Executive Director

Company Overview

Persephone Theatre is located on the beautiful lands of Indigenous peoples who have lived here since time immemorial, including the Nêhiyawak, Nêhithawak, Anishinabek, Nakawe, Nakota, Nehinawak, Lakota, Dakota and Dene peoples. This place is also the homeland of the Métis. At Persephone, we also like to acknowledge the contributions of the Whitecap Dakota and Round Prairie Métis peoples in establishing our city of Saskatoon. Persephone Theatre is located on Treaty 6 territory and is committed to living in good relations with our Indigenous neighbours, in the spirit with which the Treaties were intended.

Persephone sits amidst an increasingly vibrant city centre and attracts a loyal and diverse audience looking for the very best in theatre experiences. From its busy mainstage, studio stage, and rehearsal halls; to its theatre school and youth programming; and the many events held in its venue, Persephone Theatre has established itself as a cultural hub.

Saskatoon is a city full of potential and energy, with a quality of life that is unattainable in many other centres. The successful Executive Director will have the opportunity to co-lead a growing cultural organization, in a position where they can make a difference.

Job Description

Executive DIRECTOR, Persephone Theatre (Saskatoon, SK)

Start Date: September 2026 (or earlier)

Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

The Call

Persephone Theatre is looking for an individual who, in partnership with the Artistic Director, can provide strategic leadership and manage the administrative aspects of Persephone Theatre’s operations and artistic programs, in a manner that propels the theatre toward being a vital presence in the community. To be this presence, Persephone uses its resources generously as a creative hub, and as a respectful, inclusive space that provides artists with opportunities for mentorship, training, and professional development.

Persephone Theatre is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of our community in the stories we tell and the ways in which we undertake the creative work. Persephone is striving to prioritize a workplace culture that is centred in equity, inclusion, and authentic representation. Persephone Theatre’s employment goal is to hire competent, highly engaged individuals to constitute a staff that reflects the diversity of our community. Persephone’s work in these areas is ongoing and is part of the continued growth and development in this theatre. 

The Theatre

Persephone Theatre is a registered charity that owns and operates a comprehensive theatre facility located on the bank of the beautiful South Saskatchewan River. Persephone regularly produces a six-show Main Stage series, a Youth series that includes a provincial school tour, and occasional productions and special events in our studio theatre. Persephone also operates a year-round theatre school for students aged four to adult. The building includes:

·        Two theatres:

§  The Rawlco Radio Hall (421 seats) used for Persephone Theatre programming and community rentals.

§  The Backstage Stage (150 seats) predominantly used for Persephone Theatre’s youth programming and as an affordable and accessible space by the theatre community.

·        Two rehearsal halls.

·        Fully equipped construction shops, production facilities, classrooms, and offices.

The Candidate

The Executive Director will jointly lead, alongside the Artistic Director, a staff of approximately twenty, and be responsible for:

·        providing team-based, collaborative leadership that delivers on the priorities of the Theatre;

·        collaboratively working with the Artistic Director to develop fiscally responsible programming, including season planning from a costing perspective;

·       preparing the annual budgets, providing regular financial updates to the board, including quarterly reporting to the finance committee;

·        optimizing the effectiveness of Persephone Theatre’s operations;

·        reporting to and advising the Board of Directors on strategic issues and directions;

·        engaging public interest to ensure the continued support and growth of Persephone Theatre;

·       leading donor stewardship activities;

·        collaborating with a wide variety of people to help Persephone Theatre thrive and grow;

·        overseeing the annual audit, maintaining healthy cash flow, and ensuring strong financial accountability; and

·        overseeing Persephone’s human resource functions and managing direct reports.

The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors and will work in partnership with the Artistic Director to manage the long-term strategic goals of the organization and daily activities, in a manner that moves the theatre’s mission forward and ensures the company remains a resilient and sustainable organization.

Key competencies include:

·        Leadership and Personal Accountability – The capacity to organize and motivate other people with a sense of purpose and direction while being accountable for personal and professional actions.

·        Financial Responsibility – Holds financial responsibility for all aspects of the theatre, including revenue generation. Collaborates with the Artistic Director to develop financially sound programming, ensuring a successful financial balance.

·        Teamwork, Diplomacy, and Employee Development – The ability to treat others fairly while facilitating and supporting the professional growth of others and achieving business results through teamwork.

·        People Focus – The commitment to connecting with artists, patrons, board members, staff, volunteers, and the Saskatoon community.

·        Planning, Organizing, and Managing Time and Priorities – The ability to identify top priorities, anticipate outcomes and risks, and establish appropriate courses of action.

Qualifications:

·        Theatre management experience in a not-for-profit environment;

·        Education in a relevant field and/or experience in financial management and human resources are considered assets.

Skills:

The successful Executive Director will be an accomplished senior leader with a passion for the arts and a track record of being:

·        collaborative and able to foster teamwork on the stage, in the community, and in the hallways;

·        generous with their knowledge, their time, and with the resources of the theatre;

·        equitable and inclusive of those who have not traditionally been involved in the theatre;

·        courageous, with a willingness to learn and evolve;

·        open-minded with an ability to make and hold space for staff and artists to grow;

·        an agent of change who can develop and articulate a clear vision for the Theatre that considers the perspectives of artists, audiences and other members of the Saskatoon community;

·        effective at building strong and meaningful connections with artists, audiences, staff, volunteers, community members, funders and donors;

·        a strong understanding of effective donor stewardship and solicitation of individual and major gifts;

·        able to deliver on the strategic priorities of the Theatre in partnership with the Artistic Director and in balance with the overall health of the Theatre;

·        a collaborative leader with a strong desire to transform theatre into its best future self;

·        a financial manager with experience in budgeting, reporting, and overseeing an annual audit;

·        demonstrated financial skills in budgeting, financial management, and reporting; and

·        experience reporting to and supporting a Board of Directors.

Compensation

·        Salary Range:  $80,000 - $95,000 annually.

·        Benefits:  Group health, dental, and life insurance; parking; and a cell phone allowance.