Summary
More Details
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Senior Leadership
- Support the Artistic Director in identifying and generating a programme of work that realises the artistic vision, strategic ambitions and financial goals of Northern Stage, ensuring inclusivity, diversity and sustainability are core elements of our work
- Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to inform the development of the Artistic Programme
- Proactively seek investors and co-producers, maintain relationships with companies and artists, and create opportunities for new, engaging productions across our three stages
- As a member of the Senior Management Team, develop and implement Northern Stage’s business plan, ensuring that the artistic vision is clearly articulated, and the balance is maintained between creative ambitions and financial sustainability
- Promote Northern Stage’s place in the theatre ecology, gathering intelligence on arts and audience trends to bring back to Northern Stage to inform its future planning
- Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation and the wider sector to innovate and deliver new environmentally sustainable models of producing and touring theatre productions
- Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to devise and deliver audience development initiatives
- With the Artistic Director and Participation team, set objectives and bring alignment to creative, participation and talent development programmes
Producing & Programming
- Lead produce (and support the Producer to line produce) all Northern Stage productions, co-productions and tours, including:
– Leading on the planning, development, negotiation and management of productions, co-productions, tours and transfers in collaboration with the Artistic Director and with oversight from the Chief Executive
-Negotiating, contracting and managing creative teams (including rights, fees, expenses, travel etc)
-Preparing detailed budgets and taking overall production budget responsibility
- Take lead responsibility, working closely with SMT, for scheduling and managing the utilisation of performance spaces to facilitate the full range of creative and commercial activity at Northern Stage
- Take responsibility, with the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive, for setting Northern Stage’s income targets from the performance programme and for monitoring these targets through good financial management and reporting
- Work with the Chief Executive, Artistic Director and Finance Director on all touring and co-production budgets, agreeing terms and conditions for Theatre Tax Relief with co-producers and ensuring the best financial deals are in place for Northern Stage
- Support the welfare and needs of visiting artists, companies and creatives and their interaction with the rest of the theatre (e.g. rehearsals, meet & greets, guest lists) and any access needs
- Coordinate research and development activity for works under commission or in consideration for future programming, and contribute to the development of the making of work, through support, feedback, advice or practical help as appropriate
- Work with the Artistic Director to develop an artistic evaluation methodology and lead the creative evaluation of Northern Stage productions and projects, with support from team members
Lead the Artistic Planning Department
- Provide clear and effective line management to the Artistic Planning team
- Prepare, monitor, and update budgets throughout the year, including:
- Produced budget.
- Performance Programme Budget
- Artistic Planning
- Talent Development
- Work with the Artistic Planning team to develop and coordinate artistic planning systems and documents, and ensure good lines of communication and working relationships with all departments
- Work with the Head of Marketing to ensure integrated working between artistic and communications/box office teams
- Ensure effective internal communication within production teams, with co-producers and within the organisation
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Candidates should have demonstrable experience in:
Experience
- Significant experience of producing professional theatre productions at mid-large scale and on tour
- Experience of programming theatre and performance events within a venue
- Experience of leading, managing and collaborating with teams of artistic and producing staff
- Experience of co-production and successful partnership working
- Experience of creating, managing, and monitoring production budgets and maintaining financial control
- Experience of contracting artists and companies, including use of national union agreements (UK Theatre, BECTU, ITC, Writers Guild etc)
- Demonstrable line management experience, including the ability to effectively support the continuing professional development of team members
Skills
- Commitment to regional producing theatre and the part it plays in its community
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion and environmental sustainability
- Confident understanding of a wide range of producing processes, including production and project management, budget management and negotiation
- Proven ability to solve complex problems and manage multiple projects concurrently.
- Ability to think strategically and contribute to leadership across the organisation.
- Ability to work under pressure and deliver against deadlines.
- Excellent computer literacy (inc. MS Office) and highly developed administrative skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication and proven interpersonal skills.
- Flexible approach to working, including the ability to work unsociable hours to meet the needs of production
Desirable
- Experience working within a producing theatre context
- Previous senior role with responsibilities for producing, programming and contracting.
- Experience of resource management software, e.g. Yes Plan
TERMS & CONDITIONS
SALARY
£47,500 p/a
CONTRACT TYPE
Permanent, full time
START DATE
As soon as possible
WORKING HOURS
37.5 hours per week. Typically Mon-Fri within 8.30am-6.00pm, however this role will require regular evening and weekend work to support delivery of the performance programme.
Northern Stage operates a hybrid working from home policy. Staff may work from home 1 day per week on either Mondays or Fridays subject to the requirements of the role.
LOCATION
Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle NE1 7RH
PENSION
Northern Stage operates a contributory pension scheme (employee 5% / employer 3%)
HOLIDAYS
28 days per year including bank holidays, rising to 33 days per year after 5 years continuous service at the rate of 1 additional day a year, plus the option to buy up to 5 additional days per year
OTHER BENEFITS
- Complimentary or discounted tickets to selected shows (non-transferable and subject to availability)
- Employee Assistance Programme which includes online and face-to-face counselling
- Flu Jab
- Free Eye Test
- Holiday Buy
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a copy of your CV and an A4 cover letter, outlining your interest in this role and what skills and experience you would bring to Northern Stage.
Along with completing your CV please also complete this form: Equality Monitoring – Head of Producing and Programming
Please send your application by email to hr@northernstage.co.uk
(Email subject – Head of Producing and Programming)
Alternatively, you can apply by sending a short video or audio file, telling us about you and your experience.
If you need any support to help you apply, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we will do our best to meet your needs. We particuarly welcome applications from people of the Global Majority, people who are disabled, neurodivergent and people who are currently underpresented in our industry.
Receipt of your application will be confirmed by email.
Deadline for applications: 5pm, Mon 22 Sep
Interviews: Fri 3 Oct
Organisation
