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 General Manager Job Description March 2015 1 General Manager Application Pack Thank you for your interest in the post of General Manager at New Adventures & Re:Bourne. The contents of the pack include: • information about the company • a job description • a personal specification • guidance for applicants How to apply Before submitting an application please read the information and guidance notes provided in this pack carefully. Applicants are invited to submit a CV and covering letter explaining how their skills meet the requirements outlined in the job description, why they want to work for us and what they feel they can bring to the role. Applicants must also submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. For an informal discussion about the role please contact James Mackenzie-­‐Blackman on +44 (0)20 7713 6766. Please note James is overseas between Monday 30 March – Friday 3 April, returning to the office after the Bank Holiday on Tuesday 7 April. Your CV must include the following information: • Full Name • Address • Contact telephone number/s • Email address • Work History, including a brief description of your duties in your last three roles • Education & Training History • Names, telephone numbers and email addresses of two referees one of which must be your current or most recent employer. We will not contact the referees without your permission. This pack and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form can be downloaded from our website: http://www.new-­‐adventures.net/the_company/auditions_jobs If you require this pack in an alternative format please contact us on 020 7713 6766. Submitting your application Applications can be received by post, by email or by hand. Our preferred option is to receive your application by post or by hand to reduce the administrative burden of printing applications. 2 By Post Your letter, CV and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form can be received by post. Applications should be collated and stapled in the top left hand corner, printed on A4 paper with your Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form as the final page/at the back for easy removal. Post your application to the following address: General Manager Application New Adventures & Re:Bourne c/o Sadler’s Wells Rosebery Avenue London EC1R 4TN By Email Submit your application with your letter and CV in a single file and equal opportunities monitoring form in a separate file. A PDF or a Microsoft Word document is preferred. Send your application to: office@new-­‐
adventures.net with the subject field marked ‘General Manager Application’. By Hand Applications can be hand delivered to Stage Door Reception at Sadler’s Wells. Recruitment Timeline Closing Date: Friday 17 April, 11am Successful Candidates Invited to Interview: by Wednesday 22 April First Round Interviews: Monday 27 April (in London) Second Round Interviews & Meeting with Matthew Bourne: Friday 1 May (TBC) Estimated Date of Job Offer: Monday 4 May (TBC) Successful Candidate joins team: ASAP from date of offer Travel expenses will only be available to candidates who make the second round of interviews.
3 Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Welcome to a great British success story. Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures is the most popular, successful and the busiest dance company in the UK and a major exporter of British dance around the world. Over the last decade, Matthew Bourne OBE has created 11 full-­‐evening programmes of ambitious revivals and new works for New Adventures. The Company has given an average of 35 performing weeks a year, and has reached an audience of over three million people in the UK and over three million world-­‐wide. Sleeping Beauty, 2012 Famous for his imaginative spin on classics from the ballet repertoire, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, his Nutcracker! set in an orphanage, Cinderella in the London Blitz and Sleeping Beauty have reinvented our dance heritage for the 21st century. Bourne also takes inspiration from popular culture, literature and film as in his iconic Spitfire based on advertisements for male underwear and revived for the 2012 tour of Early Adventures, his timely, contemporary take on Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray, The Car Man set in an American garage-­‐diner, Lord of the Flies and Edward Scissorhands based on Tim Burton’s classic film. Mixing audience appeal with ground-­‐breaking ideas, Matthew Bourne has invented a new theatrical language and his New Adventures has changed the dance landscape forever. Under Matthew Bourne’s inspired leadership, New Adventures has won the Manchester Evening News Dance Award four times, and was given a Special Theatre Managers Association (TMA) award for its commitment to national touring and audience development. The Company has notched up numerous international awards and a staggering 10 Olivier Award nominations. 4 Proud to be resident company at Sadler’s Wells, New Adventures is the only company to regularly give record-­‐breaking seasons of up to 8 weeks at the theatre. Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake New Adventures tours from Aberdeen to Plymouth, visiting more venues and giving more performances each year than any other UK dance company. Internationally, the Company has performed at the world’s most iconic venues including Sydney Opera House, New York City Center, The Chatalet in Paris, The Kennedy Center in Washington, and The Moscow Arts Theatre, and the most prestigious Festivals such as Edinburgh, Ravenna and Chekhov International Festivals. It regularly tours to Japan, Korea, the USA, Australia and Europe. A pioneer in taking dance to wider audiences through the medium of film, many of his New Adventures productions have been filmed for television broadcast or cinema screenings. The recording of Swan Lake by Sky Arts 3D became the first ballet to be shot in 3D for cinema and DVD release. Sleeping Beauty was screened in cinemas around the world, broadcast by the BBC on Christmas Day 2013, and is the subject of a BBC IMAGINE documentary profile, ‘A Beauty is Born’. Re:Bourne was established in 2008 to inspire young people with a passion for dance. It has engaged more than 25,000 young people in making and performing dance. Lord of the Flies brought together young men from schools across West Dunbartonshire with New Adventure’s artists to create and perform a ground-­‐
breaking new production in Glasgow. In 2014 the project toured to 13 cities, engaging over 8,000 young people in dance activity and reaching some 70,000 people as audiences. In 2010, the New Adventures Choreographer Award was launched to support and encourage the next generation of dance-­‐makers. It has become the most prestigious and sought-­‐after choreography award for emerging talent, and bi-­‐annually showcases the work of a young choreographer. The inaugural winner, James Cousins, has gone on to be commissioned by Scottish Ballet, the National Ballet of Chile and the National Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore while his Company featured in the British Council Showcase and attracted 4 star reviews at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival. 5 Birmingham Curtain Raiser Company Employing hundreds of dancers, musicians and theatre professionals a year, New Adventures supports the artistic and professional development of artists at all stages of their career. Between 2008 and 2012, the Company gave over 1,250 performances and provided over 8,000 weeks of employment, over 5,000 of them for dancers. In 2012, Matthew Bourne celebrated 25 Years of Adventures. Widely hailed as the UK’s most popular and successful choreographer and director, he is a five-­‐time Olivier Award winner and the only British director to have won the Tony Award for both Best Choreographer and Best Director of a Musical, and was the first recipient of The British Inspiration Award for the arts. His career integrates choreography and direction for classic musicals such as Oliver!, My Fair Lady, South Pacific and Mary Poppins, with choreography for theatre and opera. He has embraced television productions of his stage work, and his Late Flowering Lust was inspired by John Betjeman and made for television. Matthew Bourne has been the subject of various television documentaries, and presented the ‘Dance 4’ series and ‘Matthew Bourne’s Christmas’ for Channel 4. His production of Swan Lake features in Stephen Daldry’s hit film, Billy Elliott. Matthew Bourne is the subject of a book edited by theatre and dance writer, Alastair Macaulay, a new edition of which was published by Faber and Faber in 2012. A Companion of his former college, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Matthew has been awarded Honorary Doctorates by The Open University and DeMontford, Plymouth, Kingston and Roehampton Universities. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to dance in 2001. In April 2015 New Adventures and Re:Bourne will join Arts Council England’s national portfolio and will work together on the delivery of a shared business plan for artists, audiences, young people and emerging talent. 6 What Others Say About Us… “Fills me with optimism for the future of dance.” Sarah Crompton, Arts Editor, The Telegraph “In an era when dance companies are supposed to fight for funding and justify their existence, New Adventures can make an outstanding case for itself.” The Times “Truly one of the most beautiful and engaging things that I’ve ever seen on the stage, laden with wit and charm and the very cleverest of visual storytelling.” Rowan Atkinson “Matthew Bourne has mined a vein of popular culture and identified himself as a dance-­‐maker whose works have an immediate appeal, a finger exactly on the public pulse.” Financial Times “Attracting new audiences in unprecedented numbers, drawn to their dramatic way of combining film imagery and elements of musical comedy, theatre and ballet.” Washington Times “It’s the degree of audience engagement that indicates, with box-­‐office figures, that Bourne has a knack for drawing people in, hearts and minds.” The Glasgow Herald "A remarkable achievement by any standards, but even more so when you consider that some of the boys had never been inside a theatre before, let alone performed in one....Bourne and his fellow creators have managed to pull together something wonderful" The Scotsman “The award is so much more than a choreography award, it has taught me everything … and given me opportunities I'd only ever dreamed of having. Matthew is such a knowledgeable and generous mentor … and Re:Bourne supported me with all aspects of producing the showcase.” James Cousins, on the New Adventures Choreographer Award “Bourne has established an unequalled track record for finding fresh, funny and individual talent.” The Guardian “His shows capture audiences by telling classic stories with a twist – cheeky, accessible but with a powerful emotional undertow.” Sunday Times "A remarkable achievement by any standards, but even more so when you consider that some of the boys had never been inside a theatre before, let alone performed in one....Bourne and his fellow creators have managed to pull together something wonderful" The Scotsman review of Lord of the Flies 7 Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and Re:Bourne Job Description: General Manager, Re:Bourne Purpose Working closely with the Executive Director, the General Manager supports Matthew Bourne’s artistic vision by ensuring the Company has in place and implements appropriate financial and operational management, HR, reporting, and legal and fiscal compliance