Hiring: Development Manager Reshaping Islington Mill: you will play a central role in transforming our renowned, independent arts lab into a distinctive mixeduse creative residency space for the future. 1. Background to the appointment Based in Salford in England’s North West and serving creative practitioners across the world, Islington Mill Arts Club (IMAC) is a genuinely independent arts organisation that puts nurturing, supporting and inspiring creativity and especially new and emerging talent at the heart of everything it does. We have recently secured investment from Arts Council England, Salford City Council and the University of Salford, in our vision for the future of Islington Mill. We wish to develop additional areas of the Mill to host a new and distinctive residency model, so securing our future as a powerhouse for creativity and the exchange of ideas and talent for many years to come. An ambitious and motivated Development Manager is needed to lead the recruitment of partners and funders for the £2.25m capital project; to help shape Islington Mill’s future residency programmes; and to drive communications and PR activity around this transformation. This is a unique opportunity to make your mark in the longterm ecology of arts production and creative adventure at Islington Mill.
2. The capital development: vision and proposals
Islington Mill is one of the UK’s leading independent mixeduse arts spaces, structured around an organic network of independent artists. Islington Mill Arts Club (a company limited by guarantee) devises innovative interdisciplinary public arts programmes and hosts artists’ residencies within a busy community comprising studio spaces, a venue, a gallery/project space, residential apartments and an artistrun bed and breakfast facility. Our programmes are largely selffunded and we receive no core funding from public sources.
Drawing on the radical and subversive creative energy running through its arts activities, IMAC has a reputation for putting on legendary experimental gatherings, events and parties. Ours is a nonhierarchical organisation that blurs the distinctions between work and play, outcome and process, chaos and control. Our vision is that ‘everyone should be able to live and work as freely and creatively as possible’: from this stems our mission to provide:
‘free and open space that allows everyone the opportunity to innovate, experiment and thrive within an independent creative community that challenges accepted notions of what art can be’ The proposed capital development will vastly extend Islington Mill’s ability to deliver this mission. It will replace the roof and building envelope to safeguard the future of the mill as a whole; improve access throughout the building; bring a further 4000 sq ft of space into use as flexible work and exhibition space; create a new 9bed B&B/residency space on the 6th floor (currently unusable); and offer a welcoming, public face through a new front entrance. We aim through this: ∙ to enable artists, producers and partners to raise the scope and scale of their artistic ambition ∙ to introduce international artists/curators to the local ecology and provide reciprocal exchange opportunities for emerging artists to create and present work internationally ∙ to enable the public to engage with artists and artistic works in process via a new and innovative model for artist residencies. Crucially, the development will also strengthen IMAC’s financial performance and help to secure its future financial sustainability. The development and implementation of the capital project will be overseen by a newly appointed Project Manager, reporting regularly to IMAC’s Board of Directors. IMAC’s Board meets 6 times a year and members bring a valuable range of skills and expertise to the management of Islington Mill. They are: Bill Campbell Owner, founder of Islington Mill, cofounder IMAC Mark Carlin Programme Producer, Future Everything, cofounder IMAC Maurice Carlin Artist, founder of Islington Mill Art Academy. The above three founding directors are actively engaged in the daytoday running of Islington Mill, with wider specialist support provided by: Paul Haywood Deputy Dean, Middlesex University School of Art & Design Richard Gregory Cofounder and Artistic director, Quarantine
Kathleen Soriano Independent Curator / Consultant and former Director of Exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts Anna Scrine Strategic development and Fundraising consultant
3. Development Manager: Job Description Job Title Development Manager Reports to Mark Carlin, Director Fee and terms £37,500 per annum, prorata The contract is offered on a freelance basis: we expect a commitment equivalent to between .6 and .8 of a fullterm post (that is, 3 or 4 days a week), depending on the candidate’s experience and the scope of work agreed. The contract is offered for an initial 12 months with the possibility of extension for a further 12 months and is subject to successful completion of a 3 month probationary period. The notice period is 3 months (or 1 month during the probationary period). The postholder will be expected to work regularly from Islington Mill, Salford and may choose to work in other locations e.g. from home as appropriate. There may be an occasional requirement to work in other locations in the UK and abroad. Where appropriate, accommodation at Islington Mill may be available by arrangement. Supervisory responsibilities: No direct line reports: the postholder will be able to draw on c. 1 day/week of admin support and will be expected to work closely alongside the Project Manager. The post holder will be responsible for a marketing and comms budget of £15,000. Primary Objectives of the role i) Develop a detailed fundraising strategy and plan and lead fundraising activity in order to secure the balance of funding – in total £370,000 – required to deliver the full capital development as planned. Our Stage 2 application to Arts Council England will be submitted by December 2015 and funding must be confirmed before building works can start in Summer 2016.
