Job Title: Programme & Tours Manager
Responsible to: Executive Director
Responsible for: Nil
Hours:
Holidays:
Salary:
40 hours per week exclusive of lunch breaks; due to the nature of the job, evening and weekend work is inevitable. No overtime is payable but time off in lieu will be given, where possible.
24 days per annum + 8 days public holiday
£25,000
Job Summary:
To take lead responsibility for programming and tour booking, working with the Executive Director and Marketing Manager to achieve the Company’s objectives.
The Context:
Theatre Royal Wakefield operates as both a producing and a receiving house. In 2011 British playwright John Godber joined the Theatre as its Creative Director, and the Theatre now plays a producing role for The John Godber Company. The theatre also provides a varied programme of professional and amateur performances, and has a thriving Performance Academy. The Theatre seats 499 and delivers in excess of 250 performances each year over a 46 week season. Total attendances for 2014/15 were 77,213 (65%). The Learning & Participation team works with a wide range of young people throughout the district, and is currently producing Cats as the opening production of the 2015/15 season with over 45 participants.
Our Mission is to develop new creative opportunities and experiences both within the Theatre
Royal Wakefield building and throughout the wider community and on tour, encouraging high quality engagement across a broad sector of the Performing Arts.
Over the past 5 years the Trust has significantly developed and diversified its activities, and has changed and adapted its business model to meet the challenges resulting from reductions in public sector funding. Despite being a relatively sma ll company (current turnover £1.8 million), the Trust is one of the larger creative organisations in West Yorkshire and a major player in the cultural life of
Wakefield District.
The programme both in Wakefield and on tour is the core of the business and its successful planning and delivery lies at the heart of ensuring that Theatre Royal Wakefield continues to grow and develop as one of the region’s key arts organisations.
Principal responsibilities:
Programming o Take lead responsibility for booking and developing the annual performance programme at
Theatre Royal Wakefield o Liaise with agents, promoters, festivals and artists to produce a year round programme of drama, live music, opera, dance, comedy and other events
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P&T Manager 2015

o Work with the Head of Finance & Operations on a policy for theatre hires and co-ordinate them within the overall programme mix o Negotiate favourable arrangements with agents, managers and promoters and actively liaise with the Head of Finance & Operations over the completion and signature of enforceable contracts o Work with the Marketing & Audience Development Manager to assess the market for specific genres and types of performances and agree appropriate pricing structures o Effectively manage risk in relation to all elements of the performance programme, ensuing that the Company is not unreasonable exposed o Work with the Executive Director and Head of Finance & Operations to accurately monitor and manage the budget to achieve income and expenditure targets o Attend performances at Theatre Royal Wakefield on a regular basis
Tours Management o Take the lead in planning theatre tours, currently two per year in spring and autumn, of approximately ten to twelve weeks each o Liaise with Theatre Managers and programmers to develop a viable, well routed touring schedule with venues of appropriate scale and with a commitment to, and an ability to successfully maximise, ticket sales o Negotiate effective and favourable deals based on the budgeted income requirements and issue appropriate contracts o Work with the Marketing & Audience Development Manager on the preparation of marketing materials and provision of appropriate contractual arrangements within the touring contract o Establish a network of theatres which regularly take the Company’s tours, and develop the range and number of touring dates with the potential for funding from the Arts Council ’s
Strategic Touring Fund.
Miscellaneous o Work with the Head of Fundraising & Partnerships over sponsorship and fundraising activity o Participate in arranging specific events related to the development of the theatre and its network of corporate supporters o Visit other theatres, festivals etc. to develop relationships and create new opportunities for co-productions and other associations o Contribute to the development of funding bids to the Arts Council, Trusts & Foundations or other sources o Manage the maintenance of paper-based and on-line filing systems appropriate to this area of work and provide open communications with work colleagues o Attend meetings of the Executive Team
Responsibilities of all Staff Members:
(i) To be aware of the work of other departments in the achievement of Wakefield
Theatre Trust’s strategic aims and objectives.
(ii) To be aware of, and comply with, all rules and legislation pertaining to Health and
Safety at work.
(iii) To work in accordance with the trust’s approved Equal Opportunities Policy.
(iv) To take an active part in communicating and co-operating with other staff and other departments.
(v) To follow approved guidelines, policies and procedures established by the Trust in relation to financial management and personnel records.
(vi) To take part in such working groups and committees or sub-committees as may be necessary for the proper fulfilment of the Trust’s strategic aims and objectives.
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P&T Manager 2015

A proven track record in programming and promoting live events in venues of a similar size
Demonstrable in-depth knowledge, experience and understanding of the performing arts
A strong network of contacts within all areas of the performing arts
Experience of tour booking and negotiations with managers from the commercial and subsidised sector
Knowledge and experience in budgeting for produced work and its effective application in delivering productions within approved income and expenditure budgets
Hands on event management experience, with a willingness to work evenings and weekends if required.
Excellent people management skills and the ability to work effectively alongside other managers and departments in the production of performances/events
The ability to use own initiative, to think calmly, clearly and laterally, working alone and as a member of a small team.
Strong administrative and organisational skills, with significant attention to detail and the ability to prioritise and manage projects successfully from inception to completion.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and an ability to negotiate and relate effectively across all levels of the organisation as well as externally.
Computer literacy and a flexible attitude towards work
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Knowledge of computerised ticketing systems; Spektrix has recently been installed as a replacement for Databox.
Awareness of Health & Safety and Access issues
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6 month probationary period during which the post-holder must demonstrate a satisfactory level of competence and engagement
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Notice period 1 month during probation, 2 months thereafter
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This post is pensionable in relation to the Workplace Pension Regulations
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P&T Manager 2015