1. art and entertainment
2. theatre

DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
The Development Coordinator will work closely with Chief Executive to secure new resources
and develop partnerships in order to extend our work within and, in particular, beyond the
theatre. The role will always involve liaising closely with members of the senior management
team but is likely to change focus quite substantially as the organisation develops. You will
therefore be required to display a flexible attitude to your work and contribute to the
development of our vision.
If you may be interested, please read the following information to help you decide if you wish to apply
for the post. The appointment is permanent with a 6 months probationary period – as long as we
have funding for it (which you will influence!).
AYR GAIETY PARTNERSHIP
Ayr Gaiety Partnership Limited (AGP) is a charity and social enterprise formed in 2009 with aims to
advance arts, heritage and culture, education and learning in Ayrshire and beyond. In order to do this
we need to:
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Secure a sustainable financial model; and
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Build a national as well as local presence and reputation, in order to attract interesting
performers, new opportunities, high calibre staff and to grow the potential for collaborations
and influence.
From this platform AGP has set goals to achieve the following outcomes:
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Improved access to excellent performing arts and culture for the local population;
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Increased levels of confidence, attainment and employment for young people;
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Reduced isolation for older people;
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Better conserved and increased understanding of our heritage for everyone;
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Increased success for the local performing arts sector; and
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Increased tourism and economic success for Ayr.
Our vision is to create a sustainable pioneering model to invigorate the arts and creative industries of
South Ayrshire and to lead the way for Scotland's arts venues of the future.
THE AYR GAIETY
The Gaiety closed as a Municipal Theatre in 2009. With support from The Scottish Government and
South Ayrshire Council we re-opened the theatre on December 11th 2012 with a full programme of
shows. This year we will reach an audience of over 50,000 through over 240 performances in our
main house and studio theatre. With a tight cost base, a small staff team, and around 150 volunteers
we’ve already established a sustainable operating model. We have secured around 80% of the funds
we need to invest in a £2.4 million capital improvement programme and have an active fundraising
campaign underway to secure the rest.
An initial focus for the post will be on the capital fundraising campaign. But from the start it will also
focus on our wider work, which is now established in embryo across a range of activities as follows.
UWS links We have extensive links with UWS that include:
An overall Memorandum of Understanding setting out a goal
to work together as a ‘learning theatre’;
A Technical Theatre degree that will lead to up to 45 students
studying in the theatre most term time weeks within 2 years;
and
Hosting performances from theatre and acting courses.
Ayrshire College links We have less formal links with Ayrshire College but we are
increasingly working with them particularly on Technical
Theatre training.
Community theatre We have a range of pilot community theatre projects
underway – the key challenge being to develop an approach
to sustainability.
Ayrshire Youth Arts Network This is a Gaiety-led project with reach to young people
throughout Ayrshire and a broadband TV channel – at present
with clear links to our community theatre work and our
technical theatre work
Town Centre Regeneration We are an integral part of Town Centre Regeneration plans,
with a place on the small Town Centre Management
Committee and close relationships with Ayr Renaissance. We
also have good relationships with the developers of the new
cinema complex planned for the adjacent Kyle Centre.
Festivals developments We have a key role to play in the development of a more
dynamic festivals programme in South Ayrshire. We are
already involved in performance at the Flower Show and
delivering much of the SeptembAyr programme. We have
started work with the Burns an a That Festival and Live @
Troon. This work will grow over the next year.
Borderline and PPP We are the new home of Borderline Theatre and have
supported two highly rated and successful tours – we now
need to work together to map out next steps. We are also
working with Oran Mor’s Play, Pie and a Pint – with a joint
production of this year’s summer panto in Glasgow, Ayr and
the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
We are now looking to appoint a Development Coordinator to work closely with Chief
Executive (who leads on development and fundraising). In particular you will, in conjunction
with the Chief Executive:
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Develop and implement an overall fundraising strategy;
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Research, analyse and report on fundraising data to support strategy and tactics and
research potential sources of funding with a probable focus on individual donors;
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Organise and track the progress of fundraising campaigns;
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Develop and submit funding proposals and applications;
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Develop and maintain national and local partnerships and networks to support fundraising
and project development work;
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Set up new projects where resources have been secured; and
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Liaise closely with the AGP senior team, in particular the Marketing Manager, to ensure all
development and fundraising activity dovetails with our existing activities and is mutually
reinforcing.
You will be expected to work flexibly with a notional 37.5 hour week – which may include
considerable evening and weekend working. Your starting salary will depend on experience and
between £17,000 and £22,000 – at present overtime is not payable.
You will be entitled to 31 days holiday per year including all statutory holidays: as the Theatre will be
open on many of these, you will need to arrange your leave according the needs of the programme.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We are looking for someone who is capable, energetic and ambitious rather than someone who
necessarily has extensive experience in a similar role – although this will help. In particular you will
need to be able to demonstrate skills and potential in:
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Clear and engaging writing for a range of audiences.
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Research and analysis.
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Numerical analysis (financial analysis will be preferable too).
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Face to face communication.
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Creative thinking.
We will be looking to appoint someone who can deliver the elements outlined in the role description
to high quality and with good humour. We will provide management, training and support but you
must be able to work independently and be prepared to take on responsibility.
A relevant degree will be an advantage but our prime focus will be on selecting someone who can
demonstrate the practical skills to deliver on the tasks we have outlined.
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in the post, please submit your cv with a covering letter stating your
current or most recent earnings (if relevant), when you would be available to take up the post
and at least two referees who can make an assessment of your technical capability.
The application deadline is 17.00 on Friday 5th June and interviews are likely to be during the
following week. We will be considering applications as they arrive, so we welcome early
submission.
Please email your cv to [email protected] You can also email Jeremy to ask for a chat if
you wish – in this case please let us have your phone number and a note of when it may be
convenient for us to call you. Please note this appointment is subject to final board approval.
AGP Ltd 18/05/15
www.ayrgaiety.co.uk