RECRUITMENT OF DIRECTOR

APPLICATION PACK

November 2017

APPLICATION PACK

Thank you for your interest in the position of Director of the NRTF.

The contents of this pack include:

- introduction and context

- information about the company

- a job description

- a person specification

- summary of terms

- a diversity monitoring form and identification form

A copy of the draft Business Plan 2018-2022 is available on request.

If you have access needs, we would be happy to provide this pack in a different format.

If you would like an informal conversation in advance of applying with either a member of the current team or the Chair of our Board, this can be arranged.

Please contact

How to apply

Please read the information carefully. To apply, please provide a covering letter (no more than 3 sides of A4) detailing how your skills and track record meet the requirement of the role along with your CV. You should provide two referees; these will not be taken up until a formal offer has been made.Please also complete the identification form, and the diversity monitoring form. This will be kept separately from your application.

Submitting your application

Please submit your application , putting ‘Director Application’ in the subject line. Applicants will receive an acknowledgement that their email has been received.

We regret we won’t be able to give feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Recruitment timeline

Closing date: 10am on 11December2017

Interview date: 19December2017 (subject to change)

Candidate able to begin no later than: mid-March 2018

INTRODUCTION

The Trustees of the National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) are looking to recruit a full time Director who will be responsible for the delivery and development of their Business Plan over the next 4 years.

The last few years have been an exciting period of growth and expansion, both for the NRTF and the rural touring sector as a whole. The company's turnover and activities have increased through a range of partnerships and development opportunities, whilst the rural touring sector has seen its audience and profile grow steadily. The Board of the NRTF now wish to appoint an effective leader to develop the activities of the company and oversee the management of the organisation.

This post is a new and exciting opportunity within the NRTF and as such the Board is looking for applications from dynamic, skilled and well-connected people who can help build on the organisation’s growth to date and drive forward its vision and mission. You will be a true ‘all-rounder’, someone with the character, charisma and commitment to lead the organisation who is also willing to fulfil the essential operating and administration tasks that enable the company to function and thrive.

An employee relationship with a single individual who can fulfil the entire job description is preferred. However, we are open to creative solutions in fulfilling the role, including job share or other suggestions. Remuneration will be based on the level of suitable skills and expertise within the range provided at the end of this pack.

COMPANY INFORMATION

For over 20 years the NRTF has been the leading voice for rural touring across the UK. We are a member led organisation and work with a variety of partners to develop and deliver high quality live art to rural communities.

Our members are made up of:

  • rural touring schemes who work with village halls and community spaces to develop and programme productions;
  • theatre, music, dance, spoken word and visual arts companies that make creative work specifically for rural touring;
  • a variety of other stakeholders working across the rural touring sector.

We provide this network with training and information.

We promote partnerships, commission new projects and support innovative and diverse new work.

We advocate on behalf of rural communities at local, national, government and international level.

We promote better understanding of the value of rural and community touring through research.

We underpin a sustainable, resilient and forward-thinking touring infrastructure that enhances the quality of life for people living in rural areas.

Business Structure

The NRTF is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. It is governed by a board of Trustees led by our Chair, Tom Speight. We are a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England.

Charity Number:1062366

Company Number:03319947

For further information about NRTF please visit:


JOB DESCRIPTION: DIRECTOR

Purpose: The Director is the first point of call for our members and stakeholders. A public facing position, the Director has responsibility for relationships with the companies and organisations that constitute our membership, our funders including Arts Council England and other charitable supporters, and with our Trustees. A key advocate for the NRTF, the Director oversees the general management of the organisation and ensures high standards indelivering its work and promoting its position as a leading cultural organisation.

Responsible to: the Board, with specific line management by the Chair

Has responsibility for: freelance contracts as and when required to support delivery of the business plan (NB there are currently freelance contracts for PR, social media, Conference and Showcase delivery, and a number of strategic projects)

Core responsibilities

-To promote the interests of the NRTF and ensure commitment to its core values in accordance with its stated mission

-To achieve excellent and timely delivery of the business plan

-To provide support, advice and assistance to the Board and to NRTF members, other staff and contract workers

-To take the administrative lead on the company's activities

-To engender an ethos of co-operation and support in order to develop an inclusive and accessible organisation

Specific duties

Strategy:

-Develop and deliver a rolling Business Plan for the NRTF against which the Board and funders can measure progress

-Keep abreast of policy and strategic developments at local, regional and national level that may impact on the activities or finances of the NRTF and advise the Board accordingly

-Establish links with regional, national and international partners and networks to identify and develop initiatives to further the aims and objectives of the NRTF and rural touring nationally

Funding and finances:

-Maintain good relations and regular contact with key funders in order to secure core funding

-Initiate and oversee the development and delivery of successful new fundraising from a variety of sources to ensure income targets are met

-Ensure management and monitoring procedures for programmes of work comply with contractual obligations including fulfilling Arts Council England's reporting requirements for NPOs

-Ensure the financial performance of the NRTF is regularly monitored and reviewed against pre-agreed budgets and targets and take action as necessary so that a sound financial base is maintained

-Ensure financial duties such as bookkeeping, management accounts, annual accounts are undertaken and act as the first financial management point of contact for the NRTF with members, funders etc. including administering membership subs, conference fees and grants including project grants

Advocacy and External Relations:

-Oversee our biennial Showcase and Conference events, working in partnership to ensure successful delivery of these key moments in our annual calendar

