APPLICATION PACK
Studio Operations Manager
February 2011
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11th February 2011
Dear Candidate,
Yorkshire Dance Studio Operations Manager vacancy
Thank you for your interest in the above post. This job pack contains details of the post
and some general information about our organisation.
If you would like to apply for the post, please download, complete and return the
Application Form. Please use the person specification as a guide to match your own
personal competencies against those required of the postholder.
I would also appreciate it if you would take the time to complete the Equality and Diversity
Monitoring Form. The principles of equality and diversity are of the greatest importance to
Yorkshire Dance in all aspects of its work. The information you give us will help us to
refine our employment practices and respond to the needs of the diverse range of people
that our organisation comes in to contact with. All details that you provide will be kept in
strict confidence and will not be viewed by any member of the selection panel.
Please ensure that you sign the application at the appropriate points and post or deliver it to
our office: 3 St Peter’s Buildings, St Peter’s Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS9 8AH. Sorry,
we cannot accept emailed applications.
The closing date for application forms to reach us is 5pm on Monday 7th March 2011.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 10th March 2011.
If you would like a version of any of the application material in an alternative format, please
do not hesitate to contact us (tel: 0113 243 9867, admin@yorkshiredance.com).
Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to receiving your application. If you have
any questions about the post, please contact me on the number above.
Yours faithfully,
Edwina Simpson
General Manager
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Job Profile: Studio Operations Manager
Main purpose of the job
To manage all aspects of buildings operation and the day-to-day operation of Yorkshire Dance as
Artist Studios and Creative Hub.
Position in the organisation
The postholder will report to the Administrative Director and is a member of the management
team. The postholder will line manage an Assistant Studio Manager as well as cleaning operatives.
Scope of the job
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To manage the day-to-day operations of Yorkshire Dance and be the key point of contact for all
building users; tenants, artists, community participants, visitors and hirers
To maintain the Yorkshire Dance Centre and implement all aspects of the building maintenance
plan, ensuring full legal compliance
To manage the hires of Yorkshire Dance facilities (studios and meeting rooms) and assist the
Marketing and Communications manager with generating income
To provide technical and logistical support for artistic and community participation programme
To manage building maintenance budgets
To manage front of house and cleaning staff
Overall responsibilities
The postholder:
 Will be empowered to recruit departmental posts
 Is responsible for departmental budgets
 Is required to deliver company policy. Health and Safety and risk assessment is particularly
relevant to this role.
 Will be responsible for Health and Safety
Duties and key responsibilities
(An approximate indicator of time spent is given in brackets)
Studio Operations (30%)
 To ensure the smooth running, on a day-to-day basis, of the Yorkshire Dance Centre
 To develop, implement and maintain high standards of customer care and maintain excellent
relationships with tenants, artists, hirers, visitors and other building users
 To provide operational and technical support on Yorkshire Dance internal and external events
 To plan and organise Yorkshire Dance equipment and resources and take responsibility for all
equipment/stock and materials on the premises to ensure best possible use
 To ensure smooth handling of transactions for artistic or community activity
 To be responsible for training other staff in all building functions, security procedures and Health
and Safety
 To manage Yorkshire Dance’s assets register and procurement of new equipment and
furnishings
 To be the holder of a personal licence for the sale of alcohol and fulfil the role of Designated
Premises Supervisor in respect of Leeds City Council licensing requirements
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To be the lead First Aider
To undertake any related tasks that may be deemed necessary from time to time
Building Maintenance (25%)
 To take the lead on compliance with all Health and Safety, licensing and fire regulations
operational within the building at all times
 To establish and manage a programme to ensure the day-to-day, cyclical and long-term
maintenance of the Yorkshire Dance premises (building and grounds) and equipment
 To use basic practical skills to provide immediate solutions for emergency building matters (e.g.
security, plumbing, phone system, decoration, lighting, IT, etc.)
 To plan and implement essential central services such as security, waste disposal and recycling
 Work with professional architects and project managers on discreet refurbishment projects
 Manage all aspects of utilities and communications infrastructure
Income generation (25%)
 To be responsible for the booking, letting and hiring of Yorkshire Dance space and facilities and
arrange and prepare facilities in accordance with clients’ stated needs
 To support the Marketing and Communications Manager to generate sales
Managing Operations team (20%)
 To organise cleaning functions including recruitment and management of cleaning staff
 To ensure adequate and appropriate staff cover on the Front of House at all times including for
all public events internal and external
 To induct, train and supervise new members of the Front of House staff team
General duties applicable to all Yorkshire Dance staff
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To undertake all activities in compliance with Yorkshire Dance’s policies and procedures with
particular reference to equality and Health and Safety
To promote the activities, products and values of Yorkshire Dance
To participate in the staff review and development scheme, and undertake continued
professional development activities as identified
To be a key holder and to lock and unlock the building on departure and arrival as required
Terms and Conditions
Salary:
£18 - £20k per annum
Pension:
Contributions of 4% after six months’ service
Period of contract:
This post is offered on a permanent contract
Hours of work:
37.5 per week including evening and weekend work (no overtime is
payable; Time off in Lieu is not available).
