General Manager Application Pack
About the company:
SRISHTI is an independent South Asian Dance Company run by Nina
Rajarani, winning choreographer of the Place Prize 2006. The
organisation has a small team of staff that works from its office at the Harrow
Arts Centre where Srishti is Resident Company. The organisation is made up
of three main facets:
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Srishti – Nina Rajarani Dance Creations is a Bharatanatyam dance
company that exists to create and present work that maintains the
authenticity of Indian classical dance and music whilst presenting these
forms in innovative ways and within contemporary contexts.
Srishti - Nina Rajarani Dance School provides traditional training in
classical Bharatanatyam and Karnatic Music and has been based at
the historic Harrow Arts Centre since 1991.
Srishti – Yuva Culture is a touring youth group and a charity that
provides professional development to bridge the gap between students
and professionals as well as provides outreach work to promote and
educate people in South Asian Dance and Music.
The company seeks an experienced, pioneering and enthusiastic General
Manger to lead this company at a very exciting time in its existence. The ideal
candidate will have at least 2 years of management experience, preferably for
a touring dance/theatre company, excellent team management and marketing
skills and an impressive fundraising history. The company is currently touring
its Spring 2009 production My Stamping Ground around the UK until April,
and has some extremely exciting performance and education projects
scheduled for 2009 and 2010.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
General Manager
Salary:
£28-£30k (Pro Rata)
Hours:
3 days a week 9am-6pm
Responsible to:
Artistic Director (AD)
Responsible for:
Internal: Administrator and Education Officer
External: artists, collaborators, venue managers
and promoters, press and marketing departments,
relevant departments at participating councils, the
dance sector, strategic partners, funders
PURPOSE OF THE POST
You will be required to work closely with and report to the AD (Nina Rajarani),
support other personnel and liaise with necessary promoters, funders and
partners. There is a high need to be able to prioritise tasks, manage projects
and work independently.
The post-holder will take the lead role in the development of Srishti’s
performance and community programmes – and to determine, in consultation
with the AD, the parameters of the artistic policy. The job involves policy and
strategy development, tour booking and its management, overseeing the
design and delivery of specific education and community programmes,
management of the business and associated freelance artists.
As Srishti is not an Arts Council RFO, there is a strong emphasis on fund
raising and it is essential that the candidate has a strong background in this
area.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Performance Programme
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Tour booking within funded and unfunded periods
Working with venues to issue contract details, performance schedules,
tour schedules and ensuring that there is effective contact with the
venues throughout the period leading up to performances
Working with Marketing and Photography specialists to ensure that
they have and produce the best quality information and materials that
will maximise ticket sales
Advising on and monitoring marketing campaigns as necessary
Advising on and proofing marketing materials as required
Negotiating the best financial deals for the company
Liaising with the technical department to ensure that s/he has the
technical information required to ensure the highest possible standards
of technical delivery of events
Attending appropriate performances, showcases, meetings and
festivals, both in the UK and abroad to network and promote the
company
Work permit applications and management of overseas artists
Partnership Building and Planning
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Develop new partner and funder relationships
Create and implement a growth strategy to allow the company to
continue to tour work year round
Create and update Srishti’s annual workload and financial plan
Set sales and accomplishment targets with AD and review progress
monthly
Strengthen relationships with promoters, agents, venues and funders
abroad
Development Policy
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There will be key organisational development over the coming year.
This will include adopting new policies relating to the company’s work
(particularly in the legal and HR areas) and the development of a threeyear business plan
To lead the work in ensuring that Srishti occupies a central and credible
position in local, national and international arenas
General
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Working with the AD on the preparation of applications to Arts Council
England, trusts, foundations, sponsors to secure funding for the work of
the Company
Researching and developing new sources of funding/sponsorship
Bringing new contacts to the table
To evaluate and develop the effectiveness of the work in terms of
income generation, visitor enjoyment and demand, cultural
representation, and the exposure of the unique Company product
Representing Srishti at meetings, conferences, events, business
sessions, etc
Carrying out any other tasks as mutually agreed between the post
holder and the AD
Deputising for the AD when necessary
Contribute to the development of facilities and services in the future
Supporting the development of the expansion of our programme to
include: multi-art form programming—music, theatre, dance, film and
aerial work; recreational and accredited learning opportunities with the
formal and informal sectors; diversifying our audience development of
new work; and the supporting of artists
Researching and generating new sources of work for the company
Managing the administrator post holder: setting targets and reviewing
progress
To ensure the each strand of Srishti is always up-to-date with the
polices and procedures relevant to their legal structure
Researching and identifying new collaborators for artistic work
PERSON SPECIFICATION
This is a senior post within Srishti and the successful candidate will have
genuine vision, skill and commitment, as well as a proven track-record of
initiating and delivering quality, innovative arts and education projects and
generating the funds to support them. The team is 5 outside of tour time and
up to 15 during tour time, so the ability to manage groups is essential. S/he
will also have the following:
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At least two years professional experience of arts and education, at
least one of which will have been in a management/officer role.
Experience of managing freelance staff and leading a small team
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A proven knowledge of contemporary arts performance, especially
those areas that are relevant to performance programming (i.e. cross
art form and for a diverse audience).
Experience of organising a wide range of educational and community
activities including identifying artists, partner organisations and funders
The successful candidate will need to prove a good knowledge of
recent developments in the education and arts system and must have
experience of working with teachers working in all sectors of the
education system. This is preferable but not essential
An understanding of marketing and audience development practices
A proven commitment to tackling social exclusion and promoting
cultural diversity
An ability to work as part of a team and at times be willing to work antisocial hours
An ability to fundraise and communicate Srishti’s work accurately and
innovatively.
Please send a copy of your CV along with a covering letter outlining your
relevant experience and what you will bring to the Srishti organisation to
Bryony Kimmings dancecreations@srishti.co.uk
If you require further information then please do not hesitate to call:
020 8868 7746