Interim Director - Freshly Greated (Arts Project) in Norfolk

The Interim Director provides overall strategic and operational oversight for the Freshly Greated programme during a defined transition period, working closely with the Freshly Greated Consortium, Arts Council England (ACE), Voluntary Norfolk, freelancers, volunteer Community Producers and the wider local community. They will lead and support a small, multi-disciplinary team (including Programme Manager, Community Engagement Coordinator, Lead Producer and Youth Engagement Worker), maintaining stable day-to-day delivery while putting in place the plans, systems and documentation required for a smooth transfer out of Voluntary Norfolk. The focus of this interim role is on continuity, risk management, transition planning, and handover, rather than initiating major new strategic commitments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic and Programme Leadership: Hold overall responsibility for the delivery of the agreed Freshly Greated programme plan during the interim period, ensuring a coherent, realistic and well-prioritised programme of activity. Provide day-to-day leadership to the team, setting clear priorities and work plans that balance ongoing delivery with transition tasks (e.g. documentation, systems mapping, handover planning). Ensure the programme remains rooted in community leadership and co-creation, working closely with Community Producers and partners while avoiding over-extension into unsustainable new commitments during the transition. Maintain and regularly review risk registers and mitigation plans, with particular focus on transition, staffing, finance, reputation and compliance. Lead on the delivery of the creative offer across programme strands, ensuring great new creative and cultural experiences with, by and for the people of Great Yarmouth. Build and maintain strong working relationships with local and national artists, arts organisations and creative partners.
• Operational Management and Compliance: Oversee the effective operational running of the programme, including staffing, scheduling, contracting, and resource allocation, ensuring resilience and business continuity. Ensure robust systems are in place for financial management, budgeting, cashflow monitoring and reporting, working alongside Voluntary Norfolk colleagues during the exit process. Act as, or oversee, the Designated Safeguarding Officer for the programme, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and policies including Equality, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, GDPR and insurance. Review and, where necessary, update operational policies, procedures and documentation to support transfer to the new host or structure and to enable a clean, well-documented handover.
• Transition, Governance and Exit from Voluntary Norfolk: Work closely with the Freshly Greated Consortium and Voluntary Norfolk leadership to plan and manage the programme’s exit from Voluntary Norfolk, including key milestones and dependencies. Participate in and help coordinate the ACE-commissioned options appraisal, providing timely information, analysis and practical recommendations. Map and document all relevant contracts, agreements, staff roles, freelance arrangements, policies, intellectual property, data and assets that will need to transfer or be novated to the new governance structure. Prepare high-quality briefing packs and documentation for trustees/boards, funders and other key stakeholders to support decision-making on future governance. Support the design and implementation of agreed governance and hosting changes, ensuring continuity of delivery and minimal disruption to communities and partners.
• Partnerships, Advocacy and Income: Maintain and strengthen strategic relationships with Arts Council England, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and key partners, ensuring confidence in the transition process. Lead the relationship with ACE, ensuring all delivery, monitoring and reporting requirements are met accurately and on time throughout the interim period. Maintain and steward key funding and partnership relationships, ensuring that partners are well-informed about the transition and clear on future points of contact. Where appropriate, support the development of future funding bids or income plans that will underpin the sustainability of the programme beyond the interim period.
• Evaluation, Learning and Handover: Oversee continuation of the programme’s action research and evaluation framework, ensuring monitoring, data collection and reporting remain robust during the transition. Ensure learning, evaluation findings and key programme documents are organised and accessible to support the new governance structure and incoming leadership. Work with the external evaluator, Consortium and ACE Relationship Manager to capture and share learning from the transition itself, contributing to local and national CPP learning.
• Audience and Community Development: Ensure that communications and engagement activity continues to support diverse audiences and participation across Great Yarmouth during the transition period. Maintain strong working relationships with community leaders, groups and Community Producers, communicating clearly about any changes and future plans. Support staff and volunteers to manage change well, listening to concerns and ensuring people feel informed and involved where appropriate.
• General: Work to the policies and values of Voluntary Norfolk (and any agreed successor host) during the interim period. Promote equality of opportunity and respect diversity in all aspects of work. Comply with Health and Safety regulations. Carry out additional duties appropriate to the post as may reasonably be allocated by the Chief Executive and/or Consortium, related to the safe and effective transition and exit of the programme.