Careers

Position: DIRECTOR, CITS Performing Arts Camps Director
Centre In The Square Summer Camps
Application Deadline: April 7, 2025
Start Date: March, 2025
Salary: $40/hour
City: Kitchener
Term: Full-Time Contract

JOB SUMMARY

The Centre In The Square Inc. (CITS) is looking for a Camp Director who is a creative, organized, and passionate leader to manage all the creative, educational, and administrative aspects of the Centre’s Performing Arts Camps. This is a new youth program starting with 2025 Summer Camps.

The Camp Director will oversee program planning and program delivery for the eight-week Summer Camp programs, which culminate with a fully staged musical theatre production at the end of each session. Through strategic leadership and programming, the Camp Director will enable children and/or youth to develop skills, make friends, socialize, and build self-esteem. They will be accountable for day-to-day operations, ensuring camp activities are safe, inclusive, and high quality.

The Camp Director will directly supervise and coach approximately 20 staff, including Program Directors, Head Program Instructors, Program Supervisors, Administration Supervisor, Counsellors, and Volunteers. The Camp Director will also participate in the recruitment interviews of the leadership and camp staff.

Detailed Job Description

• Design, provide, and implement a detailed program outline, including preparation outlines/timeline, details of the program, and learning outcomes for campers and staff for Kinder Camp, Junior Stars Camp, and Centre Stage Camp.
• Provide leadership to help rehearse and present camp staged performance(s) on the second Thursday or Friday of each two-week session that includes all camp participants.
• Oversee the management and administration of the Performing Arts Camp programs.
• Prioritize child well-being, safety, and protection in all situations, programs, and activities.
• Plan and schedule camp staff resources, routines, schedules, and procedures to ensure successful program delivery.
• Identify and request camp supplies in accordance with CITS policies and budget.
• Provide support to Kinder Camp and Performing Arts Camps Staff, as needed.
• Foster a positive learning environment for all campers and staff.
• Provide daily direction and support for all head program instructors, supervisors, counsellors, and other camp staff.
• Provide ongoing coaching for staff.
• Teach daily performing arts-related skills to campers.
• Create specialized programming for campers in the Kinder Camp & Performing Arts Camp.
• Report all incidents promptly and thoroughly to the Theatre using incident/accident report forms and records.
• Provide feedback and future recommendations to the Theatre upon the conclusion of the camps.

Work Dates:

April through September 2025

Requirements

Education:

• Post-secondary education in performing arts, arts education, and/or a related field.
• Experience as a professional in the performing arts as a triple threat performer and/or performing arts educator/instructor (dance, music, theatre).

Licenses/Certifications:

• Current Standard First Aid with CPR ‘C’ required.
• HIGH FIVE Healthy Child Development required.
• Bachelor of Education and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) are assets.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years experience in a director/leadership role, with demonstrated successful execution of similar programs for a large group of children of various ages.
• Experience designing and delivering programs in musical theatre for children.
• Professional experience in youth arts education, musical theatre production, and experience in a camp environment.

Skills:

• Ability to plan and execute a musical theatre production from beginning stages to show day, including teaching choreography, casting, directing, and blocking scenes.
• Passion for working with children of all ages and mentoring camp staff to develop their skills as future arts educators.
• Strong verbal/written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills and sensitivity to interact with a diverse group of parents and staff in a courteous and efficient manner.
• Demonstrates creativity and innovation in program planning and delivery.

Additional Info:

• All offers of employment for this position will be conditional on satisfactory reference checks and vulnerable sector checks.
• Ideal candidates will have experience working with youth in an arts education environment and camp experience.
• Must have the ability to supervise and mentor young employees and volunteers.
• Must be able to develop meaningful performing arts-based programming.

About the Summer Camps

Reiterating CITS’ goal to provide access to live arts to youth of all ages through an inclusive and diverse learning experience, the Summer Camps foster creativity and artistic vision for ages 4-12.

• Kinder Camp (Ages 4-5) – Establishes skills in performing arts by bringing a storybook to life while participating in movement games, dancing, singing, and more.
• Junior Stars Camp (Ages 6-8) – Introduces performing arts basics, including acting, singing, and dancing.
• Centre Stage Camp (Ages 9-12) – Focuses on performance and creative processing skills, including learning lines, cues, blocking, choreography, singing, and more.

Kinder Camps culminate with a showcase of the campers’ skills through the storybook.
Junior Stars and Centre Stage Camps culminate in a live, fully staged show for friends and family to enjoy.

How to Apply

Apply by Monday, April 7 at 5:00 pm to Rachelle Garcia, Manager of Rental Business and Community Engagement at rgarcia@centreinthesquare.com

Subject Line:

Application for CITS Performing Arts Camp Director – Summer Camps

Website: centreinthesquare.com

About Centre In The Square

Established in 1981, The Centre In The Square Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation and registered charity dedicated to leading Kitchener-Waterloo Region’s premier live destination.

