Who We Are: Based in Stratford, Ontario, the Stratford Festival is one of the world’s foremost repertory theatre companies. It operates year-round, presenting a season of about a dozen plays each year between the months of April and November, a rich stream of digital content and hundreds of events designed to deepen understanding of the plays. For every person a theatregoer sees on our stages, we have seven people working behind the scenes, some of the world’s most dedicated and experienced arts workers.

The Stratford Festival is committed to ongoing work to support equity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression in all areas of our work. These areas include play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, production, design, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors.

Why You Should Apply:

• Creative work environment
• Employee Assistance Program to encourage work-life balance and strong mental health
• Complimentary & discounted ticket offers and events
• Employee discounts on merchandise and event space
• Being a part of the magic of live theatre!

The Retail Sales Associate is responsible for delivering exceptional customer service and supporting the day-to-day operations of the Stratford Festival’s Theatre Shops. This role involves assisting guests with product selection, maintaining extensive product knowledge, processing transactions efficiently, restocking merchandise, and providing information about Festival productions and local tourism—ensuring an outstanding guest experience and optimal retail performance. Reporting to the Retail Operations Manager, or designate, the Retail Sales Associate collaborates with team members and the broader Audience Engagement department to support revenue goals, guest satisfaction, and departmental objectives. This position also contributes to maintaining store appearance, supporting merchandising strategies, and ensuring smooth and efficient retail operations.

General Responsibilities:

• Provide outstanding sales and customer service to Theatre Shop guests. Assist in product selection, provide courteous and knowledgeable information to guests regarding all inquiries
• Acquire and retain extensive product knowledge that will assist in selling and upselling of the merchandise
• Operate point of sale system quickly and efficiently under periods of high volume
• Restock stores as required
• Provide guests information regarding the Festival season and productions as well as general tourism information
• Adhere to the Stratford Festival Health & Safety Commitment and Procedures, and ensure that safe work practices and policies are supported and enforced within reporting structure
• Perform other duties as assigned

Key Holder Additional Responsibilities:

• Open and close the store
• Complete deposits, end of day reports and requested ad hoc sales reports.
• Report issues and deficient processes, as they arise, to Supervisors and the Retail Manager.
• Report product discrepancies to the Assistant Manager or Supervisors immediately when discovered.
• Assist the leadership team in cascading information up and down to all sales associates.
• Assist in scheduling, capture schedule changes and call-in staff when required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Middle School (grade 9) or equivalent
• Previous related experience in retail or customer service is preferred
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand or sit for extended periods
• Operate a computer keyboard and telephone daily
• Light to moderate lifting is required (up to 20lbs)
• Multi-site workplace and periods of walking and stairs are sometimes required
• Must be able to work a variety of shifts including matinee, evening, weekends and holidays

Behavioural Competencies:

• Communication: actively listen and effectively transmit and receive information
• Teamwork: readily work with others towards a shared goal, actively support teammates and recognize everyone’s contributions
• Organization skills: create structure and optimally use resources to achieve results and ensure productivity
• Time Management: efficiently allocate and use time to meet goals and deadlines, prioritize tasks as necessary

This seasonal posting is for an existing vacancy located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin April 2026. This position requires the candidate to work onsite. Candidates are required to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and holidays.

**Job Type:**Seasonal

Hourly Rate:$18.60

**Application Deadline:**Open Until Filled

Shared Values:

• Inclusion: contribute to an environment where everyone is welcome, valued and respected; consistently demonstrate an open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity that promote and celebrate the diversity of perspectives.
• Innovation: put experience and knowledge into creative problem-solving and the continuous improvement of the organization.
• Rigor: show integrity in behaviour, attention to detail in work and commitment to excellence and professional evolution
• Caring: be empathetic, understanding and attentive to others
• Connection: establish and maintain trusting relationships that are respectful and constructive

Who Should Apply: We welcome applicants of every identity, and encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Deaf, disabled and 2SLGBTQ+ folks. We are committed to accommodating people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and beyond. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternative format documents, ASL Interpreter or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our recruitment team know.

No candidate will meet every desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to learn more about you!

If you would like to contribute your own remarkable talents to North America’s largest not-for-profit theatre, we’d like to hear from you.