Senior Director - Market Operations, Administration & Enablement

TIFF; Toronto; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent cultural organization in Toronto is seeking a Senior Director – Market Operations. As a senior leader, you will drive operational excellence and strategic enablement while overseeing all aspects of market operations. The ideal candidate will possess strong financial acumen and extensive leadership experience in large-scale events. This role offers a competitive salary within the range of CAD 125k to 175k, requiring full-time commitment during festival periods.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of progressive administrative or operational leadership experience, preferably in Markets.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget development and management including financial reporting.
• Proven ability to oversee large operational teams and complex workflows.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Head of Market’s strategic vision into actionable operational plans.
• Lead overall operational governance for the Market.
• Oversee the financial integrity of the Market.

Job description

Overview

SENIOR DIRECTOR - MARKET OPERATIONS, ADMINISTRATION & ENABLEMENT - TIFF: THE MARKET

Permanent full-time position at TIFF, a charitable, cultural organization dedicated to presenting international and Canadian cinema and creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators at TIFF Lightbox. TIFF is committed to diversity, respect, dignity and fairness, and to removing barriers to participation.

We are hiring for the position of Senior Director, Market Operations, Administration & Enablement. The role is a senior leadership position responsible for driving operational excellence, strategic enablement, financial sustainability, and successful execution of the Market. It serves as the administrative and operational lead of TIFF: The Market and as a strategic partner to the Market Head, translating vision into actionable outcomes while safeguarding operational and administrative excellence.

The Senior Director leads the Operations and Production portfolio, overseeing vendor partnerships and the delivery of all operational and production elements that support the Market. The role provides leadership across enablement functions including financial planning, procurement, legal affairs and business systems, ensuring the Market has the frameworks and resources required to operate effectively and deliver impact.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Head of Market’s strategic vision into actionable operational plans.
• Lead overall operational governance for the Market, ensuring alignment between vision, resources, and delivery.
• Build and oversee frameworks for workflows, SOPs, evaluation tools, and performance monitoring to maintain efficiency and accountability.
• Anticipate risks and opportunities through forecasting and scenario planning, ensuring resilience and continuity in Market operations.
• Lead the Market’s outsourced and matrixed operations & production model, including events, venues feasibility, setup and management, Audio/Visual, and Interactive Production needs.
• Ensure resilience planning across all outsourced models to reduce disruption risk.
• Oversee and manage partnerships with Festival functional leaders in Technical Production, Logistics, and Facilities.
• Lead the Ops & Production Manager to manage outsourced vendors and third-party production companies to deliver against SLAs and KPIs, with clear frameworks for accountability and attendee experience standards.
• Lead Market budgeting and forecasting in partnership with Market Leadership and the Finance team.
• Collaborate with Programming, Sales, Business Development, and Digital teams to align financial and resource planning with strategic priorities.
• Report financial performance to the Head of Market and TIFF leadership, highlighting risks, opportunities and recommendations.
• Champion a culture of financial accountability and transparency; monitor expenditures, optimize costs, and identify revenue opportunities.
• Oversee the financial integrity of the Market, ensuring accurate records, sound controls, and alignment with TIFF’s Finance team on audits, compliance and reporting requirements.
• Lead procurement and contracting activities, ensuring value, compliance, and alignment with TIFF’s legal and business practices.
• Document, audit, and maintain procurement and business affairs activities consistent with TIFF’s organizational practices.
• Partner with TIFF’s Legal team on contract structure, risk management, and dispute resolution.
• Set direction and priorities for the Leads - Procurement, Business Affairs, Event Ops, Production, Finance who manage day-to-day operations, vendor negotiations, contract execution, and compliance monitoring.
• Provide executive leadership to major Market projects, ensuring on-time delivery within budget and aligned with strategic goals.
• Lead and provide strategic guidance to end-to-end program/project management across the Market to improve tracking and delivery consistency.
• Act as the primary decision-maker for administrative, workflow and internal production issues, resolving conflicts and ensuring minimal disruption to strategic goals.
• Oversee emergency planning and protocols in partnership with TIFF’s VP, Operations & Production.
• Ensure clear, consistent communication across Market teams regarding priorities, financial planning updates, and project milestones.
• Partner with the Head of Market to keep leadership and staff informed on developments that impact workflows, budgets, or timelines.

Minimum Requirements

• 8-12 years of progressive administrative or operational leadership experience, preferably in Markets, festivals, or large-scale events.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget development and management including financial reporting up to 14M annually.
• Strategic thinker able to define, implement, and optimize outsourced event models while ensuring seamless execution.
• Proven ability to oversee large operational teams and complex workflows.
• Experience partnering with senior leadership on organizational strategy, financial planning, and operational design.
• Proficiency with financial management tools, project management frameworks, and procurement systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage operational workflows, departmental budgets, and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading and managing high-performing teams with cross-functional collaboration.

How to Apply & Deadline

• All applications must be submitted online through TIFF’s Career Centre.
• Please upload your cover letter and resumé as PDFs, before the deadline of Monday, October 13th, 2025.

Job Details

• Job Grade Salary Range/Annually or Rate of pay: 125k - 175k
• Target Contract Dates: 10 November 2025
• Work Location: 350 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3X5
• Weekly in-office requirements: 2 days (Nov 1 – Apr 30) and 3 days (May 1 – Oct 31)
• Festival Office Requirements: Full Time during Festival

Other

• Candidates must be legally able to work in Canada. TIFF does not sponsor employment visas; however, time-limited visa status may be considered if the visa allows completion of the full contract.
• TIFF is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. We welcome applicants who identify as racialized, Indigenous, persons with disabilities, and diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
• For accommodations during the application process, please contact [e-mail].