Executive Director: Soulpepper Theatre Company

THE ORGANIZATION

We believe that stories can connect us, that they are vital to our understanding, compassion and knowledge, and that they can motivate us to make social change

Driven by a vision to share vital stories that connect us all, Soulpepper is Toronto’s award- winning live theatrical performing arts company that operates continually throughout the year. Located in the Distillery Historic District, Soulpepper has traditionally produced a season of more than 500 events, including innovative plays, concerts, musicals, festivals, and presentations. The company has received the most nominations in the general theatre division of the Dora Mavor Moore Awards.

In addition to producing the work of diverse visionary artists, Soulpepper offers a host of programs to nurture, develop, and include the creativity of everyone who wishes to engage with the theatrical, musical, and performing arts. The company provides these opportunities because it believes that the arts are for everyone, and that creative expression is a vital part of individual and community life. Soulpepper has built an international award-winning catalogue of audio and digital programming that has garnered listeners from over 50 countries. For five consecutive years (2015 to 2020), Soulpepper has been recognized at the New York Festivals Radio Awards.

Soulpepper has its current home in the Young Centre for the Performing Arts (YCPA), jointly planned and shared with George Brown College as a home for Toronto’s arts community and a destination for all theatre lovers. The YCPA provides a residence for the leading artists of today and the arts leaders of tomorrow in a 46,000 square foot unique facility of combined heritage and contemporary architecture with five flexible performance spaces, ranging from 80 to 300 seats: several rehearsal studios, classrooms, administrative offices, and a central atrium with café/bar.

As Soulpepper embarks on an exciting new era of theatrical performance and production, the company is seeking an experienced Executive Director (ED) to work in a co-leadership role with celebrated Artistic Director (AD) Weyni Mengesha to take this vibrant organization into the future. This is a unique opportunity to co-lead one of Canada’s most innovative, dynamic, and successful theatre companies.
Providing strategic leadership and financial oversight, the Executive Director will be responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations, with a particular focus on producing, fundraising, administration, community engagement and strategic business planning. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working collaboratively with the Artistic Director, the ED will provide strategic and financial acumen to sustain the organization’s business and administrative operations.

Working collaboratively with the AD and the programming team, the ED will ensure the success of artistic programs and overall operations of the company. The scope of responsibility in this position will include providing staff leadership, guiding short- and long- term logistical efforts and leading financial planning. A dynamic and inspirational leader, the ED is a champion of equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism. The ED thrives in building positive and authentic relationships with staff, artists, Board members, audiences, donors, and community members to support Soulpepper’s strategic and operational goals.

As Soulpepper is the Managing Partner for the YCPA, the ED also reports to the Young Centre Board of Directors regarding the strategic, financial, and operational leadership of the YCPA.

The role is supported by an Executive Assistant, who is shared with the AD.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership

• Establish a strong, complementary and effective working relationship with the AD.
• In partnership with the AD and the Board of Directors, lead the ongoing strategic planning process, with a compelling vision that inspires and motivates.
• Together with the AD, ensure at least semi-annual evaluation of the strategic plan and report to the Board as to progress towards implementation, in addition to regular reporting at every Board meeting.
• Review the administrative and organizational structure as the organization re mobilizes post COVID-19, and, in consultation with the Board, ensure that the appropriate human, financial, and operational resources are in place to achieve the plan.
• In close collaboration with the AD and the Board, continue to implement a detailed plan to ensure that Soulpepper and YCPA are “best in class” in workplace safety, mutual respect, communication, and unwavering commitment to radical inclusion at all levels.
• Develop and foster the highest standards of creativity, collaboration, and inclusion, as well as fiscal and operational excellence.
• Provide inspirational leadership to staff and volunteers to achieve the goals of the strategic plan.
• Provide guidance to the Director of Finance and HR with regards to ongoing Human Resources matters.
• Mentor team leaders and direct reports. Monitor staff engagement and organizational culture.
• The AD and ED are the public face and voice of Soulpepper, and therefore the primary advocates for the organization.
• Participate in the “Group of 8” (the gathering of Toronto’s largest cultural institutions), on shared strategies and learnings, with particular reference to COVID recovery.
• In collaboration with the AD, Board Chair, and others, represent Soulpepper with key local, provincial and national government and art council officials, corporate partners, donors, members, patrons, and other relevant sectors including public and private speaking opportunities.
• Establish a strong and valuable working relationship with the Board Chair and members of the Board of Directors, including its committees.

Financial Oversight

• Develop an overall financial strategy for the organization, in consultation with the Director of Finance and HR and the Board, that provides funding to advance the strategic plan and the artistic vision, while building an appropriate level of reserves.
• Oversee a financial planning process that projects company budgets at least three years forward, and work with the AD to develop artistic programming and related budgets that allow artistic risk-taking, development of new work and emerging artists, and strong community engagement, all within a sustainable financial framework.
• Oversee management of annual cash flow, key banking relationships, and capital expenditures, in close collaboration with the Director of Finance and HR and the Chair of the Finance and Operations Committee.
• In conjunction with the Director of Finance and HR and the Chair of the Finance and Operations Committee, prepare appropriate regular financial reporting for Board review.

Programming

• Collaborate with the AD and Executive Producer to ensure that Soulpepper’s program both delivers upon the organization’s strategic priorities and meets its financial targets within a reasonable risk profile.
• Ensure that the organization is developing appropriate partnerships, nationally and internationally, with which to deliver upon its creative ambitions.
• Further Soulpepper’s contribution to the cultural sector’s response to the climate crisis, continuing to position the company as a leading voice on this issue, with a commitment to creative and strategic programming (e.g., The Green Sessions) that champions a progressive message.
• Liaise with other similarly focused organizations to ensure sector-wide collaboration and the delivery on shared high impact goals.
• Support the Executive Producer with co-production negotiation and contracting.

Development

• Provide leadership to the Director of Partnerships and Development in the creation of fundraising strategies that ensure alignment with the artistic vision and strategic plan, while growing long-term, sustainable revenue.
• Generate and steward relationships with institutional, corporate, and individual funders, including identifying and securing new funding sources and partnerships.
• Work in partnership with the Director of Partnerships and Development to refresh and renew Soulpepper’s fundraising relationships with government agencies, trusts, and foundations in Canada. Develop and maintain close working relationships with their representatives, and staff.
• Work closely with the Board’s Development Committee and the staff development team to cultivate, steward, and develop key donor and sponsor relationships and opportunities.
• Support the development of a comprehensive cultivation plan for donors, including younger philanthropists, diverse communities, foundations and corporations.
• Work to expand the donor network to new communities as Soulpepper progresses its mission to create a space for vital stories that connect us all.
• Ensure robust methods of accounting for, and reporting on, project-specific funding.

Marketing & Communications

• Provide leadership to the Director of Marketing and Communications to maintain fresh and relevant branding for the company and utilize both traditional methods and innovative digital strategies and analytics to reach and engage new and diverse audiences.
• Ensure communication protocols internally and externally that both serve Soulpepper’s mandate and work to promote awareness and growth of the organization.
• Promote Soulpepper’s overall strategies to develop audiences and engage in communities as outlined in the strategic plan and identify key relevant performance metrics.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Communications in developing and implementing a tactical plan to achieve the goals set out to secure budgeted results for subscriptions, single ticket and school sales using best practices in all areas to maximize the patron experience.