Head of Creative Learning

HEAD OF CREATIVE LEARNING

Thank you for your interest in the above post. Please find attached:

·  General Information about the Company

·  Job Description

·  Person Specification

·  Equal Opportunities Policy

·  Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Please apply in writing with the following information:

·  up-to-date CV;

·  covering letter setting out how your skills and experience meet the person specification;

·  names and contact details of two referees;

·  completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.

Send your application to:

Lianne Whitelaw

Administrator

Royal Lyceum Theatre Company

30B Grindlay Street

Edinburgh

EH3 9AX

Or email

Closing Date for applications: Tuesday 13 May at 5pm.

First Interviews: w/c 26 May 2014.

The Company

The Lyceum Theatre Company is one of Scotland’s premiere producing theatres. Established in 1965 it has gained a reputation for excellence in both classical and contemporary work. As part of Scotland’s national theatre community we are committed to developing the considerable indigenous talents whilst presenting the best of international drama. The Lyceum aims to reach as wide an audience as possible, whatever their age or experience of theatre-going and to enable them to access the richly imaginative world of drama. Over 3,000 season ticket holders come to every show; and approximately 100,000 people come to our plays, workshops and participatory events each year.

With a seating capacity of 658, the building is a magnificent example of late Victorian theatre architecture. Our offices and rehearsal space are directly across the road from the theatre and our scenic workshop and wardrobe-making departments are situated at Roseburn which is a little over a mile away from the theatre.

The Company presents up to eight productions during the period September to July with a six/seven play season, for which we sell season tickets, running from September to May. Outside of this period, we host festivals such as Edinburgh International Festival, Imaginate, the Magic Festival and National Connections - a festival of new writing and young theatre making. The Lyceum Youth Theatre runs Summer on Stage courses in July and in August the theatre is used as an Edinburgh International Festival venue.

The RLTC’s policy is to develop a local, UK and international profile for the theatre that is uniquely Scottish; this includes commissioning new Scottish work, giving second productions to contemporary Scottish plays and producing classics of world theatre with a Scottish cast. The Company aspires to touring successful productions whenever possible.

The theatre employs 50 full time and 30 part time staff. There are two joint Chief Executives, Mark Thomson (Artistic Director) and Alex McGowan (Executive Director). There are 12 Board Directors chaired, since November 2012, by Shonaig Macpherson

The RLTC operates in an increasingly competitive environment where there are around 9,000 theatre seats to be filled every night in a city with a population of 450,000 and, within a catchment area of a 30 mile radius a total population of 750,000.

The Company has an operating turnover of around £3.13 million of which just over £1.6 million is in grant aid from its principal funders, Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council. The box office income is budgeted at around £1 million. Other income is raised through sponsorship, hires and lettings. The theatre has a trading arm which generates income through the bars, events and rental activities for conferences and meetings. The restaurant is rented to Zucca.

The Royal Lyceum Theatre, workshop buildings and administration buildings are all owned by the City of Edinburgh Council.

Head of Creative Learning

Reports to: Artistic and Executive Directors

Responsible for: The post has direct line management responsibility for:

·  Youth Theatre Producer

·  Drama Artist

·  Creative Learning Co-ordinator

Purpose of the Post

The Head of Creative Learning is a senior management position at the Lyceum and reports to the Artistic and Executive Directors. The post holder is responsible for leading all Creative Learning and engagement related activity at the Lyceum; developing and managing strategies, in line with the vision and aims of the organisation, to build positive stakeholder relationships and develop engagement with the Lyceum Theatre. The post holder also contributes to the overall strategic development of the theatre as a member of the Senior Management team.

