artistic director
recruitment pack
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Dear Applicant
Thank you for expressing an interest in the position of Chief Executive and Artistic Director at Unity Theatre.
Following this letter you will find an application pack providing an introduction to Unity. If you would like
any further information or an informal conversation please contact Lee Corner who is managing our recruitment
process. Lee can be contact on [email protected].
The closing date for all applications is Friday 24th October 2014.
Whether received by email, post or by hand the deadline is 5pm.
To apply, please send a copy of your C.V. and a covering letter demonstrating how you meet the requirements
of the job description and person specification. This should be addressed to: Chris Bliss, Chair of the Board,
Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG or sent to [email protected]. Please ensure
that the monitoring form is completed and returned with your application.
Please note that we intend to conduct first interviews on Thursday 6th November.
If second interviews are required they will take place the following week on Wednesday 12 November.
If you are considering applying for the role of Artistic Director and you are involved in a production that you
would like us to see before the application deadline, please do give details of this in a covering letter with
your application or in a separate email in advance of submitting your application. While we cannot guarantee
to attend we will certainly do our best to see the work of potential candidates.
For your information, your application details will remain on our file for 12 months from the interview date,
after which time they will be disposed of.
Once again, we thank you for the interest you have shown in working with Unity Theatre, and look forward
to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Chris Bliss
Chair
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job description
Role: Chief Executive and Artistic Director
The role of the Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Unity Theatre is to provide strong, inspirational
and high-profile leadership for the artistic, strategic and operational demands of the organisation. S/he
will ensure artistic excellence and financial resilience through the development and implementation of an
integrated artistic vision and business strategy that further develops the Theatre’s reputation and profile
locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
The Chief Executive and Artistic Director (CEO/AD) will be the senior appointment and will hold overall
accountability for the success of the organisation. S/he will report to the Board.
S/he will work closely with the Executive Director to lead the Senior Management Team – which
currently comprises the Technical Manager, House Manager, Participation Co-ordinator and Marketing
Manager – and to deliver the Company’s policies through strategic planning and efficient management.
S/he will have line management responsibility for the Technical Manager, Marketing Manager and
Participation Co-ordinator.
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responsibilities
Vision and Viability
• Creating a compelling artistic vision to inspire
audiences, artists, staff, Board and stakeholders
• Developing a profile and reputation which
places Unity Theatre at the heart of edgy and
radical theatre in the North of England
• Ensuring the financial viability of the theatre
through sound business planning and income
generating activity
• Developing and ensuring a management style
and structure which maximises the engagement
and motivation of staff and is conducive to
effective team working
• Ensuring that the Board is provided in a timely
manner with the information to assist it in
making considered decisions on all matters of
policy, planning and budgeting
Advocacy and External Relations
• Overseeing fundraising, sponsorship, external
relations and other activities to identify and
maximise potential sources of support
• Developing and maintaining positive and
productive partnerships with stakeholders
and supporters
• Ensuring that the Theatre’s work is made as
widely accessible as possible and that
opportunities for audiences and participants
are maximised
• Representing the Theatre as a key member
of Liverpool Arts Regeneration Consortium
(LARC)
• Providing creative support and opportunities
to companies, performers and community
organisations in the City and beyond
• Ensuring that the Theatre and its staff play a
full part in the social, cultural and educational
life of the City and the region
Leadership and Management
• Developing projects and links with other artistic
organisations locally, regionally, nationally and
internationally
• Developing an organisational culture which
inspires excellence, innovation and dynamism
• Establishing and maintaining a standard of
quality in all aspects of the Theatre’s work
commensurate with its aspirations
• With the Chair, representing the Theatre at
conferences, events etc
Undertaking such other duties as the Board may
reasonably require within the remit of the post.
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person specification
Essential
Desireable
• Experience in a senior strategic role in theatre,
successfully leading an organisation, team of
professionals, or major project
• Commercial acumen
• An entrepreneurial approach to developing
opportunities
• Demonstrable ability to define, communicate
and implement an artistic vision, policy and
strategy
• Experience of programming having regard to
artistic quality and developing audiences
• Experience of audience development
• Experience of developing and/or curating digital
content
• Experience of working in places where there is
a need to develop engagement with the arts
• Proven ability to network, and establish and
maintain new and existing relationships in
professional theatre
• Experience of strategic thinking, business
planning, policy setting and implementation
• Awareness/experience of the uses of social
media in developing content and communicating
with audiences
• Experience of financial planning, and managing
and controlling budgets and resources
• Experience of sourcing public and private funding
• Experience of developing and maintaining
positive and productive partnerships with
stakeholders and supporters
• Experience of supporting emerging artists and
developing companies
• Experience of managing and motivating staff
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Commitment to accessibility and equality of
opportunity for all
• Understanding of the arts funding system in
England
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terms & conditions
Job Title
Chief Executive and Artistic Director
Terms
Permanent, full-time position
Salary
Circa £42,000
Work location
1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG
And other locations as required
Relocation
Residence within 25 miles of the Theatre is required.
