The Role

• Are you looking to join a dynamic and forward-thinking team, who are supportive of each other?
• Do you thrive on managing and leading teams in a fast-moving dynamic environment?
• Are you passionate about delivering innovative new programmes?

If you answered yes, we want to hear from you.

We make arts in Richmond accessible - where people feel empowered to be creative - they share, do, see, make and create as part of their everyday lives. What they produce is relevant for Richmond and West London and contributes something new to London and UK culture. We aim to connect people through culture - and across current barriers. We want to build a new way of doing things in West London and we want people who can help us forge that path.

Based at the listed Orleans House Gallery on Twickenham Riverside the team is responsible for a range of creative projects that involve the public in the heart of the programme. As well as management of the heritage site and three exhibition spaces, we deliver a number of high profile festivals including the Richmond Literature Festival, alongside strategic projects to enhance arts in the borough.

We are working to increase the spread and the impact of our services, building a more diverse audience and using high quality art and culture to realise new revelations. The experiences we create are personal and collaborative with moments of ‘astonishment’ ‘reflection’ ‘discovery’ and ‘surprises’. If we can’t do it well - then we don’t.

We are especially interested in people who have brought significant change and improvements to places they have worked, those who are willing to try new things and will help us to deliver unexpected and innovative new services for the public. Our ambitions include making culture which could only come from Richmond, but says something new about the borough, forging new alliances, and bringing in people from across the borough to be part of the creative process.

You will:

• Lead the team of 7 FTE staff members, responsible for the creation and delivery of the programme.
• Create the right environment to allow for the development of focussed high quality and innovative creative activities.
• Manage budgets and financial targets and where required, make operational and service changes to meet financial restrictions.
• Develop and manage partnerships and co commissioning arrangements with others including non-arts partners.
• Oversee the marketing and communication strategy, narrative, system and activities.
• Develop and contribute to strategic initiatives and policies which increase the effectiveness of our services.
• Oversee the system of secure storage, care and maintenance of the boroughs art collection, alongside ensuring public access to this resource.

The full team consists of 15 full time equivalent staff, working with a team of casual events staff, contracted artists and a significant volunteer force. You will work closely with staff from across the council, members, partners, members of the public and outside organisations.

About you:

• You will have experience of managing and delivering significant, complex and innovative creative programmes with multiple partners.
• You will have knowledge of managing and leading teams in a fast-moving dynamic environment.
• You can lead the management of initiatives that incorporated new audience development, including the diversification of audiences.
• You can forward plan and manage relevant risk processes for assets and services.
• You will be able to share good practice around art programme development and delivery, coaching others through the details of programme development and delivery.

The Arts Service has been reviewed, and as a result we are advertising a number of new posts within a newly designed structure. This comes after the completion of a HLF project to restore renovate and rebuild our main HQ at Orleans House Gallery.

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance, including a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays. 

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops, and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities are also offered.

Richmond and Wandsworth are currently reviewing our pay, reward and benefits framework, in partnership with Trade Union colleagues. We are developing different options that make sure we have a fair and transparent system in place.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  Sunday 13^th October 2019

Shortlisting Date: Week commencing Monday 14^th October 2019

Interview Date: Week commencing Monday 21^st October 2019

Useful Information:

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils