Creative Engagement Manager

The Creative Engagement Manager is responsible for leading and developing Icon Theatre’s award-winning Creative Engagement Programme, focusing on youth, schools and community engagement.

This role involves both hands-on delivery and facilitation of projects and programmes, as well as strategic planning and development of innovative, co-created initiatives that empower participants and foster community growth. The manager will work closely with the Artistic Director to ensure the success of Icon’s award-winning creative engagement programmes and community partnerships, while maintaining high standards of safeguarding and effective management of resources and personnel.

Line Manager: Artistic Director/CEO
Manages: Community Engagement Practitioner
Works with: Executive Director, Senior Producer, Freelance Artists, Assistants

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Young People’s Programme

• Lead and Develop Icon’s Young People’s Programme: Plan and develop Icon’s award-winning young people’s programme across Medway and the Isle of Sheppey, in collaboration with the Artistic Director and Community Engagement Practitioner. This includes managing youth theatres, creative council, school holiday projects, technical and backstage training, and work experience placements, among other initiatives
• Facilitate and Deliver: Facilitate and deliver selected strands of Icon’s Young People’s Programme, including weekly term time Young Company sessions (which support participants aged 14-18 create and perform
• exceptional new work) and selected holiday projects. As a family-friendly company, we endeavour to ensure weekly workshops take place within normal office hours.
• Support and Organise Participation: Ensure active involvement and performance of young people in Icon’s productions, as well as local and national festivals and initiatives, such as GENFEST at the Gulbenkian.
• Identify Development Opportunities: Continuously seek opportunities to enhance and expand Icon’s young people’s programme by staying informed about industry trends and developments.

Schools Engagement

• Design and Deliver Workshops: Create and execute theatre workshops in schools and other educational settings that align with Icon’s co-created and devised theatre-making practices.
• Develop and Deliver Schools’ and CPD Programmes: Plan and deliver schools’ workshops for young people and training sessions for primary and secondary teachers.
• Coordinate School Participation: Manage the involvement of schools in Icon’s community theatre productions.
• Maintain and Develop Relationships: Build and nurture partnerships with schools, colleges, and the Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP), focusing on projects across Medway and Sheppey.

Community Engagement and Adult Participation

• Plan and Develop Community Programmes: Plan, develop and manage adult community programmes, including Icon’s adults Arts and Health programme and Open Stage. Where appropriate, facilitate and lead selected strands of Icon’s Community Programme.
• Support Rehearsals: Attend community theatre rehearsals and assist the Artistic Director and the wider creative team in participant engagement, development, and rehearsals for Icon Theatre productions.
• Build Partnerships: Maintain and strengthen relationships with community partners and local and regional artists, focusing on successful partnerships and new projects across Medway and Sheppey.

Other Programme Responsibilities

• Develop Revenue-Generating Programmes: Collaborate with the Artistic and Executive Directors to secure, plan and deliver profitable young people’s projects and contracts, such as Icon’s holiday and food programme.
• Initiate New Projects: Plan, lead and deliver new projects for young people and other community groups in response to new funding opportunities.

Safeguarding

• Designated Safeguarding Lead: Act as joint Designated Safeguarding Lead with the Artistic Director.
• Policy Management: Ensure all safeguarding and child protection policies are current and accessible to staff.
• Ensure Policy Adherence: Monitor and enforce safeguarding and child protection policies across all of Icon’s activities.
• Training and Compliance: Organise training, DBS checks and ensure regular updates for all staff and volunteers.
• Licensing Compliance: Ensure chaperone and child performance licenses are in place for public productions.

HR Management

• Recruit and Manage Teams: Lead the recruitment and management of facilitators and freelance project delivery teams for all creative engagement programmes, in collaboration with the Artistic and Executive Directors.
• Line Manage Creative Engagement Practitioner: Line manage the Creative Engagement Practitioner and support the Creative EngagementPractitioner to develop skills

Administration and Budgeting

• Budget Management: Set, monitor and manage the annual budget for the Creative Engagement Programme with the Executive Director, including invoicing.
• System Management: Establish and maintain efficient administrative systems for the coordination of the Creative Engagement Programme, including registration, data handling, and evaluation data collection.
• Marketing and Audience Development: Collaborate with the Executive Director and external marketing/press freelancers to develop and deliver campaigns that are timely and ensure recruitment and attendance.

Evaluation

• Evaluation Framework: Implement an evaluation framework and monitoring activities for the Creative Engagement Programme in collaboration with the Executive Director.

This job description is subject to change as needed to reflect the evolving requirements of the role.

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