Head of Live and Work Space

The Head of Live & Work Space leads Bow Arts’ property portfolio across 26 London buildings, managing revenue, health & safety, landlord partnerships, budgets, and an 8‑person team supporting over 1,100 artists. This is a permanent, full‑time (35 hours), on‑site position, reporting to the CEO, with a salary of £45,000 plus benefits.

The Head of Live & Work Space is a key role for Bow Arts. The property portfolio is the financial driver for the charity supporting all our charitable work alongside over 1,100 of our direct artist beneficiaries. You will be responsible for maintaining both revenue streams, as well as healthy safe places to live and work. The Trust currently manages 26 buildings across 15 sites predominantly in east and southeast London. We manage and refurbish all our properties ourselves. The portfolio is a mixed tenure, with 25% currently owned and a further 25% in the pipeline; the remaining properties are leasehold from meanwhile rolling leases to 10 years. The properties range from Grade II listed buildings, classic redbrick to ex‑local authority residential flats and through to mixed use new build properties. Our landlords are our partners; they include housing associations, local authorities, private landlords and developers. Our work supports the delivery of their community improvement pledges. You will be expected to maintain excellent relationships with our partners and landlords.

The department consists of 8 team members: a Head of Department (this role), five studio managers, a team administrator and a maintenance officer. The team is responsible for the marketing and lettings of all our spaces and for the maintenance and health and safety of our buildings. Staff are the key point of contact for our artists, ensuring rents are paid, debts managed and people have access to all our other support services. You will need to manage and communicate clear financial budgets and targets and assist in expanding our portfolio and offer. We are looking for an individual who is keen to grow with us and support the growth of the charity and our partnership interests. We are looking for someone with an affinity for the sector, experience managing a diverse portfolio and tenants, and who can run a team and report at an executive level.

Job Requirements:

• Line management, monitoring and evaluation of staff against an agreed appraisal system.
• Ensure roles and accountabilities are clear and individual and team performance are regularly monitored, with underperformance addressed in a timely fashion.
• Ensure staff are supported through regular feedback in line with policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with Bow Arts policies and procedures, including Equality and Diversity, Financial Regulations and the Health and Safety policy.
• Maintain confidentiality agreements and conduct yourself in a professional manner.
• Demonstrate a willingness to undertake training for the development of the post and enhancement of the company’s skill base.
• Engage with staff and clients in a positive and constructive manner.
• Promote the aims and objectives of Bow Arts by acting as an ambassador for the organisation.
• Undertake other duties consistent with the level of the post.

Job Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the business planning and be accountable for the delivery of Bow Art Trust’s objectives, particularly in relation to development, investment, procurement and maintenance of the property portfolio.
• Regularly attend and contribute to Board meetings and deliver high‑quality reports and management information to the Senior Team, the Board and board sub‑committees as required.
• Maintain good quality management information to support the financial and operational management of the Studios and property portfolio.
• Assemble and present high‑quality reports on the performance of the property portfolio.
• Produce Annual Departmental Budgets, Operational Plans and set yearly targets.
• Maintain monthly finance reports and quarterly Management Reports.
• Take day‑to‑day responsibility for management of the Trust’s property portfolio, ensuring void spaces are kept to a minimum and spaces are marketed and let efficiently.