifications and
values of each candidate are the primary criteria upon which hiring and promotion decisions are
made.

CENTRE IN THE SQUARE (CITS) is seeking a creative and energetic individual to serve as its next Director of Marketing & Development. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Marketing & Development will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategic direction for all marketing and fundraising activities of CITS. The Director of Marketing and Development will have the responsibility to build the capacity and the teams in the Marketing, Development and Communication areas, and will work collaboratively with the senior leadership team to create strong development and marketing strategies.

The Director of Marketing & Development will build and manage the CITS brand and all aspects of marketing, communications, box office and ticketing through KW Tickets and fundraising, to raise the awareness of the organization in the community, increase audiences and drive earned and contributed revenues.

The Director of Marketing & Development will oversee and develop strategies to secure annual, planned giving, and donor-directed gifts through targeted campaigns, annual and monthly giving programs, donor stewardship efforts, and grants. The Director of Marketing & Development will personally manage and develop a prospect portfolio aimed at significantly cultivating major gifts,  sponsorship support, and partnerships for CITS.

The ideal candidate will have a drive to build public and private sector support, to build audiences for CITS from the region to maximize ticket sales, fundraising, donor stewardship and marketing campaigns that drive earned and contributed revenues and visibility in the community. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative professional who can bring together their vision, experience, and passion for a wide range of artistic and community endeavours. The Director of Marketing & Development will want to invest in the success and growth of Centre In The Square and will find personal fulfillment in being part of an exciting future for the organization.

The Organization

The Centre In The Square Inc. (CITS Inc.) is a not-for-profit corporation, and registered charity, established in 1981 to maintain, operate, manage, and program the 2,000-seat state-of-the-art performing arts theatre – The Raffi Armenian Hall – and the Studio Theatre, situated in the Civic District of Downtown Kitchener.

CITS Inc. works in the public interest as a presenter and arts enabler, playing a leading role in showcasing the best in local, national and international performers, with over 140 shows and concerts a year for the benefit of the entire region and beyond. Concerts, plays, theatrical productions, lectures and comedy are but a few of the genres featured regularly throughout the year.

Housed in the CITS building is also the independently operated Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery.   Local cultural groups such as the Grand Philharmonic Choir, who present their own programs at CITS, are valued partners.

CITS Inc. also values opportunities for non-traditional partnerships and is committed to providingaccess in and around the theatre, and expert technical support, for rehearsals, workshops, displays, exhibits, and special events, in order to empower and enable artists of all ages and experience levels.

As a charitable organization, CITS Inc. receives an annual operating grant from the City of Kitchener that covers a portion of its expenses. Other revenue is self-generated through ticket sales, rentals, concessions, sponsorships, fundraising and grants from foundations and other levels of government. It is the vision of this organization to engage the community and bridge the space between artist and audience in a dynamic and sustainable way. The Centre In The Square has a committed and active Board of Directors of 14, led by Chair, Dan Carli and staff led by Executive Director Eric Lariviere.

Director of Marketing & Development Roles and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Centre in the Square’s Executive Director, the Director of Marketing & Development is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all marketing and development programs and platforms. The Director of Marketing & Development will be responsible for:

Marketing, Leadership and Accountability

• Understand and clearly articulate CITS’ brand programs, history, culture, values, strategic plan, and season to ensure the continuing relevance and growth of earned revenue.
• Regularly report on earned revenue goals and progress to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Demonstrate respectful, effective, and appropriate communication to achieve organizational buy-in for a variety of earned revenue initiatives.
• Create effective communication strategies and develop, cultivate, and enhance CITS’s relationships in the KW community.
• Speak and present in a clear and credible manner, listen to diverse perspectives, and set mutually beneficial expectations with a variety of stakeholders.
• Remain current on and adapt to the cultural, economic, and political developments that affect earned revenue goals and strategies in the non-profit sector.
• Model behaviours that create trust, build confidence and encourage others to follow suggested paths or approaches.

Marketing & Communication Planning and Implementation

• Develop partnerships with external stakeholders and media outlets to support marketing, communication and ticketing projects, and initiatives.
• Create customized subscription, group, and single ticket campaigns to support all sales activities
• Process a clear understanding of the fast-changing marketing environment leading to the design, implementation and ongoing management of a strategic marketing plan, to significantly increase earned revenue.
• Ensure the marketing and communication area adhere to long-term strategic and operational plan goals, coordinating and presenting regular progress reports to the Executive Director.
• Use the organization’s formal and informal social and technical structures to build relationships, negotiate solutions, and accomplish goals.       
• Guide, build and mentor, the marketing and communication team’s successful achievement of earned revenue goals, with an emphasis on identifying, cultivating, and securing new earned revenue sources.
• Lead the development, implementation, and management of company-wide short and long-term communication and story-telling strategies, plans and narratives, both internally and externally, to maximize media coverage and public awareness of key initiatives.
• Monitor, evaluate and adjust plans to optimize performance.
• Direct the planning and execution of strategies that increase national and international awareness of CITS as a destination.
• Lead the team to determine key audiences and influencers and evaluate and revise activities to accomplish organizational goals.

Development Leadership and Accountability

• Develop and implement long- and short-term strategies for fundraising with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and key community and business stakeholders.
• Understand and clearly articulate CITS’ programs, history, culture, values, strategic plan, season, and financial strategy to foster the continuing relevance of sponsorship, philanthropic and grant support.
• Identify key policy and funding issues of strategic importance and develop a comprehensive approach to address these issues to CITS’ benefit.
• Regularly report on development goals and progress to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Proactively mobilize the Board of Directors, and volunteers, and in partnership with the Executive Director, drive fundraising activity and personal engagement with top prospects, sponsorships, and special events.
• Develop, cultivate, and enhance CITS’ relationships in the community.
• Remain current on and adapt to the cultural, economic, and political developments that affect goals and strategies in the non-profit sector.
• Model behaviours that create trust, and respect, build confidence, and encourage others to follow suggested paths or approaches.

 Development Planning and Implementation

• Develop partnerships with all of CITS’ departments to support annual giving programs, sponsorships, special projects, and events.
• In conjunction with the Executive Director, plan, and coordinate fundraising activations and campaigns.
• Create innovative funding approaches that support the financial health and future sustainability of the organization.
• Create customized donor stewardship and recognition opportunities to support expanded fundraising activities.
• Create, implement, and manage a strategic development plan designed to significantly increase contributed revenue.
• Establish solicitation priorities, manage prospect lists, and research, develop and execute targeted cultivation plans and solicitation strategies for a range of prospects. Maintain a portfolio of donors, cultivating and soliciting major gifts for the annual fund, special events, special programs, and specific fundraising for the institutional endowment.
• Ensure that the development area adheres to long-term strategic and operational plan goals, coordinating and presenting regular progress reports to the Executive Director.
• Direct all aspects of development including stewardship, special events, cultivation, benefits fulfillment, daily donor interaction, and volunteer management.
• Use the organization’s formal and informal social and technical structures to build relationships, negotiate solutions, and accomplish goals both internally and externally by building meaningful relationships within the Arts including collaboration with Arts Commons and other resident companies.
• Build, guide and mentor the development team’s successful achievement of contributed revenue goals for individual, corporate, foundation, special events, and institutional endowment, with a personal emphasis on identifying, cultivating, and securing new sources of funding.

Administration and Oversight

• Oversee the development and marketing departments and supervise the staff by setting clear expectations and ensuring their continuing growth and professional development.
• Influence and inspire others to act in an energetic, committed fashion in pursuit of a positive organizational culture.
• Ensure that the necessary organizational structure and adherence to CRA and Ontario Municipal Affairs’ regulations and guidelines are followed and that policies, system controls, and procedures are in place and regularly reviewed for effectiveness.
• Prepare and monitor revenue and expense budgets; provide accurate reporting, analysis, and integration of data; and oversee the maintenance and integrity of donor and prospect records.
• Guide a regular process of staff review and evaluation that ensures the highest ethical standards in all departmental activities.
• Lead by example and mentor the development and marketing staff in utilizing available data and systems to analyze and document fundraising needs and opportunities.
• Ensure revenue goals are met, proactively identifying potential shortfalls, and strategizing creative options that lead to fulfillment.
• Prepare financial and statistical analysis of marketing and development initiatives and use this information to improve earned revenue and fund development activities.
• Project anticipated revenue and expenses for programs and review progress quarterly with the Executive Director.
• Assess current technology and refine development practices to ensure maximum efficiency and results.
• Embrace other administration and oversight roles and responsibilities as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

Collaborative, proactive, dynamic, self-motivated, detail and people-oriented, the Director of Marketing & Development will be goal-oriented and will possess exceptional time management, social and verbal communication skills and value frequent interaction and collaboration with others. The Director of Marketing & Development will be an experienced professional with the vision to actively pursue the Centre in the Square’s goals with creativity and determination and will have a high degree of personal accountability – with a commitment to exceeding expectations.

The Director of Marketing & Development will lead marketing and fundraising strategies in accordance with the mandate of the organization and will be a connector between CITS and the KW communities.

This individual will balance tasks and projects with a sense of urgency and possess superlative interpersonal and communication skills that articulate compelling verbal and written messages for support. A self-sufficient and self-managed professional with a highly organized strategic approach, the Director of Marketing & Development will have the ability to achieve organizational objectives with artists, staff, board members, volunteers, donors, and prospective supporters.

This individual will bring a passion for the Centre in the Square’s vision, mission, and values, with the ability to bring those to reality, and a commitment to positively impact the organization’s long-term success.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of proven and measurable experience in developing and implementing major marketing and fundraising programs, campaigns and initiatives for live arts, entertainment, and experiences.
• Experience with branding of an organization in a diverse community or region
• Have a strong knowledge of market analytics, and database development to increase audience, sales, and philanthropic support
• Successful major gift, sponsorship and partnership solicitation experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a strong problem-solver
• Experience developing effective marketing plans and donor outreach programs
• Knowledge of CITS, its programs and the KW community and culture
• Alignment with CITS’s core values
• Proven ability to network and build lasting relationships on behalf of an organization
• Demonstrated ability in analyzing areas for growth opportunities and where necessary building business cases
• Experience collaborating with high-level, respected volunteers
• Experience with CRM databases, marketing platforms and all complete Microsoft Office Suite of products is required.
• Ability to identify and adapt to changing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges
• Candidates must possess a willingness to mentor and develop team members to create a high-performing team.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or Master’s Degree.

Compensation

The Centre In The Square offers an annual salary of $110,000 to $125,000 commensurate with experience. Additional benefits include annual vacation, participation in an extended health plan and retirement benefits.

Application Instructions

The Centre In The Square Director of Marketing & Development Search is led by Martin Bragg, Nicola Dawes and Sarah Geddes of Martin Bragg & Associates. To apply in confidence please email your letter of interest and resume in Word or PDF format to Martin Bragg & Associates at citsdirector@mbassociates.ca

The deadline for application is 5:00 pm EST on August 19, 2024. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and will receive an acknowledgement of their application. Preliminary interviews will begin immediately, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. No phone calls, please.

The Centre in the Square is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Access, and Reconciliation. We recognize that the Kitchener/Waterloo communities have changing demographics, and we arecommitted to reflecting those changing demographics and our different cultural communities. Centre In The Square and Martin Bragg & Associates are committed to an open and transparent hiring process and we welcome all applications from women and gender nonconforming people, people of colour, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people of all sexual orientations, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of the Centre In the Square. We encourage all candidates who are legally able to work in Canada to apply.

Downtown Kitchener is situated on land that is the traditional home of the Neutral, Haudenosaunee (Ho-deh-no-show-nee) and Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-nah-bay) Peoples. We extend our respect to all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples for their past and present contributions to this land. We also recognize and respect the cultural diversity that First Nations, Métis and Inuit people bring to both Downtown Kitchener and the City of Kitchener.

We recognize and appreciate their historic connection to this place and the contributions Indigenous peoples have made in shaping and strengthening this community.