With over 140 annual events, Centre In The Square showcases top local, national, and international talent, enriching the cultural and entertainment landscape with live performances of all genres.

Located in Downtown Kitchener, the performing arts centre is a cultural hub that also houses the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery and partners with local groups like the Grand Philharmonic Choir.

Emphasizing multidisciplinary programming and accessibility, Centre In The Square offers diverse artistic experiences for all ages, supporting artists and major national and international touring productions with state-of-the-art facilities and technical expertise.

CENTRE IN THE SQUARE (CITS) is seeking a creative and energetic individual to serve as its Commercial Talent Booking Manager. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Commercial Talent Booking Manager will be responsible for commercial programming at the Centre In The Square by connecting, budgeting, booking, and overseeing a dynamic variety of live events that includes theatrical, music, comedy, theatre, family, dance, and variety for the rental business, and the presenting season, in a multi-venue, not-for-profit environment.

The ideal candidate will have a well-established network in the commercial sector and performing arts with accumulated experience in negotiating artists’ contracts and will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of commercial and multi-disciplinary performing arts/live entertainment disciplines. The successful candidate will have a clear understanding of the CITS brand and overall artist strategy and will work to grow audiences through excellence in programming. The Commercial Talent Booking Manager will want to invest themselves in the success and growth of Centre In The Square and will find personal fulfillment in being part of an exciting future for the organization.

The Organization

The Centre In The Square Inc. (CITS Inc.) is a not-for-profit corporation, and registered charity, established in 1981 to maintain, operate, manage, and program the 2,000-seat state-of-the art performing arts theatre – The Raffi Armenian Hall – and the Studio Theatre, situated in the Civic District of Downtown Kitchener.

CITS Inc. works in the public interest as a presenter and arts enabler, leading in showcasing the best in local, national and international performers, with over 140 shows and concerts a year for the benefit of the entire region and beyond. Concerts, plays, theatrical productions, lectures and comedy are but a few of the genres featured regularly throughout the year.

The independently operated Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery is also housed in the CITS building. Local cultural groups such as the Grand Philharmonic Choir, which presents its own programs at CITS, are valued partners.

CITS Inc. also values opportunities for non-traditional partnerships and is committed to providing access in and around the theatre, and expert technical support, for rehearsals, workshops, displays, exhibits, and special events, to empower and enable artists of all ages and experience levels.

As a charitable organization, CITS Inc. receives an annual operating grant from the City of Kitchener that covers a portion of its expenses. Other revenue is self-generated through ticket sales, rentals, concessions, sponsorships, fundraising, and grants from foundations and other levels of government. It is the vision of this organization to engage the community and bridge the space between artist and audience in a dynamic and sustainable way. The Centre In The Square has a committed and active Board of Directors of 14, led by Chair, Dan Carli and staff led by Executive Director Eric Lariviere.

The Community

Kitchener is one of three cities that make up the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Kitchener is “a place for everyone and a city for the future.” Full of vibrant neighborhood communities, diversity, new businesses and innovative ideas, Kitchener is home to many businesses including arts and culture, technology, manufacturing, finance, healthcare, retail, digital media and more. In 2021, the enumerated population of Kitchener – Cambridge – Waterloo (CMA), was 575,847 with Kitchener’s population at over 240,000 and positioned as the urban centre of the region.

Kitchener is also part of the second fastest growing municipality in Canada with a 12% growth rate over 5 years, which is the highest growth rate of any of the 290 metropolitan areas with 500,000 plus people across Canada or the United States. Kitchener has deep Germanic roots and offers small town charm with big city growth and excitement.

Kitchener is now a diverse city, with a number of ethnic and cultural groups, all who are inspired by what Kitchener is becoming and who want to be a part of its vibrant future. No matter who you are or where you come from, you belong in Kitchener.

Sources: Edited from-www.kitchener.ca, https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/, Explorewaterloo.ca, Canadapopulation.net, Waterloo Region Community Foundation Vital Signs report 2022

Position Summary

The Commercial Booking Manager actively seeks opportunities for commercial programming at the Centre In The Square by budgeting, booking, and overseeing a dynamic variety of live events that includes theatrical, music, comedy, theatre, family, dance, variety for the rental business, and the presenting season, in a multi-venue, not-for-profit environment. The manager works in collaboration with the Executive Director and the programming team to grow the rental business for the current and future calendar of events. The manager also works to support the quality, quantity, and diversity of Centre In The Square programming to plan the 2025-26 Season to further the Centre’s position as the leading venue for live experiences in the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Area, and to achieve annual objectives (attendance and revenue).

