We’re hiring a Block Booking Manager (one-year contract position)

WHO WE ARE

The Atlantic Presenters’ Association is:

• a member-based arts service organisation
• a multidisciplinary network of performing arts presenters
• an organisation that offers programs and services to performing arts presenters across the Atlantic Region

Our members:

• connect artists and audiences
• bring live performing arts experiences to the Atlantic Region
• include but are not limited to performing arts centres, theatres, festivals, community and volunteer presenters, universities, symphonies, and municipalities

OUR PURPOSE

• To be a connector, helping performing artists and presenters bring a wide range of experiences into communities
• To provide our members with opportunities to learn about accessibility, equity, and social justice in support of equitable, respectful, and engaging experiences and spaces
• To provide our members with education and knowledge to assist in skill development
• To connect members in support of a respectful, equitable, innovative, and generous performing arts sector in the region

OUR VISION

A diverse, healthy, equitable, and sustainable performing arts sector.

OUR AGREEMENTS

• Every person in the Atlantic Region deserves access to performing arts
• Sharing meaningful experiences through live performances helps to build inclusive communities
• Working together in a respectful, supportive, generous way strengthens everyone and allows for our members’ development
• We, the Atlantic Presenters Association (members, board and staff) agree that we commit to contributing to a space that is accessible and free from oppression, harassment, and discrimination. At our gatherings, we will treat ourselves and each other with respect and dignity, regardless of age, race, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, religion, and all our other diverse identities. We will not tolerate any acts of racism, white supremacy, sexism, heterosexism, and cissexism, homophobia / queerphobia and transphobia, sizeism, ableism, ageism, or physical and sexual violence and harassment

OUR COMMITMENTS

We believe that welcoming diverse voices to all facets of our organisation makes us stronger and allows us to serve all members of our communities better, therefore we will prioritise applications from equity-deserving communities. 

APA staff have engaged in extensive anti-oppression training and regularly consult with members of our Equity Action Advisory Committee on all aspects of our operations to ensure we are moving forward in a good way that causes the least amount of harm. We will continue doing this work with our staff and our members. 

It is important for us to make sure that any new hire feels that they have someone they can confide in if they feel unsafe. A member of our board of directors, who is from an equity-deserving  community, will be available to listen to any concerns.

EMPLOYMENT LOCATION

Remote and onsite at select APA events in Atlantic Canada (travel approx 20% of the year).  As per the key supporting nature of the role, we need you to travel to APA’s two major events, Contact East and Shift Change. Other travel may be requested if amenable to the employee. All costs associated with travel will be paid for by APA. Preference will be given to folks who live in the Atlantic Region or who are planning to live in the Atlantic Region.

WORK HOURS

28 hours a week, generally Monday to Thursday between 9am and 4pm, in the Atlantic time zone, with a flexible schedule, excluding while working on site at our events, e.g. Contact East, approx. 60 hours. For time over and above the Block Booking Manager’s standard work week, (25 hours) APA will provide time off in lieu. APA will be flexible on when this time is taken, but generally some will be used the week directly following the event. The employee can take unpaid leave provided that notice is given. Leave should not interfere with APA commitments.

HOLIDAYS AND VACATION

You will be entitled to two paid weeks (8 days as per four day work week) of vacation time during the year of your employment with APA. We welcome you to schedule your vacation time after 6 months of employment with us.  Vacation pay is included in the hourly rate.

The APA office is closed for all statutory and Nova Scotia Provincial/bank holidays.

The APA office closes for two weeks over the Christmas holiday period, during which the employee will be compensated at their regular weekly rate.

SALARY

$40,000  salary (includes vacation pay) for a one year contract position.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Executive Director and the Manager of Operations and Programs, the Block Booking Manager is an integral member of the APA team responsible for managing the Association’s block booking process, supervising the Member Block Booking meeting as well as overseeing the Contact East artist submission process. This highly motivated and detail-oriented position handles communications and negotiations with the membership, artists, agents and other artist representatives. The Block Booking Manager manages a variety of relationships and has excellent communications and organisation skills to ensure the success of 20+ block booked tours each year.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Duties include but may not be limited to the following:

• Implement and manage APA’s block booking system Arts Touring Connector;
• Activate block booking committee (if necessary) to update block booking guidelines;
• Work with block booking committee (if necessary) to address any issues or situations that may arise;
• Provide Communications Coordinator details for each tour (in advance) to allow for integration into APA’s communications plan;
• Train new (or existing) members on the block booking process including the online block booking program Arts Touring Connector;
• Liaison with agents, managers and artists;
• Create and negotiate offers for block tours;
• Send weekly (or as needed) tour updates to APA membership;
• Provide APA members with copy of signed contracts;
• Provide bookkeeper with invoicing details of each offer;
• Keep detailed records of artist fees and revenue generated for APA;
• Coordinate application process for Contact East selection committee and I Want to Showcase artist applications, and attend selection committee meetings;
• Contact successful showcase and pitch artists, send out contracts, request and coordinate artist information, i.e. bios, photos, riders and tech info, contact information, band and representative information;
• Plan, execute and attend APA’s annual in person member programming meeting; 
• Plan and execute regular online block booking meetings;
• Attend Contact East, ShiftChange, weekly staff meetings, planning meetings and bi-monthly EAAC (Equity Advisory and Action committee) meetings and other meetings as requested;
• Contribute to weekly member Member Memo and Enews communications;
• Contribute to team conversations and planning about and for programming and professional development opportunities for members;
• Provide support to APA’s programming and operations as needed and as agreed upon as work hours accommodate.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Someone who enjoys negotiation, understands how to build good working relationships, and has excellent communication skills (written and spoken). Experience in artist programming, touring and/or booking is an asset. You thrive in a highly collaborative, team-based role and are an open-minded, creative thinker with a passion for the performing arts. You are kind, flexible, and have a knowledge and understanding of the principles of EDIAD (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Decolonization) and are committed to an anti-oppressive and anti-racist work space.

THE HIRING PROCESS

We will contact everyone who applies to let them know if they have been chosen for an interview. If you are selected for an interview, it will take place over Zoom and you will be sent questions a day in advance to prepare. You will be interviewed by three people – APA’s Executive Director, Laurie, the Manager of Operations and Programs, Lisa, and the Member Services Manager, Valerie. The interview will be 30-45 minutes long. We will let all candidates know the outcome of the interview process in a timely manner.

ACCOMODATIONS

APA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, APA will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please let us know along with your application.

TO APPLY

Please email a resume and cover letter to Laurie Gillis at laurie@atlanticpresenters.ca. We suggest that you use the cover letter to demonstrate your written communication skills, as communicating by writing is a big part of the job. You are also encouraged to submit a video introduction of yourself if you are comfortable doing so. Deadline to apply is Sunday, February 11, 2024  at 11:59pm AT. 

All applicants will be informed whether or not they will be interviewed by Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Interviews will take place on February 15. The successful applicant and all who applied will be notified by February 16. We will aim to have the successful applicant hired and in place by March 4, 2024.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!