Job Title: Artistic Director – Training Centre, The Second City, Toronto
Job location: Toronto
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: CAD $65,000
Reports To: VP- Training Centres (& GM – Toronto)
Direct reports: Location-based faculty and, where applicable, Associate Artistic Directors and/or Program Leads
Works in tandem with: Training Centre Production Manager (Toronto)
Position Overview
The Artistic Director is the creative lead for the Training Centre at The Second City, Toronto. This is a full-time management position responsible for developing and implementing programming to grow The Second City Training Centre – Toronto.
The successful candidate will work in three main areas:
Be an innovator for growth and change in our organization. This includes creation of new ideas, recruitment of new people, and seeking out new partners.
Focus on delivering a high-quality experience to our students. This includes the modernization of curriculum, student performance season planning and the management of our unionized faculty.
Support and advance the artistic vision for the company as set by the VP – Head of Creative, and serve as an advocate for our students to work in our theatres and film projects.
Accountabilities and Responsibilities Include (but not limited to)
Identify growth areas for the Training Centre, and align the resources (faculty, technology, etc) needed to drive new enrollments or partnerships
Present growth opportunities to TC Leadership. Identify key tactics to reach goals and track accordingly on a weekly basis to communicate up to the executive team and ownership
Help to find grants and organization/community partners to develop new opportunities
Work with VP – Head of Creative, VP of Production, the larger team of Training Centre Artistic Directors (Chicago, New York & Virtual), local & regional GMs and the VP of Marketing, to set specific goals for each calendar year
Attend Student Orientation and lead Welcome Sessions each term
Attend and offer feedback on Training Centre related performances, and work with Program Leads and/or Associate Artistic Directors to assure quality and mission
Attend and/or run auditions related to Training Centre programs
Maintain The Second City’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to create and support a stronger, more diverse Training Centre community
Be an adviser (in conjunction with VP – Training Centres and HR when necessary) on issues involving faculty and/or students – including but not limited to issues of harassment, dissatisfaction, tension/frustration, content appropriateness, teaching/learning style, etc.
Consult and Coordinate with the TC leadership team for special projects and programs to help monitor quality, curriculum, faculty, students, admissions, and overall branding/reputation
Attend and participate in meetings as-needed, such as: Training Centre staff meetings, Artistic Directors’ meetings, program-specific meetings, etc.
Work with the Student Success team, VP of Sales and VP of Marketing to design and implement programming to support and grow a dynamic, healthy, engaged Training Centre community
Management of Faculty & TC MDs
Work with VP-Training Centres to recruit, hire, train, and mentor Training Centre faculty & music directors
Design and run All-Faculty meetings and Development Sessions
Oversee the evaluation of Training Centre program direct reports and faculty
Participate in appropriate faculty reviews
Create development plans for faculty
Operationalize the faculty/MD CBA and work to facilitate a healthy, productive relationship between the faculty union and the Second City
Student Support
Work with the Student Success team to address and resolve student needs & concerns
Provide creative and professional development guidance to students as appropriate
Identify talent within the TC ecosystem for professional opportunities within the company
Administrative Responsibilities
Work with VP – Training Centres and Training Centre Production Manager to develop annual budget proposals for TC creative/artistic needs and goals
Collaborate with Training Centre Production Manager on the assignment of classes and substitute teacher coverage
Job Requirements
The ideal candidate will have an undergraduate degree, or equivalent experience, in theatre with an intensive focus on improvisation. Ideal candidates will have taught improvisation for a minimum of 5 years, with a minimum of 5 years management experience as well. A thorough and current understanding of the Toronto comedy landscape is key to success in this role. Knowledge of The Second City’s creative process and an understanding of the company’s artistic and pedagogical philosophies are a huge plus. Excellent communication and leadership skills are required for this position as are superior adaptability, compassion, curiosity and patience.
We are an open, inclusive workplace and welcome applicants who bring with them diverse life experiences, including every permutation of economic and cultural backgrounds, orientation, identity, ethnicity and points of view. We strive to continue our efforts to work with people who may otherwise be marginalized or underrepresented in our business and around our community.
An offer of employment is contingent upon an accepted background and reference check.
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