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Commercial Talent Booking Manager will be responsible to:

• Research and identify opportunities for future presentations
• Cultivate and foster relationships with local, national, and international commercial promoters, artists, and agents.
• Ensure the efficient in-take process of commercial presentations for the Centre.
• Evaluate and recommend presentations/artists to the Executive Director and Programming leadership for review and approval.
• Create commercial budgets, offers, and/or rental estimates according to established tools and guidelines.
• Collaborate with internal and external colleagues to ensure smooth and successful planning and execution of all shows, ensuring clear, collaborative, and effective interface with the Production team.
• Work with the Contract Administrator with commercial performance rentals and presenting series contracts.
• Settle commercial performances as assigned, including the collection of all proper expense documentation and backup for the performance settlement, ensuring all financials on the settlement are accurate and in compliance with Finance guidelines.
• Function successfully in a very challenging environment that requires tact, discipline, and a balanced perspective.
• Administer and follow best practices for systems and workflow processes.
• Follow and support all operational policies and procedures and understand, support, and demonstrate the core values of CITS.
• Maintain a professional and friendly relationship with other departments, colleagues, and partners.
• Possess the ability to remain calm under pressure and have the ability to work effectively with internal and external customers, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact, and diplomacy.
• Maintain Centre In The Square standards of customer service at all times.
• Able to effectively communicate in English in both written and oral forms.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred. The successful Candidate should have 5+ years of booking experience in a multi-use, multi-venue facility with a broad knowledge of commercial and multidisciplinary performing arts/live entertainment disciplines and a genuine interest in expanding that knowledge.
• Must have proven experience in negotiating artist contracts and robust relationships with commercial promoters, agents, and managers.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills, as well as analytical and interpersonal skills. Have an excellent understanding of industry-standard terms and concepts.
• Strong fiscal management skills, including budgeting and event settlements. Must be able to complete moderately complex mathematical calculations.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and must be able to navigate a venue management system, with knowledge of Artifax is a plus.
• Excellent relationship, consensus, and team-building skills. Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances.
• Experience working in a non-profit, mission-based arts environment is preferred. Understand, support, and possess the ability to articulate the Center’s mission and vision to others.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize duties and schedules with diligence.
• Must exercise significant judgment and confidentiality.

Traits and Characteristics

Collaborative, proactive, dynamic, self-motivated, detailed, and people-oriented, the Commercial Talent Booking Manager will be goal-oriented and will possess exceptional time management, social and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and value frequent interaction and collaboration with others. The Commercial Talent Booking Manager will be an experienced professional with the vision to actively pursue the Centre in the Square’s goals with creativity and determination and will have a high degree of personal accountability – with a commitment to exceeding expectations. This individual will balance tasks and projects with a sense of urgency and possess superlative interpersonal and communication skills. A self-sufficient and self-managed professional with a highly organized strategic approach, the Commercial Talent Booking Manager will have the ability to create lasting and positive relationships with artists, promoters, agents, and other industry associates. They will bring a passion for the Centre in the Square’s vision, mission, and values, the ability to make those visions and values a reality through strong networking and programmatic development, and a commitment to positively impacting the organization’s long-term success.

Special Conditions of Employment

This position requires the ability to work a variable schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to meet operational needs.
• This position will start as a full-time contract with a view to becoming a permanent position.
• CITS is open to discussing a hybrid working model during the full-time contract period, with the expectation that once the position becomes permanent, the Commercial Talent Booking Manager will be full-time in Kitchener.

Compensation

The Centre In the Square offers a competitive annual salary of $90,0000 – $110,000, commensurate with experience. Additional benefits in the full-time position will include annual vacation, participation in an extended health plan, and retirement benefits.

Application Instructions

The Centre In The Square Commercial Talent Booking Manager Search is led by Martin Bragg, Nicola Dawes, and Nancy Webster of Martin Bragg & Associates. To apply in confidence, please email your letter of interest and resume in Word or PDF format to Martin Bragg & Associates at citsbookingmanager@mbassociates.ca The deadline for application is March 17, 2025. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and will receive an acknowledgment of their application. Preliminary interviews will begin immediately, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. No phone calls, please.

The Centre in the Square is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Reconciliation. We recognize that the Kitchener/Waterloo communities have changing demographics, and we are committed to reflecting those changing demographics and our different cultural communities.

Centre In The Square and Martin Bragg & Associates are committed to an open and transparent hiring process and we welcome all applications from women and gender non-conforming people, people of colour, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people of all sexual orientations, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of the Centre In The Square. We encourage all candidates who are legally able to work in Canada to apply.

Downtown Kitchener is situated on land that is the traditional home of the Neutral, Haudenosaunee (Ho-deh-no-show-nee) and Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-nah-bay) Peoples. We extend our respect to all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples for their past and present contributions to this land. We also recognize and respect the cultural diversity that First Nations, Métis and Inuit people bring to both Downtown Kitchener and the City of Kitchener. We recognize and appreciate their historic connection to this place and the contributions Indigenous peoples have made in shaping and strengthening this community.