Out of Joint
7 Thane Works
Thane Villas
London N7 7NU
12th January 2016
Dear Applicant,
Application Pack – Joint Artistic Director
Thank you for your interest in the post of Joint Artistic Director Out of Joint. I enclose a job description and person specification.
If you wish to apply for the above position please make your application in the form of a cover letter (maximum two sides of A4) addressed to Martin Derbyshire, accompanied by a Curriculum Vitae. Please include the names, addresses and contact details of two referees. You may email your covering letter and CV to or send it by post to the address above.
Enclosed in the Application Pack you will find an Equal Opportunities monitoring form. Please also complete and enclose with the rest of the pack. The form will be removed from your application so that all candidates receive fair assessment. Out of Joint is an equal opportunities employer, and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
The closing date for applications is Friday 17th February 2017 (If you would like to apply but feel you will miss the deadline, please contact Martin Derbyshire before the 17th of February on ), and shortlisted applicants will be contacted as soon as possible after this date. Interviews will be held on or around the week of 6th March 2017.
For further information about Out of Joint please visit our website, www.outofjoint.co.uk.
Once again, thank you for your interest.
Martin Derbyshire
Producer
Joint Artistic Director
APPLICATION PACK – January 2017
Background to this appointment
The role of Joint Artistic Director is a new post, created to work alongside Artistic Director Max Stafford-Clark and Producer Martin Derbyshire to guide the artistic development and future planning of Out of Joint. This role would cover the entire funding cycle 2018-22. This job is flexible in structure. It could be full or part time and could be worked around independent freelance work depending on the needs of the successful candidate.
This is an ideal position for an experienced director or artistic director who wishes to gain experience and an invaluable insight into the workings of a small, but busy, touring theatre company. Experience of commissioning and directing new work is desirable and knowledge and acquaintance with the work of Out of Joint is essential.
About Out of Joint
Inquisitive, epic, authentic and original: Out of Joint is a national and international touring theatre company, developing entertaining theatre that broadens horizons and investigates our times.
Founded by Max Stafford-Clark after 14 years as Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre, Out of Joint celebrates 23 years of producing new writing in 2017. The company has built a reputation for excellence in the development and production of new plays. Every production tours widely and also plays in London. Many are revived for further touring, often abroad. Out of Joint is funded by Arts Council England as part of the National Portfolio. More information on our work can be found at our website: www.outofjoint.co.uk
The company is made up of the following staff:
Artistic Director, Producer, Marketing Manager, Education Administrator & Production Assistant, PA to the Artistic Director and Office Administrator, Literary Associate (P/T), Finance Admin (P/T) & Finance Manager (Freelance).
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsibilities and Duties
Joint Artistic Director:
· Be a strong artistic leader of the company
· Assisting in the planning and implementation of the artistic programme
· Building and maintaining relationships with co-producers and receiving venues
· Directing shows when required
· Developing new writing with writers, including casting and leading workshops.
· Liaising writers, directors and actors concerning Out of Joint projects
· Reporting on artistic progress on a regular basis
· Leading meetings where required
· Be an ambassador and advocate for the company
· Reading new scripts
· Any other duties as required
Board, Governance and Fundraising:
· Attending meetings.
· Reporting to the board of directors.
· Stewarding our regular donors and keeping them in touch with the company’s work.
· Leading, attending and taking part in fundraising events.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL
· Knowledge of Out of Joint’s work and place within the theatre industry
· Relevant work experience in a theatre or other arts organisation
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, (including experience of composing letters and documents) including confidence in contact with high profile artists and art leaders
· Ability to work unsupervised and on your own initiative
· Ability to work to tight deadlines
· Ability to juggle several jobs at one time, whilst remaining calm and composed
· The ability and temperament to work in a small team
· A flexible approach to working hours – visits to the company on tour and some evening work expected
· Some knowledge of touring theatre
· Some knowledge of new writing
· Some knowledge and understanding of the arts funding system, with particular reference to Arts Council England
DESIRABLE
· Extensive knowledge of theatre touring
· Extensive knowledge of new theatre writing
· Some knowledge and understanding of the arts funding system, with particular reference to Arts Council England
SALARY
£30,000+ per annum, dependent on experience and agreed commitment.
HOURS
As required, though office hours are normally 10.00 am - 6.00 pm Monday to Friday. It may also necessary to attend Press Nights, performances on tour (including the occasional overnight stay) and other meetings and special functions as they are arranged. Overtime is not paid in respect of extra hours worked.
HOLIDAYS
Four weeks per year (holiday year runs from April – March) or a pro-rated holiday allowance.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING FORM
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY
Out of Joint Limited is an equal opportunities employer. The aim of its policy is to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, sexual orientation, age, trade union activity, political or religious belief. Applications from disabled persons who have the necessary attributes for the post are welcome. Selection criteria and procedures will be kept under review to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.
All employees will be given equal opportunities and, where appropriate, special training to progress within the organisation. Out of Joint is committed to a programme of action to make the policy fully effective.
We would be grateful if you would fill in and return this form with your application - it will help us to monitor our Equal Opportunities Policy in practice. It is for statistical purposes only and does not form part of your application.
(please tick where appropriate)
1. What is your sex?
MALE FEMALE OTHER
2. How would you describe your ethnic origin?
WHITE
British Irish Other background (please state)
ASIAN or ASIAN BRITISH
Bangladeshi Indian Pakistani Other (please state)
BLACK or BLACK BRITISH
African Caribbean Other (please state)
CHINESE OR OTHER ETHNIC GROUP
Chinese Other
DUAL HERITAGE
Asian & White Black African & White
Black Caribbean & White Chinese & White Other (please state)
3. In terms of the definition below, do you have any disabilities?
Yes No
If so, what? (You need not give further details unless you wish to do so)
4. How would you describe your sexual orientation?
STRAIGHT MALE STRAIGHT FEMALE BISEXUAL
GAY MALE GAY FEMALE OTHER
The following is an internationally recognised definition of disability: "People with physical, mental or sensory disabilities: with hidden disabilities such as psoriasis, epilepsy, heart, chest conditions: people with disabilities linked to ageing: people suffering from a mental illness".
Where did you hear about the job / role / post?