General Manager
Job Type: Full-TimeJob Start Date: 22/07/2024
Location: This position is hybrid. In-person meetings take place at the Kaeja office located in Toronto’s Seaton Village and at JDT’s office at the Eastroom, located at Queen and Broadview.
City: Toronto
Hiring Organization Name: Kaeja d'Dance
Hiring Organization Description:
Kaeja d’Dance (Kaeja) has established itself as one of Canada’s longest standing contemporary dance companies. Toronto-based since 1990, Co-Artistic Directors Karen and Allen Kaeja, lead an award-winning provocative contemporary dance works, dance films, digital innovations and empowering education, mentoring, and community and outreach programs. The Company collaborates with international and local dance artists, composers, designers and collaborators,
and presenters, to create performances that push boundaries and infuse local and international communities with exciting new experiences both on stage and site-specific. Kaeja develops performance platforms for professional dance artists to thrive. We care about the action we take in Canada and abroad, and the responsibility of bringing together art-making and audiences. Kaeja is committed to evolving equity practices and accessibility within the sector. With over 160 original works, including commissions worldwide, our Company performances often include professionals with local community movers, provoking collaborative relationships between the body and the everyday.
Jaberi Dance Theatre (JDT) is an award-winning, Toronto-based Company that creates original and contemporary dance-theatre productions, working at the interface of performance and politics. Established as a not-for-profit organization in 2017, the organization has grown rapidly, presenting its work across Canada and internationally. Guided by the values of research, collaboration, and intersectionality, JDT convenes artists with activists, scholars, and community leaders to collaborate and tell stories about current global issues. The Company’s repertoire includes a collection of original works across multiple disciplines that is thoughtfully curated by Artistic Director Roshanak Jaberi, with a particular focus on women’s stories. JDT offers original
stage and site-specific dance-theatre productions, dance films and interactive digital projects, performance art installations, master workshops and professional development opportunities, research and creative residencies, commissions for guest choreographers and advocacy initiatives through its artistic platform.
Job Description:
Kaeja d’Dance and Jaberi Dance Theatre–two vibrant Toronto-based dance companies with a
history of collaborating, and each needing a part-time General Manager, have partnered to offer
a unique opportunity for a single individual to have full-time employment leading the
administration of both Companies. We are seeking an experienced leader who enjoys working collaboratively, has a deep knowledge of the not-for-profit arts sector, and can provide yearround operational and strategic management for the two companies. Working in a hybrid (remote and in person) model, this position is a renewable contract and reports to the Artistic Directors of each Company. This position is not responsible for full Financial Management. Kaeja and JDT are equal opportunity employers welcoming submissions from all who are legally able to work in Canada, from equity groups, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Disabled and intersections of all identities.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following outlines the General Manager’s roles and responsibilities for each of the two
companies–Kaeja d’Dance and Jaberi Dance Theatre.
Operational Management
● Manages all operational systems and processes, ensures the execution of policies and
procedures to support the two organizations in carrying out their mission;
● Collaborates with and advises the Artistic Directors of both companies and their Boards
on strategic development activities to enhance organizational capacity;
● Leads the development of strategic plans, guidelines and policies, and all reports;
● Collaborates closely with and manages staff for both companies to ensure the effective
and efficient administration of all programming, including budgeting and financials;
● Manages collaborators, contractors and vendors;
● Reports to Artistic Directors of both companies separately and provides regular updates
to the Board of Directors and Board committees of the two organizations; ensuring that
information and/or proposals presented reflect appropriate analysis and contribute to the
strategic and financial goals of the organizations;
● This position does not include Financial Management, however ongoing collaboration
with the Financial Manager will be essential; ;
● Works alongside the Board President and Board of each Company to develop new
policies and procedures and supports the Board’s subcommittees;
● Reports to the Boards on programming, education, community, and outreach initiatives;
● Manages both Company’s Board meeting schedules, attends and takes minutes at
Board meetings and maintains Board documents;
● Performs other activities as may be requested by the Boards from time to time;
● Attends meetings of both Boards of Directors in an ex officio, non-voting capacity;
Project Management & Administration
● Collaborates with Artistic Directors of both companies and manages vendors,
contractors, staff and volunteers to support all programming activities and ensures that
artistic objectives are met;
● Manages and takes the lead on all operating and project grants from the preparation of
applications, to the submission of final reports;
● Collaborates with the Artistic Directors and Financial Manager in the preparation of
project and operating, annual and multi-year budgets and financial updates for all
activities for approval of the Board of Directors;
● Oversees marketing, communications, publicity materials, website, house programs, and
e-newsletters;
● Develops and maintains supportive, sustainable and respectful language and working
relationships in the organizations and with the dance community and public-at-large;
● Develops marketing and communication strategies.
