How to apply for this job

Applications should include a cover letter and a CV/resume, and be sent by email to hr@playwrights.ca.

PWM is accepting ongoing applications for the Managing Director position. Applications will remain open until the position is filled. Applicants must be or plan to be based in Montréal for a combination of remote and in-person work.

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ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Founded in 1963, Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal (PWM) is a nationally-mandated theatre development centre based in Montréal. PWM is led by a team of experienced dramaturgs and arts administrators. With a focus on dramaturgy, its mission is to collaborate with artists in the development of new works of theatre and performance. PWM gives artists the opportunity to create and experiment, dream and take risks. Its collaborative process draws on the team’s unique expertise and is tailored to the artist’s individual needs.

Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal is committed to the exploration of dramaturgy as a process and as a discipline, and its application to the creation of new work. The organization strives to cultivate a space where artists can be vulnerable, challenge themselves, and define their own goals.

While theatre has been at the core of PWM for 60 years, its work now encompasses other forms of devised and interdisciplinary performance. In addition to seeking collaborations across diverse artistic traditions, PWM is strongly committed to supporting works which reflect a wide range of cultural identities and lived experiences. PWM understands dramaturgy as an exploration of all the elements that make a work, how they are brought together to create meaning, and what the process for developing that work might be.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Managing Director (MD) will serve in a co-leadership role with the Artistic Director, to further develop and implement goals that reflect PWM’s mission, vision, values and business plan by enhancing PWM’s organizational, financial and programming capacity.

Reporting to the Board of Directors (“BOD” or “Board”), they will perform overall public and government relations, researching and securing funding, strategic planning, and management of Human Resources for PWM. The Managing Director will lead an administrative team of full and part-time staff who collectively support the goals of PWM and further its commitment to dramaturgical collaboration in the development of new works for performance.

SUMMARY OF PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Please click here for a complete job description)

Organizational Leadership 

• Maintain the integrity of PWM’s mandate, mission, vision, and values; 
• Undertake long-term strategic planning;
• Develop partnerships and nurture existing partnerships;
• Enhance human resources, financial and governance policies; 
• Represent PWM at local, regional and national events and convenings.

Human Resources

• Create a positive, open, and responsive working environment; 
• Recruit, hire, mentor, supervise, and review PWM employees; 
• Ensure staffing structures are responsive to emerging needs and conducive to effective teamwork;
• Evolve the organization’s considerations of equity, diversity and inclusion, anti-racism and accessibility and prioritize into human resources practices.

Fundraising and Grant Writing

• Identify, research, plan and execute all grant, fundraising and sponsorship activities;
• Oversee and manage fundraising events, donor benefit structures, and individual philanthropic support activities.

Advocacy and Outreach 

• Advocate to government bodies on behalf of PWM and the theatre sector; 
• Foster excellent relationships with other cultural organizations and participate in meetings and joint activities;
• Develop PWM’s professional relationships and public profile.

Program Support

• Oversee and where appropriate, organize PWM programs and events, and provide support for all other artistic programming;
• In collaboration with the Artistic Producer and General Manager, oversee the preparation and production of promotional and communications materials.

Financial and Legal Management 

• Oversee and ensure financial sustainability of PWM with the Artistic Director and General Manager;
• In collaboration with the Artistic Director and General Manager, develop PWM’s short-term and long-term financial goals in support of the organization’s mission. 

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal is open to hearing from candidates from varying work experience and professional backgrounds, but believes that the following would be ideal areas of experience, qualifications, and background for its next Managing Director:

• Post-secondary education in management, theatre, development, human resources, or equivalent work experience;
• 5 or more years of experience with a professional arts organization;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French (communication with external partners in French required);
• Excellent and respectful interpersonal skills; 
• Knowledge of human resources management best practices and policies; 
• Experience leading and building collaborative teams. Ability to cooperate with others to meet objectives and effectively communicate to build trust with many different people;
• Ability to guide and mentor others by communicating effectively and promoting a positive team environment; 
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion;  
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement, relationship building, and community engagement skills;
• Financial literacy (including budget development, financial statements and reporting);
• Strong understanding of organizational compliance and legal obligations for a non profit charitable organization; 
• Demonstrated track record of successful revenue generation, including grant writing for various funding bodies such as arts councils, foundations, corporations and individuals;
• Ability to analyze all aspects of a situation and make consistent and timely decisions;  
• Creative problem-solver with strong troubleshooting skills; 
• Demonstrated track record with respect to detail orientation, accuracy, and demonstrating a high level of discretion in confidential matters;  
• A strong commitment to supporting playwrights and new play development. 

Salary and Benefits

• An annual salary in the range of $56,000 – $60,000
• Six weeks paid vacation
• 10 paid personal days per year
• Reimbursement of cell phone plan, up to maximum of $60 per month
• Reimbursement for one theatre ticket per month or 12 per year
• Group Insurance benefits that include access to a health plan, life insurance and travel insurance
• Optional enrolment in the Common Good Retirement Plan, with a future possibility of matching contributions from PWM, based on the organization’s budget.

Position Summary

This is an administration and logistics role split between two main areas of responsibility: 1) that of an Administration Assistant, offering the management team support in the daily operations of the organization and 2) that of the Young Creators Unit (YCU) & New Stories Coordinator who will work closely with PWM’s Dramaturgs, Leila Ghaemi and Jesse Stong, on the administration, coordination and artistic support of these two programs.

Note: while there will be the option to work from home occasionally, this position requires a regular presence in the office and the selected candidate will be expected to work at PWM from 9am to 5pm most days of the week.

