EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Recruitment Pack

Home , Bristol Old Vic, Touching the Void (play)

SHAPE THE FUTURE OF BRISTOL OLD VIC

Image from Kneehigh’s Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs). Charity No. 228235 Designed by Michael Vale. Photo by Steve Tanner. CONTENTS

1. An Invitation 6. About Us 16. About You 21. About Bristol

1 WE ARE… Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English speaking world. The theatre, which last year marked its 252nd anniversary, has trained and welcomed some of the UK’s most famous and best-loved actors, directors and creative talent and is internationally recognised as one of the most exciting and inclusive places to experience world-class theatre. AN INVITATION

Called “the loveliest theatre in the world” by Peter O’Toole and “the most beautiful theatre in England” by Sir Daniel Day Lewis, Bristol Old Vic is also the beating heart of the South West of England – a warm and welcoming public building for all of Bristol to enjoy and a historic playhouse that aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions, both at home and on tour.

“the loveliest theatre in the world” Peter O’Toole Photography Paul Blakemore (Kate Tempest Mayfest) 2 WE MAKE THEATRE Bristol Old Vic is a producing theatre. The quality, visibility and impact of the shows we make define and transform the outstanding work of our Engagement Department and the Artist Development Programmes. The artistic programme is the reason for our theatre’s existence. The commercial enterprise is the essential guarantee of it. AN INVITATION Entrepreneurial energy, a desire to work closely together on a shared vision for the theatre, and a commitment to partnerships of all forms are essential in this role.

3 CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

At Bristol Old Vic we passionately believe in the importance of supporting experimentation and innovation and nurturing the next generation of artists – whether that is through our 350-strong Young Company, our new studio theatres, our many outreach and education projects, our commitment to opening up AN INVITATION our unique theatrical heritage for all to see, or our trailblazing artist development programme, Bristol Ferment.

Photography Left: Paul Blakemore (Young Company production of Hercules 2019), Right: Paul Blakemore (Young Company rehearsals for Pigeon English 2013) 4 NEW LIFE FOR A HISTORIC THEATRE After over a decade of creative success, ambition and growth, culminating in a major £25m restoration and renovation project, Bristol Old Vic is now looking for an entrepreneurial new Executive Director to share the leadership of the theatre with Artistic Director Tom Morris, as we embed the organisation in its exciting new building and build the foundations for a dynamic AN INVITATION and creative future.

Photography Philip Vile 5 ABOUT US

Photography Geraint Lewis, (Touching the Void 2018) 6 VISION A world transformed by your imagination.

MISSION ABOUT US • Inspire, delight and surprise the people of Bristol and far beyond with excellent live theatre in an atmosphere of creativity, welcome and adventure.

• Bring creative opportunity to every neighbourhood and community of our city.

• Build creative pathways for writers, actors and theatre- makers in Bristol and the region.

• Protect, share, celebrate and be inspired by the heritage of Britain’s oldest theatre.

• Develop a dynamic, flexible and profitable business, which embraces and exploits the value of our brand. VALUES We strive to be welcoming, professional and boundlessly curious; playful, ambitious and rigorous; resourceful, honest and generous; collaborative, Bristolian, world-class and bold. We try to remember at all times that everything we do is an experiment, that uncertainty makes discovery possible and that it is our job to explore rather than to define.

Photography Steve Tanner, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk 2016 7 OUR PRODUCTIONS

The backbone of our programme is the shows we produce in our Theatre and in the new Weston Studio. Our aim since 2009 has been to re-establish the local, national and international reputation of Bristol Old Vic with inspiring and ground-breaking work. ABOUT US

Our productions include:

Swallows and Amazons, Bristol, West End and National Tour A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bristol, Barbican and World Tour Jane Eyre, Bristol, National Theatre, International Tour The Grinning Man, Bristol, West End, and translation to AR Pink Mist, Bristol, London and National Tour Princess and the Hustler, Bristol and National Tour Touching the Void, Bristol, National Tour and Hong Kong Festival

