Producing & Programming Assistant

SwitchFreedom; Northampton; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000

Job description

We have an amazing opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join our team at Royal & Derngate as a Producing and Programming Assistant.

In this role, you will work collaboratively with different teams within the organisation to ensure smooth planning, scheduling, communication, and other administrative duties. Furthermore, the Producing and Programming Assistant will carry out research tasks concerning artists and existing and new work to support future programming decisions.

We are looking for a highly organised individual with excellent attention to detail and time management skills. If you are a confident communicator and skilled administrator who is passionate about the arts, we would love to hear from you!

Job Purpose

• To support the work of the Producing and Programming teams, providing general administrative and planning support.
• To work closely with the Artistic Director and Senior Producer in the planning and administration of the produced programme.
• To provide administrative support to the Senior Programmer in co-ordinating the Royal & Derngate's presented and film programme.

Key Task Areas & Responsibilities

• Maintain the administration of the department across Artifax and internal IT systems, supporting the preparation of contracts, schedules, and other performance-related paperwork.
• Be the first point of contact for the Artistic Director and Producing and Programming team in general.
• Maintain the Artistic Director's diary, arranging appointments and replying to correspondence where necessary.
• Ensure regular, timely, and comprehensive information is distributed to the appropriate teams within the organisation.
• Undertake research tasks for the teams around artists and existing and new work, as directed, to support future programming decision-making.
• Prepare and minute internal meetings for the department where required, including Arts Team, Programming and Programming Information Group.
• Plan and implement access and assisted live and film performances across the programme in liaison with marketing and operations.
• Update and maintain databases and records, gather all relevant data to feed into reporting for Trustees and funders.
• Maintain good relationships internally within the venue and externally with promoters, artists, suppliers, and other partners involved in the department.
• Support the Senior Producer in preparing press nights, including maintaining lists, distributing invites, and allocating tickets.
• Generate contact sheets, maintain the digs list, and cultivate relationships with local hotels and accommodation for actors and creatives.
• Liaise with Arts and Marketing regarding brochure and website copy for the produced and presented programme.
• Work closely with the Creative Engagement Administrator around the administration of Creative Engagement productions to ensure joined-up communication across the teams.

Essential Skills

• Experience working in a busy office environment, preferably in an arts or education setting.
• Experience in implementing/maintaining administrative systems/procedures, attending meetings, and producing accurate minutes.

Knowledge/Qualifications

• Understanding of theatre operations.
• Passion for the arts, particularly theatre and live performance.
• Good knowledge of office administration systems.

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent IT skills (e.g. Word, Excel, Databases, Artifax, Tessitura).
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to act using initiative.
• Confidentiality.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

• Experience of working in an arts building or Theatre.

Knowledge/Qualifications

• Arts Administration training.
• Health & Safety practices.
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of GDPR requirements.

How To Apply

Please submit a covering letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) stating your relevant experience, knowledge, and skills for this Producing and Programming Assistant role along with your CV.

Closing Date: Sun 27th April

Interviews: Monday 12th May

About Company

Royal & Derngate Northampton is the main venue for arts and entertainment in Northamptonshire and one of the major regional producing theatres in the country, with its acclaimed Made in Northampton work touring nationally and internationally.

The theatre was recently nominated for Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards 2022. Eight of its productions transferred to London and the West End in 2019, with The Worst Witch winning the 2020 Olivier Award for Best Family Show and Our Lady of Kibeho being nominated for the 2020 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre and named by The Guardian as one of the 20 Best Shows of the 21st Century. Meanwhile, recently artists have won The Stage Ensemble Award, The Stage Debut Award and the Ian Charleson Award for their work on Made in Northampton productions and the adapted screenplay from Royal & Derngate's original play commission of The Pope was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards as Netflix's The Two Popes.

The 2021/22 Made in Northampton season included Ralph Fiennes in the world premiere stage adaptation of T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets which transferred to the West End at the end of last year, a new version of Joe Penhall's Blue/Orange, Improvised show An Improbable Musical, touring co-productions of Animal Farm and Othello with the National Youth Theatre, digital musical On Hostile Ground, and a brand new musical Gin Craze! by April de Angelis and Lucy Rivers.

The venue also presents a diverse range of visiting productions on both the Derngate and Royal stages, featuring musicals, dance, comedy and music, and its two-screen cinema presents the best in world, independent, British and mainstream film. Over recent years the theatre has hosted the UK Musical Theatre Conference, Devoted & Disgruntled 14 and the International Teach First conference.

Royal & Derngate's nationally recognised Creative Learning programme engages with schools, families and communities in Northamptonshire and beyond, and its Generate artistic development programme regularly supports hundreds of local artists each year.

DE&I

We are an inclusive organisation, committed to fair recruitment, and equality of opportunity. We particularly welcome applications from those whose backgrounds are currently under-represented in our workforce and in the Arts more widely. We want to encourage socio-economic diversity, as well as representation from ethnically diverse groups, people who identify as D/deaf and disabled and/or those who identify as LGBTQ+. Candidates needing any assistance to complete their application should email. If there is anything about this recruitment process or the way we have promoted these opportunities that has created any barriers to you applying, please let us know.

We welcome requests for flexible working/job share/remote working. Royal & Derngate are a PIPA (Parents and Carers in Performing Arts) Charter Partner, striving towards creating a more family friendly working environment. We encourage proposals from anyone who requires flexible working around caring responsibilities and anyone looking for a positive work/life balance.

We are a user of the disability confident scheme, and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for any of our vacancies.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme - Free employee assistance programme run by Health Assured provides counselling, family advice, medical information, legal advice, financial and debt information, life and leadership coaching, and an online health and wellbeing portal.

Bar & Shop Discount - 10% discount on products purchased at our bars and theatre shop.

Complimentary Tickets Available On Selected Shows:

• Produced productions - All colleagues will receive two tickets to the press night of all Made In Northampton productions where available. Additional comps will be available for any performance during the run (subject to availability).
• Presented productions - Comps may be available for those productions that have not achieved sales of 80% of capacity on each individual performance, subject to contract arrangements and sales patterns.
• Films - Comps will be made available to colleagues for films at Northampton Film house where availability allows. A weekly email will be sent out to all colleagues providing a list of eligible film screenings. The £1.00 booking fee will apply.

Family Friendly Policies - Enhanced leave and pay for Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental, Dependants, Careers, Annual Leave and Sickness.