November 2014
Dear Colleague,
Thank you for your interest in the post of Managing Director of Pentabus Theatre Company
In this pack, you will find some general information about Pentabus Theatre Company, along with
more detailed information about the role, a job description and a person specification.
If you’d like to apply for the post, please download the application cover sheet and the equal
opportunities monitoring form from our website (www.pentabus.co.uk) and send them to us, along
with your CV and letter of application. Please refer to the job description and person specification in
your letter, telling us why you are interested and what skills and experience you would bring to the
company.
Completed applications (cover sheet, CV, covering letter and equal opportunities form) should be emailed to work@pentabus.co.uk Please note, in line with our environmental policy, we are only
handling applications electronically.
The closing date is 12 noon on Monday 01 December 2014. We’ll confirm receipt of your application
by e-mail.
First Interviews will be held on Tuesday 9 December 2014, Second Interviews (if required) will be
held on Monday 15 and/or Tuesday 16 December 2014. Please confirm on the application cover
sheet if you are available on these dates.
If you would like an informal chat before you apply, or need more information about the company,
please contact us on 01584 856564 or email work@pentabus.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you and thank you again for your interest.
Elizabeth Freestone
Artistic Director and Co-Chief Executive
About Pentabus Theatre Company
‘Pentabus is a unique and outstanding small company, the only one with deeply rural roots. Pentabus
punches well above its weight, taking brilliant new work on the road and extending the company's
reach and identity. Pentabus uncovers and distributes talent at the grass roots that goes on to feed,
provoke, sustain and inspire the rest of us.’ Lucy Davies, Executive Director, Royal Court Theatre
Pentabus is a contemporary theatre company producing original plays about the rural world.
Whether delivering powerful work in theatres, fields, village halls or pubs, we are unique in our
ambitious far-reaching theatre about, informed by and made for rural audiences. We’re passionate
about rural creativity: challenging artists to work in new ways and offering rural communities
opportunities to engage with playful, political, compassionate theatre.
Formed in 1974, we are a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. The formation of
the company was a deliberate intervention in response to a lack of quality theatre in the region, as
identified by the then West Midlands Arts Board. Over the past 4 decades we’ve produced 150 new
plays, reached over 500,000 audience members, won a prestigious South Bank Show award for a
play about racism, a Fringe First for a play about climate change and our have had a production
more recently live streamed by the Royal Court. Based on a farm in rural Shropshire, we tour across
the UK to rural and urban communities.
Under the artistic leadership of Elizabeth Freestone, we work with playwrights of the highest calibre
and offer bespoke development opportunities for both emerging and mid-career artists. Recent
Productions include: Each Slow Dusk by Rory Mullarkey, a startling new play about conflict and the
legacy of war which has toured nationally to rural village halls, Milked by Simon Longman, a black
comedy about youth unemployment which toured to studio and market town theatres and In This
Place by Lydia Adetunji and Frances Brett, an audio walking adventure atop the Shropshire Hills. Our
work makes a significant difference to a range of people including those who are rurally isolated,
often with no high quality or challenging arts provision, those interested in sharing rural stories and
those who would not otherwise access the arts. Every rural community deserves good theatre; we
are the company to deliver it. Our artistic plans for the next 3 years will see us – with the support of
