Cahoots Theatre, founded in 1986, is Canada’s first theatre company dedicated to developing and showcasing
the work of artists of colour. Our support has evolved to include all artists ‘in the margins’. Cahoots’ mission is to uplift and spotlight the work of historically undervalued theatre creators including LGBTQ artists, newcomer and
refugee artists, artists with disabilities, and artists who reside at the many intersections of these identities.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Managing Director
As we move with passion and purpose towards our 40th season in 2026/27, the Cahoots Theatre board of directors and staff seek a compassionate, dedicated, detail-oriented, enthusiastic and collaborative person to join our team as Managing Director. The chosen candidate will perform a significant portion of the duties of the former Managing Producer role. The Managing Director will be responsible for the financial management of Cahoots, most notably creation and oversight of the organization’s operating budget, and will sit on the Finance committee with the board chair and treasurer.

The MD will work with the Artistic Director to formulate programming budgets, and manage day-to-day administrative and operational tasks, in addition to overseeing the yearly financial audit. The Managing Director will supervise the marketing, fundraising, and public relations initiatives to increase company revenue through cultivating foundation and individual donor relationships, with the support of the board and AD. The Managing Director is also the coordinator for space and equipment rentals at Cahoots’ studio in Toronto, ON, and serves as primary contact for our building manager, landlord, security company, and maintenance repair.

In a departure from the previous MP role, the Managing Director will not serve as lead producer of Cahoots theatrical productions. During periods of production, however, the MD will be the primary contact for production managers, technical directors and producers with regards to show expenditures.

The Managing Director will become co-leader of Cahoots alongside Artistic Director, Tanisha Taitt. The MD and AD will collaborate on preparation of all operational or special project grant applications, as well as ongoing strategic initiatives. Together, they will engage in a visionary partnership that steers the company’s future and maintains a commitment to the company’s mandate, while being adaptive and reflective of the times. The Managing Director will be both an inward and outward-facing role, focusing on the internal workings of the company in addition to actively engaging with the community. The MD will work closely with Marketing & Communications Manager, Samantha Vu.

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Responsibilities of the Managing Director
Financial Management
❖ Creation, oversight and reconciliation of operational budget and production budgets
❖ Day-to-day company financials including bill payments, artist and contractor payments, banking, monitoring cash flow, managing accounts payable and receivable, providing tax receipts
❖ Regular communication and meetings with company bookkeeper
❖ Annual budgetary audit
❖ Payroll and benefits administration

Human Resources
❖ Hiring and managing of staff and contractors to meet company needs
❖ Maintaining employee records
❖ Providing and explaining key components of Cahoots HR policies to all contracted workers
❖ Overseeing all company-related contracting, including dealing with venues, agents, and show personnel
❖ Planning and running regularly scheduled staff meetings
❖ Serving as first point-person for HR-related issues

Board Governance
❖ Scheduling board meetings
❖ Preparation of board meeting agendas and packages, including the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
❖ Attending board meetings and, in conjunction with the Artistic Director, preparing and sharing reports on
❖ company operations
❖ Consultation with the board with regards to significant adjustments to strategic plans, policy or expenditures
❖ Sitting on Finance committee with board chair and treasurer

Grant Writing and Development
❖ Knowledge Canada Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, and Toronto Arts Council operational granting programs
❖ Preparation of grant applications in tandem with the AD. The managing director will complete budgetary and finance-related grant components.
❖ Communication with Grant Officers at all levels of government
❖ Receipt, administration and reporting on grant allotments
❖ Pursuing foundational and donor support to increase company revenue, with the support of the board and AD
❖ Relationship building with existing and potential financial supporters

Rental & Facilities Management:
❖ Coordination of studio and equipment rentals; communicating with and receiving payment from renters
❖ Paying building rent and utilities
❖ Maintaining relationship with landlord, building management, and security company

Community & Industry Engagement
❖ Attendance at PACT regional meetings and annual PACT Conference
❖ Attendance at all Cahoots productions and public events
❖ The MD should be curious and eager to engage with artists and members of the public, and will be expected on occasion to represent Cahoots at industry and community events

Job Criteria
Education/Training | Post-secondary training/equivalent work experience in theatre OR a passion for the performing arts. An arts administration background and a minimum of 3 years experience in management, non-profit preferred. We ask that all applicants possess an eagerness to learn, interest in a commitment to engaged leadership, and curiosity about the potential of Canadian theatre.

Required Skills
❖ Budgeting knowledge/experience
❖ Extremely strong written and oral communication skills, adaptable to a wide range of communities
❖ Extremely strong organizational skills; able to multitask
❖ Extremely strong time management skills; able to self-direct and adhere to deadlines
❖ Proficiency in Microsoft Office, notably Word and Excel; Google Drive and Suites; Zoom
❖ Experience with QuickBooks preferred
❖ Experience with CADAC preferred but not mandatory

Note: Although not expected to have prior experience or exposure, the Managing Director will be expected to gain knowledge of the following:
❖ The Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA)
❖ Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT)
❖ Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA)
❖ Canadian Actors Equity Association (CAEA)
❖ Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC)
❖ Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers (CGDC)

For specific projects the MD may be required to engage with the following:
❖ The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA)
❖ American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
❖ Songwriters Association of Canada (SOCAN)

Hours & Location | Four days (32 hours) a week, Tuesday to Friday. (Mondays are yours!) This is a hybrid position in Toronto, Ontario. All Cahoots staff work alternately from home and at the company’s office & studio at 388 Queen Street West, just east of Parliament St. Due to the nature of the work, overtime will sometimes be required.

Annual Compensation | $50,000 (prorated for 2025/26) plus extended health benefits (prescription, vision, dental).
The MD will also have access to free booking of the Cahoots Creation Studio for 100 non-work related hours.

Vacation | 3 weeks paid vacation in addition to end-of-year Winter Holiday break.

Interviews will be held in July 2025. The chosen candidate will receive hourly paid training for the role starting in mid-September and will officially, preferably assume the position on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025. Negotiable start date. Please email a resume highlighting all relevant experience, and a cover letter sharing your managerial philosophy and why you wish to be part of Cahoots Theatre, to board@cahoots.ca by Wednesday, July 2nd.

We enthusiastically welcome applications from ANYONE who believes that they might be the right person for this role. Please do not exclude yourself prematurely! We invite people of various identities/backgrounds/abilities.
Kindly note that due to company capacity, only those chosen for an interview can be contacted, however we truly appreciate ALL interest and thank you sincerely for the time and effort taken to prepare an application for us.