Job title: Executive Director, Plymouth Culture Board
Main purpose of post: To lead, develop and co-ordinate strategic opportunities for
Plymouth’s cultural sector to play its full part in the city’s long term sustainable development
as a vibrant waterfront city of regional, national and international renown, with an unrivalled
quality of life
Accountable to: Plymouth Culture Board (1)
Employing body: Plymouth University on behalf of the Plymouth Culture Board
Location: Co-located within Plymouth University and Plymouth City Council’s Economic
Development Unit
Period of appointment: 24 months initially (start date 3rd January 2012 or as soon as
possible thereafter).
Main responsibilities of the post, to:

provide programme leadership and direction for the Plymouth Culture Board, to
include guiding policy, recommending priorities and overseeing major initiatives

champion, drive and secure the successful delivery of The vital spark: a cultural
strategy for the city of Plymouth (2009-2020) (2)

ensure coherent communication and co-ordination across the city’s cultural sector

develop and maintain effective relationships with key strategic bodies (eg: Plymouth
City Council particularly Culture Sport and Leisure and Economic Developments,
Plymouth University, the Arts Council and other regional cultural agencies, Plymouth
Chamber of Commerce, Destination Plymouth and the Local Strategic Partnership
particularly its Growth Board), providing support, expertise and advice as required

represent the interests of Plymouth’s cultural sector, promoting a close relationship
between the city’s creative economy and the underlying cultural ecology

champion inward investment in support of Plymouth culture and secure better
alignment of existing and anticipated resources

advocate for Plymouth culture (3) and the city as a whole, at a local, regional,
national and international level, in co-operation with the cultural agencies and other
bodies

prepare annual delivery plans and cost schedules, ensuring that internal and external
financial, management and reporting procedures are robustly adhered to
Tasks 2011/12, to:

identify priorities, targets and resources for concerted delivery of The Vital Spark

for 1 to 1½ days a week lead the development of Plymouth’s proposed new Marine
Festival identified as a priority in the city’s new Visitor Plan

broker an agreed performance management framework with key stakeholders (eg:
Plymouth City Council, Regional Cultural Agencies, funded cultural organisations,
etc) against which delivery will be monitored and evaluated

ensure that the city’s strong cultural asset base is at the heart of city marketing and
the realisation of the Plymouth ‘offer’ and is linked to the Visitor Plan.
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
work with key stakeholders (Plymouth City Council, Chamber of Commerce,
Regional Cultural Agencies) to establish and progress priorities for cultural
infrastructure development (including sustainability of existing assets) and ensure
that the cultural dimension is reflected in all planned developments across the city

maximise and improve the city’s cultural profile (eg: supporting and adding value to
any major events within the city eg The Americas Cup, British Art Show and
Mayflower 400 in 2020)

secure more and better cultural reach and recognition (eg: through intelligence
gathering, advocacy and awareness-raising events)

convene and work closely with the Plymouth Culture Forum (4), enhancing its role as
a source of views, ideas and influence

report regularly to the Plymouth Culture Board, providing advice and timely and
accurate management information
Person specification
Experience
Evidence of:

senior experience in cultural policy-making and planning

using high level skills to transform strategy into reality

at least five years senior level work in at least one domain of the cultural sector (the
arts; film, TV and digital media; museums libraries and archives; natural, built and
historic environment; play; sport and physical activity; tourism and the visitor
economy)

senior level success in brokering and delivering diverse and complex projects and
partnership initiatives

understanding of the strategic issues faced by the public, private and voluntary and
community sectors in a city context

significant public and private sector fundraising

success as a cultural sector advocate/ambassador

success in PR, media management or place marketing
Skills, knowledge and abilities

Ability to provide visionary, creative and adaptive leadership

Ability to operate in an innovative manner, thinking beyond boundaries and traditional
ways of doing things

Ability to inspire trust amongst diverse stakeholders and communities of interest

Ability to fundraise from a variety of public and private sources

Ability to work independently with a high level of self motivation
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
Excellent inter-personal and team working skills and proven ability to form
partnerships and motivate and enthuse others

Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills and the ability to
communicate complex ideas and issues to a variety of audiences

Highly developed negotiating skills and the ability to influence decision-makers at the
highest level

Ability to work across the public, private and voluntary and community sectors

Ability to operate across the different domains of the cultural sector

Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities, within limited time and resources

Knowledge and understanding of contemporary cultural policy issues and the interrelationship between culture and health and wellbeing, economic development,
place-making, sustainability, education and lifelong learning, diversity, community
engagement and the visitor economy

Knowledge and understanding of the issues facing Plymouth and the South West
region

Ability to manage budgets and to adhere to the highest standards of public
accountability

Good IT skills, including the use of word processing, PowerPoint, spreadsheets and
graphics software

Ability to fulfil the travelling requirements of the post
Qualifications

Educated at least to first degree level, preferably in a relevant field
Personal attributes

Articulate and visionary

Self motivation, commitment and enthusiasm

A track record of high level delivery

An inclusive approach to working with others

Self confidence, sensitivity and integrity

Commitment to the role of culture in sustainable development
Remuneration : A fixed consultancy fee is available for the two year appointment or,
alternatively, a salary of c£65,000 per annum.
Closing date for applications 7th November 2011. Provisional Interview dates 17th and
18th November.
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