Salary and Benefits

• $21 per hour for 40 hours per week
• Five weeks paid vacation (two weeks over the holiday period and three additional weeks)
• 10 paid wellness/sick days per year
• Reimbursement for one theatre ticket per month or 12 per year
• Health benefits package
• 1-year contract with the possibility to renew

Applications and Inquiries

Please submit your application by email to: annesophie@playwrights.ca with the subject line “Admin Assistant and Program Coordinator application”.

Applications should include:

• Cover letter explaining your interest in working at PWM and how your experience is relevant to this position
• CV or resume
• Earliest possible start date

We encourage applicants to send in their application as soon as possible. For best consideration, please apply before January 5, 2023. Applications will remain open until the position is filled.

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Organization, YCU and New Stories Overview

Founded in 1963, Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal (PWM) is a dramaturgically-focused theatre creation and development company based in Montréal.

PWM is led by a team of experienced dramaturgs and arts administrators. With a focus on dramaturgy, its mission is to collaborate with artists in the development of new works of theatre and performance. Its collaborative process draws on the team’s unique expertise and is tailored to the artist’s individual needs.

At PWM, playwrights, dramaturgs, translators, directors, performance artists, and theatre companies across the country find a creative accomplice willing to invest deeply in the development of meaningful work. Through PWM’s programming and activities, individual artists and companies meet and make new connections. By fostering these artistic connections, PWM acts as a community hub for theatre-makers in Montreal and beyond.

Our Young Creators Unit (YCU) is an incubator open to creators and performers under the age of 30. YCU offers emerging artists innovative, interactive, and dynamic workshops that focus on creation, dramaturgy, and professional development.

The New Stories Project offers a series of accessible storytelling workshops to emerging and established neurodivergent artists.

Primary Responsibilities as the YCU & New Stories Coordinator 

(approx. 18 hours per week)

• Track the budget for YCU and New Stories in collaboration with the Managing Director and Dramaturgs;
• Carry out the administrative tasks for both programs, including contracts, payments and data entry for development workshops, mentorships and professional development activities;
• Coordinate and assist in the production of the YCU Showcase and Queer Reading Series – liaise with various staff for contracting, marketing and communications and artist support;
• Coordinate and assist in the production of outcomes for the New Stories program (events or online videos);
• Gather and synthesize feedback from participants of both programs;
• Monitor and produce content for PWM’s YCU Facebook group;
• Assist PWM’s Dramaturgs with outreach, research, program development, and grant writing for both programs;
• Research and communicate professional development opportunities for YCU participants;
• Act as a liaison between PWM and program participants;
• Other related tasks as assigned by PWM Dramaturgs.

Primary Responsibilities as Administration Assistant 

(approx. 22 hours per week — *these tasks take place throughout the year and do not all happen simultaneously)

Office Management:

• Answer general enquiries through the info email address and telephone;
• Manage PWM’s studio and office supplies that includes managing the office supplies budget, ordering of supplies and maintaining a well organized studio and office space;
• Assist and lead PWM in maintaining clean filing systems both online and in paper;
• Research, optimize and manage various administrative tools (example: internet, telephone, photocopier, subscriptions to various services, software licences, insurance companies, membership to various arts organizations, etc);
• Regularly update contact information in our database CiviCRM;
• Coordinate the weekly staff meeting agenda, and take meeting minutes;
• Coordinate the board meetings (6-7 per year): assist the Managing Director and Board of Directors with the agenda preparation and advance reading materials, scheduling, taking the board meeting minutes and maintaining PWM’s minute book

Programs Assistance:

• Greet workshop participants and prepare the studio space (printing scripts, setting out tables, chairs, pens, coffee, etc);
• Manage all of PWM’s studio rentals that includes coordination with the renter, paperwork and invoicing;
• Keep PWM’s Carol Libman Library organized and up to date;
• Update PWM’s casting book for development workshops — work with the PWM team to implement a new digital format;
• Data entry: manage PWM’s CiviCRM database with the outcomes of all artistic projects andevents. Assist staff with data entry, leading and guiding questions about data entry

Administrative Assistance:

• Prepare and send invoices, make payments, and enter receipts into Quickbooks;
• Update PWM’s annual CADAC statistics with the Canada Council for the Arts;
• Assist the Managing Director in organizing files for the annual audit;
• Assist the Managing Director and bookkeeper in organizing files for end of month reconciliation;
• Assist the Managing Director with grant reporting;
• Assist with onboarding new employees, including assigning keys, creating accounts with various programs/software, and training on administrative procedures;
• Other related tasks as assigned by PWM’s Managing Director and Artistic Director

Skills and Characteristics

• Excellent time management and organizational skills;
• Ability to meet simultaneous deadlines;
• Ability to think critically and independently problem solve;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to communicate effectively;
• Keen attention to detail;
• Takes initiative;
• Enjoys clerical work that includes data entry, typing, filing and organizing;
• A commitment to PWM’s values of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

qualifications

Experience:

• 1-2 years experience in an administration or project management role or equivalent

Technical knowledge:

• PWM uses the following software/programs to facilitate our work: G Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Drive), CiviCRM, Quickbooks, Slack, Asana. Experience with these specific programs is not required, but the candidate should have experience using common office software and programs.

Industry knowledge (nice to have, but not mandatory):

• Familiarity with the creative process and new theatre creation
• Knowledge of CAEA or ACTRA

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We thank all candidates for their interest in joining PWM, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Interviews will be held via zoom starting in early January. There may be more than one round of interviews. Candidates who advance to the interviews will be asked to provide PWM with the names, phone number and email address of two references.

If you have any questions, please contact our Managing Director, Anne-Sophie Grenier at annesophie@playwrights.ca.