Vice President of Operations

TO Live; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TO Live is seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead its operations department. This role involves overseeing facility services, patron and event services, and food and beverage operations. The ideal candidate will have extensive senior management experience in a performing arts environment, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of facility operations. The position requires strategic thinking and effective communication to ensure operational excellence across all venues. Interested applicants should apply through the TO Live careers website.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of senior management experience in a performing arts complex.
• Strong background in facility operations, patron services, security, and food & beverage.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for effective department operations.
• Oversee maintenance policies and security operations across all venues.
• Coordinate with the City of Toronto on capital project oversight.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic Thinking

Education

University Degree

Project Management Training

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

CMMS

Event Management Systems

Job description

Employment Opportunity

TO Live

Vice President of Operations

Toronto, Canada

TO Live’s Operations department is recruiting for an exciting full-time role of Vice President of Operations

Reporting to the President and CEO, this executive position is responsible for the overall operations of Facility Services, Patron and Event Services, and Food and Beverage. The role also oversees a team to liaise with the City of Toronto’s Corporate Real Estate Management division and other departments to ensure that City-managed capital projects do not disrupt business operations. Additionally, the position is responsible for developing, implementing, and/or supporting unionized labour relations and collective bargaining activities for operations staff.

Activities & Responsibilities

General

· Provide leadership, direction, and team building to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the department.

· Guide and oversee departmental directors in planning and managing annual operating budgets.

· Support the development and execution of strategic plans and initiatives.

· Ensure timely, accurate, and complete reporting across all operational areas including development and management of annual operating budgets.

· Stay informed on trends and best practices through ongoing professional development.

· Maintain regular communication within the department and across the senior leadership team.

· Work closely with other departments to coordinate activities and meet organizational objectives.

· Ensure effective staff onboarding, training, and development across operational areas.

· Foster a workplace culture where staff feel informed, valued, and empowered.

· Manage or oversee disciplinary processes and identify additional training needs when required.

· Undertake special projects and perform other duties as assigned by the President and CEO.

· Lead or support collective agreement negotiations and union-related matters.

Facility Services

· Responsible for the effective operation, maintenance, and lifecycle planning of all major building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety, and other mechanical infrastructure across all TO Live venues.

· Oversee maintenance policies, procedures, and plans to safeguard TO Live venues.

· Responsible for security operations across all TO Live venues, including the development and oversight of emergency management policies, training programs, and response procedures.

Capital Projects

· Coordinate with the City of Toronto’s Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) division on the transition of capital project oversight from TO Live to CREM.

· Collaborate with CREM to minimize disruptions to business operations during the execution of City-managed capital projects.

· Advocate for TO Live’s capital priorities and provide input during the City of Toronto’s budget-setting and capital planning processes.

Patron & Events Services / Food & Beverage

· Oversee the delivery of a best-in-class patron experience across all venues.

· Accountable for maximizing concession revenues and controlling catering-related expenses through effective pricing strategies, vendor management, and operational oversight.

· Identify and implement operational improvements and accountability measures.

Key Qualities We Are Looking for in Candidates:

Experience & Expertise

· Minimum 15 years of senior management experience in a performing arts complex or similarly scaled venue (e.g., arenas, convention centers, cultural institutions).

· Strong background in facility operations, patron services, security, and food & beverage.

· Demonstrated success in unionized environments, including labour relations and collective bargaining.

· Financial acumen: budgeting, forecasting, revenue optimization.

· University degree, complemented by recognized industry credentials; project management training is preferred.

Technical & Regulatory Knowledge

· Deep understanding of the Ontario Building and Fire Codes, health and safety legislation, and labour law.

· Familiarity with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and event management systems (e.g., Momentus).

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and ideally AutoCAD.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

· Strong communicator with excellent stakeholder engagement skills.

· Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and collaboration.

· Strategic thinker capable of aligning financial, operational, and human resources with TO Live's broader goals.

Working Conditions

· Variable and often long hours; nights and weekends, including responding to after-hours emergency situations.

· Occasional objectionable odours in workplace.

· Travel between TO Live venues as required.

THE ORGANIZATION

TO Live is one of Canada’s largest multi arts organizations, operating three iconic venues: Meridian Hall, the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and Meridian Arts Centre. In addition, TO Live presents a full range of performing arts, theatrical and concert events at these venues in both downtown and uptown Toronto. With these two hubs of creativity and content creation, TO Live has a unique place and perspective to activate creative spaces by inspiring local and international artists, connect audiences and to be the nexus for new ideas, elevate artistic potential, and be the catalyst for creative expression that is reflective of Toronto’s diversity.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should apply through our TO Live careers website at: https://tolive.bamboohr.com/jobs/

No phone calls or emails please. TO Live thanks all applicants in advance. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Together with the Toronto Public Service’s (TPS) initiatives, which TO Lives follows and adheres to,TO Live encouragesapplications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to fostering innovative ideas and solutions.

We ask that you complete the questions provided as part of the online application to assist us in ensuring our recruitment process and programs are equitable and accessible. Your responses are voluntary and the information that you provide is strictly confidential.

We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The Human Resources department will work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process.

Date Posted: May 13, 2025

Application Deadline: May 26, 2025

Start Date: As soon as pos