Position Description

General Manager – Canada’s Ballet Jörgen
Position Description
About Canada’s Ballet Jörgen:
Canada’s Ballet Jörgen builds communities across Canada through the shared experience of professional
ballet. Reaching every province with over 600 events annually, we ensure communities large and small,
urban and rural have access to a ballet experience that is recognized for its innovation, warmth and
beauty. Inspiring and connecting with Canadians for over 25 years, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen makes ballet
and Canadian choreography a meaningful part of Canadians’ lives through performance, education, and
community engagement.
POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Overview of General Manager Position
The General Manager will work in close collaboration with the Artistic Director & CEO, Bengt Jörgen and
the Board of Directors to manage a thriving and financially sound organization with an excellent artistic
reputation, talented and dedicated dancers, an experienced staff, a committed board, with a $3M
operating budget.
This position will report to the Artistic Director & CEO.
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of leadership in a similar position,
preferably in an arts organization, and will either possess or quickly develop an excellent understanding
of how professional ballet companies run, and the complex interdependence of Canada’s Ballet Jörgen’s
extensive touring activities, creation and production activities, Toronto Season, George Brown Dance –
the official school of Canada’s Ballet Jörgen, staff, dancers, students, education and outreach.
She/he will have excellent interpersonal skills and be an excellent communicator in verbal, written and
presentation forms. He/she will be self-motivated and able to provide oversight of the general
operations of Canada’s Ballet Jörgen. She/he will actively engage and motivate staff, volunteers and
partnering organizations and funders.
The General Manager is part of a senior leadership team made up of the Artistic Director & CEO,
Director of Touring, Production Manager, Development Manager, Manager of Business Operations, and
Education Manager.
This is a full-time, salaried position
Key Responsibilities of the Position:
The General Manager of Canada’s Ballet Jörgen, in close collaboration with the Artistic Director & CEO,
has responsibility for the overall financial, administrative and daily operations of the Company to ensure
an effective, efficient and healthy professional ballet operation. The General Manager supervises the
administrative/business operations, financial, marketing, and publicity departments. In particular, the
General Manager provides overall project management for the planning, initiation, execution, and
monitoring of the company’s various projects and events.
Organizational Leadership:
 Ensures Canada’s Ballet Jörgen’s business and operating models are appropriate to the vision
and strategic direction.
 Attracts, mentors and supports the success of high-performing administrative staff, and
endeavors to build the capacity of all full-time and part-time team members in fulfilment of
their duties.
 Leads through example and reinforces a culture of engagement, high-performance and
continuous improvement.
Revenue Development:
 Prepares all government grant applications in collaboration with the Artistic Director.
 Excels in grant writing to take advantage of all development opportunities.
 Provides support to the Artistic Director & CEO and Development Manager regarding strategic
fundraising plans, fundraising campaign development, special events and targeted fundraising
requests.
Financial Management
 In collaboration with the Artistic Director & CEO creates annual balanced budgets as part of the
business plan for presentation to the board.
 Monitors and analyses the Company’s budgets to ensure the financial resources are properly
managed and effectively allocated.
 Prepares monthly financial updates and quarterly year-end projections to the Finance
Committee, reports to all regulatory and funding bodies as required and oversees preparation of
the annual audit.
Planning and Administration
 In partnership with the Artistic Director & CEO develops both long and short term strategic plans
that support the advancement of the Canada’s Ballet Jörgen’s mission and vision and obtains
input and approval for those plans by the board.
 Ensures all federal, provincial and municipal grants, interim reports and final reports are
submitted on time.
 Hires, supervises and develops staff.
Marketing and Publicity
 Oversees the Marketing and Publicity departments in all areas related to the branding and
promotion of the Company.
 Approves the initiatives of the Marketing Coordinator related to the marketing of the Toronto
season and ticket sales.
Governance:
 Enables Board of Directors to successfully fulfill their governance and fiduciary responsibility by
providing accurate, timely, comprehensive, and insightful operational, financial and business risk
information.
 Positively contributes to a constructive Artistic Director & CEO, Board and General Manager
relationship that is respectful, open to challenge and healthy debate resulting in shared
commitment, mutual understanding and accountability for follow-through that achieves desired
results for the ongoing success of the Company.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Qualifications
Education:
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A post-secondary or university degree in business or arts management.
An experienced arts manager with a strong knowledge of the art form and a passion for it is an
asset.
Experience:
 Evidence of passion for the performing arts and dance in particular through direct
experience/employment in the arts sector.
 Minimum of five years management leadership experience in a non profit arts organization.
 Evidence of entrepreneurial success building/sustaining a performing arts organization of similar
profile, scale and scope.
 Experience in public and private fundraising.
Skills/competencies and Personal Attributes:
 Be deemed likely to develop a rich, collaborative partnership with the Artistic Director.
 Possess strong financial management skills and business expertise.
 Have either the experience or the skills and traits necessary to lead and play an active revenue
development role particularly in public arts funding.
 Have the leadership skills to work effectively with the board of directors.
 Be transparent, collaborative, and confident in his/her leadership style.
 Adaptive and agile, able to act quickly, set new direction, make smart but fast choices, and
engage in focused experimentation and organizational learning.
 Self-aware, understands impact they have on others and able to adjust approach to fit the
situation – emotional intelligence.
 Values initiative and takes initiative. Motivates and generates action by self and others.
 Strong public presentation skills, and proficiency in public relations and marketing
communications.
 People oriented leader who knows how to engage and support the success of high-performing
team members who thrive being accountable in a results-oriented environment.
Working Conditions:
Our offices and studios are housed in the Casa Loma Campus of George Brown College which is a high
energy, somewhat noisy post-secondary environment. The office area is small and space is tight but it is
located very close to the ballet studios.
Like all performing arts organizations, the work day is not limited to a 9-5 schedule. During performance
periods there is a need for people to be available for evening/weekend performance schedules. At the
same time the organization strives to maintain a healthy, balanced working environment.
Procedure to Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to email a résumé, and a cover letter of no longer than two pages
that describes why the position interests them and in what ways they believe themselves to be
qualified. Closing date for receipt of applications: October 30, 2016. The search committee intends to
make its decision 4 to 6 weeks after the closing date and work toward a mutually agreed upon start date
as soon as possible thereafter. Competitive salary with ballet companies of commensurate size and
scope.
Please email to: [email protected]