Arts Centre Manager

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About The Job

is looking to fill this vacancy 22/05/08

Job Description

• To be responsible for the management of the Arts Centre as a venue for the visual arts, music and dance and for education programmes

• To build on the progress the centre has made in creating a programme of events that directly serves the local community and is valued by it

• To be responsible for the delivery of the year-round programme at the centre, paying special attention to our flag-ship arts fairs and education programmes

• To implement our new three year strategy and medium term programme plans. Later to recommend to the board how those strategy and plans might be updated

• To manage and motivate the staff team (one full time, two part time employees plus several free lance contractors and class leaders)

• To recommend a varied programme of performing arts events, taking special note to programme those events designed both to be especially effective in this unique space and to generate income

• To undertake the seamless and robust co-ordination of practical arrangements, including ticket sales, contracts, licensing and the welfare of visiting artists

• To be responsible for public relations and marketing in order both to earn revenue and to develop the reputation of the Arts Centre both as a venue and as a service to the local community. Importantly, the Arts Centre Manager will be responsible for the Centre’s own publications and, where necessary, for liaison with the media

• To be responsible for managing the Centre’s operating budget, exercising prudent financial control over day to day expenditure. In this regard the Arts Centre Manager will work closely with the Finance Director

• To be responsible for overseeing the maintenance and development of the Centre’s IT systems

• To oversee and develop the Centre’s two membership schemes for individuals and for businesses

• Together with members of the Board of Directors, to attract sponsors, to assist in the development of a major fundraising activities and to develop and build on partnerships with a variety of external organisations with whom the centre works

• In collaboration with relevant members of the board and external advisers, to be fully involved with the maintenance and development of this special Grade 11* listed building and its facilities

• Recruit, train and retain a body of volunteers to help maintain and support an active programme of events

Person Specification

The Arts Centre Manager will have excellent organisational skills. Previous experience in the arts field is essential. Some previous involvement in education projects would be an advantage.

We are looking in particular for four important capabilities:
Ability to run an effective day to day operation and to deliver projects on time and on budget
The ability to create good programmes and to market them effectively
Knowledge and experience of fund raising in the arts
Excellent communication skills
Most importantly, he or she will have the ability to motivate and manage a small team of people. To this end the Arts Centre Manager must be willing to listen to the knowledgeable staff at the Centre while at the same time having the experience and self-confidence to propose new ways of doing things and bringing these to fruition.

In addition to the Arts Centre Manager there are three other staff members, but only one works full time. Therefore it’s essential that the Manager can implement and maintain systems which enable all the projects to be managed seamlessly and effectively. Importantly this will, amongst other factors, involve knowledge of and comfort with appropriate IT systems.

The Arts Centre Manager must also be prepared to learn about and get involved with projects to maintain and upgrade the building

The Arts Centre Manager will have a pleasant out-going personality and energy in abundance. He or she will have good verbal and written skills and be equally at home in communicating with funding bodies, with artists and performers and with the audiences and members of the local community who use the Centre. Above all he or she will have a good sense of humour!

While the standard working week is 37.5 hours, the successful candidate must have the flexibility to work longer hours – including weekend and evenings on performance days, particularly in overseeing some of the events. Time off in lieu is recognised.

He or she will be familiar with equal opportunities and health and safety issues and be willing to develop good practice in these areas.

Because the Arts Centre runs a number of classes for children and young people – and plans to expand this area of its activity – it’s essential that the Manager is prepared to take responsibility for the day to day enactment of the Centre’s Child Protection Policy and for the Centre’s Child Safety guidelines. The final appointment will be subject to successful Enhanced Disclosure from the CRB.

How the Board of the Arts Centre will support the Arts Centre Manager

The Arts Centre Manager will report to the Board for programming and financial operations. He or she will also work with sub groups of directors on particular projects.

The Finance Director will work very closely with the Arts Centre Manager to offer advice on the successful management of the Centre’s operating budget and to ensure that the Centre’s income and expenditure streams are kept on track.

Additionally the Arts Centre Manager will be supported by members of the board with relevant skills. For example the board contains people with technical skills necessary for the sensible and effective maintenance and development of our Grade 11* listed building. The Arts Centre Manager is expected to play a part, together with relevant board members, in implementing such improvements to the building that may be agreed by the Board.