JOBS AND AUDITIONS

Associate Director, Cafés & Catering

Reporting to the Director of Audience Development, your primary responsibility will be to plan and direct the Stratford Festival's food and beverage operations. Your portfolio will include extensive food and beverage operations, with a staff cafeteria, licensed café, multiple bars and a robust catering business. 

The successful candidate will provide leadership to the Executive Chef and the Bar & Events Manager who together oversee the recruitment, training, and performance management of over 50 seasonal chefs and service staff. 

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the annual plan for the Festival's food and beverage operations with an eye to optimizing revenue and enhancing the on-site experience.
• Represent the Festival to internal and external contacts on all facets related to its food and beverage offering.
• Negotiate vendor contracts, and when appropriate, coordinate with the Festival's corporate sponsorship team.
• Establish internal policies and procedures, working closely with the Finance department to implement purchasing and inventory controls.
• Hire, train and manage all staff and supervisors, motivating them to sales targets and service objectives.
• Lead all facets of alcohol sales including up-to-date knowledge of evolving regulations and all facets of facility licensing requirements.
• Contribute to the broader guest experience, working collaboratively with managers and staff across the Festival to deliver seamless enhancement to their visit.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years management experience in the event, restaurant, or hospitality sector with proven leadership skills.
• Post-Secondary education in a recognized Food and Beverage/ Hospitality or related field, plus advanced knowledge of all regulations affecting the food service and liquor sales industry.
• Ability to build rapport and effective relationships with internal and external customers as well as staff.
• Ability to work in high pressured situations and apply solid problem solving skills.
• Ability to delegate and work independently anticipating event and team needs
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and events simultaneously.
• Advanced financial acumen to ensure accurate forecasting and ongoing alignment to budgets.

This full time position is located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin immediately.  This position will require evening and weekend work, particularly through the performance Season.

Job Type: Full Time

Marketing Manager, Web (Contract)

This position reports to the Director of Marketing and is part of the Marketing team. With more than one million unique visitors to its website each year and online sales representing 60% of annual revenues (ticket sales and fundraising), the Festival is seeking a Marketing Manager, Web who will oversee the web content and design with an emphasis on user experience and revenue optimization.

Responsibilities:

• Set goals for online commerce, web traffic and online engagement preparing a plan to meet those goals;
• Prepare the editorial calendar for the website in collaboration with departments across the organization;
• Guide the user interface and website design in collaboration with the IT and Application Development team;
• Produce, write, proofread and edit all website copy so that it aligns with the traffic, engagement as well as ticket sales and fundraising goals;
• Coordinate with members of the marketing team on designing online content;
• Oversee the work of the Social Media Coordinator supporting the development and execution of the social media plan;
• Monitor and  report regularly on website and online metrics;
• Develop and oversee the implementation of the marketing plans for the Stratford On Film project.

 Qualifications:

• University Degree or equivalent education and experience in a field related to Marketing Communications and/or Digital Marketing;
• Exceptional copy writing and editing skills;
• Minimum five years' experience creating website content and managing online user interface;
• Knowledge of modern web technology is an asset;
• Experience in search engine optimization and using SEO tools;
• Proven ability to collaborate with key stakeholders;
• Detail oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Preference will be given to candidates with marketing and communications experience in the cultural, tourism and/or entertainment industry.

This contract position is located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin immediately until November 2020.

Job Type: Full Time Contract

Retail Manager

Reporting to the Director of Audience Development, your primary responsibility will be to manage the Stratford Festival's retail operations, including all aspects of buying and merchandising.  You will manage a seasonal sales-associate team to ensure that the Theatre Store operations are profitable, effectively operated, and support the overall brand and mandate of the Stratford Festival.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the design of all customized product, the purchasing of all retail offerings, and determine the store layout and in-store displays.
• Negotiate and manage royalty agreements for production-specific merchandise. 
• Prepare and manage the annual budget for the Theatre Store, ensuring that both revenue targets and expense parameters are achieved, and adjusting forecasts as appropriate. 
• Establish internal policies and procedures, working closely with the Finance department to implement purchasing and inventory controls.
• Analyze sales trends and respond by managing pricing, promotions, and all aspects of visual merchandising.
• Hire, train and manage all staff and supervisors, motivating them to reach sales targets through staff meetings, promotions, and incentive programs.
• Ensure that extraordinary customer service is delivered to Stratford Festival patrons through all retail channels.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of related experience as a successful retail manager with proven leadership skills.
• Post -Secondary education in retail management or business.
• Strong retail sales skills with a track-record of using creative ideas to reach sales targets.
• Effective people skills with the ability to lead and motivate staff to meet and exceed sales targets.
• Strong analytical skills with an aptitude for interpreting sales data.
• Ability to work in high pressured situations and apply solid problem solving skills.
• Self-motivated with excellent time management skills.
• Online sales experience is an asset.

