JOB DESCRIPTION

ROLE: CHORUS MANAGER

DEPARTMENT: CHORUS

  • Responsible to:Director of Orchestra and Chorus
  • Responsible for:Contract Chorus

Extra/additional Choristers

  • Jointly responsible for: Chorus and Orchestra Co-ordinator (with Orchestra Manager)

Works closely with the Chorus Master and other members of Administration.

Overall Role Objective:

To ensure the effective management and the smooth running of the Chorus of Opera North.

Specific Role Duties:

  • Day-to-day management of the Contract Chorus.
  • Booking and Contractingof extra/additional Choristers.
  • Administration of the weekly and Long-term Chorus schedule in consultation with Director of Orchestra and Chorus, Planning Department and Company Management.
  • Assisting the Director of Orchestra and Chorus with budgeting of the Chorus’s activities and implementation of management decisions in line with budgetary requirements.
  • Collective and individual communication with choristers regarding the Company’s work
  • Ensuring effective liaison and communication with all departments and artistic teams regarding Chorus business and availability.
  • Attending and convening meetings as required.
  • Management of Chorus N/A’s (working with Director of Orchestra and Chorus, Chorus Master & Planning department.)
  • Recruitment, engagement and contracting of Choristers (both full-time and extra/additional Choristers) in consultation with Chorus Master, Head of Music and / or Music Director and HR department.
  • Ensuring adequate attendance duty at all Chorus calls.
  • Preparing pay sheets and other material as required by the Finance department and in line with their procedures.
  • Managing chorister job share arrangements in relation to both Chorus activity and role and cover commitments.
  • Liaising with the Chorus Committee and Equity representative regarding day-to-day chorus business. Arranging and chairing meetings as necessary
  • To work with the Director of Orchestra and Chorus in negotiations with Equity over Chorus House Agreement
  • To effectively manage the performance of staff for whom the post is responsible including undertaking appraisals and identifying training and development needs
  • To ensure that good standards of health and safety are maintained
  • To ensure compliance with policies and practices on all contractual and employment matters, including collective agreements and current immigration requirements, in liaison with the HR department.
  • To ensure the efficient administration of Chorus salaries and payments, in liaison with the Finance department.

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Any other duties as may reasonably be required within the level and scope of the post.
  • Ensuring the highest standards of professional performance are maintained.
  • Supporting and wherever possible promotingand contributing to equality and diversity within the organisation.
  • Taking reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of any person who may be affected by your acts or omissions, including following Opera North health and safety procedures and co-operating with the organisation on health and safety issues.
  • Participating in arrangements for performance review and appraisal.
  • Ensuring that professional skills are regularly updated through participation in learning and development activities.

Additional Information:

Salary:c. £30,000 per annum.

Hours of work: 35 hours per week, (hours dictated by the Company schedule), with an hour unpaid for lunch and occasional evening or weekend work.

Type of contract:Permanent.

Normal place of work: Premier House, Upper Briggate, Leeds, and on tour as required.

Notice period:Two months’ notice.

Start date:June 2017.

Holiday entitlement: 33 days inclusive of 8 statutory holidays per year.

Pension:Opera North will automatically enrol you into the company pension upon appointment; and after 3 months’ service will make a contribution equivalent to 5.5% of your basic pay, should you meet the current legislative criteria. You will not be required to make a personal contribution to qualify.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education & Training / Essential/
Desirable / Assessed by
Degree-level education in music / Essential / Application/Certificates
Management training or willingness to undertake such training / Desirable / Application/Certificates
Experience & Knowledge
Significant professional experience of managing people in the arts / Essential / Application
Previous relevant people management experience / Essential / Application
An extensive knowledge of music and opera / Essential / Application
Experience of working with collective agreements covering terms and conditions of employment / Essential / Application
Budget management / Essential / Application
Professional experience of disciplinary, grievance and performance management processes / Essential / Application
Competent IT skills / Essential / Application
Competencies
Ability to work under pressure, prioritise and meet deadlines / Essential / Interview
Managing conflict / Essential / Interview
Managing change / Essential / Interview
Understanding and responding to pastoral needs / Essential / Interview
Confidentiality, tact and discretion. / Essential / Interview
Interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively. / Essential / Interview
Collaborative working. / Essential / Interview
Ability to work independently and collaboratively. / Essential / Interview
Commitment to continuous professional development. / Essential / Interview
Awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion and how it relates to the role. / Essential / Interview
Special Features
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as the rehearsal and performance schedule require, sometimes responding to changes at short notice. / Essential / Application Form/Interview
A full driving licence / Desirable / Application Form

All employees are expected to provide proof of their right to work in the UK before or on upon their employment.

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