The strategic aims of this post are:

1. Inspire creativity through learning by delivering a variety of programmes and projects for people of all ages and different levels of experience, so that they can engage with theatre through the work of the Lyceum Theatre Company.
2. Support the wider artistic programme to develop creative talent, though the Lyceum Youth Theatre, Internships and Student Placements, as part of the Creative and Cultural Skills agenda.
3. To provide a leadership role with external partners and develop partnerships with local and national arts organisations, City of Edinburgh Arts & Creative Learning and Creative Scotland.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategy

a)  Develop and deliver strategies to support the theatre’s Creative Learning priorities and business objectives as set out in the Business Plan.

b)  Proactively champion the Creative Learning programme with key partner agencies, networks and external stakeholders as well as internally with colleagues.

c)  Work with the Executive Director and Senior Management team to establish annual targets in support of Creative Learning priorities and key business objectives.

d)  Work closely with the Development Director to create new projects and identify areas of the Creative Learning programme that meet Development opportunities / priorities. Develop proposals to meet funding criteria and provide data and reports for funders as required.

e)  Monitor and evaluate the achievements of the department, providing regular and accurate reports on progress against strategic objectives to the Artistic and Executive Directors and the Board.

2. Creative Learning

a)  To lead the Creative Learning programme, in line with the Company’s Business Plan, to facilitate knowledge, understanding and appreciation of theatre.

b)  To be well informed about curriculum developments and creativity across learning (eg: Curriculum for Excellence and Scottish Government’s Creativity Action Plan) and to use this knowledge to develop the Creative Learning programme to ensure widest participation by schools and young people.

c)  Monitor all activities of the Creative Learning programme to ensure a consistently high quality of delivery.

d)  To ensure there are a range of relevant and dynamic learning and participation opportunities for children, young people and adults, through the three main programme strands:

·  Programme for Schools

·  Participation Programme

·  Lyceum Youth Theatre.

3. Staff recruitment and management

a)  Lead, manage and develop the Creative Learning team, developing and maintaining systems and procedures that ensure consistently high standards of delivery.

b)  Monitoring and evaluating the work of all members of the Creative Learning team.

c)  Regularly appraising staff and reviewing their agreed objectives and identifying development / training needs to meet the programme’s requirements.

d)  Overseeing the recruitment and induction of all members of the Creative Learning team.

e)  To be responsible for Health and Safety within the remit of the Creative Learning programme and to ensure all freelance staff are Disclosure Scotland checked, trained in H&S and evacuation procedures and are appropriately skilled and experienced for the projects they are employed for.

4. Financial Management

a)  Working with the Executive Director and Accountant to set the annual Creative Learning department expenditure budgets and income targets.

b)  Ensuring effective budget management and operating in accordance with the company’s financial strategies and objectives.

5. General

a)  Prepare and present reports relating to the areas of responsibility to the Board or other relevant bodies as and when required by the Chief Executives.

b)  Represent the Theatre at relevant local, regional or national meetings or bodies.

c)  Ensure effective communication and co-operation with all staff and departments across the company and work with the Chief Executive Officers to support effective internal communication strategies.

d)  Recruit, select and appraise relevant staff within company guideline and policies. Provide advice, support, guidance and training to help ensure staff maximise their own potential .

e)  Keep abreast of local, national and international developments in Creative Learning and audience engagement and ensure that the Lyceum Theatre is at the forefront of development in such areas

f)  Promote and ensure compliance with the company’s Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety policies in every aspect of the work of the Department.

g)  Undertake any other such relevant duties as may be required.

Person Specification

Essential

1. Significant professional experience of creative learning, participation and engagement at a senior level in a theatre company or Arts/cultural organisation.

1. Experience of developing long term strategic plans with clear targets and evaluation mechanisms.

1. Close involvement with and clear understanding of the artistic programming process and a proven ability to build positive relationships with artistic and creative teams.

1. Highly effective organisational skills including the ability to prioritise and delegate, meet demanding deadlines and manage projects effectively.

