Overview
Lyth Arts Centre Director (Maternity Cover), Lyth, Wick
Full Time, 35 hours per week, 12 Months Contract
Start Date: Mid August 2023
Salary: £35,555 plus NI/PAYE and 3% pension
Lyth Arts Centre is seeking a creative, motivated and skilled individual to take on the role of Director (Maternity Cover) and be responsible for developing and maintaining the delivery of LAC’s ongoing projects, strategic plans and organisational values. The Director has overall responsibility for the organisation through inspiring and ambitious creative leadership. Supporting our small, collaborative team to continue to achieve all they do will be key to this role as well as maintaining the many positive relationships with partners.
THE ROLE
The Director has overall responsibility for the organisation through inspiring and ambitious creative leadership. Supporting our small, collaborative team to continue to achieve all they do will be key to this role as well as maintaining the many positive relationships with partners.
This maternity cover post will be responsible for developing and maintaining the delivery of LAC’s ongoing projects, strategic plans and organisational values.
The Director is responsible for the financial management of the charity, including budgeting and forecasting as well as regularly reporting to the Board. The post is responsible for and leading on
fundraising including our first application to become a Creative Scotland RFO. They will also be responsible for ensuring completion of our Future Feasibility study, which is currently underway,
following handover from the current director.
Strategic Leadership:
• Provide strategic leadership to realise the organisations ambitions/vision in line with LAC’s charitable aims as defined with OSCR
• Motivational and supportive leadership that ensures that artistic vision and operational/ planning are fully realised through a collaborative and supportive culture across the organisation
• Promote and maintain an organisational culture embedded in LAC’s values
• Embed environmental and equalities commitments in everything LAC does
Programme:
• Ensure LAC is a facilitator between artistic communities (local, regional, national and international) and the Caithness community
• Maintaining and supporting the delivery of a varied and stimulating programme of live performances, socially-engaged arts projects and visual arts both at LAC and outreach venues across Caithness and North Sutherland
• Support the delivery of a wide-reaching creative educational programme across Caithness and North Sutherland
• Ensure that the programme meets all delivery and reporting conditions and other requirements of all funders in an accurate and timely manner.
Finance / Governance:
• Carry devolved responsibility and accountability for the successful governance, financial management and sustainability of the organisation
• Support the General Manager and Bookkeepers with financial administration
• Provide up-to-date and timely financial and written reports to the Board
• Ensure effective implementation of Board policies and decisions
• Lead fundraising activities to meet fundraising targets
• Manage earned income streams including hires, accommodation, café/bar sales and any other subsidiaries
• Ensure compliance with OSCR and Companies House returns
HR
• Manage core team, sessional staff (front of house, technical) and freelance staff
• Ensure LAC is a safe place to work and visit
Other
• Ensure that all aspects of LAC are efficient, effective and meet the needs of its audiences and performers/artists
• Ensure that LAC remains responsive in its role to provide a range of cultural activities in the North Highlands
ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED
Essential
• Experience in arts and cultural management
• A collaborative and motivational team leader who is;
o Open and engaging
o Approachable and empathetic
o Curious and creative
o Resourceful and adaptable
• Passionate about place-based work
• Embraces LAC’s core values
• Proven fundraising skills with ability to develop ambitious fundraising strategies and meet fundraising targets
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation processes including effective data collection, analysis and reporting
• Ability to lead on the development and delivery of a wide and varied arts and cultural programme
• Strong financial-planning and management skills
• Experience of working with, and managing, budgets
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders and partners
• Up to date knowledge of cultural policy in Scotland
• Knowledge, interest and understanding of Caithness life and culture
Desirable
• Experience in delivery of socially-engaged / participatory / community arts projects
• Experience of managing a small team
• Experience and knowledge of Creative Scotland RFO application process
• Experience of feasibility studies including community consultation, options appraisals and business planning
• Experience of capital development projects
• Relevant experience of HR management and legislation
• Experience of working with a Board
• Ability to line manage and coordinate project teams including salaried, freelance, partners and volunteers
• Experience of working with bookkeeper and accountants, particularly to produce End of Year of Accounts
• Valid UK Driving Licence
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
• Leading on application to Creative Scotland’s new RFO funding route
• Delivering on fundraising targets for 2023-2025, making applications to a varied number
of funders and stakeholders
• Ensuring completion of the Future Feasibility study and making relevant plans in
collaboration with the Board and team around it’s outcomes
• Maintaining LAC values and particularly the current team ethic
• Oversight of an ambitious cultural programme, embedded in our Caithness community,
using social practice principles and a place-based approach
OTHER INFORMATION
- Probationary period: 3 months
- Notice period: 3 months
- Annual Leave: 34 days (inclusive of public holidays)
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a CV and cover letter detailing how you meet the person specification and why you are interested in the position and working at LAC.
Please also provide contact details for two references and also indicate any relevant notice periods.
Please send completed applications by email to: Charlotte Mountford, Director, charlotte@lytharts.org.uk by Thursday 1st June 2023, midday.
Interviews will be held on Thursday 8th June 2023.
You must sign in to apply for this position.