funders and partners – commission the best writers to create transformative experiences for
audiences, artists and communities across the UK.
In the past two years we have developed a new business and fundraising plan and secured National
Portfolio Funding from the Arts Council from 2015-2018. The company has entered into coproduction agreements for the first time and has successfully secured future funding from trusts and
foundations with Esmee Fairbairn, Garfield Weston and the Millichope Foundation offering support
towards our vision. We are now looking for a Managing Director who can progress our strategic
plans, forging dynamic relationships with funders, co-producers and partners. Continued fundraising
from both trusts, public funders and individuals will also be a core part of the role, alongside careful
and prudent financial management. The company has 4 staff members – the Managing Directors
and Artistic Director (Co-Chief Executives), Projects Producer (a new role commencing this autumn)
and one full time Administration and Audience Development post. We also have a p/t bookkeeper
who works with us on a freelance basis 1.5 days a week. We work with freelancers on a regular
basis to produce, create and distribute our work and are developing a strong network of volunteers.
Pentabus is governed by a board of volunteer trustees, led by Chair Alison Vermee. They are drawn
from a range of skills including artistic production, finance, fundraising, producing and general
management.
Managing Director: The role and contractual details
Job Title: Managing Director
Reports to: The Board
Responsible for: The Projects Producer (a new role) and Administration and Audience Development
postholders and supervision of other core, freelance and short-term contract staff as appropriate
Main purpose of role: As joint Chief Executive, the Managing Director will provide business
leadership and will work closely with the Artistic Director to devise a financial and strategic plan
which ensures that the company is able to fulfil its artistic and charitable objectives.
Salary: The salary is £29,000, rising to £30,000 following completion of the probationary period.
Term: The post is offered as a full time, permanent position, subject to successful completion of a
6 month probationary period
Hours: This is a full time post. The hours of work for senior staff are not fixed but the postholder will
be expected to work the hours necessary for the proper performance of the Duties that come
within the scope of the post, subject always to the Working Time Directive.
Holidays: 25 days per year plus statutory holidays.
Period of Notice: 3 months (The notice period during the probationary period is 1 month)
Criminal Records: This post is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and an offer
of employment will be subject to satisfactory clearance from the relevant checking authority
overseeing work with children, young people and vulnerable persons (currently the Disclosure and
Barring Service)
Residence: The successful applicant will be required to provide documentation under the
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.
References: All offers of employment are subject to the receipt two references that are satisfactory
to Pentabus Theatre Company.
Relocation: The post-holder will be expected to live within easy travelling distance of the company’s
base in Bromfield, Shropshire.
Pentabus Theatre Company
Job Description: Managing Director
Main purpose of role: As joint Chief Executive, the Managing Director will provide business
leadership and will work closely with the Artistic Director to devise a Business Plan that ensures the
company is able to fulfil its artistic and charitable objectives.
Reports to: The Board
Line Management responsibilities: Line Manager for Projects Producer and Administration and
Audience Development post-holders. Supervision of other core, freelance and short-term contract
staff as appropriate, including the Bookkeeper.
Key Responsibilities:

Governance: Responsibility for ensuring that the Board is able to discharge its
responsibilities and to comply with all relevant legislation.

Strategy: Responsibility for the development and review of the company’s Business Plan,
with particular reference to detailed financial forecasting, risk analysis, marketing &
audience development, overall operational planning and monitoring arrangements.

Artistic & Production Activity: Responsibility for overseeing the practical arrangements that
will enable the company’s artistic vision to be realised.

Finance & Fundraising: Responsibility for the financial well-being of the company, ensuring
that budgets are adhered to, that effective financial systems and procedures are in place,
that revenue is maximised and that there is timely and accurate reporting to the Board.
Working closely with the Artistic Director, to develop and monitor annual and
production/project budgets and to monitor progress against financial targets.

Management & Administration: Joint responsibility, with the Artistic Director, for the
management of the company and overall responsibility for the company’s infrastructure,
including all administrative and IT systems, premises and vehicles.

Human Resources: Responsibility for the HR function, leading the development of
management and employment policies and practices

Marketing & Audience Development: Responsibility, with the Artistic Director, for
developing audiences for the artistic work, through aligning artistic outputs to clear
marketing, communications and public relations strategies, regularly reviewing and
strengthening the company’s identity and reputation.
Governance
Responsibility for ensuring that the Board is able to discharge its responsibilities and to comply with
all relevant legislation:
 To act as Company Secretary and make annual returns to companies house, the charity
commission and other statutory bodies
 In consultation with the Chair and Artistic Director, to schedule business, prepare agendas
and make arrangements for the recording and distribution of minutes of all meetings of the
Board and its sub committees and to attend all regularly constituted Board meetings (and
sub committee meetings as required)
 To manage the recruitment and appointment of Directors and members of the Board and its
sub committees in consultation with the Chair
 To provide the Board with accurate and timely information to enable appropriate decisions
to be made on matters of policy, planning and budgeting
 To take responsibility for ensuring that the Company conforms to all financial, legal, statutory
and contractual requirements and to develop appropriate policies and procedures to
promote best practice
 To ensure that key corporate polices (e.g. Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Diversity,
Sustainability) are reviewed regularly, maintained and adhered to by all
Strategy
Responsibility for the development and review of the Company’s Business Plan, with particular
reference to detailed financial forecasting, risk analysis, marketing & audience development, overall
operational planning and monitoring arrangements:
 To formulate, develop and implement the company’s business objectives, ensuring synergy
with artistic objectives and to develop, with the Artistic Director and the Board, the
company’s Business Plan
 To expand the audience for the company’s work through the development of appropriate
marketing and audience development strategies
 To support the Artistic Director in fostering collaborations and to negotiate the terms for coproductions and collaborative projects
 To develop and maintain constructive professional relationships with funders and key
stakeholders, and to keep them informed of artistic and business forward plans
 To maintain an overview of developments and trends in cultural policy, both regionally and
nationally
 To be responsible for the risk management of the company
Artistic & Production Activity
Responsibility for overseeing the practical arrangements that will enable the company’s artistic
vision to be realised:
 To develop, with the Artistic Director, sound planning and evaluation procedures for all
company activity
 To negotiate fees for artistic teams and ensure that appropriate contracts are issued
 To negotiate contracts with writers, where appropriate
 To liaise with the Production/Stage Managers and company on tour as appropriate
 Ensuring that the health and safety of participants and leaders is safeguarded for all
educational programmes the company undertakes
Finance & Fundraising
Responsibility for the financial well-being of the company, ensuring that budgets are adhered to,
that effective financial systems and procedures are in place, that revenue is maximised and that
there is timely and accurate reporting to the Board. Working closely with the Artistic Director, to
develop and monitor annual and production/project budgets and to monitor progress against
financial targets:
 Working closely with the Artistic Director, to develop and monitor annual and
production/project budgets and to monitor progress against financial targets
 To prepare quarterly management accounts, cashflows and end of year accounts, liaising
with the auditors and accountants as necessary and to provide financial analysis to inform
strategy and policy development
 To oversee financial operations, ensuring that appropriate controls and systems safeguard
the financial resources of the charity
 To oversee payroll, PAYE, NIC and statutory tax returns and to make and maintain
appropriate pension arrangements for staff, liaising with the chosen pension provider as
appropriate
 To oversee all day-to-day financial transactions, including bank reconciliations, cashflow
monitoring, making payments, recording and banking income, raising and monitoring
invoices, managing petty cash.
 To identify and maintain appropriate insurances (Buildings, Contents, Public & Employers’
Liability etc)
 To attend meetings with officers of the funding organisations, as necessary, to discuss
practical and reporting arrangements and to co-ordinate and monitor major grant
applications and requirements
 To research and make funding applications to corporate donors/sponsors, trusts and