-Administer our Professional Development Bursary Scheme and regional get-togethers scheme and our annual work (eg information sessions) at festivals such as Edinburgh and Brighton

-Actively develop new partnerships by attending conferences, seminars and other appropriate occasions, and advocating for the NRTF and rural touring networks at local, regional and national level

-Lead on the development and delivery of the strategic Communications plan to effectively promote the NRTF, including website, social media and press relations

-Distribute, collate and produce a bi-annual scheme audit

Management:

-Be the first point of call for the members

-Set up and operate efficient office administrative systems to support the membership: deal with membership queries; maintain timely database information and operate an effective system of communication

-Oversee the development, delivery and reporting of a portfolio of specific projects which support the delivery of NRTF’s Business Plan

-Recruit and manage co-workers and freelancers as appropriate in order to effectively deliver the NRTF's Business Plan

Governance:

-Act as Company Secretary, ensuring all requirements are met with regard to the Charities Commission and Companies House

-Attend Board meetings and provide administrative support to the activities of the Board, its sub-groups and working methods

-Report to and advise the Board and provide them with all necessary information so they can carry out their legal and financial responsibilities

Person Specification

Essential

Skills and experience:

  • At least five years in a strategic leadership role within the arts
  • Excellent people management, team-building and motivational skills
  • Strong advocacy skills
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to delegate appropriately
  • Proven negotiation, networking and partnership development skills
  • Knowledge of live performance and touring
  • Understanding of the context within which cultural organisations operate – at local, regional, national and international levels
  • Knowledge of arts funding systems and structures
  • Excellent budgeting and financial management skills
  • Proven fundraising and entrepreneurial skills
  • Understanding of marketing, PR and audience development within the cultural sector
  • Strong IT experience, including Microsoft Office packages Outlook, Word and Excel

Personal attributes, behaviours and attitudes:

  • The ability to engage with people from a variety of backgrounds
  • Understanding of and commitment to diversity
  • Able to embrace the challenge of managing multiple priorities, expectations and realities
  • Willing to foster an open and trusting working culture, leading this through own actions and behaviours and encouraging others to work positively and collaboratively
  • Be a creative problem-solver and a clear self-starter
  • Take a role in setting the bar for quality and standards in delivery and execution of work
  • Work to approach planning in a clear but flexible way and able to review and refine plans in response to internal and external factors
  • Personable attitude with good sense of humour
  • Passion for the arts

Desirable

Skills and experience:

  • Working knowledge of rural touring
  • Working knowledge of company law and governance best practise
  • Working knowledge of social media including Twitter and Facebook
  • Experience of website maintenance and development and press liaison
  • Knowledge/experience of rural and/or community development issues
  • Expertise in finance packages egQuickbooks/Sage and bookkeeping skills
  • Access to own vehicle

Personal attributes, behaviours and attitudes:

  • Flexible approach to work demands
  • Positive and relevant strategic contacts and connections

Summary of main Terms and Conditions

Salary:£31,000 - £33,000 dependent on skills and experience

Hours of Work:This is a full-time position, offered at 40 hours per week. Some evening and weekend work may be required in which case Time Off In Lieu will be offered.

Holiday:28 days

Location: The NRTF has no fixed office. The post-holder may work from home or within a rented space, in which case appropriate remuneration would be provided. The most regular working location for the successful candidate will be discussed at offer stage.

Probationary Period: Three months (extendable to 6 months if necessary), during which time two weeks’ notice is required by both parties

Subsequent Notice Period:12 weeks from both parties

Identity checks:The successful applicant will need to provide official documents to confirm they have the right to work in the UK and undergo a check with the Disclosures and Barring Service

IDENTIFICATION FORM

Title of job applying for / Director
Your name
Home address and postcode
Telephone – day
Telephone – evening
E-mail address
Do you have any access needs you would like us to know about? If so, please provide information
and details of any arrangements you will need to attend an interview

Do you require a work permit?Yes No

Where did you see the post advertised?

I confirm that the information I have given on this application form is complete and correct and that misleading statements may be sufficient for cancelling any agreement made.

Signed: Date:

MONITORING FORM – DIRECTOR APPLICANTS

NRTF strives to create equal opportunities in all the work that we do. To help us assess our progress in this area we would like you to complete this monitoring form which uses the categories adopted by Arts Council England, our principal funder. The details provided on this form are for internal monitoring purposes only and will not be considered alongside your application. Any information provided will be treated as confidential and anonymous.

How would you describe your ethnic origin?Ethnic origin categories are not about nationality, place of birth or citizenship. They are about the group to which you as an individual perceive you belong. These are the Office for National Statistics (ONS) definitions for ethnicity categories. Please tick the appropriate box.

WHITE

British( )

Irish( )

Gypsy or Irish Traveller( )

Any other White background( )

MIXED/MULTIPLE ETHNIC GROUPS

White and Black Caribbean( )

White and Black African( )

White and Asian( )

Any other Mixed/Multiple ethnic background( )

ASIAN

Indian( )

Pakistani( )

Bangladeshi( )

Chinese( )

Any other Asian background( )

BLACK/AFRICAN/CARIBBEAN

African( )

Caribbean( )

Any other Black/African/Caribbean background( )

OTHER ETHNIC GROUP

Arab( )

Any other ethnic group( )

Prefer not to say( )

Gender

Female( )Male( )Non-binary( )Prefer not to say( )

Age

0-19( )20-34( )35-49( )

50-64( )65+( )Prefer not to say( )

Thank you for completing this form.