Ctd2021v2 Job Description

assistant to the heads of comedy and digital & touring (kickstart)

SOHO THEATRE is London’s most vibrant producer for new theatre, comedy and cabaret. In ‘usual’ times, Soho’s busy Dean Street venue presents a year-round festival programme of shows across three performance spaces, playing to audiences of over 250,000. Our mission is to produce new work, to discover and nurture new writers and artists and to target and develop new audiences.

Soho Theatre’s creative work pursues excellence, harnessing an artistic spirit that is based in our new writing roots, inclusivity and being welcoming to all. We work with artists and performers representing different communities, cultures and backgrounds. Our work takes many forms, drawing on the radical ethos of the fringe and the traditions of punk culture and queer performance. We champion voices that challenge from outside of the mainstream, and also some that poke out from within. We identify and nurture new talent through commissions, awards and schemes, and we broaden access through participation work.

We work beyond Soho bringing artists to and from the world’s major creative festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival and tour performances across the UK and internationally with strong connections to India, Australia and the US. We have developed a digital wing which has filmed our own comedy shows licensed for UK television, AmazonPrime Video UK, and onto international airlines with a dedicated British Airways channel. Our own digital download site, Soho Theatre On Demand is available throughout the world hosting our theatre, comedy and cabaret.

This is a period of excitement for Soho Theatre, as we establish a new Walthamstow venue – a ‘local theatre with a national profile.’ It is part of a broader vision for Soho Theatre’s strategic growth which encompasses its Dean Street venue and acclaimed festival programme, a fast-growing digital arm, increased UK and international touring with particular links to India and Australia.

We have a busy and hard-working team at the heart of all we do. In January 2021 we welcomed a Head of Creative Engagement, who leads a team working on participation and community projects across all of Soho Theatre’s activities, and is developing an engagement strategy for the new Walthamstow Granada. We run a number of Creative Learning programmes and workshops, recently transferred to online – from playwriting to sketch and stand-up courses, and more; our Soho Labs help to identify, nurture and develop talent. Our two Associate Directors and Literary Manager work closely with writers, artists and agents to develop and identify work for Soho Theatre to produce and present. We collaborate with artists in a variety of ways - from commissioning and full producing of new plays, to co- producing new work and presenting the best new emerging companies.

sohotheatre.com | www.sohotheatreondemand.com | @sohotheatre

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: ASSISTANT TO THE HEADS OF COMEDY AND DIGITAL & TOURING

Responsible to: Head of Comedy, Head of Digital & Touring

Working with: Comedy Associates, Comedy Assistant, Production Management Consultant

DUTIES The Assistant to the Heads of Comedy and Touring & Digital will provide administrative assistance to support the delivery and smooth-running of Soho Theatre’s comedy and cabaret programme in our Dean Street venue, our soon-to-be-open Walthamstow venue, national and international touring and on film.

This will include learning to draft, send and manage contracts and settlements, creating and maintaining contact and information sheets and booking travel and accommodation as required.

The Assistant to the Heads of Comedy and Touring & Digital will communicate with key stakeholders such as artists, agents and promoters in the preparation of Soho Theatre’s comedy and cabaret programme.

The role will involve learning assistant skills such as scheduling and attending meetings, note-taking and distribution, and diary management, supported by our General Manager for the Programme.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about Soho Theatre’s comedy and cabaret programme and what goes into putting performances on stage, whether that be live in our Dean Street venue and new Walthamstow venue, touring to other venues in the UK and around the world or in film.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The ability to communicate effectively will be important, the role involves speaking to a variety of different people in a range of situations yet maintaining a clear message across all channels. There will be an opportunity to learn about communicating with key stakeholders in an industry-suited, professional manner.

The Assistant to the Heads of Comedy and Touring & Digital will work within a busy team in a fast-paced and energetic environment, requiring an ability to keep calm under pressure.

It is a varied role working across multiple projects. They should have strong organisational skills, the ability to prioritise different tasks and to work proactively, using initiative, and reactively as situations arise.

As some of the responsibilities of this role occur closely around performance show times, it is essential that the candidate is willing to work hours flexibly, including evenings and occasional weekends/late nights.

The role will also involve using computers and interactions via email, so strong written communication skills are needed. Some experience using spreadsheet software (such as Excel or Google Sheets) is desirable, but this is a skill we can teach you if you haven’t used them before. Previous experience in administration of any kind is useful for this role.

The ideal candidate will have an interest in comedy, theatre and performance, and be someone who wants to learn more about the practicalities of making performance happen.

EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT

Creative Access will provide ongoing employability support throughout the placement. The successful candidate will attend an induction day, including sessions on goal setting, workplace etiquette and managing expectations. They will also attend monthly evening masterclasses throughout the placement including employability tips, practical support, mental health advice and inspirational figures.

Creative Access will also allocate a professional mentor to the candidate and ongoing pastoral care, advice and support.

At Soho Theatre, the successful candidate will have an initial meeting with a member of the team to discuss what they would like to get out of the placement. These goals will then be reviewed periodically throughout and reflected on at the end of the placement.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Equal Opportunities Running through the core of Soho Theatre are the values of equality of opportunity, diversity of background and inclusion and accessibility for all. Our artists, audience and staff reflect a diverse London and we work hard to increase representation across cultures and experience.

Terms of Employment This job is offered through the DWP Kickstart scheme and is a fixed term, part time contract for 6 months. It is open only to those in receipt of Universal Credit who are referred to apply through local Job Centres by a Work Coach.

Salary £10.85 per hour.

Holiday entitlement The full paid entitlement is 20 days plus 8 Public and Bank days and any other public holidays as declared from time to time. This is pro rata’d for part time contracts.

Hours This is a part time role: 25 hours per week. 3 full days (7 hours) and 1 half day (4 hours) per week (as a guide, this may vary from week to week) Occasional evening and weekend work will be required. There are no overtime payments but TOIL is negotiable on occasion with your line manager.

Staff Benefits  Tickets for Soho shows (subject to availability)  Season ticket and Cycle to Work loans and other travel schemes  Employee Assistance Programme including health insurance  Seasonal flu jabs  Training and development opportunities  Discount at Soho Theatre Bar and other local businesses  Annual staff party and other social events

April 2021