General Manager
/Organization:
Dance Victoria Society
Deadline:
Jul. 4, 2025
Organization Description:
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Dance Victoria (DV) is a pre-eminent dance presenter in Western Canada with a budget of approximately $2 million. We are seeking a highly organized and strategic General Manager with a passion for dance and the performing arts, exceptional financial management skills, and the desire to join a dedicated and collaborative team.
Dance Victoria’s vision is that everyone in Greater Victoria can experience the transformative power of dance. Our mission is to cultivate a connection to dance by presenting and supporting diverse local, national and international artists, and
inspiring all communities through the magic of dance. In 2024, Dance Victoria’s Board of Directors and staff completed a new 3-year Strategic Plan, defining a collective vision for the organization’s inspiring future – which includes a milestone 30th anniversary in the 2026/27 season.
Dance Victoria brings the World’s Best Dance to Victoria, supports dance creation by B.C. artists in our studios, and offers an increasingly robust selection of community engagement and ticket access programs. The Dance at the Royal series at the 1,400-seat Royal Theatre reaches an annual audience of approximately 20,000 people.
Each January, the city-wide Dance Days festival involves many of the region’s private dance studios, independent dance teachers, and artists in delivering over 100 free classes, workshops, and performances over ten days.
Dance Victoria manages a 12,000 sq. foot dance studio facility in Quadra Village with three fully-outfitted studios. The studios are convertible to a 100-seat black box performance venue. Dance Victoria’s longstanding Artist Residency program provides dance artists and collectives from across B.C. with opportunities to research, experiment, create and present new works. We are also proud to administer the Chrystal Dance Prize, awarding more than $50,000 annually in
support of international training and collaboration for Western Canadian dance artists.
THE COMMUNITY
Dance Victoria is situated on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, whose people have lived and danced on this land since time immemorial. Victoria is British Columbia's stunning capital city. It boasts one of the best climates in Canada, regularly enjoying temperatures in the twenty-degree Celsius range in the summer and hardly ever dipping below freezing. It is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations and the home to top-quality dance, music, opera, and theatre. Approximately two hours by ferry to Vancouver and Seattle, Victoria offers a laid-back yet cosmopolitan lifestyle that balances vibrant tourism offerings, a rapidly growing high-tech sector, and year-round outdoor attractions. The city hosts a variety of educational institutions including the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University, and Camosun College, as well as an outstanding public school system and leading health and hospital facilities.
Victoria is a community of communities. The Greater Victoria area is comprised of 13 municipalities located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and three electoral areas that have bonded together to form the Capital Regional District. These communities are linked to support partnerships, development strategies, and governance, but each maintains its own character and governing bodies. With all that Victoria has to offer, it’s no surprise people from around the world choose to call Victoria home.
Website:
Job Description:
POSITION OVERVIEW
The General Manager is a vital member of Dance Victoria’s team. They balance forward-thinking strategic and financial leadership with hands-on management of the daily operations and administration of Dance Victoria, including oversight of the DV Studios facility – a valued community asset. Reporting to the Executive Director, the General Manager is a member of senior staff leadership and represents the organization within a variety of contexts: at the theatre for performances and
special events, and in the community, building positive relationships with audience members, donors, funders, and the local dance community. The General Manager works closely with the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors and is
responsible for co-creating and implementing the financial framework that ensures Dance Victoria’s long-term health, organizational growth, and sustainability.
Responsibilities:
Financial Management:
• In partnership with Executive Director, prepare and manage annual operating budget;
• Prepare monthly financial statements, forecasts and other reporting, as required;
• Oversee and ensure accuracy in all accounting, banking, payroll, and cash management;
• In partnership with bookkeeping service firm that completes day-to-day record-keeping, oversee maintenance of accounting files and input entries, as required;
• Prepare for and manage annual financial statement audit and Registered Charity filing;
• Manage government grant application and reporting processes, and prepare financial components for all grant applications;
• Maintain the organization's financial and statistics database (CADAC);
• Ensure compliance with Dance Victoria’s financial policies, procedures, controls, and secure records management; and with federal, provincial and regional regulations;
• Ensure the Executive Director is kept fully informed of Dance Victoria’s financial situation and important factors influencing it;
• Remain current with accounting, finance, and payroll advancements; development and support methodologies; and industry trends and best practices; and
• Perform other duties, as required.
