Based in Vancouver, Electric Company Theatre (ECT) is a renowned Canadian company founded in 1996 that produces groundbreaking, immersive, and genre-defying theatrical works. Known for combining cinema and live performance, ECT creates multimedia spectacles exploring social themes, often touring internationally.  

Originally founded by Kim Collier, David Hudgins, Jonathon Young, and Kevin Kerr the company operates as a collective focused on original creation. The current roster of core artists includes Carmen Aguirre, Jonathon Young ,and Kevin Kerr. 

ECT is currently seeking a new Board Chair with experience in non-profit leadership and a passion for the arts.

About the Board

The Board of Directors is primarily an oversight board responsible for ECT’s governance and financial sustainability, while supporting the overall mission. Board members work together collectively and with ECT’s staff leadership team to ensure that ECT is able to continue to thrive as an organization that supports the creation of original theatre productions, while operating in compliance with non-profit regulations. 

Board Chair Responsibilities

Governance:

  • Uphold fiduciary and legal responsibilities as outlined in the Societies Act of British Columbia and ECT’s bylaws. 
  • Provide high-level staff and organizational activity oversight. 
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing non-profit organizations in BC/Canada. 

Financial Stewardship:

  • Approve and monitor the annual budget and financial statements.
  • Provide oversight of financial practices, investments and risk management.
  • Support sustainable funding strategies, including philanthropy and partnerships.

Strategic Oversight:

  • Help to inform and approve the organization’s strategic direction and priorities, though these are guided by the staff and Core Artists. 
  • Ensure progress is being made toward larger organizational goals.
  • Ensure alignment with ECT’s mission and values. 

Fundraising and Advocacy:

  • Represent and advocate for ECT within the community and beyond.
  • Assist with donor engagement when requested in the form of donor stewardship.
  • Support fundraising efforts led by the staff and Core Artists. 
  • Leverage networks in support of ECT’s fundraising efforts when possible.
  • Provide written contributions to grant applications on request from staff in the form of summaries of board activities, board structure and short letters from the Board Chair. Notes for these will be provided by ECT staff. 

Leadership and Accountability:

  • Support performance evaluations of the Artistic Producer annually. 
  • Participate in hiring of new leadership roles, when relevant.
  • Guide the board in remaining focused on supporting a strong organization that in turn can support the creation of excellent theatre. 
  • Help recruit additional board members to maintain a robust and productive board. 
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding board discussions and Company operations.

About the Position

At this time, ECT is specifically seeking a new Board Chair based in the Lower Mainland. Our current Board Chair plans to step down at our Fall 2026 AGM. This new position will be mentored and supported by the out-going Board Chair for a period of 3-6 months to be determined by the new candidate. Ideally this role would be filled by someone living in Vancouver, or who is able to travel to Vancouver occasionally, ideally for duties around live performances. 

ECT currently has a well-rounded and healthy board with expertise in leadership, HR, fundraising, community engagement, the arts sector and financial oversight. 

The new Board Chair should bring the following:

  • Arts Experience: Understanding of the non-profit arts sector, its challenges and opportunities. Bonus points for theatre experience. 
  • Finance Expertise: A new chair should know how to read a balance sheet, evaluate a budget, and offer high level oversight. We have a strong Treasurer on the board and strong staff experience in this area, so the Board Chair’s role is supporting for financial matters, but they should know enough to play a role in their strategic guiding of the board. 
  • Governance Experience: A new chair should understand the role and responsibilities of a volunteer board in supporting a smaller non-profit organization. 
  • Human Resources Experience: The ECT board is largely an oversight board, not an operational board, however, as a small non-profit the board is responsible for hiring ECT’s senior staff position and for overseeing an annual review for this staff member.

Bonus points for: 

We are always seeking to add more knowledge capacity to our board, so if you have any of these skills we also welcome them.

  • Legal Expertise: Proficiency in nonprofit law and risk mitigation.
  • Fundraising Expertise: Knowledge of major donor engagement, grant writing and philanthropic networks are always appreciated. 
  • Risk Management Expertise: Skills in identifying, assessing and mitigating financial and operational risks.

Time and Committment

The total time commitment every 3 months is roughly 4-6 hours. Additional hours can arise during periods when there is an active show, human resources support – in the form of staff reviews or hiring –  or if additional organizational issues arise.

  • The ECT board meets 5-6 times a year for regular board meetings (currently virtual), plus one AGM, these meetings are typically 90 minutes and do not typically require pre-reading.
  • The ECT Board Chair works with the staff and Board Secretary on meeting agendas prior to each meeting.
  • The ECT Board Chair leads regular and AGM board meetings with support and participation from fellow board members and staff. 
  • Monthly review of financial update email as a second set of eyes – the Treasurer leads this activity. 
  • The ECT board members are encouraged to attend and volunteer at ECT productions, as well as development workshops and community events. Typically this adds up to 3-4 in person events per year. 
  • The ECT Board Chair is called on from time to time to discuss strategic challenges and opportunities with the staff. 
  • ECT is currently seeking an individual who is willing to commit to serving on the board for two 2-year terms for a total of 4 years. 
  • This is a volunteer position.

What You Get in Return

  • Access and exposure to works in progress by one of Canada’s leading theatre companies 
  • Chance to contribute creatively to fundraising, community engagement and various company needs as requested
  • Opportunity to speak/represent company works and Board efforts at events, gatherings, meetings
  • A chance to be a part of a truly excellent community of world-class artists, professionals and volunteers to support the creation of live theatre

How to Apply

To express interest in joining ECT’s Board of Directors as the Board Chair, please contact president@electriccompanytheatre.com with a summary of your relevant past experience, and if possible a LinkedIn page, and one or two sentences about why you are interested in joining the board in this role. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and all candidates will be acknowledged.