Cultural Director (12 Months Maternity Cover)

Cultural Director (maternity cover) for Culture Warrington is an exciting opportunity to join the organisation as we relaunch the Pyramid Arts Centre following an 18-month closure for capital redevelopment. This maternity cover role of Cultural Director will be a transformational role which is central to the organisation's future, with clear tangible outcomes to be delivered over a 12-month period. The role is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who is looking to make a significant impact and who is striving to make a transformational change, in a leadership role within an aspiring and ambitious cultural organisation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the artistic strategic vision and financial resilience of the organisation working closely with the Executive Director and Business Director, delivering on the aims and objectives of the business plan. If you have experience of leading a diverse programme, supporting passionate and experienced staff and having the ability to make significant change in Warrington's cultural sector, we encourage you to apply for this exciting role.

Purpose and Scope of Job:

The role of Cultural Director is a dynamic leadership position, perfect for an arts professional with demonstrable experience in artistic leadership, organisational development, programme & people management and partner collaboration to drive forward Culture Warrington's ambitions. The Cultural Director will work closely with our Executive Director and Business Director to drive the strategic direction, artistic vision and financial resilience of the organisation whilst fulfilling the organisation's business plan. This is an exciting role with clear tangible outcomes over a 12-month period of maternity cover focusing on:

• The development and execution of Pyramid Arts Centre's Artistic programme and delivery of the associated outcomes.
• The development and execution of Warrington Arts Festival.
• Fulfilling Culture Warrington's ambition in becoming an NPO.
• Strengthening the financial and strategic resilience of Culture Warrington.
• Supporting Warrington Borough Council to deliver cultural aspirations through Cheshire and Warrington Devolution.

As the Cultural Director you will lead a team of passionate, creative and deeply committed people focusing on producing, engagement, artist development, education and sustainability. You will act as a public face and advocate of Culture Warrington, enhancing its profile and reputation. This role is maternity cover for an existing role and so will also provide continuity and further development for projects and programmes already underway.

Responsibilities:

• Be an advocate of Culture Warrington, enhancing its profile and reputation.
• Direct and support the team to achieve the vision of the newly refurbished Pyramid Arts Centre, ensuring the venue is transformed into a vibrant cultural hub that serves Warrington's community through a diverse programme of performance, exhibitions, activities, events and experiences.
• Ensure that the execution of Pyramid Arts Centre's Artistic programme aligns with the Pyramid business case, financial targets and associated outcomes.
• Be accountable for ensuring that Warrington Arts Festival is made with, by and for the people of Warrington.
• Support the team to deliver Warrington Arts Festival, ensuring the creation of a coherent and engaging programme.
• Oversee the marketing of Warrington Arts Festival working with an external marketing agency and internal marketing team.
• Lead a thorough evaluation of Warrington Arts Festival, utilising the experience of staff and volunteers to reach audiences effectively.
• Work with the Executive Director and Business Director to ensure that the organisation is financially resilient and that programmes align with set budget targets and that opportunities for further investment / funding are exploited.
• Line manage staff, promoting positive working relationships and collaboration.
• Ensure team and individual plans align with Culture Warrington's business plan and that targets are met on time and to budget.
• Manage team budgets, working with the Finance Manager to ensure programmes are delivered within budget.
• Maintain existing and create new relationships with partners throughout the Borough and local region.
• Chair the Town Centre events group and attend other key local / regional networks / boards to enhance the organisation's work.
• Maintain close working relationships with our commissioners at Warrington Borough Council and report at quarterly meetings, ensuring key targets are met.
• Support Warrington Borough Council to deliver cultural aspirations through Cheshire and Warrington Devolution in accordance with the timescales set out.
• Facilitate quarterly meetings with Arts Council England, highlighting progress, strengthening the relationship and communicating future plans.
• Oversee the completion of the ACE funded Place Partnership programme ensuring all targets are met, the end of grant report is completed, and budget is spent in line with deadlines.
• Manage budgets and oversee target and reporting requirements for other existing external grant funding.
• Lead Culture Warrington's planning towards achieving Arts Council England NPO status, including engaging with relevant partners, securing match funding and lead on writing the application.
• Collaborate with the wider team to ensure that community needs are consulted on, and that learning from existing programmes is fed into NPO plans.
• Prepare and deliver reports and presentations for Culture Warrington's board of trustees at quarterly meetings.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties, but it is intended to give a general identification of the range of work undertaken and will vary in detail considering changing demands and priorities for the organisation.