Search CITT/ICTS

Job Description / Duties

ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER
Competition number: J1025-0640
Department: MUSIC - NACO
Status: Full-Time continuing
Hours: 35 hours per week. This role involves weekend and evening hours, as well as occasional travel.
Annual/hourly salary: $90,800 – $113,500 (position with benefits and pension plan)
Closing date: November 23rd, 2025
Anticipated start date: As soon as possible

About the Role:
The Orchestra Personnel Manager (OPM) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the NACO
musicians and Extra musicians. This is a highly specialized, artistically embedded role that demands
deep musical knowledge, orchestral fluency, and nuanced interpersonal insight within a performing arts
context. The successful candidate will be fully prepared to assume the responsibilities of the role without extensive onboarding or training. Immediate fluency in orchestral environments is required.

Key activities:
Reporting to the General Manager of the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) the Orchestra Personnel Manager (OPM) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the NACO musicians and Extra musicians.
• Serve as liaison between the Musicians, the Music Director and the NAC’s Administration;
• Maintain a positive working relationship with Local 180 of the Canadian Federation of Musicians;
• Hire all extra/substitute musicians based on a thorough understanding of score requirements and
section needs;
• Act as first point-of-contact for all Musicians, mediating and responding concerns and seeking adequate and appropriate solutions;
• Enforce work rules and ensure compliance with the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement
(CBA); including musician-specific provisions such as doubling pay, cartage, and overtime;
• Manage the audition process, ensuring compliance with the CBA and artistic integrity of the
process on behalf of the NAC;
• Successfully onboard new Orchestra Musicians;
• Oversee payroll activities;
• Manage the budget for musician replacement and extras, contracted musicians and auditions;
and;
• Advise NAC bargaining team and the General Manager for negotiation with the Canadian Federation of Musicians and personal services contracts, drawing on direct experience with orchestral union rules and practices.

Essential Orchestral Expertise
• The Orchestra Personnel Manager role is not a generic administrative position. It requires deep musical knowledge, orchestral fluency, and nuanced interpersonal insight within a performing arts context.
• Candidates must be able to independently assess and hire musicians according to score requirements, anticipate the needs of diverse repertoire (e.g., expanded percussion, rare instruments), and understand the implications for staffing and performance.
• Experience managing auditions, substitute selection, and relief management in accordance with collective agreements is essential.
• Ability to communicate effectively with musicians, conductors, and artistic staff using musical terminology and concepts.
• Proven track record of making informed, rapid decisions in high-pressure artistic environments.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Required qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Music, Music Business or Arts Administration;
• A minimum of five plus years of orchestra personnel experience within a professional orchestra setting;
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret orchestral scores and repertoire, with fluency in the unique requirements of different works and concert programs;
• Proven understanding of professional orchestral practices, including section hierarchies, and sensitivities;
• Specialized knowledge of orchestra operations, procedures and practices, orchestral repertoire and working requirements;
• Expert on and uphold and enforce the requirements of the collective agreement, along with employer policies and procedures;
• Experience with OPAS and Microsoft software products, with a heavy focus on Excel;
• Detail oriented individual with a high level of accuracy;
• Ability to self-manage, prioritize, problem-solve, and get through a high volume of tasks within a fast-paced environment;
• Possess critical thinking in high-pressure and emergency situations;
• Display a strong work ethic with a high level of professionalism and professional integrity;
• Capable of discerning need for and maintaining discretion in handling confidential matters;
• Strong interpersonal and finely tuned communication skills;
• Ability to organize, evaluate, and present information effectively in writing and verbally; and
• Cooperative attitude and willingness to learn and assist others.

Additional Information

Who can apply:
Persons residing in Canada and Canadian citizens residing abroad. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.
As part of NAC’s interview process, in-person interviews may be required. Please ensure to have the most up-to-date information on your résumé including your current email address.

The National Arts Centre (NAC) is committed to inclusive employee recruitment and selection. The NAC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. If you require accommodation during the selection process, please inform us as soon as possible and we will make every effort to fulfill your accommodation request.

The successful candidate will be required to provide the original or a certified true copy of their education credentials as appropriate, along with proof of a valid Background Check as a condition of employment.

While we appreciate all applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted by us.

Salary: $90,800 – $113,500

Contact Information

How to apply:
Please submit your cover letter and résumé online at: https://clients.njoyn.com/CL4/xweb/xweb.asp?clid=74526&page=jobdetails&jobid=J1025-0640&BRID=428651&SBDID=1&lang=1  

Employer Profile

The National Arts Centre (NAC) is Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts. The NAC presents, creates, produces, and co-produces performing arts programming in various streams – the NAC Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, and Popular Music and Variety – and nurtures the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada. The NAC is located in the National Capital Region on the unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. At the National Arts Centre, we believe the performing arts are vital to the human experience. A house of dreams for the Canadian performing arts, we work with artists and arts organizations from across this land to revitalize our sector.