Chief Executive & Artistic Director Job Information Pack

February 2017

Chief Executive and Artistic Director

DanceXchange

dancexchange.org.uk

Job Profile Post title: Chief Executive and Artistic Director Term: Full-time, commencing June 2017 Responsible to: The Board of Directors Responsible for: Executive Director, Executive Producer, Strategic Director Salary: Commensurate with experience Contract: Permanent Location: Birmingham Please note the deadline for completed applications is 11am on Monday 27 March 2017.

Interviews will be held in Birmingham on Wednesday 12 April 2017.

Introduction DanceXchange sets out to involve artists and the wider community in our work. Based in Birmingham, we’re proud to be an important part of making the city a place where dance artists can live, work and thrive.

Our Aims As an art form, dance can transform the way we see the world. That is why we aim to make dance as widely accessible as possible. We want everybody to enjoy the positive transformations dance creates - the artists, dancers, and young people we work alongside; the communities we live in and reach out to; the audiences we delight. Wherever and whenever we can, we use dance to inspire and excite.

Our Values DanceXchange never compromises on artistic quality. We aim to make every aspect of our shows, support and facilities the best they can possibly be. Our work is artistically ambitious, entertaining, and engaging.

Our ideal candidate A great communicator with a sound knowledge of the cultural sector, wider arts, or creative industries. You will have experience of strategic and artistic planning, together with entrepreneurial flair and business acumen alongside in-depth knowledge of managing an organisation which is funded from a variety of sources. With a keen interest in diverse forms of dance, your move to this role will give you the chance to practise and develop your proven skills on a bigger stage. Preferably you will be available to take up the post by June 2017

What we do Transforming artists We have a long history of working with artists at all stages of their careers and our relationships with artists are long term, interconnected and deep. In particular, we have a track record of seeking out artists with potential and investing in them at the time they need it. The Jerwood Choreographic Research Project (JCRP) is an exciting model of collaboration devised and led by DanceXchange, that gives artists the space and time to research their choreographic ideas. In December, along with our 37 partners we made 8 awards for the second phase. This year we will be supporting artists through the dx Choreography Award, as dx Associates, as Companies in Residence with bursaries and/or commissions, studio and theatre space and mentoring.

Transforming the city (of Birmingham) The first International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) was in 2008 and since then it has established itself as a part of Birmingham’s lively festival scene and brought recognition externally of the strength of dance in Birmingham – as illustrated by the identification of Birmingham as one of two cities to host Dance Hubs. Each festival has been different, but a strong range of theatre based dance at all scales, excellent outdoor work and a wide range of participatory opportunities have been constants. In 2016, IDFB attracted audiences of over 56,500,including 114 free performances with audiences of 43,000, many of whom were not traditional dance audiences.

There were 11 world and UK premieres including Ballet BC’s first visit to Europe and over 250 artists from all over the world came to the festival making Birmingham truly a dance city.

Transforming audiences DanceXchange reaches out to audiences through the work it programmes in the Patrick Centre, which has become one of the main touring venues outside London for small scale dance, and the productions dx supports, co-produces or commissions. This season the Patrick Centre is showing work by Arthur Pita, James Cousins, Tavaziva and ZfinMalta amongst others. Dx has a long history of producing work – from Bare Bones Company, to support for Associate Artists, to a regular line-up of co-productions and commissions for outdoor work in unusual places, particularly for IDFB. The outdoor work is especially successful in reaching non-traditional and diverse audiences.

Transforming young people and communities DanceXchange is well established in working with young people and communities in ways that engage, skill and empower them. A few current examples are: •

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Centre for Advanced Dance Training (CADT) for gifted and talented young people aged 11-18 who could not otherwise afford the intensive training needed to realise their talent.

Community co-production work in Hodge Hill led by a Strive trained dance artist working with Pakistani Muslim women and an intergenerational group from the outer city.

Class programme covering a range of styles at a range of levels from recreational to professional.

Supporting and growing participation opportunities for IDFB eg community casts and youth companies

The Future DanceXchange has ambitious plans for the next five years.

We will be an agent for change in the dance sector. Through our focus professional dance development we will support talented artists to realise their potential on the national and international stage. Equally our programmes will develop a new generation of artists and producers who choose to base their careers in Birmingham as a result of the bespoke support schemes, opportunities to make work through commissions and choreographic research that challenges existing practices that will exist here.

We operate in one of the most diverse cities in the country and the youngest in Europe and this will shape the way we fulfil our commitment to engaging as many people as possible in dance – through the performance programme, our work with young people and communities, the artists we work with, the people who work for us.

International Dance Festival Birmingham will continue to be an important element of our work reaching out to new audiences, delighting and surprising existing audiences and promoting dance in the city of Birmingham.

Underpinning all our work will be a commitment to the highest quality – artistically, in terms of the training we provide or the engagement opportunities we offer.

Finances DanceXchange is a financially stable arts organisation. The new CEO/AD is expected to maintain stability by reviewing both existing and innovative ways to secure income where required.

