Executive Assistant to Executive Director/Artistic Director

Who We Are:

Based in Stratford, Ontario, the Stratford Festival is one of the world’s foremost repertory theatre companies. It operates year-round, presenting a season of about a dozen plays each year between the months of April and November, a rich stream of digital content and hundreds of events designed to deepen understanding of the plays. For every person a theatregoer sees on our stages, we have seven people working behind the scenes, some of the world’s most dedicated and experienced arts workers.

The Stratford Festival is committed to ongoing work to support equity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression in all areas of our work. These areas include play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, production, design, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors.

Why You Should Apply:

• Creative work environment
• Paid operational shutdown in December, with flexibility of days being used at alternative times during the year
• Group Insurance Benefits
• Employer matched RRSP
• Employee Assistance Program to encourage work-life balance and strong mental health
• Complimentary & discounted ticket offers and events
• Employee discounts on merchandise and event space
• Being a part of the magic of live theatre!

​​The Executive Assistant is responsible for facilitating the activities of the Artistic Director and Executive Director by providing comprehensive administrative support and ensuring the smooth and effective flow of communication between their offices, direct reports, and internal and external stakeholders. This role involves coordinating schedules, correspondence, meetings, travel, and executive support functions, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism.

Reporting to the Artistic Director and Executive Director, the Executive Assistant collaborates with senior leaders, staff, patrons, donors, government contacts, and community partners to support organizational effectiveness and leadership priorities. This position also supports office operations, reception functions, and special projects that contribute to the smooth functioning of the Directors’ Office.​

Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive administrative support by managing executive calendars, drafting correspondence, preparing expense reports, and coordinating travel arrangements.
• Coordinate and schedule meetings, ensuring room bookings, audiovisual requirements, catering, and logistics are arranged efficiently.
• Draft correspondence on behalf of the Artistic Director and Executive Director, including responses to routine inquiries.
• Track, prepare, and reconcile expense reports for the Artistic Director, Executive Director, and Executive Producer in accordance with organizational policies.
• Arrange travel and accommodation for executives, the Executive Producer, and VIPs, including transportation, hotel reservations, tickets, and itineraries.
• Serve as the first point of contact for the Directors’ Office and Reception, responding to inquiries with professionalism and discretion.
• Record and prepare meeting minutes as required.
• Conduct research and prepare background materials in support of executive decision-making.
• Act as a liaison between the Artistic Director and Executive Director and internal and external stakeholders, including patrons, donors, government contacts, artists, community members, and staff.
• Provide administrative support and vacation coverage for the Corporate Secretary as required.
• Coordinate ordering and inventory of office supplies for the Directors’ Office.
• 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:

• ​​​​Post-secondary diploma program, typically a two year program, or equivalent, (i.e. Community college, Technical Institute or Trade School, etc.)​ in ​a field related to Administration or Business​
• ​​4 to 6 years​ of related experience in an administrative role, preferably supporting senior leadership in a complex organization; experience in the performing arts, cultural, or nonprofit sector is considered an asset.
• ​​Demonstrated ability to provide high-level administrative support, including calendar management, meeting coordination, travel planning, correspondence, and expense administration.
• ​Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft professional correspondence and interact confidently with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• ​Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, shifting deadlines, and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• ​Proven attention to detail and accuracy, particularly in scheduling, documentation, and expense reporting.
• ​Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); experience with collaboration tools and cloud-based systems is an asset.
• ​Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, adaptability, and initiative in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.
• ​Demonstrated commitment to professionalism, inclusivity, and respectful workplace practices consistent with Stratford Festival values.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Communication: actively listen and effectively transmit and receive information
• Time Management: efficiently allocate and use time to meet goals and deadlines, prioritize tasks as necessary.
• Organization skills: create structure and optimally use resources to achieve results and ensure productivity
• Problem-Solving: able to identify challenges, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions.

This full-time posting is for an existing vacancy located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin as soon as possible. This position requires the candidate to work onsite. Regular work hours for this position are Monday to Friday, but may require the candidate to work holiday and weekend hours as scheduled

Job Type: Full-Time

Annual Salary: $53,000 - $70,000

Application Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Shared Values:

• Inclusion: contribute to an environment where everyone is welcome, valued and respected; consistently demonstrate an open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity that promote and celebrate the diversity of perspectives.
• Innovation: put experience and knowledge into creative problem-solving and the continuous improvement of the organization.
• Rigor: show integrity in behaviour, attention to detail in work and commitment to excellence and professional evolution
• Caring: be empathetic, understanding and attentive to others
• Connection: establish and maintain trusting relationships that are respectful and constructive

Who Should Apply:

We welcome applicants of every identity, and encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Deaf, disabled and 2SLGBTQ+ folks. We are committed to accommodating people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and beyond. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternative format documents, ASL Interpreter or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our recruitment team know.

No candidate will meet every desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to learn more about you!

If you would like to contribute your own remarkable talents to North America’s largest not-for-profit theatre, we’d like to hear from you.