director

Job description

Head of learning and participation (theatre-based)

Reporting to:
Executive Director

Main purpose and scope of the post:

to develop a strategy for community engagement that reflects and develops the artistic vision of the heatre
to design and lead a programme of activities that reaches schools, young people out-of-school, and the wider community
to ensure that the theatre’s principles of quality and inclusion are reflected in every area of the department’s work
to work closely with other colleagues to embed the community programme at the heart of the theatre’s work

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Strategy:

establish, monitor and review the learning and community engagement strategy of the Theatre, working closely with the Artistic and Executive Directors to ensure that the strategy reflects and develops the Theatre’s artistic vision.
work closely with stakeholder organisations including Arts Council England, the borough council and the county council, ensuring that developments at the theatre are in line with local, regional and national priorities for children, families, schools and the wider community. It is expected that the strategy will address the need for creative learning opportunities as well as training for teachers, community professionals and young people
advise the Artistic and Executive Directors on learning and community priorities and issues

Programming & Producing:

design a programme of activities which fulfils the objectives and priorities outlined in the learning and community strategy, and fully exploits the learning opportunities of the theatre’s work
ensure the smooth-running of the programme, producing key projects and managing staff and freelancers who are producing others
ensure all contractual arrangements with artists and participating schools/groups are in line with current industry practice
deliver workshops, training activities and longer-term projects, and identify appropriate artists and/or staff to lead the rest of the programme
oversee the co-ordination of work placements and other work-based learning opportunities for young people
ensure that high quality resource material is produced where appropriate to support the theatre’s work

Management:

manage the department’s staff, building an effective team and ensuring that the department’s work is delivered to high standards and meets required deadlines
undertake any necessary departmental recruitment, induction and staff development reviews
identify the relevant training needs of staff and work with the Executive Director to ensure that these are met
report on progress to the board on a regular basis
ensure correct and safe working practices by departmental staff and freelancers, ensuring the welfare of all staff and participants in line with our Health and Safety policy
take responsibility for the financial management of the department in liaison with the Head of Finance, ensuring operation within agreed budgets

Development of the work:

maintain an up-to-date knowledge of local, regional and national policy and practice, and ensure that our learning and participatory programme is at the forefront of practice nationally
play an active role in the strategic development of the organisation as a member of the Senior Management Team
integrate learning and community activities fully across the organisation, playing an active role in cross-departmental initiatives such as audience development activities
through the evaluation of projects and professional development of staff, ensure that our learning and community programme is of the highest standard

Communication:

work closely with the Head of Sales and Marketing to ensure the widest possible external awareness of the department’s work
work closely with the Development Director to ensure that the Theatre is fully exploiting the possibilities of public, charitable and business funding for learning and community activities
maintain close liaison with all public, private and commercial funders, to ensure that they are informed and aware of the department’s activities

Advocacy & partnerships:

represent the theatre on local, regional and national working groups and committees, advocating the importance not only of our work but of drama education & community arts more broadly
develop partnerships and collaborations with a range of different institutions as appropriate – e.g. other arts organisations, the borough council arts initiatives, FE/ HE, health organisations – to support the implementation of our strategy and to increase external awareness of the theatre

Child Protection:

act as the lead officer for all issues around safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, including keeping the theatre’s policies and procedures up-to-date and ensuring appropriate training of staff

General:

ensure that our policies and corporate styles are observed in every area of the department’s work
as a member of the Senior Management Team play an active role in theatre-wide activities, such as hosting guests at press nights and taking part in other PR events

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential skills:

practical skills in leading drama activities with at least one of the following: children and young people in formal education, children and young people out-of-school, adults and/or mixed age groups in wider community settings
a willingness to develop skills in leading activities with groups not previously worked with
proven community/education project management skills
proven staff management skills
a demonstrable passion for the arts
a commitment to collaborative working with stakeholders and community partners, and an understanding of the needs of successful partnership working
excellent communication skills, both written and spoken
proven skills in budget setting and monitoring
a good understanding of approaches to strategic planning
excellent IT skills
ability to prioritise and work to strict deadlines
a high standard of organisation and efficiency
a genuine interest and enthusiasm for theatre and for the work of the theatre

Desirable attributes:

pactical skills in leading drama activities with more than one of the groups listed in the ‘essential skills’ list above
extensive knowledge of theatre and performing arts

The current programme includes a regular schools tour. If the successful applicant has directing experience there may be scope for the directing of schools’ productions to be included in the brief, subject to this strand of work continuing and other work commitments allowing.