● Manages invoices and receipts and ensure projects are completed on time and within
budget;
● Attends and manages touring networking events on behalf of both companies;
● Manages all aspects of touring activities, including booking flights, accommodations and
preparing itineraries.
Fundraising & Development
● Seeks new areas of financial revenue within the scope of Company activities;
● Collaborates with the Artistic Directors of each organization on fundraising and
development to support the Companies in growing sustainable patron loyalty;
● Designs and implements strategies to increase revenue;
● Researches new funding opportunities from public and private sources;
● Actively participates in fundraising activities by communicating with donors, potential
donors and sponsors throughout the season, soliciting their continued support to enable
the artistic growth of the Companies;
● Recruits new community and corporate partners for donations, sponsorships and in-kind
support;
● Stewards relationships with multiple stakeholders, including donors, sponsors,
politicians, volunteers;
● Develops and supports fundraising initiatives and creates annual donor receipts.
● Liaises with and builds relationships with partners, presenters, curators and
programmers for each organization; attends networking events and represents the
organizations in a professional manner.
Human Resources
● Manages recruitment and training of several new staff ensuring team members
understand their roles, responsibilities, and performance standards, providing ongoing
and informal feedback, coaching, and support;
● Provides orientation, supervision, and direction to all personnel in carrying out the
management plans and policies as approved by the Board of Directors of both
companies;
● Prepares contracts for staff and freelance collaborators, and coordinates to completion;
● Contributes to the development of strategies to reduce and remove barriers to
employment, participation, and opportunities;
● Updates HR policies in collaboration with the Artistic Directors and Board of Directors of
the two companies.
The following outlines the skills and requirements pertaining to the position for each of the two
companies–Kaeja d’Dance and Jaberi Dance Theatre.
Required Skills
● Experience in the Not-for-profit Arts Sector with a strong interest in the performing arts,
community engagement, and public space activation;
● Excellent organizational skills: managing critical paths, creating timelines, maintaining
schedules, tracking/documenting materials, creating and proofreading copy, etc;
● Discerning eye and meticulous attention to details in all facets of the organizations and
communications;
● Experience managing small teams and training new team members and/or volunteers;
● Knowledgeable of budgets and possesses keen management skills;
● Advanced problem-solving skills, ability to think ahead, anticipates potential
problems/outcomes and proactively seeks effective solutions;
● Highly developed research and grant-writing skills and a track record of writing
successful funding submissions;
● Excellent interpersonal skills. Comfortable working with a variety of stakeholders such as
presenters, arts councils, volunteers, Board of Directors, current and potential donors,
local politicians, small business owners and community groups and embraces a
commitment to quality customer service;
● Ability to work collaboratively and independently while adhering to the deadlines of
both companies;
● Fluency in English, both written and spoken;
● Maintains professional conduct and communication at all times and brings a positive
attitude to the work environment;
● Knowledgeable and committed to championing anti-racism and anti-harassment
practices and respecting the lived experience of marginalized collaborators and team
members, volunteers and audiences;
● A creative and innovative thinker, who enthusiastically contributes new ideas and
enhances current ones;
● Experience with private fundraising such as corporate sponsorship or foundation
donations;
● Eager to grow in the role and within the two organizations;
● Adept at using Microsoft Office Suite, Excel or other spreadsheet data management
software, Google Products: Google Drive, Google Docs primarily,Adobe PDF, and
learning new platforms.
Preferred Skills
● Comfortable working with Mac and other Apple products
● Experience using fundraising platforms and software
● Experience with project management software such as Monday.com
● Familiarity with bookkeeping processes. Knowledge of Quickbooks Online
● Familiarity with the various funding portals for online applications
● Other languages an asset
● Marketing and community outreach experience an asset
Must have access to stable broadband internet and provide their own laptop.
$72,000-$80,000 (Full-Time Contract – 1-year with possibility of extension – 40 hours/week)
Full-Time position Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week. Some on-site, evenings and weekends
required for events and productions for both companies. Time in lieu may be taken to offset
fluctuating work volume.
Application Deadline & Details
● Friday June 28, 2024 or before;
● Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. We will begin reviewing
applications as received.
● Provide a cover letter that highlights your approach to management, your experience,
what motivates you to seek this position, and if you are familiar with Kaeja d’Dance
and/or Jaberi Dance Theatre;
● Provide a detailed resume or CV;
● Provide references upon request.
Please combine all documents into one PDF and email your submission to jdtkaeja@gmail.com
with the subject line “General Manager”. While we thank all applicants for their interest, only
those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Application contact Information:
If you have any questions about this position, please contact Roshanak Jaberi and Karen Kaeja
at jdtkaeja@gmail.com