Executive Director

Company Overview

Nestled in the heart of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, the Acadia Cinema Co-op's Al Whittle Theatre, affectionately known as "the Whittle", is one of the Annapolis Valley's most cherished cultural landmarks. Housed in a historic building, the theatre is far more than a venue; it is a living room for the community, a stage for emerging voices, and a bridge between generations. From independent film and live music to theatre and dance, the Whittle brings people together to experience stories that inform, challenge, and delight. Through partnerships with local artists, schools, and organizations, the theatre is a vital thread in the Valley's creative life and is poised to grow even deeper roots in the years ahead.

Job Description

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are seeking an Executive Director to lead this next chapter. In this role, you will provide leadership across strategy, operations, and community relationships. Reporting to the Board of Directors and operating within a collaborative planning framework, you will manage day-to-day operations, including staff and volunteer coordination, financial oversight, fundraising and grant development, venue stewardship, programming strategy, and community engagement.

What will it take to be successful in this role?

Ideally, you have leadership experience in a dynamic, small-organization environment where priorities evolve and adaptability is essential. You are energized by the opportunity to build systems, teams, and culture from an early stage. You understand how to supervise staff and volunteers, foster a positive workplace, and establish the operational infrastructure needed for sustainable growth.

You have practical experience with financial management, including budgeting, cash flow monitoring, and financial reporting, and you are comfortable working with bookkeepers, treasurers, and board finance committees. As several programs are funded through grants and donor support, you will cultivate relationships with funders and donors at all levels of government and the private sector, ensuring funding applications are thorough, relationships are genuine, and deadlines are met.

A collaborative leader, you understand board governance principles and can work effectively with a volunteer board of directors. You contribute to strategic planning, goal setting, and visioning while establishing clear communication and accountability between staff and board. You are skilled at building relationships, managing expectations with diplomacy, and navigating challenging situations with composure and good judgment.

You communicate effectively and have a genuine ability to bring people together around shared goals. You are willing to step forward as the theatre's public face and community ambassador, building trust among diverse stakeholders, engaging community partners, and communicating developments that foster transparency and collaboration.

You bring a genuine commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and you are excited to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds in programming and governance. You are a generalist at heart, with skills spanning operations, financial management, and relationship building, and you enjoy the variety of leading a small but mission-driven organization.

Moreover, you possess cross-cultural awareness and the ability to build relationships with a wide and diverse range of individuals and communities. Familiarity with the Annapolis Valley and its cultural communities, knowledge of theatre, film, media, or live performance sectors, and experience with venue operations or facilities management are all valuable assets.

The annual salary range for this role is $60,200 - $66,500.

A detailed job description can be found here.