POSITION: Managing Director
| Position title | Managing Director |
| Employment status | Full-time senior leadership position |
| Reports to | Artistic Executive Director |
| Salary range | $80,000 to $90,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications |
| Direct reports |
Development Officer; Marketing and Outreach Manager; Booking and Programs Coordinator; Administrative Coordinator; Ticket Centre Manager; Front of House Manager |
| Primary purpose |
Provide administrative, operational, financial, people, and stakeholder leadership to strengthen organizational capacity and resilience during a period of significant growth. |
1. About The Port Theatre Society
The Port Theatre Society is a charitable not-for-profit organization that co-manages the Port Theatre with the City of Nanaimo. The Port Theatre is a community performing arts centre located on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, in the heart of Nanaimo on Central Vancouver Island.
The organization has earned an international reputation for its acclaimed Spotlight Series. The theatre is important gathering place for professional arts organizations, community groups, audiences, donors, volunteers, and civic partners. Strategically situated on the national touring circuit, the theatre supports a wide variety of events and activities including concerts, theatre, dance, recitals, competitions, graduations, conferences, community events, and many other public and private activities.
The Port Theatre is one of the busiest theatres in British Columbia with over 280 days of activity and welcoming over 120,000 people through our doors annually. The Society has grown substantially in recent years building back from the pandemic. In 2022, its annual operating budget was approximately $1.6 million. In the upcoming 2026-2027 season, it is expected to reach $3.7 million. This growth reflects the Society's expanding artistic, civic, operational, and community role, and requires additional senior leadership to support long-term sustainability, resilience, and high-level execution.
2. Position Summary
Reporting to the Artistic Executive Director, the Managing Director will provide executive-level leadership for the Society’s operations, ensuring that the organization has the people, systems, structures, and resources necessary to successfully deliver its mission with integrity, discipline, and long-term sustainability.
The Managing Director will lead the Society’s administrative and operational activities, where the Artistic Executive Director will focus on artistic vision, long-term growth, community impact, advocacy, and strategic direction. The Managing Director will take strategic priorities and turn them into actionable annual plans with measurable outcomes while strengthening cross-departmental alignment and execution. Together, they will foster a safe, inclusive, and effective workplace culture.
The Managing Director will spend much of their time overseeing multiple departments and day-to-day operations. The position will meaningfully lead or contribute to financial oversight, risk management, budgeting, grant writing and reporting, major fundraising campaigns, capital planning, and other areas while closely working with the Artistic Executive Director, Finance Officer, Manager of Technical Operations, and department heads.
A central priority of the Managing Director is to strengthen organizational resilience. This position will improve continuity by formalizing systems and processes, clarify staff roles and responsibilities, update and maintain policies and procedures, and reduce the reliance on single-person dependencies in critical administrative and operational areas. This vital work will support stronger internal capacity during periods of growth, staff transition, peak activity, special projects, and change.
The Managing Director will also play an important role in advancing the Society’s public, civic, and community presence. In collaboration with the Artistic Executive Director, the role will engage with the Board of Directors, funders, government representatives, civic partners, donors, community stakeholders, and sector colleagues to support the Society’s position as a leading cultural institution on Vancouver Island.
3. Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be a seasoned arts and cultural sector leader with extensive experience in arts administration, finance, human resources, grant writing, revenue development, and people and project management. They will exercise sound judgment, credibility, and practice accountability when leading people, designing systems, and stewarding relationships within a complex institution.
The Port Theatre team works in a highly collaborative hands-on environment. Leadership is expected to embrace several key philosophies including a demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, diversity, and community engagement; leading by example; serving your community; and leaning into challenges and difficult decisions. The candidate is a gifted communicator with strong interpersonal skills, works effectively under pressure, can manage multiple urgent and sometimes competing priorities, and values relationship building. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable looking at the bigger picture and getting into the fine details. They will bring calm, clarity, maturity, flexibility, and structure while helping create greater continuity and resilience.
This candidate should be comfortable engaging externally with stakeholders, partners, and community members as part of the organization’s vision to see Vancouver Island as a home to thriving communities. Contributing to the regional, national, and international arts community should be a natural calling.
4. Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
The Port Theatre Society offers three weeks of vacation to start. Permanent full-time staff may be eligible for the Port Theatre’s benefits plan that includes extended health and dental benefits, professional development support, and RRSP program.
5. Application Process
Candidates are invited to submit:
- A cover letter outlining their interest in the position and relevant experience.
- A current resume.
- Optional: a short writing sample, such as a grant excerpt, board report, project plan, fundraising communication, capital project summary, or operational planning document.
Applications should be submitted by email to: ldesprez@porttheatre.com
Subject line: Managing Director Search
Only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Port Theatre Society is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. The Society welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, and perspectives.
Deadline to apply is July 13, 2026, or until the position is filled.