Company Address 24a St John Street London EC1M 4AY Contact 0207 566 9765 Email Executive Director Recruitment Pack [email protected] Web hightide.org.uk HighTide Festival Theatre continues to make a major impact on new writing theatre by championing emerging playwrights and new plays by bringing them to production. Partner: Lansons We work year round on talent development projects, culminating in our annual festival. The HighTide Festival in Suffolk is a unique platform to showcase many Major Funder: The Backstage Trust playwrights and their work. We have a national and international profile by touring new productions to some of the world's leading theatres. HighTide is an artistically led organisation and it continues to evolve in order to Artistic Director position new artists and innovative theatre in its festival and the UK’s leading Steven Atkinson theatres. This year the festival relocated to Aldeburgh in Suffolk to capitalise on its strong artistic and tourist economy, and to add HighTide’s own artistic innovation to the scene. HighTide has co-produced its productions with many theatres, including in London; the National Theatre, Bush Theatre, Old Vic Theatre, Soho Theatre and in the West End, across the UK with the Royal Exchange Theatre President Manchester, Live Theatre Newcastle, Theatre Royal Bath, and in New York with Peter Fincham the Public Theater and 59E59. Chair Criona Palmer Since its inception in 2007, HighTide continues to be led by its committed and Directors enterprising Artistic Director (CEO) Steven Atkinson. He has transformed a start- Steven Atkinson up to a National Portfolio Organisation with an annual turnover circa £700,000 and Sue Emmas Nick Giles strong reserves. The company’s artistic ambition and profile is key to HighTide’s Diana Hiddleston considerable fundraising success. Mark Lacey Clare Parsons Tali Pelman This is an exciting time for HighTide as we prepare for the tenth HighTide Festival Graham White in 2016. The festival in Aldeburgh will premiere four world premiere productions Advisory Council that will also transfer to high-profile UK theatres, alongside touring other Jack Bradley productions from our 2015 season. We will also deliver a year-round programme Robert Fox Thelma Holt CBE of artistic development activities for emerging playwrights and young theatre Joyce Hytner OBE makers. Mel Kenyon Tom Morris Dallas Smith We are looking for an exceptional Executive Director to join this ambitious Roger Wingate organisation that thrives on artistic innovation and risk. The Executive Director will Patrons Sinead Cusack work collaboratively with the Artistic Director (CEO) to strategically and Stephen Daldry CBE energetically lead the team at HighTide in its next phase. Sir Richard Eyre CBE Sally Greene OBE Sir David Hare How to Apply Sir Nicholas Hytner Sam Mendes CBE Juliet Stevenson CBE This pack contains the Executive Director job description, person specification, organisation chart and equal opportunities form. To apply for the position please provide a CV and covering letter detailing your suitability and reasons for applying for the post. Email applications to [email protected] HighTide Festival Deadline for applications is noon on Monday 4 January 2016. First interviews Productions Ltd Company Reg No. 6326484 will be week commencing 11 January 2016. Charity Reg No. 1124477 JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Executive Director Responsible to: Line managed by the Artistic Director (CEO) and also reports to the HighTide Festival Productions Ltd Board of Directors (Chair). Responsible for: Full–time staff of Producer, Marketing Officer and Admin Assistant, and freelance and festival staff as appropriate. Purpose of the role: The Executive Director will work collaboratively with the Artistic Director (CEO) to strategically lead the organisation. The Executive Director has particular focus on finance, organisational development, executive producing and building capacity in the organisation in the medium and long term. The Executive Director will promote and maintain an organisational culture that values the highest standards in executing the artistic vision and in management practices. Executive team - joint responsibilities: The Artistic Director (CEO) and the Executive Director collaborate on the following responsibilities: To co-develop the company’s policies that maintain its reputation for discovering, nurturing and producing the best new theatre writers from the widest range of backgrounds, and for presenting their work to the highest possible standards. To co-lead on the creation and implementation of a strategic plan that will take the Company forward over the next five years and fulfills the artistic ambition and expectation of the organisation. This strategy will include a dynamic artistic policy and programme, development of new audiences, financial/commercial sustainability, Environmental Sustainability and Cultural Diversity Action Plans and management. To seek collaborative partnerships with other theatre, arts or creative organisations with whom HighTide might expand its artistic ambitions and share its resources both nationally and internationally. Work in tandem with the Artistic Director (CEO) in the creation and implementation of a fundraising campaign to realise HighTide's ambitions. Together to ensure the efficient, effective and solvent financial management of the Company and to identify appropriate opportunities for income generation. Adhere to, and actively implement HighTide’s policies, including Equalities (diversity, access, equal opportunities), Environmental and Health & Safety and confidentiality of electronic data in line with the Data Protection Act. Individual responsibilities: To be responsible for the management of the company in order to best support the artistic policy and programme. Within the shared responsibility for financial viability above, to be responsible for all financial matters including the preparation of management accounts, three year plans, detailed annual budget and cashflow forecasts, production budgets. To oversee internal financial regulations to ensure effective financial control and to manage taxation and VAT issues. To be a signatory on company cheques. To support the Artistic Director (CEO) in managing relationships with co- producers, to oversee negotiation of contracts with companies, venues, creative appointments, writers’ commissions and the engagement of actors. Work in partnership with the Artistic Director (CEO) in managing HighTide's relationship with Arts Council England by preparing and updating any policies related to HighTide's National Portfolio Organisation grant. To ensure that customer care at the HighTide Festival is of the highest standards. Work in tandem with the Artistic Director (CEO) and Marketing Officer to oversee marketing and communications, brand and audience development. To lead, inspire and work with all staff to maintain and develop effective management practices and employment policies and practices. To take overall responsibility for the full operation of the organisation’s Equal Opportunity, Health and Safety and Environmental sustainability policies. To ensure compliance with all relevant legislation as employer, limited company, registered charity. General: To attend read-throughs, sharings, Preview, Press and Supporters Nights, Board meetings and other HighTide events as required. To co-lead regular Company meetings. To actively develop and implement green policies and practices for the organisation. To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible, without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of HighTide. To act always in the best interest of HighTide. This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the Executive Director may be required to perform duties outside of this as operationally required and at the discretion of the Artistic Director (CEO) and the Board. PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential skills and experience: An understanding and commitment to the mission, vision and work of HighTide Festival Theatre and a passion to play a key role in shaping and achieving the company's success. A track record of maximising entrepreneurial opportunities of individual productions, ideas or company development. Proven success in a senior management role in the arts, entertainment or events sectors, and supporting artists in realizing their work. A track record of achievement in managing and delivering sizable projects and productions on time and to budget. Experience in Producing including contracts, commissioning writers, co-producing, touring, international touring and relationships. Including demonstrable knowledge of Equity, BECTU, ITC rates and agreements. Experience in financial management –accounts, cash flow, budgeting, and financial modeling. A positive attitude with a high level of self-motivation and ability to work on your initiative. The ability to work collaboratively and form effective partnerships. Confidence and familiarity with good financial management systems. Experience of HR, employment practices and staff management. Persuasive communication skills. Knowledge of arts funding and fundraising. A genuine commitment to maintaining the broadening of cultural diversity and access across all areas of HighTide. An entrepreneurial spirit to maximise exposure of the work and the brand. Desirable (but not essential) skills and experience: Knowledge of Suffolk and cultural landscape. Understanding of operational challenges of festival. Demonstrable experience of governance and communicating with a Board of Directors/Trustees. TERMS & CONDITIONS Hours: 40 Hours per week across at least five days Salary: £40,000 per annum Holidays: 20 days per annum plus Bank Holidays Probation: Six months Contract type: Permanent .