Head Of Design

The Head of Design provides leadership and strategic direction for the Stratford Festival's Design Department, ensuring that design processes and resources support the Artistic Director's artistic vision and the Festival's organizational and production priorities. Reporting to the Artistic Director and Director of Production, the Head of Design oversees the coordination and facilitation of the design process across Festival productions, serving as the primary liaison for Designers and Assistant Designers and supporting effective collaboration between the Design Department, Production teams, and other departments. The role leads initiatives to develop and mentor emerging designers, supports long-term planning and continuous improvement of design operations, and contributes to the broader leadership and strategic direction of the Production Department.Responsibilities:
Design Department Leadership and Season Planning
Provide leadership and oversight of the Design Department, ensuring that departmental activities, resources, and processes support the Artistic Director's artistic vision and the Festival's production priorities.Participate in season planning, contributing design-related expertise and coordinating considerations related to the design process, scheduling, resources, and production requirements.Advise the Artistic Director on the selection of designers for each production, identifying, assessing, and recommending design talent that aligns with the artistic vision and production requirements. Coordinate with the Director of Production through the designer negotiation and contracting process.Support the development and monitoring of design-related budgets, demonstrating sound financial judgment and an understanding of the financial and contractual considerations associated with engaging Designers and Assistant Designers.Build and maintain strong working relationships between directors and designers, ensuring productive communication from the earliest stages of a production, facilitating meetings, and helping resolve creative or working challenges as they arise.Guide and support the design process from initial concept discussions through the submission and approval of design packages.Support designers throughout production, including the build process, technical rehearsals, previews, and performance runs, ensuring design intentions are successfully realized on stage within the prescribed budgets.Monitor design schedules and deliverables, tracking deadlines and proactively supporting designers who may be facing obstacles. This includes providing guidance, identifying resource needs, and coordinating practical assistance, such as drafting support, when required.Oversee and facilitate the design process across Festival productions, supporting effective communication and collaboration between Designers, Assistant Designers, and Production teams.Collaborate with Production leadership on departmental priorities, operational planning, and the effective delivery of Festival productions.Undertake design assignments for selected productions as appropriate and as workload permits, recognizing that the primary focus of the role remains leadership, mentorship, and support of the broader design team.
Designer Development and Department Culture
Lead, supervise, and develop the Festival’s assistant designer program, overseeing one of the largest cohorts of assistant designers in the country and ensuring meaningful learning and professional development opportunities.Mentor emerging and early-career designers, providing artistic guidance, professional development support, and career mentorship.Help designers navigate Festival processes and departmental structures, fostering effective collaboration across production, artistic, and administrative teams.Promote inclusive and equitable practices in the engagement and development of Designers, supporting diversity of experience, perspective, and representation across each season's design teams.Cultivate a collaborative, respectful, and supportive departmental environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and professional excellence.
Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement
Contribute to long-term planning for design-related facilities, infrastructure, and capital projects.Gather feedback from Designers, Assistant Designers, and internal stakeholders to evaluate the design process and identify opportunities for improvement.Lead or contribute to initiatives that improve departmental practices, workflows, resources, and the overall design process.Share relevant information about seasonal design activities and productions with audience-facing departments, including Marketing, Advancement, Education, and Audience Development, to support effective communication and cross-departmental collaboration.
People Leadership and Organizational Collaboration
Recruit, manage and provide direction and support to employees, fostering professional development, effectively managing performance and maintaining a caring and inclusive work environment.Collaborate with Production leadership and other Festival departments on cross-functional initiatives and operational priorities.
Other
Adhere to the Stratford Festival Health & Safety Commitment and Procedures and ensure that safe work practices and policies are supported and enforced within reporting structure.Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
University undergraduate degree (four year program) or equivalent (i.E. BA, BSc, BComm, etc) in Theatre Design, Theatre Production, Design, or a related field;
or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.8 to 10 years of related experienceDemonstrated experience working across multiple design disciplines, with a comprehensive understanding of how design areas intersect and contribute to the overall production process.Significant experience collaborating with Designers, Assistant Designers, and production teams in a professional theatre environment.Established career in professional theatre design, with an active and ongoing practice as a working theatre designer.Strong professional relationships and established connections within the Canadian theatre design community, with experience and networks extending across the country.Demonstrated leadership experience, including supervising employees, providing direction, mentoring, and supporting professional development.Strong understanding of theatre production processes, including the coordination, scheduling, and operational requirements associated with delivering multiple productions within a repertory environment.Experience developing or implementing mentorship, training, or professional development initiatives is an asset.Experience working in a repertory theatre and/or unionized environment is an asset.Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with artistic, creative, and operational stakeholders.Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgement, and resolve complex issues in a dynamic production environment.Demonstrated financial acumen, including experience monitoring budgets, understanding design-related costs, and supporting contract negotiations and fee discussions.Behavioural Competencies:
Leadership: successfully guide others to maximize their capabilities to achieve a collective goal;
help them to succeed and thriveCommunication: actively listen and effectively transmit and receive informationStrategic mindset: consider, anticipate and prepare for various outcomes, situations and challenges;
practice global and long-term thinkingTeamwork: readily work with others towards a shared goal, actively support teammates and recognize everyone’s contributions.
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