Position: Company Manager
Reports to: Director of Artistic & Production
Direct Reports: N/A
Liaises with: VO Chorus, Orchestra, Crew, Guest Artists, Staff

Vancouver Opera
Vancouver Opera creates extraordinary experiences that engage, inspire, and entertain our community through voice, music, and theatre.

Vancouver Opera is the second largest opera company in Canada. It is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions; for its country-leading education programs, which have reached more than 1.6 million children and their families in more than 60 years; for its innovative and award-winning community programs; and for forging ground-breaking cross-cultural creative partnerships that have brought opera to new generations of Canadians in recent history.

The Person
The ideal candidate must possess a track record of facilitating the operation and development of performing arts organizations, be a superior communicator, and have an energetic spirit. It will be important for the Company Manager to work collaboratively and diplomatically with artists, staff, and volunteers to support Vancouver Opera’s Mission. If you are a detail and people-oriented person with an affinity for the arts, this may be your opportunity to work for this established yet evolving organization.

Position Summary
The Company Manager manages the day-to-day operations for Vancouver Opera’s mainstage productions and serves as the contact person for all matters related to artist participation in performances, events, and touring, including guest artist relations. The Company Manager represents Vancouver Opera in a positive and professional manner with the artists, colleagues in other arts organizations, school and community members, and volunteers.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• In coordination with the Director of Artistic & Production (DAP), writes and executes contracts for all artists, musicians, supers, children, and guest artists. Ensures that personnel paperwork is properly signed, filed, and provided to appropriate departments of VOA.
• Organizes and coordinates all logistical arrangements (transportation, lodging, per diems, etc.) for guest artists, artistic staff, choreographers, repetiteurs, other creative team contractors.
• Arrange visas and work permits for guest artists
• Organize accommodation and transportation for guest artists (singers, directors, designers, conductors)
• Assist artists/artist managers with inquiries regarding Canadian income tax requirements, CAEA RRSP/benefit deductions and remittances and banking issues
• Organize doctors, dentist, massage, physiotherapy etc. appointments for guest artists, coordinate scheduling with stage management
• Co-ordinate local hotel sponsorships with Development staff
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with mainstage artists
• Main liaison with Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (CAEA) and Vancouver Musicians Association (VMA). On the management team for union negotiations.
• Responsible for day-to-day business matters with CAEA and special concessions for mainstage productions, special events and “one-off” contracts
• Liaise with Stage Management
• Distribute contact information for each mainstage production to stage management
• Maintain communication across Artistic Administration, Production, Marketing and Development Departments
• Co-ordinate facility usage with building manager.
• Manage entry of guests to backstage area as well all staff, artists, crew, board and musician stage door passes
• Be always available for artist emergencies during production periods
• Liaise with other opera companies to co-ordinate shared travel costs for guest artists
• Attendance at music rehearsals, Sitzprobe, technical rehearsals, performances, special events
• Arrange details of Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program (YAP) including artist transportation and accommodation, rental space, daily schedules, payment to guest teachers, accommodation allowances and per diems for guest artists
• Determine and coordinate need for singers, pianists and instrumentalists for Development, Marketing and Special Events, book, and contract artists for same
• Scheduling coach/pianists
• Maintain liaison with Opera Guild Volunteers and Opera Volunteers for Artistic needs (Children Monitors)
• Assist costume department locate correct measurements by making sure they are up-to-date in casting with contact information of artists or artist managers.
• Co-ordinate distribution of surtitles to stage director, assistant stage director, General Director
• In emergency situations find/be replacement for surtitle operator
• Oversee and execute the PPIP (CAEA) program with UBC Opera
• Oversee Supernumeries (Supers/Extras) database
• Prepares and submits to marketing update of website information on audition procedures and policies. Manages audition tour for company, including booking dates and scheduling personnel, coordinating facility use at venue(s), coordinating travel and accommodations for artistic staff, and when required, travelling to audition locations to manage administrative intake of registrants.
• Coordinates and executes VOA’s COVID (Infectious Diseases) policies and procedures.  May include purchasing supplies such as tests and masks. As needed, administer COVID tests and track results.
• In coordination with VOA institutionally, help to support, implement, maintain, and report on work that upholds the ideals of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity
• Performs other duties as required or assigned by supervisor or General Director

