Director, Blackheath Halls
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DIRECTOR, BLACKHEATH HALLS JOB DETAILS - CONTENTS Page 2 Advertisement Page 3 Job Description Page 9 Person Specification Page 12 Structure Conditions of Service Summary and Page 11 Staff Benefits Information on Trinity Laban Page 12 Conservatoire of Music and Dance Director, Blackheath Halls Salary: £42,908 - £50,508 (including LWA) Contract: Full-time, permanent Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance is seeking a dynamic, creative and forward-thinking Director to lead and re-launch Blackheath Halls following major refurbishment and restoration works. Delivering a reinvigorated programme that fulfils our vision for a community venue with a cutting edge arts offer, we are looking for an experienced leader with the drive and creative flair to engage the diverse audiences of South East London that we serve, while reflecting the high standards of artistic practice, creativity and innovation that we stand for as an institution. Built in 1895 by William Webster, Blackheath Halls is part of the oldest surviving purpose built cultural complex in London. The current programme includes classical music, folk, comedy nights, talks, literary events, exhibitions and children’s theatre as well as a community engagement programme that includes the critically acclaimed ‘Opera for All’ initiative. Regular commercial hire activity, including rehearsals and recordings by professional performing ensembles, weddings and other social events are also a regular feature of activity in the Halls. And, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, these activities sit alongside the Halls’ role as a primary performance and rehearsal venue for Trinity Laban students. As Director, you will be an inspiring artistic leader and an excellent manager, able to ensure the smooth running of the Halls and lead the staff team through a time of change. You will care passionately about the audience experience and instil a culture of excellent customer care. You will build the profile of the Halls in its immediate vicinity, and further afield, establishing partnerships that support the development of commercial opportunities as well as ambitious artistic programming. Most importantly, you will have extensive knowledge of arts programming and audience development in the UK and beyond, and the programming skills to put Blackheath Halls on the map. You will have extensive and proven track record of leadership (including team, budget and project management) within an arts venue as well as outstanding communication, interpersonal and people- management skills. Thriving on a busy and varied workload within a highly creative environment, you will be committed to developing new audiences for the arts. On a day-to-day basis as Director you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Halls. In addition to a strong customer service ethic, you will be able to demonstrate experience of identifying and cultivating new partnerships, attracting supporters and cultivating a strong donor base, and maintaining strong relationships with key individuals and organisations. Experience of work with volunteers, community organisations and/or higher education environments would be an advantage. As a leading arts organisation, Trinity Laban actively supports Arts Council England’s Creative Case for Diversity. In seeking a leader for our South East London venue, we are particularly keen to encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and those with experience of engaging diverse communities and artists. You can download a job pack and application form from http://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/about-us/job- opportunities/vacancies and for any queries you can contact Chloe Roper on 02083054382 or email [email protected] To apply for this position, please send your completed application form to the email address [email protected] Closing date: 6 February 2017 12 Noon (no agencies) Interviews: 15 &/or 16 February 2017 Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales Company No. 51090. Registered Charity No. 309998. JOB DESCRIPTION Post: Director, Blackheath Halls Reports to: Director of Music, Faculty of Music (Trinity Laban) Directly responsible for: Blackheath Halls staff (salaried & hourly paid – NB structure under review) including operations, programming and hires, community engagement, marketing, technical, maintenance, finance, development, box office, bar and front of house Grade: 8 Contract: Full-time, permanent MAIN PURPOSE AND CONTEXT OF THE ROLE The Director is responsible for articulating and achieving the artistic vision and business objectives of Blackheath Halls to create a versatile, vibrant and profitable performing arts center.1 Working to the Director of Music, who has executive responsibility for Blackheath Halls on behalf of Trinity Laban and the Blackheath Halls Board, the Director is responsible for leading and managing the Halls’ staff team, and for delivering key objectives in relation to artistic direction and programming, business strategy and overall financial health, and fundraising.2 The Director also plays a pivotal role in connecting the Halls to the artistic strategy and activities of the Faculty of Music and in contributing to the development of a coherent approach to public programming across the institution. They are expected to play a key role in building relationships, on behalf of both Blackheath Halls and Trinity Laban, with stakeholders including local communities, and in making local, national and international connections that allow the Halls to operate at the forefront of contemporary arts practice. Critically, in providing leadership and vision for staff, volunteers and stakeholders, their oversight will lead to an environment where members of the Halls own staff, other Trinity Laban staff and students, and visiting artists and organisations are enabled to work to their full potential and where audiences, community groups and visitors feel welcomed and stimulated. Key responsibilities:- To articulate and implement a strategy for Blackheath Halls – including its creative development and financial stability within the policy frameworks of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance – and to cultivate strong and supportive partnerships with and between the Halls staff, artists, the wider staff and student body of Trinity Laban, and the Board to ensure its effective delivery. To deliver Trinity Laban’s vision for the Halls as a cutting edge community venue that is representative of the diverse local community that it serves, working with the Director of Music on the development of the Hall’s artistic policies. To take a leadership role in strategically enhancing and diversifying both artistic programming and the Halls’ audience, seeking and developing professional links, operational and strategic partnerships, collaborations and relationships as appropriate. 1 As an integral part of Trinity Laban, Blackheath Halls is supported by the full range of central service departments including Finance, Marketing, Development, and Estates & Facilities. 2 NB The current Halls staffing structure is under review, and the new Director will play a key role in reviewing and defining the final structure adopted. To ensure the efficient operational management of Blackheath Halls and its facilities and to ensure compliance with all current legislation in relation to company and employment law, local bylaws, licensing laws and hygiene and safety regulations. To take overall responsibility for the financial management of the company, to raise funds from public, private and charitable sources and to maximise income throughout all of the company’s operations. To take responsibility for on-the-ground oversight of the ongoing capital refurbishment programme, making a major contribution to strategic planning for the Halls’ capital investment and development. To ensure that the staff team has the expertise, organisation and capacity to deliver Blackheath Halls’ objectives and to take overall responsibility for all personnel issues within the company including recruitment, performance management and training. To maximise Blackheath Hall’s role in the wider community and arts ecology by being an ambassador for the organisation and stimulating innovation and creative thinking within artistic and community engagement programming. To develop ambitious and imaginative approaches to marketing, fundraising and other initiatives to support continual enhancement of the Halls’ reputation and profile. To develop and enhance customer care standards and the audience experience, particularly in relation to the needs of new and under-represented audiences. To ensure that Trinity Laban’s equal opportunities policy informs all activities undertaken within and by Blackheath Halls including programming, access and employment. To report to the Board, and other appropriate committees on any issue concerning the company and its associated charities (Blackheath Halls, Blackheath Enterprises and the Friends of Blackheath Halls). MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Strategy Together with the Board, regularly review and update the Halls’ Business Plan, integrating the Hall’s artistic and business strategies and developing effective systems for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the Halls’ full programme of activities. Establish, maintain and/or