JA1-Artist Liaison-Ottawa Jazz Festival

Position: JA1 – Artist Liaison Assistant I – Ottawa Jazz Festival

Contract Length: 26 Weeks.  Start Date: February 9, 2026 End Date: Initial term approved to the Province of Ontario’s current fiscal year end, March 31, 2026. Additional weeks pending the approval of Ottawa Festivals’ fiscal year (2025-2026) JCP program agreement with the Province of Ontario.

Work Schedule: Full Time - 4 business days per week (32 hours)  Location: Hybrid- 294 Albert St.

Job Summary: This position is funded through Ontario’s Job Creation Partnerships (see more details below). Assist the Executive & Artistic Director, and Artistic Manager & Programming Coordinator with all matters related to the artist management companies and artists who are engaged to perform at both the Ottawa Jazz Festival and as part of year-round programming.

Responsibilities:

· Coordinate directly with artists, artist management and agents to acquire promotional images and biographical information for the Director of Marketing and Partnerships.

· Plan and execute travel itineraries and schedule artists for their various activities throughout the year.

· Design and implement the artist’s schedule, including travel itineraries, in town travel arrangements, hotel accommodation, and sound checks.

· Organize all artist tech riders, backline equipment and stage plots for the festival’s Production Manager.

· Arrange safe and efficient transportation for the artists.

· Learn to manage budgets related to artist’s fees, travel, and accommodations.

· Oversee and administer the hospitality detailed in artist riders including food presentation and clean up

· Using insured festival vehicle, purchase/pick up hospitality goods as required by the artists’ riders

· Must be a team player. Following the Operations Manager’s guidelines, assist the Operations team with some event set up and tear down activities. This may Include lifting up to maximum 30 pounds, excluded activities include: setting up staging, music equipment, operating any driveable machinery such as a forklift.

· All other related duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications:

· Ideally have training or previous experience in marketing, public relations and/or special events.

· Must possess strong written and verbal skills. College or University degree is an asset.

· Must be able to meet deadlines and perform under pressure.

· Hospitality experience is an asset.

· Must be computer literate.

Additional Qualifications Required:

Candidate eligibility for JCP is determined according to the following criteria:

1. An unemployed job seeker or those employed less than 20 hours per week.

2. A permanent resident living in Ontario who is legally authorized to work in Canada.

3. Meet at least 1 of the following criteria:

a. Has an established Employment Insurance (EI) benefit period.

b. Previously established an EI benefit period that has ended within the previous 60 months.

c. Paid employee EI premiums (e.g. Box 18 on the T4) in at least 3 of the last 10 years while earnings have been at least $2000 in each of those years.

NOTE: Persons currently enrolled in full-time academic studies are not eligible for consideration. Those who qualify to establish an Employment Insurance (EI) claim must do so prior to being considered for JCP participation.

Remuneration:

$704 (gross) per week paid biweekly by the Province of Ontario (average hourly rate: $22.00 based on 4 days/32 hours).

What’s Next?

Forward your resume and cover letter to jobs@ottawafestivals.ca. Please note, only selected candidates who meet the JCP eligibility criteria will be contacted for an interview; applicants must indicate how they meet the eligibility in their email and/or cover letter. To learn more about the JCP program, please visit: http://www.ottawafestivals.ca/jobs/jcp-overview/. Ottawa Festivals welcomes and encourages applications from all eligible individuals.