This full time position is located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin immediately. This position will require evening and weekend work, particularly through the performance Season.

Job Type: Full Time

Seasonal Gardener

The seasonal Gardener will work under the direction of the Head Gardener and will share in the responsibilities for maintaining the Festival's renowned gardens which contain extensive perennial beds, carpet bedding, roses, annuals and intensively maintained lawns and gardens. This position reports to the Assistant Manager Facility Services and is part of the Facilities team.  

 Responsibilities:

• Perform general grounds and plant maintenance activities on Stratford Festival properties / locations, such as planting, seeding, cultivating, mowing, edging, weeding, trimming, pruning, raking, spraying, and fertilizing.
• Participate in new plant bed and landscape construction projects as required.
• Power washing and sidewalk /parking surface maintenance. Remove leaves, trash and debris from grounds to maintain an attractive image of the Stratford Festival.
• Fertilize lawns and shrubs and practice weed control in flowerbeds and lawn as instructed.
• Operate and maintain sprinkler system, cleaning, repairing, adjusting and replacing sprinkler heads as required.
• Remove snow from walks and steps with a shovel or snow blower as appropriate for amount and location of snow.  Keep sand and de-ice product on walks and steps during icy/slippery conditions.
• Recommend repairs, maintenance and operations as related to gardens, grounds, fixtures and equipment. Perform related tasks as required.
• Respond in a professional, polite and helpful manner when liaising with patrons and staff.
• Adhere to the Festival's Health and Safety Policy and Procedures guidelines.  Comply with safety and other emergency practices.  Inform the Head Gardener of any condition observed to be unsafe.
• Maintain exterior fixtures as required. I.e. to refinish/paint benches, handrails, planters, etc.
• Perform Head Gardeners and other related duties within the job classification as assigned.

 Qualifications:

• A postsecondary degree or diploma in horticulture is required.
• A minimum of two years of hands on experience working in the field of horticulture is required.
• Experience with pesticide-free gardening methods would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of perennials is essential given the Festival's use of over 300 varieties.
• This job demands physical dexterity and the ability to lift up and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential given frequent interaction with the public.
• The successful candidate will have hands on knowledge of each of these aspects of gardening.  Experience with pesticide-free gardening methods would be considered an asset.
• Must possess a valid Ontario driver's license.

This seasonal position is located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin immediately. This unionized position is a seasonal placement beginning immediately and ending in November 2019.  Seasonal recall each year is generally for an 8-month period from April to November.

Job Type:  Full-time Seasonal

Annual Salary: $25.20 per hour

Technical Director - Tom Patterson Theatre

This position reports to the Director of Production and is a member of the Technical Management Team within the Production Department.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for productions, staging and technical activity
• Evaluating designs and proposals to ensure safety, financial, changeover and repertory feasibility
• Ensuring that productions fall within established budgets & schedule
• Preparation of initial cash flow and subsequent forecast summaries of financial accounts.
• Planning and scheduling of technical events onstage
• Management of unionized department heads and crew
• Advising Director of Production on all technical aspects relative to the productions, events, schedules, technical facilities and equipment
• Ensuring adherence to the Health and Safety policies of the Stratford Festival

Qualifications:

• Minimum three years' experience as a Technical Director of new productions in a repertory, unionized environment
• Experience supporting events and activity off stage
• Advanced knowledge in Vectorworks or AutoCad and Microsoft Office
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Self-motivated and flexible
• Excellent team player
• Collaborative and positive attitude

Preference will be given to applicants with experience creating new productions working in a repertory environment. A degree in Theatre Production is considered an asset.

This full time position is located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin September 3, 2019. Part time work may be required in July/August 2019.

Human Resources
E-mail: resumes@stratfordfestival.ca
Subject: Technical Director - Tom Patterson Theatre