Jobs (Calgary): Executive Director - Ghost River Theatre

The Virgin Trial – Alberta Theatre Projects The Virgin Trial Alberta Theatre Projects Directed by Glynis Leyshon Written by Kate Hennig Actors Pictured: Nigel Shawn Williams, Jamie Konchak, Emma Houghton, Conrad Belau & Sarah Orenstein Set Design: Scott Reid. Lighting Design: David Fraser Costume Design: Heather Moore Photo: Benjamin Laird Photo Credits
The Virgin Trial – Alberta Theatre Projects The Virgin Trial Alberta Theatre Projects Directed by Glynis Leyshon Written by Kate Hennig Actors Pictured: Nigel Shawn Williams, Jamie Konchak, Emma Houghton, Conrad Belau & Sarah Orenstein Set Design: Scott Reid. Lighting Design: David Fraser Costume Design: Heather Moore Photo: Benjamin Laird Photo Credits
Jobs (Calgary): Executive Director – Ghost River TheatreJobs (Calgary): Executive Director – Ghost River TheatreGhost River Theatre is seeking an Executive Director to co-lead Canada’s foremost devised theatre company.
Working in close partnership with Artistic Director Eric Rose, this is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of an artist-driven organization known for its visually striking, design-led productions and national and international touring work.
About Ghost River TheatreGRT makes our work in a rigorous, supportive collaborative-creation environment that recognizes and utilizes the unique abilities of all participants, premiering our work in Calgary and then touring it nationally and internationally. We value the daring, the illuminative, and the surprising. Our work embraces a hybrid of high-tech visual spectacle with low-fi theatrical magic, constantly reframing and rediscovering what theatre is and is capable of.
Over our 32-year history, our unique creation process has yielded an impressive roster of critically acclaimed productions:
ONE, The Highest Step in the World, Tomorrow’s Child, GIANT, The Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst, STRUCK, amongst many others. Our intention is to engage audiences in meaning-making experiences that push the boundaries of live performance, while wrestling with the complexities of our contemporary moment.
GRT is honoured to be an arts leader in the Calgary, Alberta, and national cultural ecologies. Each year GRT hosts and teaches artists from all over the world through our Devised Theatre Intensives. As a leader in our community, GRT co-founded and co-manages The West Village Theatre, an 80-seat black box performance and administrative space located in Calgary’s inner-city neighbourhood of Sunalta.
Our VisionGRT is a catalyst for enriching Calgary’s thriving arts community. Our mission is to drive boundary-pushing and immersive creative experiences in original live performance.
We are CREATIVE in our artistry and our decision-making.We encourage a diversity of perspectives and talents to come together to CO-CREATEWe act with COURAGE, willing to take the steps required to grow and (sometimes) leap into the unknown.
We are committed to a “humans-first” culture that centres creativity, care, and collaboration.
The RoleThis is a hands-on leadership position within a small, highly collaborative organization.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) co-leads the organization with the Artistic Director, providing strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of the company.
The ED is responsible for:
Organizational strategy and long-term sustainabilityFinancial management, budgeting, and reportingFund development, including grants, donors, and sponsorshipMarketing, audience development, and communicationsOperations, HR, and administrative systemsCommunity and stakeholder relationshipsSupporting production, touring, and program planning
The ED also:
Serves as ex-officio on Board committeesRepresents GRT on the West Village Theatre Society BoardOversees a small team including a part-time Producer, contract bookkeeper, and project-based staff
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking someone with:
Leadership & Strategy
Experience in arts or non-profit leadershipAbility to develop and implement strategic and operational plansExperience working with or reporting to a Board
Financial & Fund Development
Strong budgeting and financial management skillsExperience with government grants and reportingFundraising experience (public, private, or earned revenue)
Community & Audience Engagement
Relationship-building skills across artists, donors, partners, and communityExperience with marketing, communications, and audience development
Operations & Management
Experience managing people, projects, and systems in a nimble environmentComfort balancing big-picture thinking with day-to-day operations
Personal Qualities
Collaborative, transparent, and people-centred leadership styleStrong communication and public-facing presenceAdaptable, resourceful, and energized by creation-based workCommitment to equity, diversity, inc