DanceXchange
Producer Application Pack
Post:
Salary:
Contract:
Producer
£29k per annum
Full time, Permanent
DanceXchange (dx) is a strategic leader in the UK dance sector with big ambitions for producing high
quality work that often includes a participatory focus. After a major transformation, we are now seeking
an ambitious Producer to join our artistic team who will focus on all aspects of production from initial
selection of ideas to finance to production to touring. Working with the Programme Manager
(Performance) and Artistic Director you will help us deliver our vision for develop dance production
including building relationships with artists, companies and dance houses.
The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of the dance sector and a minimum of
three years production experience. You will need excellent communication skills, be self motivated and
organised as well to be able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
See below for further details, including Job Description and Person Specification.
Closing date for applications is: Friday 15th May 2015, 6pm
Interviews will take place 27th May 2015
To download an application pack, visit www.dancexchange.org.uk/about/jobs-at-dx
To apply, please complete a DanceXchange application form and Equal Opportunities monitoring form and
submit by email to recruitment@dancexchange.org.uk, or by post to: Recruitment, DanceXchange,
Birmingham Hippodrome, Thorp Street, Birmingham, B5 4TB
To find out more about DanceXchange, visit www.dancexchange.org.uk or call 0121 689 3170.
Please note, if you have not been contacted by 22nd May, please assume your application has not been
shortlisted. Applications made through recruitment agencies will not be accepted.
dx is an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community. Registered charity no.
1045364. Registered company no. 2784677
About DanceXchange
DanceXchange is a successful powerhouse of dance with an excellent reputation regionally, nationally
and internationally.
Our vision is that dx will be an organisation that is production led with a strong participatory focus.
IDFB and our developing digital expertise are central to our long term strategy of ambitious, innovatory
work that has an international, national and regional profile. Alongside this we will grow the Midlands
dance ecology, providing more opportunities for dance artists to remain in the region, including
enhancing our role in talent development and playing an active role in the Dance Hub.
Housed within the Birmingham Hippodrome complex, dx has some of the best dance facilities in the
UK, with three studios and The Patrick Centre, a 206-seat studio theatre which was the first dedicated
dance space outside London and remains one of the most important spaces for dance performance
and production in the country.
dx has an excellent reputation for:
 its co-production of the International Dance Festival Birmingham
 presenting small scale high quality work in the Patrick Centre
 creating, commissioning and producing work for outdoor and non-traditional venues.
Alongside this it makes an important contribution to the dance ecology of the Midlands, and nationally,
through:
 developing talent with artists at all stages of their careers
 high quality pre-vocational training through the Centres for Advanced Dance Training
 engagement and participation through the class and workshop programme
 work to engage Birmingham communities especially in one of the most challenging areas of the
city - our Arts Champions area of Hodge Hill.
2012-15 has been a period of growth and significant achievement:
 We established IDFB (2012 and 2014) as a signature festival for Birmingham with an
international reputation including winning the UK Theatre Award for Achievement in Dance
2014.
 We grew our support for developing talent by establishing the Jerwood Choreographic Research
Project (12 projects funded 2013-14); launched westmidlandsdance.com (2013); delivered first
two years of Strive (2012-15) developing 20 artists to work with marginalised groups
 We developed new partnerships for production, for instance bringing the Sony Xperia B-Boys
Championship World Finals to Birmingham in 2013 and 2014
 And created new work for outdoor touring: Spill (2012), Headphones and Haka Day Out (2014)
and continuing to tour (In)visible Dancing
In particular, during 2014-15, we went through an intensive period of transformation and self
examination to equip us to face the challenges of the future. We are now ready to take on these
opportunities with a clear understanding of the wider strategic context facing us in the next three years,
underpinned by a clear vision and direction.
Visit dancexchange.org.uk to find out more about our work.
PRODUCER – dx PRODUCTIONS
Job Description
Salary:
£29,000 per annum
Location:
DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thorp Street, Birmingham B5 4TB
Contract:
Permanent position, full time
Other conditions: Core office hours are 10am-6pm. Evening and weekend working as dictated by the
needs of the programme
Holiday allocation: 22 days per annum (pro rata) plus 8 Bank and Public Holidays (pro rata).
Management
Reports to the STRATEGIC DIRECTOR
Occasional management of PROJECT MANAGERS (FREE-LANCE), VOLUNTEERS and other staff
Purpose of the post
To work with ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CEO, FESTIVAL PRODUCER and PROGRAMME MANAGER
(PERFORMANCE) to research, plan, develop new dance productions with our Associate Artists,
through commissions, co-commissions and/or in partnership with other organisations.
To connect with, and build, long term relationships with other dance houses and production hubs or
touring venues and raise the profile of DanceXchange productions by touring productions and/or cocommissions.
