At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead education and community projects, ensuring high standards and strategic objectives are met.
- Company: Join The Old Vic, a renowned theatre committed to community engagement and education.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the arts while collaborating with passionate teams and diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in participatory arts, team leadership, and budget management is essential.
- Other info: Open to candidates seeking a 32-hour contract; DBS check required.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 50000 £ per year.
Department/Team:Education and Community
Responsible to:Education and Community Director
Contract:Permanent, full time position
Location:Mix of home working and from The Old Vic, 103 The Cut, London, SE1 8NB
Hours:Usual working hours are Monday–Friday, 9:30am–5:30pm with some occasional out of hours work (e.g. evenings and weekends)
NB – we would be open to considering candidates looking for an 32 hours contract (0.8 FTE).
Salary:£46,000 – £50,000 per annum
Direct Reports:The Education Manager (Schools Club), The Education Manager (Take The Lead) and The Participation Manager
The Team
The Education & Community department is led by the Education & Community Director and also includes the Community Manager, the Education and Community Coordinator, the Education Manager (Primary), the Education Manager (Schools Club), The Education Manager (Take The Lead), the Participation Coordinator and The Participation Manager. This team is also supported by a network of freelance artists and administrators.
Purpose of job
As Head of Education and Community you will oversee education and community engagement and be responsible for the delivery of secondary schools, careers and Emerging Theatre Professionals work. These projects will serve particular strategic objectives as defined in The Old Vic Business Plan. You will also contribute to organisation wide initiatives from an education and community perspective.
Key areas of responsibility:
- Oversee the delivery of work for secondary schools, Emerging Theatre Professionals and careers projects ensuring it is meeting its objectives and reviewing this regularly and delivered to the highest standards
- Support on the primary and community programmes where necessary
- Work with the Education and Community Director to develop new Education and Community programmes as set out in the Old Vic business plan
- Oversee the running of the Clore studio and the transition of Education and Community projects into the space, including managing partnerships.
- Deliver on key targets as set in the Education and Community two-year plan
- Deputising for the Education and Community Director where necessary
- Work closely with the Education and Community Director and other SMG to ensure connection and collaboration between Education and Community programmes and the wider theatre
- Support the Development team in applying for funding streams for Education and Community programmes as well as supporting and maintaining key funding relationships
- Work with the production team on the development of work for mid-career artists
- Work with the marketing team to support marketing of Education and Community projects
- Work with the People team to deliver The Old Vic’s placement strategy
- Oversee the development of the Education Hub
- Be an advocate of The Old Vic and the Education & Community team both internally and externally
Staff management
- To line manage The Education Manager (Schools Club), The Education Manager (Take The Lead), and The Participation Manager.
- To appraise direct reports on an annual basis
- Mentoring and developing the Education and Community team, Facilitators and Associates to engage with and deliver innovative content for participants
- Run an inclusive recruitment and selection process in line with The Old Vic recruitment guidebook where required
- Oversee the training and line-management of all Education and Community freelancers
Operational activity
- Work with the Inclusion and Access Lead to ensure all projects are contributing to and run in line with the theatres Belonging and Inclusion strategy and approach and support wider theatre initiatives
- Oversee the recruitment processes for participants, ensuring they receive appropriate support and pastoral care
- Oversee all data collection processes, ensuring that GDPR policies are adhered to
- Oversee risk assessment processes for projects ensuring they are completed and adhered to
- Responsible for setting and managing day to day budgets ensuring projects across the department are delivered to budget
- Work closely with the marketing team to create marketing material for the Education and Community team, in line with Old Vic branding guidelines
- Work closely with the production team ensuring opportunities for collaboration across the departments
- To lead on the evaluation processes for the department and support annual reporting through provision of data and interpreted evaluation reports
- Support The Old Vic’s Development department to ensure supporters’ needs are met, that information is available in a timely and appropriate fashion and that projects meet their targets also attending Development events as requested
- Maintain an awareness of best practice in community arts settings and a detailed knowledge of changes to the current education system and practical understanding of the effects on schools
- Oversee DBS checks for Education and Community staff and freelancers
- Contribute to regular staff meetings sharing information and connecting staff with the activity of all Education & Community projects
- Maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders from participants to supporters to professionals involved in the department’s activity
Person specification
The post holder must be able to demonstrate the following:
Essential
- Experience of developing participatory arts projects in schools and with emerging theatre professionals and mid-career artists
- Experience of delivering and facilitating high quality participatory arts projects in schools and with emerging theatre professionals and mid-career artists
- Experience of leading a team in a participation setting delivering multiple projects
- Budgetary management experience to a minimum of £500K
- Familiarity with safeguarding policies and practices, particularly relating to
children and young people - Exemplary organisation skills as well as written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience of line managing staff and freelancers
- Robust understanding of best practice and new developments within a theatre educational and youth employment context
- A strong team player.IT literacy, with good experience of the Microsoft Office suite and Excel in particular. (Training will be given on software programs as required.)
- Proven experience of evaluation design, analysis and reporting and experience of writing copy for content and marketing materials
- The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check as the role may interact with vulnerable adults and/or children.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Education and Community employer: Disability Arts
Contact Detail:
Disability Arts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Education and Community
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the education and community arts sector. Attend relevant events, workshops, or seminars where you can meet people who are already working in similar roles. This can help you gain insights into the industry and potentially get referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with The Old Vic's current education and community programmes. Understanding their strategic objectives and recent projects will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in their work.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with participatory arts projects in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and managed budgets, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of safeguarding policies and best practices in your conversations. This is crucial for the role, so being able to articulate your knowledge and experience in this area will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Education and Community
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in participatory arts projects, team leadership, and budget management. Use specific examples that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for education and community engagement. Discuss how your background and skills make you an ideal fit for the role, and mention any specific projects or initiatives you've led that relate to the position.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since exemplary written and verbal communication skills are essential for this role, ensure your application is free from errors and clearly articulates your thoughts. Consider including a brief example of how you've effectively communicated in a previous role.
Highlight Team Management Experience: Emphasise your experience in line managing staff and freelancers. Provide examples of how you've mentored and developed team members, as this is a key aspect of the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Disability Arts
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in developing participatory arts projects, especially in schools and with emerging theatre professionals. Highlight specific examples that demonstrate your ability to deliver high-quality projects.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head of Education and Community, you'll be leading a team. Be ready to share your experiences in managing teams, mentoring staff, and how you've successfully delivered multiple projects simultaneously.
✨Understand the Organisation's Goals
Familiarise yourself with The Old Vic's business plan and strategic objectives. Show how your vision aligns with their goals, particularly in education and community engagement.
✨Prepare for Budget Discussions
Since budget management is crucial for this role, come prepared to discuss your experience with managing budgets of at least £500k. Be ready to explain how you ensure projects are delivered within budget while maintaining quality.