Manager, Programming and Special Projects (Performing Arts)

Royal Conservatory of Music; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, ON is seeking a Manager, Programming and Special Projects (Performing Arts) to oversee concert season programming, budgeting, and artist contracts. The role collaborates with the Artistic Directors, PAD, and assistants to ensure high-quality programming and successful fundraising for the season.

Two Assistant Managers report to this role; on-site during the concert season with hybrid work options otherwise.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education at a university or college; arts administration experience is an asset.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the performing arts.
• Minimum of 3–4 years of experience in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Strong budgeting, contract management and grant coordination experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute concert season programming with budget oversight.
• Negotiate fees and manage artist contracts and offers.
• Coordinate with Finance and PAD for budget updates and reporting.
• Oversee postlude programming and grant applications with deadlines.
• Lead outreach and communications with internal stakeholders and partners.
• Mentor and supervise Assistant Managers of Concerts and Artists.

Skills

Budget management

Team leadership

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication

Education

Post-secondary education

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

The Royal Conservatory is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, teacher certification and arts-based social programs.

Whether at our schools, at Koerner Hall or within our corporate administration, please see the job postings below for opportunities to join our team.

Manager, Programming and Special Projects (Performing Arts) - (RCM514.1)

Job Title

Manager, Programming and Special Projects (Performing Arts)

Job Type

Full-time

Location

The Royal Conservatory - Toronto, ON M5S 1W2 CA (Primary)

Job Description

The Royal Conservatory (RCM) is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, and teacher certification. Graduates from its two performance training programs, The Glenn Gould School and The Phil & Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists, regularly perform on major international stages. The RCM is also a leader in the development of early childhood education programs and arts-based social programs, and presents a diverse range of concerts featuring the finest Canadian and international artists in its magnificent performance space, Koerner Hall. Please visit www.rcmusic.com for more information.

What is the Opportunity?

The Manager, Programming and Special Projects executes the requirements for all concerts presented by The Royal Conservatory (RC Presents). This includes liaising with artist management, issuing offers and RCP budgets, programming postlude performances, and taking a lead role in grant applications as required. The role works closely with the Executive and Artistic Directors of Performing Arts Division (PAD) as well as two Assistant Managers, Concerts and Artists to support all aspects of programming the concert season and its annual budget and fundraising processes.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Concert Season Programming

• Work hand-in-hand with Artistic Director to research and identify artists from the classical, jazz, global music, singer-songwriter, and pop genres for potential bookings at the RCM.
• Use existing or develop relationships within the artist/agent/manager worlds to ensure the finest artists across all genres consider Koerner Hall.
• Attend programming conferences, workshops, and concerts in other venues in the GTA.
• Prepare individual concert budgets and present financial offers to agents and managers.
• Work with Performing Arts’ Marketing and Communication teams to develop and proof season materials.
• Share the duties of management of artists and performances while they are on site.
• Introduce concerts and welcome audiences from the stage as needed.
• Represent RCM at industry meetings and similar networks when opportunities arise.
• EMS: Manage initial bookings, confirmations, create RCP concert files and oversee creation of Koerner Hall Calendar with Assistant Manager, Concerts and Artists.
  

Concert Season Budgeting and Contracts

• Create and maintain RCP season budget, as well as individual performance budget sheets.
• Collaborate with the Executive and Artistic Directors to develop and send out artist offer letters and budgets based on projected ticket sales and targets for upcoming seasons.
• Coordinate with Finance and the rest of the RCP team to finalize performance budgets as well as month end closing and periodic reforecasts.
• Coordinate with the Box Office to develop budget variance reporting and concert ticketing categories within the ticketing system.
• During initial stages, develop and draft artist budgets and offer letters for artist management and support the facilitation of approvals and confirmation for engagements.
• Prepare contracts and artists payments for RCM commissions and ensure the timely delivery of materials.
• Create co-presentation contracts between the RCM and various partner organizations.
• Review contracts before they are returned to artists and review artists payments for RCM commissions.
• Review cheque requisition forms for all artist payments for Finance, ensuring the appropriate financial coding and budget considerations are observed.
  

Postlude Programming

• Oversee programming of performances for each season by local artists across a variety of genres (approximately 25 per season).
• Negotiate fees and navigate instrumentation and equipment considerations.
  
• Collaborate with PAD's grants team and Finance team to write grant applications and develop budgets.
• Communicate with required internal stakeholders regarding grant deadlines, reviews, and necessary board signatures.
• Provide clarification as required with the relevant granting body officials.
• Ensure documents are delivered within grant submission deadlines.
• Track upcoming submission and reporting deadlines for RCP operating grants. Notify Executive and Artistic Directors as well as Finance of any upcoming deadlines in advance.
• Update and maintain CADAC for the Performing Arts Division.
  

Outreach and Other

• Take a lead role in coordinating various outreach activities such as Indigenous Music Summit, etc.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to direct reports.
• Perform other related duties as required.

What We're Looking For

• Post-secondary education at a university or college, an asset if area of study is relevant to the performing arts or arts administration.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the performing arts.
• Minimum of 3-4 years of experience in formal supervisory or managerial role, including performance management and mentoring.
• Minimum of 3-4 years of experience in project/functional management.
• Must possess a passion for music, live performance and the arts.
• Previous experience working within the arts not-for-profit sector considered an asset.
• Possesses a clear and detailed understanding of the performing arts sector, programming events and the administration required (contract riders, ticketing, concert logistics and production).
• Knowledge and/or previous experience of marketing within the performing arts field considered an asset.
• Previous experience interpreting and enacting contractual agreements.
• A proven team player with a history of successful projects and events requiring the involvement of multiple departments and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated communication skills, both verbal and written, employing the appropriate tone and language for the intended audience(s).
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, in particular, MS Excel.
• Proven track record for budget and expense management.
  

Salary Range

• $70,000 - $75,000 per annum
  

Additional Information

• This role has two (2) Assistant Managers, Concerts & Artists as direct reports.
• The role will need to be on site especially during the concert season,but hybrid work arrangement will apply were operations permit during concert schedule.
• At times, ability to work extended and unconventional hours is required, including evenings and weekends, given the nature of the role and annual concert schedule.
• Extensive PC use to support administrative activities.
• Long periods of intermittent standing or sitting based on prevailing activities (i.e. deskwork or attending events).
• Able to provide on-call support as required.
• This opportunity is for an existing vacancy.
• AI Disclosure: AI is not being used to screen, assess or select applicants.
  

The RCM is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the RCM’s Human Rights, Inclusion and Equity Policy, accommodation will be provided at any stage of in the recruitment and selection process. Applicants are asked to make their accommodation needs known when they have been contacted for an interview.