Annual leave:
25 days plus statutory holidays
Probation period:
6 months
Notice period:
2 months
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Person Specification: Studio Operations Manager
Essential
Qualifications
 GCSE/O Level English and Maths or equivalent
Experience
 Experience in venue operation management
 Building maintenance
 Income generation
 Project management, coordination and administration
 Experience of working within a customer care-focussed environment
 Experience in managing legal compliance (maintenance, Health and Safety, licensing)
 Managing contractors and freelancers
 Budget management
Skills & Ability
 Aptitude for and practical skills in problem-solving in a building operation/maintenance context
 Good technical knowledge of IT, telephone, alarm systems and confidence with basic
operational matters in AV, plumbing and electrics (and ideally technical theatre).
 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a broad range of
people
 Excellent organisational skills, and ability to deal effectively with multiple workload demands
 Efficient administration skills
 Good written communication skills
 Proven ability to work as a self-starter and as part of a small team
 Flexible, adaptable and positive approach to variety of duties
 Commitment to equal opportunities
 Excellent understanding of legal compliance
 Computer literacy, including word processing skills
Desirable
Qualifications
 Relevant qualification in facilities or leisure management
Experience
 Successful people management
 Working in an arts environment or in the voluntary sector
 Experience of handling transactions and cash
 Experience of automated telephone systems
 Experience of databases and box office systems
Skills and ability
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Interest in dance or community arts
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A Brief History of Yorkshire Dance
The idea of Yorkshire Dance Centre was originally conceived by Dr Janet Adshead who undertook a
comprehensive survey of groups and individuals in the region in 1981. Yorkshire Dance was
launched in 1982 with support from the regional Sports Council, as both an inner city community
dance centre for the Leeds area and a specialist dance resource for the Yorkshire region. Classes
were originally held in the Grand Theatre studios and subsequently at the City of Leeds School. The
success of the initial pilot period led to a search for a permanent home which ended in 1985 with
the purchase of a derelict four-storey factory in Leeds City Centre, made possible by grants from
the Sports Council and Leeds City Council.
With money raised from private donors and grants from the Sports Council, Leeds City Council and
the former County Council, the first two studios were created along with changing rooms, office
space and a reception/social area. Further office and reception space was created at a later stage,
enabling Phoenix Dance Company to be based in the building. The conversion of the final large
studio was subsequently achieved with Arts Council Incentive Funding, which Yorkshire Dance
succeeded in winning in the first year of the scheme.
A grant from the Government and Leeds City Council enabled the conversion of surplus space in
the building to a number of small workspace units for leasing to compatible arts based organisations.
A fundraising campaign enabled the construction of a new entrance and lift in 1993 which completed
the wheelchair access to the building. The ten year programme of building development was
completed with funding from the National Lottery in 1996 with the addition of an administrative
base and cafe bar.
In 1991 Yorkshire Dance was recognised by the Arts Council as one of the first five national dance
agencies. This national status and associated funding enabled Yorkshire Dance to develop the areas
of production and promotion alongside a full and varied programme of centre-based classes and
courses for people of all ages and levels of experience. The organisation also developed and
operated a dance development programme in a variety of community venues in inner city areas of
Leeds, and offered a studio hire facility with subsidised rates for local dance artists and small
companies.
In February 2006 Yorkshire Dance hosted the biggest event in the British dance calendar, British
Dance Edition. This high profile festival took place over four days and across many of the arts
venues of Leeds. Yorkshire Dance hosted over 30 dance companies and 500 delegates from around
the world showing the best of British dance.
Recent support from Youth Dance England has seen the organisation developing the infrastructure
for young people’s dance in Yorkshire through five sub-regional hubs including cross-sector
representation from sport, health, local authority, education and arts professionals. Our ongoing
programme of work includes a programme of strategic dance development interventions and
services for the Yorkshire region.
Yorkshire Dance is a focus for artists to meet, dance, choreograph and make contact with new and
existing audiences. A new emphasis from April 2011 on artist-led work will see the introduction of
a programme of Artist-Curated Spaces. Continued artist development support will include a
professional dance membership scheme, a responsive residency programme and workforce
development through education and training. A monthly performance programme will provide a
platform for newly-produced work and work in progress.
Our youth and community programme includes a comprehensive programme of participative
outreach activity, support for a weekly programme of artist/tutor led community dance activity in
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our building, and the development of high-profile celebratory dance moments, such as our
Dansopolis projects, that advocate and develop engagement in dance.
Yorkshire Dance benefits from regular core funding from Arts Council England, Leeds City Council
and West Yorkshire Grants, and is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. We
actively promote an equality and diversity policy and strive to work with a diversity of artists, users,
suppliers and employees.
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YORKSHIRE DANCE STAFFING STRUCTURE:
CORE 2011 – 2012
Chief
Executive &
Artistic
Director
Tier 1
Admin
Director
Tier 2
Youth and
Community
Dance
Director
Artistic
Project
Manager
Tier 3
Marketing
and
Communications
Manager
Studio
Operations
Manager
Tier 4
Youth and
Community
Coordinator
Tier 5
Administrative
Assistant &
Project
coordinator
DDTAL
course
manager
Freelancers
Freelance
community
artists
Youth and
Community
Internship
Freelance
project
managers
Artistic
admin
Internship
Marketing
and Comms
Internship
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Financial
Administrator
(part-time)
Assistant
Studio
Manager
(part-time)
Cleaning
Operative
Part time
front of
house
Cleaning
Operative