8 We work with people right across our city, with participants from nearly nearly from participants city, with our across people right We work with Our Young 25 its celebrates Our Company every postcode. Our top areas of engagement for of engagement 2017 areas top Our postcode. every our annual Made in Bristol scheme and operate our Community & Schools &Schools Community our operate and scheme Bristol in Made annual our also train 12 people 18 aged young train also weekly sessions with 350 people 5 aged young with sessions weekly transformative on the draws which Department, Engagement winning schools across Bristol. Bristol. across schools award- and pioneering by our inspired also is Old Vic’sBristol programme programmes to help creatively empower local people, organisations and and organisations people, local empower creatively help to programmes forge imagination, harness city our people across help to ofpower theatre new creative experiences and find their voices. their find and experiences new creative 5% 10% 15% 20% ENGAGEMENT

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9 ABOUT US & NEW WRITING NEW & • • • • • • • have beenon: Here aresomeofthejourneysafewoursupportedartists country. the across and Bristol in (and industries) other theatre feeding skills, conventions hone and ideas, break their with experiment individuals visionary which in environment We supportive abespoke, offer Photography BRISTOL FERMENT FERMENT BRISTOL — 503PlaywritingAward Bea Roberts — BristolFermentNationalTour,TheatreandWestEnd The WardrobeEnsemble Amy Mason Dan Canham Adam Peck Matt Grinter Vanessa Kisuule Chelsey Cliff (Bottom left: Ryan O’Shea, bottomright: Alice Lamband Georgia Frost, topright: Yandass andSam Henderson, ,

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Ferment Fortnight 2019) 10 9 ABOUT US THE PEOPLE ARE THE REAL ENGINE OF THE ORGANISATION…

“I am not a native Bristolian, but this theatre “There is a lot of pride that comes with working makes me feel like I belong.” for Bristol Old Vic - a sense of being a part of ABOUT US Jim Molyneux, Head of Stage, April 2019 something that has real value and is actively making steps towards equality, diversity and “In theory, these two worlds could make for creative freedom.” quite awkward bedfellows, but what I love Caroline Lang, Communications Assistant, April 2019 most about Bristol Old Vic is how vibrantly interconnected they are allowed to be.” “I’m drawn to those who choose not to go Marek Horn, Box Office Assistant down the easy route in life. It takes courage and Writer on Attachment, April 2019 to be creative, and when you’ve got a bunch of amazing minds, fizzing away together, under “I love that we offer such a diversity of theat- one roof, suddenly you’re making fireworks!” Sian Weeding, Producing and Programming Assistant, rical experiences in a variety of performance April 2019 spaces - the Theatre Royal, The Weston Studio and Coopers’ Loft.” Louise Parry, Deputy Box Office Manager, April 2019 “Bristol Old Vic is family; more than just my local theatre, it has become a home from home, both for me as someone who has worked there “I support Bristol Old Vic because I feel it is several times but also for my children.” an essential part of Bristol’s cultural life.” Saikat Ahamed, Writer and Actor, April 2019 Ros Kennedy, Silver Ticket Subscriber, April 2019

Please click on the quotes for full reflections. 11 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Board of Trustees (Chair Liz Forgan)

Interim Executive Director Artistic Director Directors’ Sally Cordwell Tom Morris Office ABOUT US Interim Assistant to the Directors Giles Chiplin

Senior Management Team

Engagement Director Executive Producer Marketing & Production Director Commercial Director Head of Development Finance Director Lucy Hunt Chloe Naldrett-Elwood Communications David Harraway Erick Muzard Zoe Crick-Tucker Nigel Gardner

Engagement Producing Marketing & Comms Production Operations Development Finance & HR/Admin Department Department Department Department Department Department Department

Young Company Director Producer Head of Marketing Production Manager General Manager Development Manager HR Manager Lisa Gregan (Mat. Leave) Catherine Morgenstern Alice Wheeler (Mat. Leave) Jemma Edwards Aidan Woodburn Sarah Hutchins Kathryn Cleave

