DanceXchange
Director of Programmes Application Pack
Post:
Salary:
Contract:
Director of Programmes
£40k per annum
Full time, Permanent
DanceXchange is a strategic leader in the UK dance sector, taking the best British dance to a
worldwide stage, bringing outstanding artists from across the world to Birmingham, and developing a
reputation as a world-class producing house.
Having completed a major transformation, we are now seeking an ambitious Director of Programmes
for an exciting new role heading the Programme Team. This is likely to appeal to individuals looking to
progress to senior management in the arts sector.
You will lead a small, highly competent team of specialists with a remit to ensure the cross fertilisation
of ideas across the team and excellent relationships with artists. This role will direct DanceXchange and
the International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) programmes and projects with the overall aim of
creating high quality programmes and integrating performance, production and participatory activities.
The successful candidate will have a strong artistic understanding of excellence in dance and the
issues facing the dance sector. They will have five years experience of working in at least one aspect of
programming, production or participation. This is a post that requires well developed leadership skills
and an ability to inspire others as well as an ability 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 23rd January 2015, 6pm
Interviews will take place during the week beginning 5th February 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 30th January, 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.
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 Training (including leading
national 10 year celebrations in October 2014)
 engagement and participation through the class and workshop programme
 work to engage Birmingham communities especially focussing on our Arts Champions area of
Hodge Hill.
2012-15 has been a period of growth and significant achievement:
 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.
 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
 Developing new partnerships for production, for instance bringing the Sony Xperia B-Boys
Championship World Finals to Birmingham in 2013 and 2014
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Creating 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 have been 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.
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMES
Job Description
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Location: DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thorp Street, Birmingham B5 4TB
Contract: Permanent position, full time (35 hours per week)
Other conditions: Evening and weekend work as dictated by the needs of the programmes
Management
Reports to the CHIEF/EXECUTIVE/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/FESTIVAL CO-DIRECTOR
Line management of PROGRAMME MANAGER (PERFORMANCE), PROGRAMME MANAGER
(RECREATIONAL AND PRE-VOCATIONAL DANCE), FESTIVAL PRODUCER, PROJECT
MANAGER(S), PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATOR, INTERN/APPRENTICES (as required)
A member of SENIOR MANAGEMENT GROUP
Direction and leadership of other staff as required
Purpose
1. To direct all dance programmes across DanceXchange and International Dance Festival
Birmingham (IDFB) with the overall aim of creating high quality programmes and cross fertilising
performance, production and participatory activities.
2. To work closely with the ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME MANAGER (PERFORMANCE)
and FESTIVAL PRODUCER to support the development of DanceXchange as a major
international centre for dance, through programming performances, productions and
commissions associated with the Patrick Centre and IDFB.
3. To oversee the delivery of the Recreational and Pre-vocational programmes in conjunction with
the PROGRAMME MANAGER – RECREATIONAL AND PRE-VOCATIONAL DANCE ensuring
high quality training and the appropriate level of support for students and staff and maximising
income from these in partnership with STRATEGIC DIRECTOR.
4. To support development and retention of talent in the West Midlands in partnership with the
PROGRAMME MANAGER – PERFORMANCE, focussing on the maintenance and
development of regional partnerships and a coherent approach to artists and companies.
5. To play an active role in the strategic development and management of dx as a member of the
Senior Management Group.
6. To deputise for the CHIEF EXECUTIVE/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/FESTIVAL CO-DIRECTOR as
required
Performance and production
To support the ARTISTIC DIRECTOR to lead DanceXchange’s commissioning and co-production
activity, identifying artists and productions that will raise and enhance the profile of DanceXchange in
liaison with the PROGRAMME MANAGER (PERFORMANCE) and the FESTIVAL PRODUCER.
To oversee the use and development of The Patrick Centre as a dance performance and production
facility of national and international standing, directing the PROGRAMME MANAGER
(PERFORMANCE).
To oversee the development of opportunities for artist development through training, mentoring and
professional practice including specific schemes eg associate artists, in liaison with ARTISTIC
DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME MANAGERS, with a view to retaining artists in the Midlands and
developing the regional dance ecology.