systems and processes. The post has been created in response to organisational changes that see Re:Bourne, as a charity, taking on a wider role in supporting New Adventures, the production company, including managing and reporting on Arts Council England NPO funding from April 2015. This involves the General Manager in advising, designing and implementing new systems and in managing and overseeing associated change in working practices. Responsible to: Executive Director Responsible for: Administrator Freelance and contracted financial, legal, HR, IT and other expertise as required Short-­‐term project management Key responsibilities Financial management and reporting • With the Executive Director and Group Managing Director, draw up annually reviewed three year financial budgets and cash flow projections to deliver the artistic and operational ambitions of the Company for agreement by the Board and acceptable to Arts Council England. • With the Production General Manager, Executive Director and Group Managing Director, draw up quarterly financial reports for the Board to include management accounts, noting significant change in financial position and projections, and in other financial matters, for presentation to the Board and reporting to Arts Council England. • Ensure accurate and up-­‐to-­‐date records of income and expenditure, and credit card, petty cash and bank reconciliations. • Oversee and authorise on-­‐line banking payments, including payroll. • Manage the annual audit and production of the annual report. • Submit accurate and timely reports to HMRC, Companies House and the Charity Commission. • Liaise with suppliers, bankers, funders and others, ensuring that invoices are paid, and payments received correctly and on time. • Develop and oversee the implementation of appropriate financial policies and procedures. • Keep up to date with financial, administrative and operational best practice together with legal and tax changes (e.g. VAT changes, Theatre Tax Relief) seeking to maximise their advantage for the company. Human Resources • With the Executive Director and others, ensure effective policies are in place and implemented, including for equal opportunities, access and diversity, and human resources management, regularly monitor and review the effectiveness of such policies. • With the Executive Director, develop, implement and regularly review staff recruitment, appraisal and development policies and processes. • Ensure relevant and up to date HR policies and in place and implemented, including for grievance and disciplinary, holiday, sickness and exceptional leave 8 •
Ensure staff records are maintained and held confidentially. Operational Management • With the Executive Director, ensure the day-­‐to-­‐day smooth running of New Adventures & Re:Bourne office to create a positive working environment. • Ensure IT and other office management systems are fit for purpose and maintained. • Oversee the development and implementation out of the Environmental Action Plan, Asset Management Plan including for repairs and renewals, and Risk Assessment Plan. • Liaise with financial, legal, IT and other experts as required. • With the Company Manager and Production General Manager, ensure the production and company archive is effectively managed, maintained and appropriately logged. Production Management • Support the Group Managing Director and Production General Manager in activities and tasks related to the creation, staging and touring of New Adventures productions. General • Other responsibilities and tasks as reasonably requested by the Executive Director. Personal Specification • At least three years middle-­‐management experience in an arts / charity sector role • Strong financial skills specifically regarding budgeting and cash flow forecasting • First class command of English, written and oral communication skills; ability to draft/write letters, policy documents, deal with telephone calls/messages, e-­‐mails etc • Fully IT literate and confident of using all the tools available through a PC and/or Apple Mac. • Methodical approach to work to ensure accurate information is maintained in office, on websites and distributed to external agencies and partners • Excellent interpersonal skills to build close working relationships with colleagues and external agencies. Presentable, friendly and confident with an approachable manner • Well organised with a flexible and proactive approach to work and the ability to work to deadlines whilst prioritising a varied workload • Willingness to work as a team member initiating and building on ideas and prepared to see tasks through to completion. • Flexible and willing to work in evenings and at weekends and to travel across the UK when required • Data driven and have a numerate approach with ability to gather and present information • Willingness to work as part of a small team, to be creative with ideas and energetic in an approach to deliver first class activity. 9 Summary of Main Terms and Conditions Salary: Hours of Work: Probationary Period Line Manager Responsible for Subsequent Notice Period Paid holiday entitlement Identity checks £36,000 -­‐ £40,000 pa The working week is 40 hours including a one-­‐hour lunch break. Usual office hours are 10:00 – 18:00, Monday to Friday. The nature of the responsibilities is that additional working may be required. No overtime will be paid. Three months during which time one weeks notice is required by both parties James Mackenzie-­‐Blackman, Executive Director Administrator and other freelance support as and when required Two month from both parties Twenty days per annum, increasing by one day for each year of service up to 25 days. The successful applicant will need to provide official documents to confirm they have the right to work in the UK and under go a check with the Disclosures and Barring Service. 10