1. Experience of successfully managing a team, developing staff and managing performance.

1. Understanding of creativity in learning and wider strategic issues in the Scottish education sector.

1. Understanding of wider strategic issues facing arts organisations and their stakeholders, especially audiences.

1. Experience of dealing with issues relating to diversity and access.

1. Ability to establish and manage budgets.

10.  Excellent communication skills with people at all levels, both internal and external, with strong advocacy skills.

11.  Proven networking and negotiation skills demonstrating the development of good partnerships with other individuals and organisations.

1. Experience of taking lead responsibility for Health and Safety in projects and activities involving young people.

13.  Passion for theatre.

Desirable

1. Knowledge of current issues and best practice concerning the development of diverse audiences.

1. Knowledge and understanding of the Arts in Scotland.

Terms & Conditions

Title of post: Head of Creative Learning

Salary: c.£33,000pa depending on experience

Hours: 35 hours per week (exclusive of meal breaks) from 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
NB. Additional hours, including working evening and weekends, may be necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role. Time off in lieu of extra hours worked will be given wherever reasonably possible.

Contract type: Permanent, with a three-month probationary period.

Holiday entitlement: 20 days per year (increases after three and five years experience), plus such additional or substitute Public or Bank holidays as are decided by the Company from time to time up to a minimum of eight and maximum of ten days (pro rata).

Notice period: 3 Months.

Pension: The Lyceum operates an Auto-enrolment pension policy with a matched contribution of 2.5%.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

STATEMENT of POLICY

The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity for its staff (existing and prospective) and customers. The aim of this policy is to eliminate unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, responsibility for dependents, disability (mental and/or physical), sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnicity, nationality, religious belief, politics, social background, part-time employment, age, trade union activity, employment status, HIV status or gender reassignment and to ensure that no person or group is disadvantaged by unjustifiable reasons or conditions.

Employment practices will be operated based on the merits and abilities of individuals and decisions regarding recruitment, selection training and promotion will be based solely on objective, job-related criteria. The Company undertakes to apply employment procedures and practices in such a way as to minimise the possibility of discrimination and to develop means of combating it whenever it arises. The Company will ensure that its Policy is made known to all employees.

This Policy applies to advertisement of jobs, recruitment and appointment, training, conditions of work, pay and every aspect of employment.

RECRUITMENT

Equal Opportunities applies to the advertisement of jobs, recruitment and appointment. The Company will promote equal access to employment opportunities by ensuring contact with the widest possible employment market. The Company will ensure that its Policy is made known to all job applicants.

The imposition of a condition or requirement which disadvantages individuals of a particular race or sex (as they are less likely to be able to comply with a requirement, whether directly or indirectly) will be unlawful unless it can be justified on the grounds of business need. Any questions about this should be addressed to the General Manager.

In addition, the Company aims to ensure that;

·  all sections of the local community know about job opportunities in the Company, where appropriate;

·  where possible, under statutory rules, members of groups who are under-represented in the workforce will be encouraged to apply for jobs;

·  everyone who applies for a job or promotion with the Company will receive fair treatment and will be considered solely on ability to do the job against justifiable selection criteria and unbiased personnel specification;

·  all procedures and practices used in recruitment and selection will be reviewed regularly to make sure that there is no unintended bias;

·  whilst it is Company practice to employ people between the ages of 16 and 65, any other age limits should only be used if they are imposed by statute or can be shown to be essential for the job;

·  all employees including part time staff, will be advised that they have equal access to training and are encouraged to take advantage of such training;

·  all areas of the workplace are accessible to all employees. Lifts have been installed in all three buildings to enable access to employees and visitors with mobility difficulties.

MONITORING

The Company will develop a separate policy to monitor the progress of the equal employment opportunities policy in practice. This policy will address all aspects of collecting relevant statistics and information on the composition of the workforce and job applicants.

The composition of the workforce and job applicants will be monitored primarily by means of voluntary self-classification in the following areas:

a)  gender

b)  marital status

c)  disability

d)  racial/ethnic origin

e)  age

The information collected will be used solely for monitoring purposes. The Company will ensure that arrangements are made to protect confidentiality during its collection and retention.