To maintain an overview of all DanceXchange’s in house productions in liaison with FESTIVAL
PRODUCER identifying opportunities to develop, revive or profile productions.
Participation
To oversee the PROGRAMME MANAGER (RECREATIONAL AND PRE-VOCATIONAL DANCE) to
ensure that quality of delivery; take up and income generation of the Class and Workshop programme
achieve targets and standards set.
To oversee the Centre for Advanced Dance Training development, supporting the PROGRAMME
MANAGER (RECREATIONAL AND PRE-VOCATIONAL DANCE) to continually develop the curriculum,
quality of delivery and student numbers.
To support PROGRAMME MANAGER (RECREATIONAL AND PRE-VOCATIONAL DANCE), Artistic
Director of Sampad and the SUBJECT LEADERS to devise and implement a holistic dance curriculum
for the Centre for Advanced Dance Training
External relations
To work with the MARKETING AND PRESS MANAGER to raise the profile all performance, production
and participation programmes including making presentations.
To support the PROGRAMME MANAGER (RECREATIONAL AND PRE-VOCATIONAL DANCE) and
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR in representing Centre for Advanced Training at the National Strategy Group
Meetings and forming partnerships to develop the national framework.
To develop new strategic partnerships and maintain existing ones with relevant local, regional and
national organisations including attending meetings or events as determined by DanceXchange
priorities.
To regularly attend performances and other DanceXchange events, including cultivation events.
Personnel
To lead, develop and motivate PROGRAMME MANAGERS, PROJECT MANAGER(s), PROGRAMME
CO-ORDINATOR and INTERN/APPRENTICES (as required).
To manage the PROJECT MANAGERS to deliver specific projects that support dx priorities for
programming, production and participation, where possible making best use of cross fertilisation across
the organisation.
To recruit temporary project staff and freelancers for specific projects and oversee the production of
contracts in liaison with THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
To liaise with the ACCOUNTS MANAGER to ensure that the appropriate fees and salaries are paid to
contracted staff and free lancers.
Management and Administration
To set, monitor and forecast against the annual budgets for all aspects of performance, production and
participation in liaison with THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and ACCOUNTS MANAGER.
To supervise the PROGRAMME MANAGERS and PROJECT MANAGER to work pro-actively to
ensure that budgets are managed to deliver value for money and achieve financial targets
To work with DEVELOPMENT MANAGER to identify priorities and opportunities for fundraising and
prepare cases for support.
To ensure that the PROJECT MANAGER, PROGRAMME MANAGERS keep records of programmes
and projects as requested by DEVELOPMENT MANAGER and EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR or required in
funding agreements.
To ensure that all procurement and contracting is carried out to ensure value for money and to protect
DanceXchange interests including intellectual property rights.
To ensure that all legal obligations around programming, production, participation, including Health and
Safety, Safeguarding and employment of non-UK nationals are adhered to.
To oversee contracting of artists/visiting companies/tutors by PROGRAMME MANAGERS.
Other
To maintain a strong appreciation and understanding of the professional dance sector and benefits of
dance in general, and the DanceXchange offer in particular, so as to communicate these effectively and
tailor your approach to the needs of target groups.
To network strategically and effectively, ensuring that DanceXchange maintains a local, regional and
national profile.
To develop and contribute to DanceXchange policy, particularly around performance, production and
participation.
General
To work in a way which celebrates diversity in practice, programmes and projects and encourages safe
practise
To act as an advocate of DanceXchange at all times
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 risk assessments as required
To carry out other tasks as may be agreed with CHIEF EXECUTIVE
To ensure all dx policies are adhered to
To maintain discretion and confidentiality in all aspects of the role
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
Person Specification
Essential Skills and Experience
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Excellent knowledge of the UK Dance sector, developed through a range of roles and/or experience and
attendance at arts and festival events
Five years experience in management roles within an arts or cultural organisation with experience of
leading and motivating others
Five years experience of working in the arts in either a programming, production or participation role
Creative thinker with an ability to turn ideas into action and inspire others
Experience of negotiating contracts with artists
Excellent organisational and administrative skills
Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to quickly build and 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