Programming Manager, Northcrest Developments

THE ORGANIZATION

Northcrest Developments (“Northcrest”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (“PSP”), which owns the 370-acre Downsview Airport Lands. Northcrest is responsible for leading the redevelopment of this extraordinary site, which will be transformed into a series of thriving complete, mixed-use communities over the coming decades.

With a 30-year horizon before development is complete, Northcrest recognizes the opportunity to pursue public-facing activities on the lands to create an early sense of place. Using arts & culture, sports & recreation, innovation pilots, and other placemaking initiatives, there is an opportunity for the Downsview Airport Lands to immediately become a hub for community, commercial and cultural activity, with programming taking place across the 2.1km runway and inside large-scale hangars. This is a once in a generation opportunity to become a part of an extraordinary city-building and destination-making project.

THE POSITION

Reporting to the Executive Director, Site Activation & Programming, the Programming Manager will curate and produce experiences, events, installations and activations on the site, as well as provide client-servicing to third parties who choose to host their independently produced activities on the Downsview Airport Lands. With the unique opportunity to help build a vibrant public destination from the ground up, the Programming Manager will curate and implement high-quality and well-executed programs that reflect local priorities as well as activities with city-wide appeal.

The Programming Manager will ensure the success of these programs by collaborating with other internal departments to drive attendance and secure external partnerships. In addition, this role will work collaboratively with the rest of the Northcrest team to support the overall master plan development, to assist in implementing organizational strategy, integrate responsible development, and participate in community outreach and engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Programming

• Develop programs that drive traffic to the site and enrich both the local community and city-at-large.
• Build strong relationships with a diverse group of talent who deliver programming and activation, with a high priority on local talent.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Site Activation & Programming to create a programming calendar of Northcrest-produced events and installations onsite.
• Curate and hire artists, animators and activators to fulfill the programming plan.
• Establish mutually beneficial partnerships and co-producing relationships.
• Collaborate with external advisory committees.
• Deliver programming plans through a lens of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
• Participate in setting the direction of both the interim activation strategy and long-term district activation strategy.

Producing

• Produce and oversee the smooth execution of all Northcrest-produced events and installations including contracting, logistics and safety-planning.
• Manage a program budget and schedule, including identifying all resources, such as event support staff and suppliers.
• Ensure all permit requirements are in place for events and activations and ensure all bylaws requirements are met.
• Supervise and support placemaking and public art consultants in the execution of their mandates.
• Create systems and processes that ensure a smooth and positive customer service experience for attendees.

Event Management

• Serve as a point person for short-term third-party event and activation rentals.
• Lead tours, prepare initial estimates and negotiate license agreements.
• Assist and guide clients in determining event requirements.
• Act as liaison between the client and the site to ensure successful execution.
• Coordinate the timely implementation of all landlord obligations for third-party events and activations.

Marketing, Sponsorship & Community Engagement

• Support communications, sponsorship and engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with the marketing department to develop communication plans for all onsite events.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, Site Activation & Programming, pursue sponsorship and other funding opportunities to support in-house programming and ensure the fulfillment of all sponsor or partner obligations.
• Support the Public Affairs team in maximizing the value of onsite programming for community engagement, community relations and government relations.
• Other duties within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the job, as requested by management.