Engagement Producer Producing & Head of Marketing Head of Stage ICT Manager Trusts & Foundations Finance Officer Hattie De Santis Programming Assistant Richard Irvine (Mat. Cover) James Molyneux Simon Porter Manager Adda Cohn Sian Weeding Simon Jenkins Engagement Assistant Marketing Officer Deputy Head of Stage Maintenance Supervisor Trainee Accountant Dan Radford Producer Matt Ostrehan Philip Harris Michael Elliott Volunteer – Appeal Samantha Holder Bristol Ferment Patron Liaison Freelance Artists & Ben Atterbury Marketing Officer Chief Electrician Box Office Manager Erika Neumann Apprentice Trainee Workshop Leaders Jack Fayter Michael Gunning Rebecca Molloy Accountant Literary Associate Samuel Woolley Heritage Engagement James Peries Graphic Designer Deputy Chief LX Deputy Box Office Manager Manager Lucy McArthur James Harrison Louise Parry Finance & HR Assistant Amy Spreadbury Fiona Baptiste Head of Communications Senior Technician Box Office Heritage Assistant Amanda Adams (Sound/AV) Groups Coordinator Sara Mesgna Duncan Arnold Daniel Price Communications Assistant Exhibitions Officer Caroline Lang Senior Technician Box Office Receptionists TBC (Studios) Jeremy Costello Roberts Front of House Tour Guides & Volunteers Workshop Coordinator Front of House Manager Ian Penny Elizabeth Hebden

Master Carpenter Deputy FOH Manager Rhys Gillard Rosemary Taylor

Production Assistant Operations Assistant Imogen Senter Henry Knight

Company Manager FOH Duty Managers Louise Kemp Andrew Stocker, Rowan Mead Lydia Harman, Jenny Lindfors Production & Operations Administrator Evening Stage Door Rebecca Davies Kira Treveil

Freelance SMs/Casuals FOH Performance Staff

12 REDEVELOPMENT & TRANSFORMATION On 24 Sep 2018, we completed our 2-year multi-

million-pound redevelopment project, which ABOUT US transformed our front of house space into a warm and welcoming public building for all of Bristol to enjoy, created two new studio theatres and opened up our unique theatrical heritage to the public for the first time.

THEATRE

THEATRE HERITAGE ENGAGEMENT

COMMERCIAL

13 • • • Alongside these, the new building offers a host of commercial ahost of commercial offers new building the Alongside these, Our extended commercial offering will provide customers customers provide will offering commercial extended Our Click heretowatchourWelcomevideo with more and help stabilise our financial position through: financial our help more stabilise and with (also availableintheDropboxfolder) opportunities to underwrite Bristol Old Vic’s Bristol including mission, to underwrite opportunities a visitor attraction business based around our unique heritage. unique our around based business attraction a visitor COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL 1766 &Kitchen Bar Private Events Private Space Hire Space

14 ABOUT US 2018 YEAR OF CHANGE

2018 saw a fundamental shift in our relationship with the city as the organisation heralded in a new era. We unveiled a new building to transform the front of house into a welcoming place for the city to come together; a new heritage experience and a new studio theatre built to support and inspire the theatre ABOUT US makers of the future.

The year gave rise to a programme of work at Bristol Old Vic exploring change in all its forms. We also grasped the opportunity to address our own relationship with the wide range of communities in Bristol and found new ways to reflect and represent the city through City Conversations, the Seeds of Change Week and a celebration of abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