foundations and to manage the strategy for individual giving
 To initiate and develop new income generation streams and to develop strategies for
maximising the company’s ability to trade and fulfil its charitable objects
Management & Administration
Joint responsibility, with the Artistic Director for the management of the company and overall
responsibility for the company’s infrastructure, including all administrative and IT systems, premises
and vehicles:
 With the Artistic Director, to provide motivational leadership in the day to day running of
the company, encouraging effective communication between members of the core team
and with freelance staff
 To act as line manager to the Projects Producer and Administration and Audience
Development postholders and to supervise other core, freelance and short term contract
staff as appropriate, including the contract for services with the Bookkeeper
 To develop and implement effective office systems, ensuring that the company’s IT systems
and software are fit for purpose
 To negotiate the terms of service agreements (utilities, IT support etc) with reference to
value for money, effective delivery and environmental issues, and ensure that the
company’s premises are appropriately maintained.
 To ensure that the company’s vehicles are appropriately serviced and maintained
 To ensure that all vehicles, equipment and premises comply with legal requirements,
including Health & Safety Legislation
 To act as Data Protection Officer and ensure that all procedures comply with relevant
Legislation
 To act as the key liaison point for the company’s relationship with the Earl of Plymouth
Estates as landlords, with relation to the tenancy agreement and building maintenance
Human Resources
Responsibility for the HR function, leading the development of management and employment
policies and practices:
 To ensure that the company’s HR policies and procedures (including arrangements for
grievance and disciplinary matters, appraisal, staff development and training) comply with
current legislation, follow good practice are effectively communicated to staff, and that
conditions of service are regularly reviewed
 To co-ordinate all recruitment activities, ensuring that recruitment and selection procedures
comply with current legislation and follow good practice and that appropriate contracts are
issued to all staff
 To ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place for the health, safety and welfare of
staff
 To maintain personnel records in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act
 To take an overview of staff development needs and organise training as appropriate
Marketing and Audience Development
Responsibility, with the Artistic Director, for developing audiences for the artistic work, through
aligning artistic outputs to clear marketing, audience development, communications and public
relations strategies, regularly reviewing and strengthening the company’s identity and reputation:
 To oversee the development and implementation of the Audience Development and
Marketing Strategies which support the company’s business plan
 To set and monitor objectives arising from those strategies
 To maintain and develop positive relationships with venues and other partners and to
represent the company in a range of contexts e.g. press, funders, local and national
partners, co-producers and industry forums
 To act as an ambassador for the company and its work
 To monitor and develop the company’s brand
 To act as a key company spokesperson for the media
 To approve marketing and promotional materials as needed
 To develop, with the Artistic Director, the company’s digital presence in order to reach the
widest audience
Person Specification – Managing Director
ESSENTIAL
Experience
 Significant experience of financial management and budget control
 Experience of the preparation and monitoring of budgets and of production and
presentation of financial reports
 Experience of developing effective Strategic / Business Plans
 Experience of administration in a busy, creative arts environment
Knowledge and Skills
 Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, confidence in the use of digital
technologies and the ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others
inside or outside the organisation
 The ability to think strategically, seek out entrepreneurial opportunities and foster
innovation
 A detailed knowledge of sound financial practice, procedures and systems and awareness of
relevant legislation.
 Understanding of the principles of fundraising, including strategy development and
delivering campaigns
 Demonstrable organisational and administrative skills, and the ability to establish routines
and systems
 Understanding of the broad range of administrative functions, including Human Resources,
marketing and audience development and Business / Strategic Planning
 Ability to plan and organise own workload, meet deadlines and work under pressure on own
initiative
 A high level of people management skills
 Knowledge of the publicly funded / voluntary sector and an understanding of the not-forprofit environment and of the role of Boards of Management
Personal Attributes
 Highly motivated, proactive in developing own ideas and delivering high quality work and
committed to best practice and continuing professional development
 Curiosity about the world and an enthusiasm for all kinds of arts activity - and for theatre in
particular
 An understanding of and commitment to diversity and inclusion
 Analytical thinker with a logical approach to problem-solving and the ability to anticipate the
implications and consequences of situations and take appropriate action
 Enjoys being with people, sharing and discussing ideas, making connections, using social
media to the benefit of the company
 Ability to move easily between strategic long term thinking and day to day management
DESIRABLE
Experience
 Experience of delivering successful fundraising campaigns and income generation strategies
 Experience of theatre administration, including contracts, industry regulations, common
working practices
 Experience of committee/board servicing and of taking minutes
 Experience of policy development
 Driver with access to car