JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Tour Manager–Black Theatre Live

Background

Black Theatre Live is a consortium of organisations which aims to develop the touring sector for Black and Asian theatre nationally, develop audiences and increase BAME theatre provision across England. The partners in the consortium are: Tara Arts (lead partner), Derby Theatre, Queens Hall (Hexham), Lighthouse (Poole), Theatre Royal (Bury St Edmunds), Theatre Royal (Margate), Key Theatre (Peterborough) and Stratford Circus (London); with the Audience Agency and the Sustained Theatre sector. The consortium is supported by Arts Council England for the coming three year.

The Tour Manager will be employed by Tara Arts on behalf of the consortium, and will be based at Tara Arts. However, the Tour Manager will work closely with all the Consortium partners, which will include travel and on occasions overnightstay.

For clarity the consortium Theatre Directors will make all decisions on the BAME productions to be commissioned and toured. See current Tara-Arts-Black-Theatre-Live--small-scale-tour-commission-2015

Coming soon

@BlackTLive

Working Principles for the Tour Manager role

The consortium is operating in a rapidly changing environment that is both exhilarating and demanding. The Tour Manager must be committed to a common set of principles and to sharing key ground rules:

  • Providing a high quality, exciting and coherent programme is at the heart of the consortium’s purpose
  • The needs and aspirations of audiences and users are key to informing and inspiring all aspects of the Consortium’s work
  • We operate as an Equal Opportunities employer and equality both in the workplace and in service delivery is given the highest possible priority
  • Be able to give and to take feedback and be accountable for their work.
  • Planning, monitoring and evaluation are key activities
  • Committed to working collaboratively with external partners, including other cultural providers; local authorities and the regional and national arts funding system
  • Willing and open to incorporating relevant change into working practices

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POST

The Tour Manager will take responsibility for:

  • providing high quality administrative support to the consortium’s work programme
  • working with the consortium venues, tour companies and wider theatre sector to develop and advocate for the tours, audience and sector developmentnationally

TOURS AND PLANNING

  • In consultation with the consortium venues,liaise with touring companies to schedule and book the tours as a central function of Black Theatre Live. Circa 6-8 weeks centrally (mid-scale Feb-April, small-scale Oct to Nov annually).
  • Negotiate tour contracts, co-production and commission agreements in consultation with Tara Arts Executive Director for sign-off
  • Work to budgets managed by Tara Arts Executive Director.

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

  • Work with the Black Theatre Live delivery partners to support scheduling and monitoring of the Audience Development programme including Stage Text, Audience Agency, Hardish Virk, Mobuis marketing, Kings College and Digital Theatre.
  • Positively represent the Black Theatre Live consortium, including giving public talks to promote touring shows
  • Manage and update the Black Theatre Live website

SECTOR DEVELOPMENT

  • The post holder will support and administer a number of Sector professional development events including masterclasses and residencies developed by the consortium.
  • Events will be delivered in a variety of locations across England. The post holder will support delivery across a number of regions including liaising with all partners within the consortium, planning and delivering events for BAME artists and companies.

EVALUATION

  • Provide evaluation and update reports and information as may be required in the execution of these duties
  • Prepare reports to ACE and major stakeholders, as required by Tara Arts Executive Director

ADMINSTRATION

  • Work within Tara Arts company policies and procedures including financial regulations, health and safety and equal opportunities
  • Organise agendas, liaise with speakers and attend and contribute to consortium planning meetings, at least twice a year: i) Theatre Directors; ii) Venues Marketing and Outreach staff
  • Prepare minutes and action logs from all meetings
  • Prepare and communicate effectivelyproduction information for the consortium, artists and other external stakeholders as required
  • Undertake administration and monitoring of event project budgets
  • Ensure that health and safety requirements and relevant company guidelines and policies are met
  • Capture and manage media assets (photos, film, audio) to support the evaluation of the programme
  • Work in a variety of small and mid scale theatrespaces and ensure that the requirements associated with different venues are met
  • Work productively with a wide variety of people and organisations
  • Support access and diversity in all aspects of the programme
  • Be aware of environmental considerations and minimize environmental harm wherever possible
  • Respond to unsolicited enquiries from artists and companies to the consortium
  • Work as a team with members of the consortium, committing to the achievement of the consortium’s goals, and both recognising and supporting the contribution of each member to that common purpose
  • Undertake any training provided by the consortium appropriate to the post
  • Commit to best practice in ensuring equality of opportunity is incorporated within all aspects of the consortium’s work
  • Undertake any other duties commensurate with these responsibilities as management may require from time to time

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Responsible to:Executive Director, Tara Arts

Responsible for:N/A

Contract:fixed term initially 12 months with option to renew for a further period of up to 2 years

Salary:£20,500k plus travel

Hoursfreelance role, expected 28 hours per week

Holidays:offered as a freelance, contract for service

Main base:Tara Arts, 356 Garratt Lane, London, SW18 4ES

Though the General Manager will need to work flexibly including on occasions from home

Liaison with:The consortium and each consortium partner.

Tara Arts as lead organisation for the consortium, particularly in relation to the overall management of the programme.

Relevant Tara Arts staff in delivery of the consortium’s work, particularly in relation to contracting of BAME artists/companies and delivery partners

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Tour Manager–Black Theatre Live

Essential Skills, Experience, Knowledge and Attributes

  • Motivated, positive and keen to develop national BAME theatre tours
  • Experience of working with promoters, producers and artists
  • Good organisational & planning skills, and ability to manage a range of different, concurrent projects
  • Experience of preparing contracts and contract negotiation
  • Some experience of touring theatre
  • A creative thinker and someone who enjoys coming up with ideas and making them happen
  • Must be discreet and diplomatic
  • A strong team player - able to manage relationships and work within a diverse team
  • A confident communicator with an ability to influence and motivate others
  • Able to find information and resources as required
  • Able to understand and work with budgets
  • An understanding of the roles and requirements of the Audience Development, Marketing, Technical and Front-of-House functions for small and mid-scale touring theatre
  • Ability to work well under pressure
  • A strong capacity for attention to detail
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills
  • Willingness to travel around and work in different parts of England
  • High levels of computer literacy, specifically word processing, spreadsheets and databases
  • High levels of literacy and numeracy (Degree qualification or equivalent)
  • Full clean drivers license

Expected start date January 2015

Tara Arts is an equal opportunities employer.

Applicants should send a covering letter (no more than 2 A4 pages which address the person specification), CV and details of 2 referees.

Application to

Application deadline: Fri5thDecember 2014

Interviews: Thurs 18thDecember 2014

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