Director of Theatre. Full Time. Competitive

Transcription

1 Director of Theatre Job Description The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Summary of the role Job Title: Reporting Line: Hours: Salary: Role Summary: Director of Theatre Assistant Head (External Affairs) & the Bursar Full Time Competitive The Director of Theatre will have overall responsibility for the Quarry Theatre, ensuring that the Theatre meets agreed strategic objectives and programme and artistic outputs, which service both the school and the local community Main duties and responsibilities This job description does not form part of the contract of employment and may be varied in accordance with the demands of the appointment. The main duties and responsibilities of the Director of Theatre are as follows (this list is not exhaustive): Policy and Strategy Work with the Assistant Head (External Affairs) and Trustees to set strategic aims and objectives for the Quarry Theatre that meet the needs of the school and Trust. Produce a business plan and long-term investment plan that sets how the aims and objectives will be achieved according to projected performance targets. Engage other stakeholders, funders, partners and the community to ensure that the aims and objectives meet public aspiration and demand. Liaise with the Bursar to ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place for the effective management of health & safety, statutory compliance, event contracts and procurement, income and expenditure, management of staff hours and resource, management of data, documentation and information relating to the theatre s operation and activities. Ensure systems are in place for effective communication between the Theatre team, internal school and Trust colleagues and external parties.

2 Programme and artistic delivery Produce a Programme and Artistic Strategy for the Quarry Theatre that harnesses the long-term vision for the Theatre and enables the venue to optimise its potential as Bedford s sole professional theatre. As part of this strategy, develop a framework for the Theatre to enable a quality, wide ranging and diverse programme of activities to be delivered that engages pupils and the public and builds audiences. Review and optimise all internal and external spaces within the venue Seek and foster new opportunities for partnerships and collaboration that further builds the Theatre s positioning within the theatre and arts industry regionally and nationally. Education and learning Work with the Head of Academic Drama and Director of Music to maximise use of the theatre space and facilities to aid learning and participation within the school community. Develop an Education Strategy that enables opportunities for collaboration, engagement and participation by other school-age children in Bedford and the surrounding area. Leadership and operational management Oversee the safe and efficient management of the Quarry Theatre, ensuring that the building premises are managed and maintained. Ensure responsibility and accountability of H&S across the team Work with the Bursar to develop a financial model encompassing all the theatre s activities that enables clear distinction between the theatre s internal (school) and external (professional) activities to be managed. Manage and be responsible for all expenditure and income budgets for the Quarry Theatre s activities. This includes setting of annual budgets, enabling profit and loss to be identified for all events and for medium to long terms decisions to be considered for the venue s ongoing sustainability and growth. Ensure procurement practices are undertaken in accordance with financial procedures. Manage delegations of budget spend and accountability to the Theatre team accordingly. Work in conjunction with the Bursary to provide comprehensive management accounts that can clearly be interpreted by the Trustees, the Charity Commission and Companies House for reporting compliance. Ensure an effective theatre staff team that embraces the Trust s policies and procedures and represents industry standards. Attend board meetings as required ensuring timely preparation and presentation of relevant information. Represent the Theatre, school and the Trust at local, regional and national events, for example, business and funding events, networking, conferences and industry events. Staff management Manage all staff employed or engaged by the Trust for Quarry Theatre activities in accordance with the Trust s policies. Put arrangements in place to ensure a productive, safe and effective team necessary to undertake the Theatre s functions, including codes of conduct, recruitment, induction, appraisals, professional development and communication methods. Undertake performance reviews for all staff, ensuring relevant in-house training is undertaken as necessary. Work with the Assistant Head (External Affairs) to put in place processes for when events or staff resource may be shared with the school s Events Team (for example, the school s Creative Arts Festival). Ensure the Theatre s membership of professional trade bodies and associations as appropriate. Marketing Oversee development of a Marketing and Audience Development Strategy that

3 promotes the work of the school and creates a brand statement by which all marketing is represented. Work with the Assistant Head (External Affairs) and the Bursar to develop a Funding Strategy for the Quarry Theatre that builds on and maintains relationships with key funders, partners and enablers and maximises internal resources such as Ticketsolve, volunteers, Friends etc. This job description is not exhaustive and the job holder may also be expected to undertake such other comparable duties as may be required from time to time. These details may be amended at any time by agreement, but in any case will be reviewed through the appraisal process.

4 Person Specification The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Essential These are qualities without which the Applicant could not be appointed Desirable These are extra qualities which can be used to choose between applicants who meet all of the essential criteria Method of assessment Qualifications Evidence of continued career development Relevant degree or equivalent qualification Member of a relevant professional body Certificates Skills, knowledge and experience Experience in a senior management position in a similar theatre or arts organisation Proven track record of managing budgets and staff and achieving performance targets Managing similar services within an educational environment Application form, references and interview Proven experience of programming a live performance venue and knowledge of programming a mixed presenting and produced programme venue Able to demonstrate a working knowledge of arts funding Understanding of arts marketing and audience development strategies Experience of setting budgets and managing a trade account for a service led organisation Working knowledge of Health and Safety and other legislation relevant to a public live performance venue Evidence of networks and knowledge of industry practices Strong ICT skills Excellent communication skills in all contexts and forms