Our business plan shows a turnover of £1,296,851, including £760,126 from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) 2015 – 2018. A further NPO application has been submitted for the period 2018 – 2022, with a decision expected on 27 June 2017. Other significant income comes from the Music and Dance Scheme, earned income, trusts and foundations, corporate and individual giving and sponsorship. Birmingham City Council currently contribute £25,000 per annum, but they are not expected to fund arts organisations in the future.

Along with the Board and Strategic Director, the Chief Executive will need to deliver a financially sustainable model that reduces DanceXchange’s dependence on public funding. The CEO/AD will lead on the development of NPO activity.

Role and responsibilities Purpose •

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To lead DanceXchange in achieving our aims and values, to make dance as widely accessible as possible without compromising on quality.

To ensure DanceXchange has the required financial and human resources by engaging effectively with funders, partners, stakeholders, staff and the public.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership •

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Provide vision, leadership and direction to DanceXchange, through effective partnership working with the internal team and a wide range of external funders and stakeholders to achieve our mission.

Develop strategic options and proposals for DanceXchange in the light of changing trends.

Maintain and enhance DanceXchange’s excellent reputation through the delivery of consistently high quality impactful programmes.

Support and work with the Board, providing advice and information regarding the achievement of our strategic ambitions, organisational performance and matters of significance.

Operational Leadership • •

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Provide strong and supportive day-to-day leadership on organisational issues.

Work collaboratively with the DanceXchange team, artists, partners, funders and stakeholders.

Take principal responsibility for maintaining DanceXchange’s financial health and solvency.

Ensure organisation-wide strategic projects and initiatives are managed and delivered to the highest standards and fully compliant with relevant funding conditions.

Ensure that there is an effective approach to resource and performance management, risk management, audit and compliance with Charity Commission and Companies House guidance and good governance standards.

Business Development and Income Generation •

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Ensure that DanceXchange has sustainable sources of income from public funders, trusts, foundations, corporate partnerships and individuals to meet our current and future financial needs.

Identify and develop new commercial opportunities for the organisation within its remit and in keeping with its charitable aims and objectives.

External Relations • Act as an ambassador for DanceXchange, our programmes and impact to a wide range of audiences.

• Maintain and develop excellent working relationships with the key partners and agencies to

promote DanceXchange’s mission. *This is not an exhaustive list. Our CEO / Artistic Director will be expected to perform other duties commensurate with the post.

Person Specification Essential

Knowledge & Experience • •

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4 years in an arts or creative industries leadership role.

Working with creative individuals and creating the right conditions for artistic excellence to flourish.

Up to date knowledge and understanding of the arts and creative sector nationally and internationally.

Establishing and managing new strategic partnerships Knowledge of arts funding systems and other investment opportunities.

Proven track record of fundraising from public and private sources.

Skills and Abilities •

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The ability to inspire and motivate a team and win the confidence and respect of colleagues and external contacts.

Understanding the significance of learning, participation and engagement in and through the arts.

Strategic planning and creative thinking skills, with the ability to see the ‘big picture’.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to build trust based relationships both internally and externally.

Attitudes • •

Maturity to deal with complex situations and create solutions.

An innovative, entrepreneurial approach to creating new business opportunities and partnerships.

Desirable

Knowledge and Experience • • • • • •

Networking at the highest political levels.

Working in a context of change.

Working with a Board.

Experience of programming dance work.

Wide range of contacts and networks in the arts, cultural and creative economies nationally.

Up to date knowledge and understanding of growth opportunities within the arts and creative sector nationally and internationally.

Skills and Abilities • • • •

Developing and communicating an artistic vision.

Developing and writing business plans.

Developing and implementing new models of working.

Meeting funding conditions of eg Arts Council England.

Attitudes • •

Balancing artistic risk-taking with financial viability and commercial sense.

Comfortable with public speaking and exposure to the media.

Employment Details Place of Employment DanceXchange is based at Birmingham Hippodrome, Thorp Street, Birmingham, B5 4TB. Travel in and beyond the West Midlands will be required. Authorised travel costs and expenses will be reimbursed.

Holiday Entitlement The holiday year runs from April to March. Annual entitlement is 22 working days per year plus public holidays. For staff beginning or concluding their employment during the year, holiday entitlement is calculated on a pro rata basis.

Probationary Periods and Notice Periods The probationary period for this post is six months, during which time either the employee or the organisation may terminate the employment, subject to one calendar month’s notice. The probationary period may be extended for up to a further three months. Upon successful completion of the probationary period, the notice period is three months.

How To Apply Please apply using the attached application form. Completed applications should be sent to Angela.Galvin@dancexchange.org.uk by 11am on Monday 27 March 2017.

Shortlisted candidates will be informed by Friday 30 March 2017.

First interviews will be held in Birmingham Wednesday 12 April 2017.

Please state in your application whether you are able to attend on this day.

An alternative large print version of the pack is available DanceXchange is actively committed to the Creative Case for Diversity If you would like a confidential chat about this role before making an application, please contact Angela Galvin: Angela.Galvin@dancexchange.org.uk

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