Inclusion and Access Lead (Maternity Cover)

The Inclusion and Access Lead provides advice, challenge and education on all matters regarding inclusion and access and leads on progressing and developing The Old Vic’s Belonging and Inclusion Strategic Plan (BISP), ensuring its integration within overall business planning. The Inclusion and Access Lead is responsible for working collaboratively and across the organisation to support the delivery of the actions in the BISP, as well as acting as an internal expect on inclusion matters. The BISP is a 10 year plan which was implemented in 2022. The role operates strategically and operationally, delivering the strategic framework as well as elements of the action plan and day-to-day support. The Inclusion and Access Lead forms part of the Senior Management Group (SMG) and will work closely with SMG, Heads of Department, the Inclusion Working Group (IWG), and colleagues to review and identify priorities for The Old Vic to improve equity, diversity, inclusion and access. We are committed to ensuring that The Old Vic can attract, retain, engage and develop diverse talent and make the best work.

Areas of responsibility

Overall

• Acting as an internal expert, key influencer and advocate on equity, diversity, inclusion and access issues

• Developing appropriate external relationships to support The Old Vic’s inclusion and access work
• Increasing the understanding of and engagement with Inclusion internally and communicating progress with all staff (Back of House, Front of House and freelance community)
• Supporting all departments in furthering progress on the BISP objectives

• Supporting HR to evolve continually The Old Vic’s inclusive recruitment processes
• Providing support for colleagues on a 1-1 basis, providing best practice advice
• Leading the Inclusion Working Group

Engagement

• Developing and executing a plan to engage employees and leadership in ED&I programmes and promote an active culture of inclusivity and support
• Providing regular briefings to senior colleagues and Board members on diversity and inclusion matters
• Ensuring all members of protected characteristic groups have a voice at The Old Vic through the Inclusion Working Group (IWG)
• Chairing and running the IWG, including preparing papers, setting agendas to reflect ongoing and emerging areas of EDI and Access, developing and delivering on action plans
• Celebrating diversity through organised events and awareness sessions
• Write and circulate communications on awareness days, celebratory events as per the Awareness Calendar, and as part of All Staff meetings.
• Championing the embedding of effective inclusion practices into every phase of the employment lifecycle
• Contribute and develop programme sessions and youth/community engagement strategies for the Education & Community team.

Training and Development

• Working with HR to develop initiatives to support the development of diverse talent within the organisation
• Leading our cyclical inclusion training programme for staff (BOH and FOH), freelancers, Board of trustees and SMT, liaising with external providers as necessary and aligning with company wide training
• Designing and delivering internal inclusion training sessions as required
• Sourcing and coordinating external training providers in line with the inclusion training budget to deliver thoughtful inclusion training on topics to further the education of all staff
• Evaluate the success of inclusion training for all staff

Access and Inclusion Audits

• Liaise with all departments across the theatre to facilitate access audits of our building, facilities, programme, services and communications including:

• • Collaborating with the Production, Education & Community and Operations teams to assess and recommend approaches to improving access and inclusion for audiences, companies and participants
  • Acting as a central point of contact for Production, FOH and Marketing and Commercial teams to advise and support on the effective planning and execution of our programme of Accessible Performances.
  • Liaise with the Marketing & Commercial teams to review and further improve our communications with all who engage with The Old Vic focussing on access and inclusion needs
  • Working with external experts to review the accessibility of the Backstage Building and our current office spaces, and setting objectives to monitor progression around this objective.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Coordinating regular updates and delivery of the BISP, with a special focus on our five priority groups: race, Disability, gender, LGBTQ+ and multi-generational

• Continually reviewing practices and processes and recommending actions where necessary/appropriate to ensure they are as inclusive as possible.
• Analysing diversity data provided by the HR team to understand and track progress and performance in the organization and advise next steps for improvement
• Identifying external trends and recognising best practice from sector peers which when applied at The Old Vic will increase inclusion and diversity among the workforce
• Compiling written annual Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap Reports for publishing publicly on our website
• Sharing analysis and recommendations with SMG following collation of the data from The Old Vic’s annual Equality Survey and wider staff updates
• Continuing our research with our Access Audiences by analysing survey data and supplementing this with focus groups, and communicating findings with the Artistic Director, Executive Director, Producer and COO at agreed intervals.
• Meet quarterly with SMG to monitor and evaluate the application of actions towards BISP targets

• Assisting the Education & Community and Production teams with their diversity evaluation and associated processes

Financials

• Responsible for setting and managing an annual Inclusion budget
• Placing orders and processing invoices as required

Policies & Procedures

• Responsible for updating The Old Vic’s inclusion related policies, in conjunction with HR and other relevant departments. Including but not limited to: Inclusion policy, anti-discrimination statement of practice, Old Vic for Everyone and reviewing any other policies and practices as necessary from an inclusive perspective
• Regularly updating our inclusion resource pack and associated documents I.e. Terminology/ Preferred Terms at The Old Vic, as necessary

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and the theatre’s management may, at any time, allocate other tasks which are of a similar nature or level.

09/09/2024

Fixed Term, Part Time