General Manager

Cultural Human Resources Council; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A performing arts organization in Ottawa seeks a General Manager to lead fundraising, marketing, and operational strategies. The ideal candidate will have a background in arts or non-profit management and strong leadership skills. This role offers a competitive opportunity to shape the future of the organization within a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and management experience, preferably in the arts or non-profit sector.
• Proven fundraising and grant-writing success.
• Strong written communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute fundraising strategies, including grants and sponsorships.
• Lead marketing and communications initiatives to grow audiences.
• Oversee financial and administrative operations, including budgeting.

Skills

Leadership experience

Fundraising skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Collaborative mindset

Job description

Odyssey Theatre is seeking a new General Manager to help lead the company into its fourth decade.

The Company

Odyssey Theatre is a mask and physical arts theatre company in Ottawa at the forefront of contemporary masked performance and training. Founded in 1985, the company produces innovative theatre that inspires audiences from all walks of life. Odyssey has created 12 original plays and 13 significant contemporary translations and reinterpretations of international classics that have been presented on our open‑air stage in Strathcona Park, plus 10 plays performed in museums and festivals, or for our audio‑drama podcast series.

Odyssey’s aesthetic weaves international forms of masked dance, Commedia dell’Arte, and contemporary pop culture. This fusion of traditional and modern makes Odyssey uniquely appealing. We create theatre enriched with masks, movement, music, dance and arts of the fairground, like puppetry, that transports audiences into imaginative worlds to explore powerful universal issues in a spirit of celebration. Our company is a hub where creators, physical theatre artists, mask‑makers, choreographers, directors and dramaturges from a variety of backgrounds can train, explore and share their art.

Our Programming Includes

• Theatre Under the Stars: Outdoor performances in a heritage park along the Rideau River.
• A new play creation program focused on mask and movement.
• Training for professionals and youth.
• Digital theatre, including The Other Path podcast.
• Community engagement initiatives with underserved groups.

As we enter our fourth decade, we are pursuing exciting plans for growth, including an international collaboration, a Digital World of Masks online resource centre, and facility development.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a strategic, results‑oriented General Manager to join our leadership team. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working in close collaboration with the Artistic Director, the General Manager will play a key role in the organization’s sustainability and growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute fundraising strategies, including grants, sponsorships, and donor campaigns.
• Lead marketing and communications initiatives to grow audiences and visibility.
• Oversee financial and administrative operations, including budgeting and reporting.
• Manage seasonal productions and operations, including artist contracts and operational staffing.
• Support board governance and organizational planning.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and management experience, preferably in the arts or non‑profit sector.
• Proven fundraising and grant‑writing success.
• Strong written communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and take initiative.
• Collaborative mindset with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience in arts administration is an asset.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required.

How to Apply

Odyssey is committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, and respectful working environment. We encourage submissions from persons of all races; cultural backgrounds; abilities; gender identities or expressions; religions; and sexual orientations.

Email the following to [e-mail] (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis):

• Resume
• Cover letter outlining your interest in the role and what you would bring to Odyssey Theatre
• Up to 5 pages of relevant writing samples

Applications will be treated in confidence. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process.

Odyssey creates theatre on the traditional, unceded Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. We are grateful for this opportunity and for the generations of people who have taken care of this land for thousands of years.