Minimum Qualifications
• At least 3 years of Company Management experience for a similar size performing arts organization. Touring experience is a plus
• Contract preparation, negotiation, execution, and Visa processing
• Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, tact, and discretion
• Excellent verbal and written communication with artists, staff, and others in a manner that ensures clear and mutual understanding of information and that fosters ongoing positive relationships
• Excellent organizational skills
• Understanding of artist needs and challenges
• Ability to multitask and work successfully to bring projects to completion both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of basic theatre operations. Experience with Opera company operations a plus
• Familiarity with MS Office software including Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and other Windows-based computer software
• Variable working hours – dependent on season programming
• Some evening and weekend hours

Vancouver Opera offers
A dynamic team environment in an exciting cultural hub, a strong partnership network, we deliver amazing main stage productions, and exceptional education and community programming. Additionally, VO offers a competitive salary, group benefits, group RRSP matching program, and paid annual vacation. A competitive compensation package with a salary range of $55,000 to $65,000 commensurate with experience.

How To Apply
VO strives to provide meaningful employment opportunities, which reflect the range of diverse communities in which we live and work. Our vision is a resilient organizational culture, which is inclusive and diverse in all its aspects. Individual differences are not only accepted but are strongly valued and encouraged. We recognize that our diversity, the many different and unique things we individually and collectively bring to work each day, contributes to building a stronger workplace and healthier communities. VO welcomes and encourages applications from women, persons of colour, Indigenous persons, persons with diverse abilities, and members of other marginalized or under-represented groups. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to companym@vancouveropera.ca with the subject line “Company Manager”. Posting will be removed when position is filled.

Vancouver Opera Orchestra
Notice of Audition

Vancouver Opera will hold auditions for:

Principal Trumpet, Principal Percussion, Bass Trombone, Section Violin (Core Orchestra)

All candidates must apply by e-mail only with a current résumé to:

Orchestra Auditions :
orchaud@vancouveropera.ca

Deadline: by 5pm Monday October 16, 2023

Those applicants short-listed for an audition will be contacted in writing via e-mail by Wednesday, October 18th with details.

Auditions for Principal Trumpet and Bass Trombone on Monday October 30th.
Auditions for Principal Percussion and Section Violin will take place on Tuesday, October 31st.
If required, final round(s) for Principal Trumpet, Principal Percussion, Bass Trombone and Section Violin will take place on Wednesday, November 1st.

These positions are being auditioned as per Section 6.6 of the Vancouver Opera/VMA Collective Agreement. The successful candidates will be subject to a probation period of a maximum of four productions as per Section 10 of the Vancouver Opera/VMA Collective Agreement. As per section 14.5.4 of the Vancouver Opera/VMA Collective Agreement at the discretion of the Audition Committee, more than one Candidate may be selected to be offered a trial in the Orchestra for one Production Period. The Audition Committee may make such a recommendation only after all Candidates have been heard.

This audition is being held as per Section 14 (Auditions) of the Vancouver Opera/VMA Collective Agreement—a copy of which may be found at the offices of the VMA. All candidates shall be members in good standing of the AFM and shall maintain membership in the VMA for the duration of their engagement as per section 2.5.1 of the VOA/VMA agreement. Candidates are responsible for travel and all associated costs of attendance at the audition. If the successful Candidate is not a Canadian Citizen/Permanent Resident, they will be responsible for any immigration/employment concerns.

The Vancouver Opera Orchestra (VOO) is comprised of a Core Orchestra of 54 players and a Core Extras List. Vancouver Opera engages all Core Orchestra / Core Extras List Musicians as per Section 3.2 (Recognition of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra (VOO)) of the VOA/VMA Agreement.

Vancouver Opera mounts three mainstage productions a season.

Any questions, please contact orchaud@vancouveropera.ca.

AUDUTION REPETOIRE

Bass Trombone

Principal Percussion

Principal Trumpet

Section Violin