Operations and Development Manager in London

We are seeking an Operations and Development Manager to play a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of Independent Dance (ID), at an exciting period of development for the company. This pivotal role will work closely with the Director, with the postholder leading on operations, finance and fundraising, to ensure ID's effectiveness, financial stability and long-term sustainability. You will oversee day-to-day operations and lead on the development of systems and processes in collaboration with the Director and the wider team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Financial planning and reporting
• Supporting fundraising across trusts and foundations and other income streams
• Updating/developing and maintaining operational systems and company policies
• Contributing to organisational governance, HR processes, and stakeholder relationships, working with funders, partners and trustees

This is an opportunity to join a small, collaborative team, to continue to develop an ambitious and meaningful programme of work for the independent dance and interdisciplinary arts communities.

Main areas of focus:

• Operations: Oversee the development of operations to ensure that our team is supported and that our values are embedded. Support ID’s administrative and delivery activities, providing clear plans and priorities. Review all Independent Dance policies, in collaboration with the staff team and trustees, exploring improvements and making recommendations to improve, identifying collaborative and creative ways to make sure our policies are active and embedded. Lead on the edit/re-write policies, overseen by the Director.
• Finance: Review financial management systems to ensure they are appropriate to the scale and ambition of the organisation and fit for purpose. Support the ongoing development of a new strategic plan, particularly identifying and making recommendations for financial planning and new business models to ensure our longer-term sustainability and resilience. Oversee the management of the online booking system (delivered by the Programme Coordinator) and financial reconciliations. Prepare Management Accounts and Annual Accounts in collaboration with the bookkeeper.
• Fundraising and income generation: Review strategies for fundraising and income generation and make recommendations for immediate development and fundraising, and long-term strategy. In collaboration with the Director, support the writing of funding bids with planning, narrative, partnership development and budgeting (this includes planning for the next round of ACE NPO application). Manage ID's income generation strategy, including pricing structures, in collaboration with the Director and wider team. Work with Director to manage and report on funding grants.
• Governance: Organise and attend ID Board meetings, including completion of minutes. In collaboration with the Director, create board reports for the quarterly meetings. Organise, in collaboration with the Director, and attend Board/Staff Board Away Days.
• Compliance: Fulfil ID’s organisational responsibilities as an employer, business and registered charity through liaison with bodies including Companies House, Inland Revenue, Charity Commission, UK Border Agency. Manage ID’s licence as a government-authorised Sponsor of visiting international artists and arrange individual Certificates of Sponsorship for artists. Act as data protection officer (GDPR) for the organisation and ensure ID complies with GDPR regulations.
• HR: Research and implement relevant professional development opportunities and training. Work closely and collaboratively with the Independent Dance team supporting the development of a collaborative and caring culture. Lead on staff recruitment, appraisals, development and training. Line-manage team members (to be confirmed).
• Evaluation: Oversee the work of the Programme Coordinator, who leads on evaluation at ID.

Organisational (all staff): A commitment to anti-racism, social justice and anti-ableist practices and processes.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: Independent Dance is committed to anti-racist, anti-ableist and socially just ways of working. We particularly welcome applications from people who are currently underrepresented in the cultural sector, including people from Global Majority backgrounds, d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people, LGBTQIA people, and people from working-class backgrounds. We recognise that there are many different routes into arts leadership and management, and that candidates may not meet every requirement listed in the person specification. If you believe you could make a valuable contribution to Independent Dance, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you require information in an alternative format or any adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know.

Essential Skills:

• Experience in creating and maintaining appropriate operational systems and processes
• Strong experience of financial planning and management across budgeting, cashflow and reporting, ideally within a charity, heritage or cultural setting
• Proven track record in fundraising, including Trusts and Foundations and Arts Council England, and managing donor/funder relationships
• Knowledge of income generation across multiple streams, including earned income
• Experience contributing to policy development within an organisational context
• Proven ability to ensure compliance across HR, governance and legal areas
• Experience managing staff and working within a team
• Experience working with a Board of Trustees and preparing quarterly reports
• Prior experience of working within an NPO and of reporting to Arts Council England
• A hands-on and agile approach, with an ability to balance strategic oversight with delivery
• Commitment to anti-racism, anti-ableism and social justice

Desirable Skills:

• Experience across fundraising activity related to individual giving
• Experience of initiating policy reviews within an organisational context
• Experience of supporting strategic planning within an organisational context
• Knowledge of the dance and interdisciplinary arts sector
• Familiarity with financial/project management software