A limited contribution towards relocation costs may be available.
Holidays
You are entitled to 25 days holiday per year worked with full pay, together
with all Statutory and Public holidays.
After 5 years continuous employment, an additional day’s holiday will be
given each year to a maximum holiday allowance of 30 days.
– pro-rata in the first year
Notice period
Six months’ notice
Appointment subject to
Satisfactory references
Compliance with Asylum and Immigration Act 1996
Successful completion of a six month probationary period
Additional information
Workplace Pension – Unity will operate an automatic enrolment scheme
from October 2015, which you will have the option to participate in or
opt out of.
Schedule permitting, it will be possible for the Artistic Director to undertake
additional freelance work, typically as unpaid leave
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about unity theatre
Unity Theatre is the challenging, exciting, edgy voice of theatre with a social
and political purpose that produces high-quality small scale challenging
theatre and presents national and international touring companies, emergent
artists and local community groups.
Each year over 26,000 people attend performances, exhibitions, meetings,
and participatory events including 5,000+ children. Presenting on average
over 100 companies, artists and groups annually, the theatre operates two
studio spaces (150 seats and 88 seats) and was refurbished in 1998 with
lottery and ERDF money. We act as mentor and critical friend for new work
as well as being a key “must play venue” on the national touring circuit.
Situated in Liverpool’s cultural quarter our neighbours include the Everyman
Theatre, Philharmonic Hall and Orchestra, Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts
(LIPA), two Cathedrals and numerous small cultural and leisure-based organisations.
We are member of Liverpool Arts and Regeneration Consortium (LARC), which
include Liverpool Everyman, FACT, Liverpool Philharmonic, Bluecoat, Liverpool
Biennial, and Tate Liverpool and is a founder member of Visit Hope Street CIC to
promote the area of the city.
Unity is run by a team of 7 full-time and 6 part-time staff, and a pool of casual
staff, freelancers and volunteers.
Unity Theatre receives financial support from Arts Council England, and
Liverpool City Council. Other income is generated through hiring the venue
to local groups and companies, bar sales, a range of professional services,
trusts and foundations, donations and a gift aid scheme. We have successfully
applied to The Makin Charitable Trust, PH Holt Trust, Heritage Lottery, BBC
Children in Need, The Granada Foundation as well as generating funds to
support our acclaimed anti-gun crime initiative The Y Project.
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recent productions
Clybourne Park (2014)
A co-production with said&done theatre, this new production of Bruce Norris’ acclaimed
play about race and real estate promises to be the highlight of the autumn season.
Gaffer (2014)
A one-man comedy written by Chris Chibnall (Broadchurch, Dr Who) about football and
homophobia, the show received glittering reviews and audience feedback.
Physical Fest
A regular part of Unity’s programme, Physical Fest finds and showcases the best in
Physical Theatre and also offers extensive workshops and networking opportunities.
The Master and Margarita (2013)
A co-production with Lodestar Theatre of Bulgakov’s cult classic book the show used
projection mapping and played to sell out audience for two weeks.
Improbable
We have been working with Improbable since their inception bringing many of their
award-winning, innovative shows to Liverpool.
Told By An Idiot
Over the past 21 years we have developed an inseparable relationship with one of the
UK’s most innovative companies, including two commissions and premiering work.
Gold Mountain (2011)
Created with Canadian company Les Deux Mondes and acclaimed actor David Yip the
show toured around the world telling the story of Chinese seamen in Liverpool.
Homotopia
A strong partner and collaborator, Homotopia produce an annual LGBT arts and culture
festival which has its roots and base at Unity Theatre.
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staffing structure
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income
Total Income (14/15): £746,020
Arts Council England (37%)
Liverpool City Council (13%)
Earned (28%)
Projects | Trusts | Lottery | Foundations (22%)
expenditure
Total Expenditure (14/15): £746,020
Staffing (41%)
Artistic Programme (40%)
Participation (10%)
Overheads (9%)
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image gallery
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boxoffice: 0844 873 2888
admin: 0151 709 6502
unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk
1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG
Monday: 1pm - 6pm
Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm - 6pm
Our patrons: Bill Kenwright CBE, Josette Bushell Mingo OBE
David Morrissey, Andrew Lancel, John Bishop.
Funded by
A private company limited by guarantee number 3333987 | Registered charity number 1062 463