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15 You are an outstanding leader.You might outstanding experience and Your an are skills venue management, production, commercial, finance or some finance venue commercial, production, management, combination above. of the marketing, –producing, areas of different avariety come from ABOUT YOUABOUT 16 ABOUT YOU • Overseeing the teams responsible for delivering creative press and JOB DESCRIPTION marketing campaigns across a diverse programme of shows, events and creative projects, driving engagement, maximising the sales potential of The role of the Executive Director, reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Theatre’s output, increasing Bristol Old Vic’s profile, and attracting is to oversee the smooth running of the Theatre and take lead new and diverse audiences; responsibility for organisational, producing, financial, marketing, development and commercial functions of the company. More specifically, • Seeking opportunities for co-productions and touring productions that ABOUT YOU this comprises: spread cost and risk and increase potential income or otherwise maximise the commercial exploitation of the Theatre’s work - regionally, • Working with the Artistic Director and Board of Trustees to develop a in London and internationally; partnership that is creative both artistically and commercially, to ensure a sustainable future for an artistically ambitious theatre; • Actively promoting all opportunities including commercial, fundraising, and grants applicable to Bristol Old Vic’s developing business needs, • In consultation with the Board, creating the long-term Business Plan for including supporting fundraising through proactive involvement the organisation, and agreeing annual operating budgets aligned with the with current and potential supporters; Business Plan; • Leading and monitoring the long-term strategic and financial planning • Developing a dynamic, flexible and profitable business, which embraces processes for the Company, ensuring that structures are fit for purpose and exploits the enormous value and potential of the Bristol Old Vic brand and expenditure and income targets for the year are met; and the newly-restored building; • Reporting to the Board and relevant committees as appropriate; • Making Bristol Old Vic a destination of choice for the people of Bristol and far beyond – somewhere to come together, drink, dine, celebrate, • Overseeing a heritage programme that encompasses every facet of socialise and enjoy and be inspired by brilliant theatre; the building, adding to the world-class Bristol Old Vic experience and providing context for the drama that happens both on- and off-stage; • Ensuring effective human resources and equality of opportunity practices operate throughout the company; • Working with the Artistic Director to play an ambassadorial role for Bristol Old Vic, including maintaining positive relationships with • Playing a leading role in contributing to Bristol Old Vic’s diversity agenda; stakeholders.

• Supporting the Engagement Director, ensuring that the Engagement • Together with the Artistic Director, defining and holding the strategy Programme reaches all areas of the community and remains central to the which delivers the mission of the organisation within achievable work of Bristol Old Vic. resources;

• Ensure that Bristol Old Vic’s Talent Development programmes continue • Alongside the Artistic Director, line managing the Senior Management to flourish in harmony with the Engagement and Artistic Programmes. Team, and appointing all first-tier senior management posts.

17 PERSON SPECIFICATION

The ideal candidate for the Executive Director position will be an Essential skills and behaviours experienced, inspirational and collaborative leader with commercial, strategic, financial and entrepreneurial nous, excellent communication • Leadership skills that inspire respect, trust and commitment, ABOUT YOU and interpersonal skills, and a readiness to commit wholeheartedly to including an instinct for collaborative teamwork, listening to and ABOUT YOU the future of the Bristol Old Vic. Relevant experience might come in any consulting with colleagues; of a variety of fields – theatre producing or production, marketing and communications, finance, commercial or a combination of the above • Strong communication, negotiating and influencing skills; – but the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate: • Creative entrepreneurial energy; • The ability to work closely and collaboratively with the Artistic Director in leading the organisation and helping deliver a balanced, attractive • A general understanding of and sympathy for the other functions and financially sustainable programme of work across multiple years of the Theatre, including most particularly the artistic work; and platforms; • A genuine passion for the role of a regional producing theatre, • Proven entrepreneurial success; particularly in relation to its responsibilities to the diverse communities it serves; • Experience of leading and monitoring long-term strategic and financial planning processes including setting, managing and controlling budgets • A commitment to developing talent and to the principles of diversity of an appropriate scale; and inclusion;

• Experience in building relationships with a wide and diverse range • Resilience and a preparedness to take tough decisions when necessary; of stakeholders; • A sense of fun. • Experience in leading a team effectively and collaboratively, with established professional credibility;

• Readiness to play a key part in fundraising;

• The insight and understanding to reshape and command the business and think creatively about the business opportunities offered by the new building;

• An ideological grasp of the priority for a progressive, inclusive and accessible arts sector.