Production & Contracts Management:
• Oversee, closely track, and evaluate production budgets and schedules, in partnership with Production Manager;
• Generate, distribute, and track artist contracts, as required, and ensure compliance with agreement templates and processes;
• Ensure that visas, tax waiver applications, and other documents related to artist engagements are prepared and filed by visiting companies in a timely fashion and that artist fees are paid according to performance contracts; and
• Act as primary contact for negotiations, contracting, and settlements with DV performance venues, including the Royal & McPherson Theatres Society.
Facilities Management:
• Act as primary contact to DV Studios landlord, i.e., during lease negotiations;
• Liaise with property manager regarding facility maintenance and in case of emergencies;
• Manage and budget for vendor and service contractors; and
• With support of Artist Programs & Studio Manager, oversee the daily operations and maintenance of building systems and equipment to ensure the facility is functional, safe, and well-maintained.
Board Relations:
• Serve as ex-officio member of Finance and Governance & Planning Committees;
• Prepare required reports and materials in advance of monthly Finance Committee meetings, and present financial statements in partnership with Board Treasurer;
• Attend monthly Board and committee meetings and the Annual General Meeting (AGM);
• Coordinate Board approvals and signing authority; and
• Jointly with Executive Director and designated Board officers, execute legal documents.
Administration & Human Resources:
• Collaborate with Executive Director to develop annual Operating Plan that aligns with Dance Victoria’s Strategic Plan;
• Manage staff scheduling and event assignments;
• Manage payroll, benefits, and staff on- and off-boarding;
• Maintain personnel files and records of employment;
• Prepare annual tax forms for employees, contractors, and non-resident artists; and
• Evaluate and review annually Dance Victoria’s insurance policies.
Dance Victoria is powered by a small and committed team. From time to time, the General Manager will be asked to assist with tasks or projects not detailed in this job description.
Qualifications:
• Relevant degree in business or arts administration, finance, accounting, or equivalent training and experience;
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a finance, operations, or general management position;
• Experience in the arts, culture, or not-for-profit sector, with presenting, producing, and/or event management experience preferred; and
• Experience in grant administration and working knowledge of Canada’s public funding agencies.
DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
• Passion for dance and the performing arts;
• Commitment to reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion as core concepts in all actions and decisions;
• High level of comfort with public speaking and interacting with a diverse range of stakeholders, supporters, partners, and communities;
• Proven administrative, supervisory, and management skills;
• In-depth knowledge of non-profit accounting practices;
• High proficiency with QuickBooks Accounting software; Microsoft Outlook, Word, and advanced Excel functions; and video collaboration tools; and
• Enthusiasm to work with colleagues, artists, Board members, volunteers, and community members to create something extraordinary.
How to Apply:
TERMS & COMPENSATION
• Base pay of $80,000-$85,000 annually, paid bi-weekly;
• Office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday;
• During events and performances, hours will shift to accommodate evening and weekend responsibilities; and
• General Manager may work remotely one day each week, to be mutually agreed upon with Executive Director.
Additional Benefits:
• Extended health and dental benefits;
• Four weeks paid vacation. In order to ensure that Dance Victoria’s season events are adequately staffed, vacation requests over 3 days between October and the end of April will generally not be considered;
• Additional two weeks paid time off during December/January holiday timeframe;
• Relocation assistance, if required;
• $25 per month stipend for personal cell phone usage; and
• Complimentary season tickets.
Working Conditions:
• Ability to work after hours and on weekends, as required;
• Ability to travel for work, as required.
TO APPLY
Dance Victoria is committed to an open and transparent hiring process. We strongly encourage applications from persons of colour, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the further diversification, advancement and celebration of the arts in our community.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Gillian Jones, Executive Director at gillian@dancevictoria.com no later than Friday, July 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM PT. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Remuneration:
$80,000-$85,000, commensurate with experience
Contact Name: Gillian Jones
Contact Email: gillian@dancevictoria.com
Contact Phone: (250) 595-1829
