Market Development & Partnerships Manager

Company Overview

For nearly 30 years, Catalyst Theatre has been creating bold, distinctive, and highly theatrical productions – made-in-Edmonton work that’s been presented across Canada and around the world. The company's core creative team strives for the unexpected, seeking innovative ways to tell powerful stories through the inventive and playful use of evocative music, poetic text, dynamic choreography, haunting sound, and surreal design. 

Catalyst productions have been presented at more than 85 theatres throughout Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Australia, and the United States, including in New York’s Broadway District, and London’s West End. Under the leadership of writer, composer and director Jonathan Christenson, and with the ongoing collaboration of Resident Designer Bretta Gerecke, these productions have included: THE HOUSE OF POOTSIE PLUNKET, THE BLUE ORPHAN, FRANKENSTEIN, NEVERMORE – The Imaginary Life & Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe, HUNCHBACK, VIGILANTE, and THE INVISIBLE – Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare. The company is the recipient of more than 160 local, national and international awards & nominations including two Fringe First Awards, one Herald Angel, and three Lortel Award nominations. 

Catalyst Theatre recognizes that where we create, share and tell stories is located on Treaty 6 territory as well as Region 4 of Métis Nation of Alberta, the traditional territories of the nêhiyawak, Saulteaux, Niisitapi, Nakota Sioux, Dene, Métis, and other peoples. In doing so, we acknowledge that we are a part of a larger journey of growth, creation and working alongside all voices that call this place home.

For more about Catalyst Theatre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dHl1csBkXw

Job Description

NOW HIRING: MARKET DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER  

Are you a research-savvy relationship builder with an interest in the business of performing arts touring? Keen to play a role in bringing Edmonton-made theatre to the world? This position may be for you!    

JOB DESCRIPTION  

Catalyst Theatre is seeking a motivated and relationship-oriented individual for a new contract position: Market Development & Partnerships Manager.  

The Market Development & Partnerships Manager will take the lead on market research, correspondence, and relationship-building with potential presentation partners with a view to optimize opportunities for national and international engagements of Catalyst’s productions.  

RESPONSIBILITIES  

Under the guidance of Catalyst Theatre’s Managing Director and Artistic Director, the Market Development & Partnerships Manager will conduct research, outreach, and strategic planning related to cultivating presenter relationships and opening new markets for Catalyst.  

The responsibilities of this position will be broken up into two phases:  

OCT TO DEC 2025 - MARKET RESEARCH & STRATEGIC PLANNING

• learning about Catalyst’s touring history, and identifying locations/companies that could be a good fit for our work;
• investigating theatres/festivals to discover partnership models, submission requirements, and programming trends;
• interviewing industry experts to learn best practices for international engagement;  

JAN TO MAY 2026 - TOURING OUTREACH STRATEGY

• creating a Touring Outreach Strategy, which will be the basis of this role for the remainder of the contract. We expect that this strategy will include: 
  • recommending application deadlines to aim for, industry gatherings to attend, and “pitch” materials to assemble;
  • promoting Catalyst’s production of THE INVISIBLE at National Arts Centre (April 29 to May 9, 2026) to potential partners;
  • building and reigniting relationships with new and existing partners, laying the foundations for future collaboration;
• inviting potential partners to THE INVISIBLE, and conducting meetings on the ground in Ottawa;
• updating Catalyst’s database with relevant contacts;
• possible travel to the UK to meet with potential partners (pending funding results) 

QUALIFICATIONS  

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills/interests:

• Research ability
• Strategic planning
• Ability to self-direct
• Relationship building
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of (or interest in) the landscape of Canadian and international performing arts presentation 

DETAILS  

DATES: October 6, 2025 to May 29, 2026  

HOURS: Approximately 20 hours per week, with a primarily self-determined schedule.  

COMPENSATION: $20,400 for the contract, paid bi-weekly.  

LOCATION: Much of this work may be completed from home/remotely, though some office time may be required, particularly in the research phase. Catalyst’s administrative office is located inside the Citadel Theatre.  

NOTE: After a summer hiatus (June to August 2026), there is a possibility of an extension of this contract starting September 2026. The extension will be determined based on funding results, and Touring Outreach Strategy outcomes. 

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