18 TERMS ACCESS

Salary Bristol Old Vic’s policy is to guarantee an interview to diverse To be negotiated in the region of £65k – £70k per annum. (BAME/Disabled) applicants who meet the job’s essential requirements. It is intended that this will be a joint CEO role with the Artistic Director, either immediately or within 18 months of appointment. If you would like to submit your CV in a different format, we would be ABOUT YOU happy to accommodate this. Terms The post will be offered as an initial 5-year fixed-term To do this, please contact Kathryn Cleave at employment contract, with opportunity to extend by mutual [email protected]. agreement.

Hours Although based on 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, the post holder will be expected to work some evenings/weekends as necessary to fulfil the role. Overtime is not payable and there is no formal time off in lieu system.

Probationary Period Three months (during which the notice period is 1 week on either side).

Annual Leave 5.6 weeks per annum including bank holidays, rising to 6.6 weeks following five years of continuous employment at Bristol Old Vic.

Pension Eligible employees will be automatically enrolled into the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) in accordance with the company’s obligations under the Pensions Act 2008 or have the option to contribute to existing personal pension plan.

Notice period Following the end of the probationary period, the notice period will be 3 months on either side.

19 HOW TO APPLY

If you wish to apply for this position, please send a covering letter telling us why you feel you are the right person for the role and demonstrating your ability to meet the requirements as detailed in the job description and person specification, and a comprehensive ABOUT YOU CV outlining your roles, responsibilities and achievements to date. The deadline for applications, which should be submitted to Kathryn Cleave at [email protected], is 9am on Tuesday 7th May 2019.

Please also send a completed Diversity & Equality Monitoring Form, which can be found in the Dropbox (or click here)

If you would like an informal, confidential chat regarding the position, please contact our recruitment consultant, Donna Munday, at [email protected] or on 07970 630229.

It is intended that first interviews will take place on Friday 17th May 2019 in London with second interviews on Tuesday 21st May 2019 in Bristol. If you would like to see a performance at Bristol Old Vic and/or have a tour of the building please contact Kathryn Cleave at [email protected].

Please advise if you have any problems with availability on these dates in your covering letter.

Bristol Old Vic is an equal opportunities employer and actively promotes diversity in its staff. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation or age.

20 ABOUT BRISTOL

To read the article, click on the headline.

Bristol named ‘World Vegan Capital’ Bristol Pride Named in Global Top 50 Pride Destinations Independent, 2019 Visit Bristol, 2018

Bristol named Kindest City Named on ‘National Geographic Cool List’ for 2018 ABOUT BRISTOL Bristol Post, 2019 National Geographic, 2018

Top Places to Visit in Europe in 2019 Best place to Live 2017 Independent, 2019 BBC News, 2017

Named in Guardian Holiday Hot List for 2019 Bristol named UK’s most environmentally friendly city The Guardian, 2019 Good Move, 2017

Best place to Live outside of London for Under 25s UK’s most inspiring city, Inspiring Cities Ranking 2016 Independent, 2019 Stylist, 2016

Best Burger Chef in UK - Alex Hayes, Squeezed One of the most colourful cities in the world Bristol 24/7, 2019 The Guardian, 2016

Bristol Airport wins Best Airport in Europe Award One of world’s best cities for Street Art Bristol Airport, 2019 The Guardian, 2016

Bristol named ‘Rising Star’ destination One of UK’s Coolest Cities at National Geographic Traveller Reader Awards Bristol 24/7, 2016 Visit Bristol, 2018 One of most dog friendly cities Named in New York Times Top 52 Places to Visit in 2018 Trusted Housesitters, 2016 NY Times, 2018 Bristol named as the UK’s Best Shopping Destination Top UK Destinations for 2019 Bristol Broadmead, 2016 Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, 2018

21 THANK YOU