To take responsibility for all relevant organisational details on dx productions, including liaising with
venues, artists, and/or schools and group leaders; communicating with participants; securing studio
space; issuing contracts; preparing risk assessments and taking bookings – with support from members
of the production team
Key Responsibilities
Production management
To be the overall lead on planning and co-ordinating dx production projects (small scale theatre and
outdoor) and overseeing their delivery
To be responsible for good liaison and effective communications between dx and artists and companies
To oversee the collation of detailed and accurate show information for productions that dx leads on
To prepare feasibility reports for proposed productions either led by dx or partners or companies to
enable dx to make secure decisions on which proposals to support, including analysing the logistics
and financial viability as well as artistic quality in terms of dx vision.
To liaise with Birmingham Hippodrome and relevant Technical Managers regarding project activities to
ensure that technical, health and safety, licensing and legal requirements are met
To identify and secure suitable venues/spaces for performances, in liaison with key artistic personnel
To liaise with ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME MANAGER (PERFORMANCE) and FESTIVAL
PRODUCER to sell on dx produced work.
To support the Associate Artists to research and develop their own productions and projects, liaising
with the PROGRAMME MANAGER (PERFORMANCE) who leads relationship with Associate Artists.
External Relations
To support the ARTISTIC DIRECTOR to continue to develop choreographic practice, for instance
through the Jerwood Choreographic Research Project.
To develop and maintain excellent project partnerships with regional and national partners, for instance
B-Boy Championships
To ensure that projects work within the framework of other IDFB and dx activity and that the project
brands are maintained
To maintain an excellent knowledge of major dance companies, artists and current contemporary dance
practice in the UK, Europe and beyond.
To maintain awareness of local, regional and national dance activities to inform and develop activity in
the West Midlands region.
Personnel
To recruit, develop and motivate staff, volunteers, free lancers and artists employed for specific
production work in conjunction with The EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
To oversee the preparation of contracts for free lancers and artists in liaison with The EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
To liaise with the ACCOUNTS MANAGER to ensure that the appropriate fees and salaries are paid to
all contracted free lancers and artists
Management and Administration
To create and manage production contracts including co-productions to ensure protection of dx
interests.
To liaise with DEVELOPMENT MANAGER to identify priorities for fundraising and provide information
for the successful completion of bid applications or sponsorship bids
To set and hold budgets and monitor project expenditure and income, ensuring that projects are
brought in on budget, in liaison with the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and ACCOUNTS MANAGER
To play an active role in business planning for dx along with the Management Team
To attend dx Management Team meetings as required
To put in place all relevant evaluation and monitoring procedures, and maintain good records
throughout the project, in liaison with the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
To ensure delivery meets project and funder objectives, keeping in regular dialogue with the
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
To work across all teams at dx to ensure the cross fertilisation of ideas.
Other
To work with the dx MARKETING AND PRESS TEAM to commission appropriate promotional materials
To assist in the maintaining of the dx data bases
To act as a Fire Marshal for the Patrick Centre and dx studios
To act as an Appointed First Aider for the Patrick Centre and dx studios
To carry out other tasks as may be agreed with members of THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
To work in a way which celebrates diversity in practice, programmes and projects and encourages safe
practise
To ensure all dx policies are adhered to with particular regard to outreach and education work activity
including dx class and work shop activity and Centre for Advanced Training
To maintain discretion and confidentiality in all aspects of the role
To act as an advocate of DanceXchange and IDFB at all times
A satisfactory Criminal Record Background check (Enhanced Disclosure) is required for this post
because this post will involve contact with children and vulnerable adults where the post holder may be
in sole, unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults
Personnel specification
Essential skills and experience
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A degree or equivalent level qualification of five years professional work in dance or the performing
arts
A thorough knowledge of dance and the dance sector in the UK
A minimum of three years production experience
Experience of negotiating contracts with artists
Excellent organisational and administrative skills
Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to quickly build and maintain relationships with
colleagues and collaborators
Excellent communication and negotiation skills - written, verbal and interpersonal
Experience of working within tight financial and organisational frameworks
Able to work under pressure and to tight time deadlines
Personal Qualities
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Proven ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders
Confident outgoing and enthusiastic personality with an extensive network of professional and personal
contacts
Analytical
Ability to problem solve quickly and independently
Good time management skills and ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
Commitment to innovation, excellence and diversity
Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team
Good personal presentation
Prepared to take a hands on approach
A flexible, proactive and positive approach to work with an ability to work early mornings, late evenings
and weekends as required
Willingness to support commitment to equal opportunities, health & safety, child protection and other
relevant policies
A strong awareness of Health & Safety legislation and risk management