Manager, Arts & Entertainment Venues

City of Kitchener; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal arts organization in Kitchener seeks a Manager of A&E Venues to oversee operations, lead a team, and enhance community engagement through arts events. Candidates should have a relevant degree and extensive venue management experience, with strong leadership and communication skills. This role requires flexibility in working hours, as events may occur evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4-7 years of senior-level experience in venue management.
• Proven experience leading and training teams.
• Knowledge of lighting, sound, and AV systems.

Responsibilities

• Engages and motivates a diverse team to foster creativity.
• Leads daily operations of arts and entertainment venues.
• Develops relationships with artists and event promoters.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

3-year degree or diploma in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Production software

Digital ticketing platforms

Job description

Overview

Arts & Entertainment is a newly formed division that sits within Economic Development and includes three units – Arts & Creative Industries, Special Events, and Arts & Entertainment Venues (A&E Venues). The A&E Venues team is responsible for providing venue management and operational support to the arts and entertainment venues owned by the City of Kitchener.

Reporting to the Director of Arts & Entertainment, the Manager of A&E Venues has oversight of the day-to-day operation of venues operated by the Arts & Entertainment division (i.e., Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, Victoria Park Pavilion, and City Hall Rotunda). Leading a team that delivers inspiring and impactful experiences to all invested groups, the Manager plays a critical role within the arts and entertainment sector – activating the City’s venues to create a more vibrant community.

Working closely with internal units (e.g., Special Events, Arts & Creative Industries) as well as external groups (e.g., presenters, artists), the Manager and the A&E Venues team facilitate events that positively contribute to the City’s quality of life.

Due to the nature of the arts and entertainment industry, working hours will vary during the event season.

Responsibilities

• Engages, inspires, and motivates a diverse team, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment to promote creativity and innovation.
• Leads the Supervisor of Events, Supervisor of Venue Operations, Supervisor of Venue Services, full-time unionized employees, and part-time/event-day staff.
• Guides staff and groups as it relates to ensuring effective venue management practices in a municipal government environment.
• Develops and maintains relationships with all invested groups, including promoters, talent agencies, artists, arts organizations, the media, government officials, etc.
• Sets strategic goals, establishes policies, and supports programs that align with the division’s vision.
• Navigates the complexities of a public governance structure to make well-informed, transparent, and intentional decisions.
• Implements process improvements and utilizes systems to achieve operational optimization and efficiency.
• Focuses on staff development to ensure ongoing professional growth and performance excellence amongst team members.
• Demonstrates comprehensive expertise across multiple venue types as it relates to venue operations, event production, scheduling, guest services, finance, marketing, and ticketing.
• Develops, negotiates, and manages contracts with an extensive understanding of talent and facility usage contracts as well as third-party vendor agreements.
• Applies programming and booking experience to create diverse and engaging event offerings.
• Works collaboratively with agents and programmers to maintain a robust event calendar, increasing facility utilization.
• Engages in audience development growth strategies and tactics to broaden the reach and impact of programs.
• Supports the development of marketing strategies and public relations efforts to increase the visibility of the City’s venue offerings.
• Identifies business development opportunities and formulates sales strategies to activate new revenue streams to surpass objectives.
• Seeks, negotiates, and secures sponsorships that contribute to enhancing venue operations and program offerings.
• Engages in grant writing to secure funding that supports venue and programming initiatives.
• Ensures accurate settlement of shows with promoters, presenters, and rental clients.
• Plans and presents annual operating and capital budgets, aligning forecasts with corporate expectations.
• Proposes rental fees and charges that align with Council-directed targets and industry benchmarks.
• Provides escalated accounts receivable support and resolves financial discrepancies promptly.
• Supports ticketing and box office operations to ensure customer satisfaction and financial productivity.
• Advises and consults with third-party food and beverage provider(s) on marketing, staffing, and customer service while reconciling financials.
• Serves as "Manager on Duty" during events, supervising staff and addressing escalated issues as they arise.
• Leads staff and patrons during emergency procedures, ensuring their safety and adherence to protocols.
• Implements and advocates for venue sustainability and accessibility, incorporating industry best practices and legislative requirements into daily operations.
• Serves as a key media contact for arts and entertainment venues.
• Resolves escalated complaints and inquiries.
• Ensures compliance with safety standards and security procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum 3-year degree or diploma in a related field.
• Minimum 4-7 years of related senior-level experience in the sector, managing arts and entertainment facilities and leading teams that support the sector. Municipal experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated venue management experience, including vast operational knowledge through working with a variety of event types (i.e., music, theatre, dance, film, comedy, commercial, corporate, community, etc.).
• Experience leading, managing, motivating, and training staff.
• Communication skills and human relations skills to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Knowledge of production software for effective communication with the operations team.
• Knowledge of digital ticketing platforms for effective communication with the venue services team.
• Knowledge of lighting, sound, and AV systems commonly used in performing arts venues, as well as an understanding of production schedules and workflows.
• Knowledge of employment, labour, and health and safety legislation (e.g., Ontario Health and Safety Act).
• Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Organization and administrative skills to coordinate work, file event notes, schedule staffing, etc.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization and to participate as an effective team member.
• Excellent leadership skills, decision-making skills, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence; the patience to teach, inspire, and motivate; the ability to creatively solve problems and be resourceful.
• Ability to travel to various venues and meeting locations across the City.
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.
• Subject to operational requirements, the Manager of A&E Venues will be required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

Note: All interested applicants are encouraged to apply. In the event there is no successful applicant with the stated level of education and experience, other applicants will be considered if a combination of their education and experience meets the following pre-determined equivalency:

• 2-Year Diploma (or 2-Year Specialized Post-Secondary Program) with minimum 7 years related and relevant experience, OR
• 4-Year Honours Degree with minimum 2 years related and relevant experience.

Department/ Division: Development Services, Economic Development

Group: Non-Union/Management

Competition Number: 2025 - 333

Job Code: 1553

Number of positions: 1

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