5 Personal qualities A strategic thinker and doer Capable organiser, planner and administrator Confident communicator with a genuine love of education Resilient; personable; tactful; hard working Natural authority; leadership by example; personal integrity Energy; imagination; courage to innovate; drive to see initiatives through, an eye for detail Solution orientated mindset Interview and references

6 HMC BOARDING AND DAY 700 Upper School; 400 Prep School Director of Theatre Bedford School Situated just 35 minutes on the train from London St Pancras, and half way between Oxford and Cambridge, Bedford School is one of the region s leading boarding and day schools, educating boys from the ages of 7 to 18. Part of The Harpur Trust, Bedford s leading educational and social welfare charity, we re a vibrant school with a very strong sense of community, set in a beautiful 50-acre estate in the heart of the town. There are some 700 pupils in the Upper School aged 13 to 18, with approximately 280 in the Sixth Form. 35% of the boys are boarders in our six Boarding Houses, each of which is twinned with a Day House. Our Prep School with 400 boys caters for the 7-13 age range on the same campus, and has its own junior Boarding House.

7 Academic excellence is central to life at Bedford School, and we encourage boys to aspire to the highest possible standards and to exceed their expectations. Our success is demonstrated by a long history of impressive exam results at GCSE, A level, and in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. IB and A Level combined results saw 84% of grades at the equivalent of A* to B and 61% of GCSE results were at A/A* in The vast majority of our leavers go on to Higher Education, and 77% of our Upper Sixth boys accepted places at Russell Group universities in The School was inspected in November 2016, and we are particularly proud of the fact that ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) gave us the top ratings possible. Full details, including a copy of the inspection report can be found here: The school adopts a selective entry policy without being ruthless and seeks to provide an environment where all boys will thrive academically. It emphasises continuity of education at 13+ and 16+ so that, although there are academic entry requirements at each point, they are geared to whether boys are suitable to move to the next stage rather than over-formulaic targets. We believe in an all-round education that exposes all boys to a wide range of experiences and opportunities. We place great emphasis on the value of Sport, Music and the Arts for the camaraderie, teamwork and self-motivation they instil, and encourage boys to explore their individual talents. Our extensive programme of extracurricular activities is wide-ranging and offers boys the opportunity to learn new skills and discover new interests outside the classroom. Boarding is at the heart of the school and all full-time members of staff are expected to contribute to the wider life of the school through involvement in the tutoring system and in activities outside the classroom. The school s ongoing development programme has included the construction of a new Library (2003), Observatory & Planetarium (2003), a new Music School (2006) and a wonderful new theatre in St Luke s Church, on the edge of the estate (2015). Other developments have included renovation of the school dining halls and kitchens (2009), fitness suite (2010), staff common room (2011), sports pavilion (2012) and science department (2015).

8 The Quarry Theatre at St Luke s The Quarry Theatre at St Luke s opened in the summer of 2015, so called to recognise the former Moravian church that was adapted and the support provided by Old Bedfordian, Gareth Quarry and his wife, who both played a key role in the transformation of the church to the theatre. The grade II listed church on St Peter s Street, established in the 1700s, was enlarged and consecrated on the 9th March It closed its doors to congregations in 2008 but, on visiting the unused Church in 2011, Gareth Quarry saw the potential to develop it into a performing arts venue which would strengthen the link between Bedford School and the town, and which would also give this much loved historic building a new lease of life. The church has since been sympathetically converted into the Quarry Theatre, which combines fantastic modern facilities and teaching spaces with some features from the church and an additional new bar and entertainment area. The adaption of the building and the new theatre that was created was recognised by RIBA in their East of England Awards in 2016, when the Quarry won an award celebrating its architectural excellence and contribution to society.

9 The Quarry is one of the best examples of a school-run theatre in the UK, presenting a professional programme alongside school productions and is the only professional theatre in Bedford (complementing the town s Corn Exchange venue). The Quarry Theatre has also pioneered and hosts a number of festivals throughout the year. The Role We are looking to appoint someone who will have overall responsibility for the successful operation of the Quarry Theatre, ensuring that it meets agreed strategic objectives and programme and artistic outputs, which serve both the school and the wider community in Bedford. The new Director of Theatre will be responsible for producing and delivering the theatre s business plan and looking at how it may develop its professional and artistic delivery. The Director will report directly to the Assistant Head (External Affairs) and the Bursar and will operate at a strategic level, ensuring that the theatre is commercially successful whilst also fulfilling its role as a school theatre. Benefits of Service Bedford School has high expectations of its employees and looks to reward them with beneficial conditions of service. The successful post holder will be able to join the school s private healthcare scheme and generous pension scheme and will receive a salary commensurate with experience. Bedford is set in beautiful grounds and staff are welcome to make use of the extensive leisure and sporting facilities (which includes gym, swimming pool, tennis courts, squash courts etc.) for themselves and their immediate family. All staff enjoy free on-site parking. Lunch (of outstanding quality!) and free refreshments are available throughout the day. Bedford is a dynamic and incredibly rewarding place to work with a strong sense of community.

10 General Information Bedford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and DBS clearance. Application Process Applicants are asked to complete the School Application Form; CVs in place of an Application Form cannot be accepted. Short-listed candidates will be invited to the School for interview on the advertised date. The Assistant Head (External Affairs), Richard Midgley, would be happy to talk to prospective applicants; he can be contacted through the School Reception on or by Bedford School is part of The Harpur Trust