Artist Development Assistant Producer in Knowsley

Are you passionate about supporting artists? Do you have experience in running projects or a background in event planning and delivery? Are you looking to develop your career? You could be our next Artist Development Assistant Producer.

Shakespeare North Playhouse, ‘Theatre Building of the year 2023’ is a unique new arts venue, which opened in the summer of 2022. It presents a vibrant contemporary cultural and learning programme featuring home co‑produced and visiting performances, as well as comedy, music, community work, hire and events and a range of education and training activities.

The Shakespeare North Trust (SNT) is the charitable organisation that operates Shakespeare North Playhouse, with two wholly owned subsidiaries within the Group structure. The subsidiaries are limited companies. In order to ensure that our workforce reflects the diversity of contemporary England, we commit to interviewing all applicants who have faced barriers to employment in the arts sector due to mental health issues, physical health/disability, sensory impairment, learning disabilities, neurodivergence, working‑class backgrounds, and those from the LGBTQIA+, and Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities or traveller communities. We are committed to making our work as accessible as possible and welcome suggestions on how we can practically support access to this role.

Place of Work

The Artist Development Assistant Producer will work from Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, Knowsley. Shakespeare North Playhouse is a flexible employer, where appropriate employees can work from home. Occasionally work will be required at alternative locations including partners with whom Shakespeare North co‑produces.

Salary and Hours of Work

This is a part-time role contracted at 16 hours per week split across 2 days. Due to the nature of this role and to meet the demands of the building, the post holder will need to be flexible in their approach to work. Evening and weekend work may be required. The part-time salary will be £10,574 per annum (this would be the full-time equivalent of £26,436 pro rata). This is a permanent contract.

Main Duties:

• Artist Development

The Artist Development Assistant Producer will be responsible for the delivery of Shakespeare North’s Artist Development Programmes, this includes:

• Delivery of the Origin8 Programme, supporting artists currently on the programme through research and development processes.
• Identify new artists for future Origin8 programmes.
• Maintain YesPlan, the room booking software used by Shakespeare North Playhouse for artist development programme. Full training in YesPlan will be provided.
• Be the main point of contact for artists enquiries and ensuring timely and useful responses.
• Log and track artist development project submissions.
• Ensure Artist Development databases are compiled and maintained in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation to protect personal data.
• Contribute to the Culture, Learning, Technical and Facilities team’s news and updates weekly into SN’s Team Briefings.
• Book workshops from leading companies to enhance the artist development offer for the organisation.
• On occasion attend events and productions at other venues on behalf of Shakespeare North Playhouse and present feedback on this to Head of Producing.
• Attend Shakespeare North Playhouse programmed performances throughout the year as representative for the organisation.

• Programming, Planning and Delivery

Assist the Head of Producing with all aspects of producing SN’s artist development programme, supported by the wider team. Programme and deliver Shakespeare North’s bimonthly Scratch! Events, taking submissions from artists who wish to platform their work and programming work that fits within the wider programming strategy for the building. Lead on the key administration areas across the artist development programme including populating, issuing and circulating contracts (from existing templates) for artists. Manage one-off events across the building, including setting and managing budgets, negotiating and issuing agreements. Liaise with SN’s Communications Department on all Artist Development Programme news, highlighting opportunities to promote the programme and good news stories about the artists connected to SN.

• General

Be an active and supportive member of the SN staff team. Be welcoming and provide excellent customer care to all visitors to SN in all departments especially visiting artists to the building. When needed undertake visiting company inductions to SN in keeping with the building’s Health and Safety policy, full training will be given in advance of inductions. Actively keep up to date with the artistic programme. Be a part of an active conversation about the development and implementation of green policies and practices for the department. Maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of SN. Actively engage with the arts and culture sector and develop a knowledge of activities happening across the North West and beyond.

Person Specification:

• An understanding of the theatre and cultural landscape within Liverpool City Region.
• Experience of working in a similar role in a relevant industry such as Theatre, Visitor Attraction, Hospitality, Leisure, Heritage site or Museum is desired but not essential.
• Experience in booking travel and accommodation.
• A positive, mature and professional attitude towards work with excellent verbal and interpersonal and good written communication skills.
• Experience in taking and distributing meeting minutes and materials.
• Experience of updating plans and communicating key information.
• Experience populating and issuing contracts to actors and creative teams as required or desirable.
• Experience of supporting events and of running minor events.
• Ability to solve problems proactively in a fast and effective manner, working well under pressure.
• Good level of IT literacy.
• Strong administrative, organisational, time management and prioritisation abilities.
• Flexibility in relation to duties and working hours which may include evenings and weekends.
• A passion for the Arts industry.

This job description is intended as a guide to the duties expected of the post-holder. These duties may be reviewed from time to time to meet the needs of the business.

Diverse Representation

We encourage and welcome applications from people whose background and experience are under-represented in the cultural sector. We are committed to inclusive working practices and understand there may be barriers people face when considering an opportunity like this. If you are interested in applying for this role but feel there are things that may prevent you from getting involved, please get in touch and let us know how we can support you in making your application and throughout the selection process.

Equality Monitoring

As part of your application, please make sure to fill out the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. The information you provide will not impact on the consideration of your application and will be used solely for the purpose of monitoring.

Data Protection

Information provided by you as part of your application will be used in the recruitment process. Any data about you will be held securely with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your application in the recruitment process. Once the process is completed the data relating to unsuccessful applicants will be stored for a maximum of 6 months and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, your application will be retained and form the basis of your personnel record. By submitting your application, you are giving your consent to your data being stored and processed for the purpose of the recruitment process, equal opportunities monitoring and your personnel record if you are the successful candidate. In submitting your application, we will assume that consent by you is given.