Job Posting: Managing Producer

Common Ground Arts Society is seeking applications for its next Managing Producer ahead of our 2026/27 Season. The new leadership will take over from the organization’s current artistic leadership, Managing Producer Mac Brock and Found Festival Director Whittyn Jason, who will depart the organization in late 2026.

Applications will be accepted until January 8, 2026.

About Common Ground Arts

Common Ground Arts Society (CGAS) is an Edmonton-grown arts organization that mentors and supports local emerging and mid-career artists. Since 2011, we have provided a platform for new work; we curate creative collisions between artists and audiences; and we inspire dialogue about local space, place, and sense of belonging through live performance. CGAS engages a roster of diverse, multidisciplinary, and experimental artists.

Common Ground’s year is built around three major activities:

    • RISER Edmonton (CG’s producing training program which sees 3-5 artists/companies per year undergo a year of producer mentorship ahead of the RISER New Works Festival, then pairs the projects with other professional festivals across the prairies for a guaranteed premiere presentation in the following year)

    • Found Festival (CG’s annual festival presenting theatre, dance, music, and more in unexpected places throughout Edmonton)

    • Prairie Mainstage Series (CG’s mainstage season which presents one local independent production and one production from elsewhere on the prairies per year)

In addition to these ongoing programs, CG partners with other artists and companies to build new opportunities for artists to access professional work in their community. We specialize in supporting underrepresented artists and other arts workers who’ve faced barriers to developing their practice.

ABOUT THE ROLE 

The Managing Producer will act as the primary liaison between the Staff and Board of Directors and steer the long-term vision of Common Ground Arts Society. This role is a flexible permanent employee opportunity for arts workers envisioning long-term careers in arts management and leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have experience in team leadership and artistic mentorship, budget development and oversight, and in tools like Quickbooks, Mailchimp, and Google Suite. Hands-on experience in and passion for producing bold, innovative, independent theatre is a must: The ideal candidate meets wild artistic ideas with a “what if?” attitude.

Common Ground Arts is enthusiastic about mentorship and professional development. We encourage applications from early-career arts administrators who may not have relevant experience in all of the responsibilities listed below. The incoming Managing Producer will shadow the outgoing Managing Producer for 6-9 months and receive training in any required areas.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Overseeing the work of project staff including program producers for RISER, Found Festival, and the Prairie Mainstage Series (see more information under “Additional Roles”);
  • Leading budget oversight and financial operations including projections, fund development, and record keeping;
  • Leading grant writing and reporting activities;
  • Leading donor relations;
  • Leading partnership development with other arts and community organizations including the development of new long-term opportunities for artistic production;
  • Supporting operations of all artistic activities;
  • Representing and championing CG across the city (and beyond);
  • Maintaining CG’s social media and communication channels;
  • Maintaining CG’s good status as a registered charity and maintaining all associated records, reporting, and procedures as required by provincial and federal legislation;
  • And other duties that shape the organization’s presence in and relationship to Edmonton’s theatre community.

The Managing Producer will receive a fee of $10,000.00 for a term as Incoming Managing Producer starting in February 2026 before assuming the role of Managing Producer in late 2026. The anticipated salary range for the permanent position ranges from $24,000.00-$28,000/yr with an estimated average of 80 hours/month. This role is work-from-home with some on-site duties at CG events and includes an additional health spending allowance.

ADDITIONAL ROLES

The base role of Managing Producer does not include responsibilities for the artistic leadership of RISER Edmonton, Found Festival, and the Prairie Mainstage Series (see ”About Common Ground Arts”). The role of RISER Producer will be filled by a continuing member of the Common Ground staff (Sarah Emslie).

The incoming Managing Producer may, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, either:

  • Add the artistic leadership, mentorship, and producing responsibilities of either/both Found Festival or the Prairie Mainstage Series to their role and receive an annual salary higher than the base range listed above.

    OR

  • Work alongside a hiring committee from the Board of Directors to hire additional producers responsible for the artistic leadership of Found Festival and the Prairie Mainstage Series.

The anticipated budget range for additional roles is approximately $18,000-$24,000.

Applicants who advance to the interview stage will be asked to consider whether they would like to hire a Found Festival Producer and Prairie Mainstage Series Producer, or assume one/both of these additional roles. Decisions on additional roles will be made in collaboration with the CG board of directors and the incoming Managing Producer in the process of confirming an offer letter.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to board@commongroundarts.ca. 

All applicants will be contacted whether or not they are advanced to the interview process. The first round of interviews will take place between January 13-19, 2025.

If you would like to book a meeting to discuss the position details or your application, you may contact either Managing Producer Mac Brock (macbrock@commongroundarts.ca) or Board President Ainsley Hillyard (board@commongroundarts.ca). 

The hiring process will be led by:
Ainsley Hillyard, Board President
Mac Brock, Managing Producer
Jessica Glover, Board of Directors
Jessie McPhee, Board of Directors

Click to learn more about our STAFF and BOARD OF DIRECTORS.