As well as fundraising from individuals, grantmakers and business, this will involve partnership building with a range of arts organisations and businesses in the UK and overseas interested in investing in and benefiting from the new residency opportunities. This will require a creative and entrepreneurial approach to partnership working and a keen grasp of the opportunities offered by the residency model. ii) Manage the development of communication tools and profileraising activities aimed at developing patron and investor engagement and supporting the Mill’s fundraising and development goals. This will include overseeing the development of a new website for Islington Mill. iii) Contribute to the growth and development of Islington Mill’s cultural programme over the next 12 to 36 months. The new residencies will be integrated into the Mill’s yearround programme and new partnerships and collaborative opportunities developed though this role will play an important part in shaping future activity. iv) Contribute to the development of a detailed Business Plan for Islington Mill (led by IMAC’s founding directors) which maximises opportunities for income generation through new income streams and also the organisation’s ability to trade and realise its vision. The postholder will have the active support of IMAC’s Board, and in particular its founding directors, in delivering these objectives. In addition, s/he will be able to draw informally on the support of several specialist external advisors and supporters of Islington Mill, who are able and willing to contribute fundraising, strategic planning, and programming skills and expertise. Additional responsibilities In addition, the post holder will be expected to work closely with the founding directors and Board on a range of ongoing work streams, to include: ● Organisational development & governance: the ongoing development of the Board, creation of appropriate subcommittees, and formalising of reporting structures and processes to ensure the organisation is well equipped to deliver its capital ambitions, a vibrant programme, maximise partnership opportunities and respond to new opportunities as these arise. ● Providing motivational leadership in the day to day running of the organisation, encouraging effective communication between the development team and core users of the building such as studio residents and visiting artists, while providing proper supervision and support for shortterm contract staff and professionals, including the capital development team.
● Maintaining an overview of developments and trends in cultural policy, both regionally and nationally to ensure Islington Mill remains at the forefront of creative practice and innovation. ● Ensuring the Mill’s systems and processes are up to date and fit for purpose, while remaining responsive to the needs of studio residents and visiting artists. The Person ● A creative and entrepreneurial individual, curious about the world and keen to explore and develop new ideas and opportunities, and to make new connections between ideas and people ● Track record in building strong partnerships and securing partnership funding and investment ● Experience of working successfully in a busy, fluid and diverse creative environment ● Solid grounding in project planning, managing and reporting, including financial and risk management ● Excellent communicator, experienced in the use of digital media Specification Essential
How Identified
Experience of designing and delivering successful fundraising campaigns and innovative income generation strategies, with a proven track record of achieving ambitious funding and financial targets
Application
A successful track record of partnership and relationship building within diverse creative sectors as well as niche commercial areas.
Application and interview
Experience of successful profile raising and organisational advocacy through the use of innovative marketing strategies and tools.
Interview
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with a commitment to creative and innovative approaches. Confident in the use of digital technologies.
Application and interview
The ability to think strategically, seek out entrepreneurial opportunities and foster creativity and innovation
Interview
A solid understanding of the business planning process in a creative/cultural context
Interview
Excellent financial planning, management and reporting skills
Application
Excellent organisational and administrative skills and experience of working successfully in a flexible and multistakeholder environment
Interview
Ability to plan and organise own workload, meet deadlines and work under pressure on own initiative
Interview
An understanding of and commitment to diversity and inclusion
Interview
An acceptance of flexible working hours including occasional evenings and weekends
Interview
Desirable
How Identified
Experience of business planning for the cultural sector
An understanding of best practice in governance in the creative and notforprofit sectors
Experience of leading and motivating teams in a fastmoving and fluid environment
To apply: Please send a letter of application stating the skills and approach that you would bring to the post, with your CV and two references to be contacted should you be successful at interview, to Verity Gardner at verity@islingtonmill.com
The closing date for applications is Friday, 30th January at midday. It is expected that interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held in Salford on Friday 6th February, 2014. For an informal discussion about this role, contact Verity Gardner on 07590022445 / verity@islingtonmill.com Offers of employment are subject to the receipt of two satisfactory references.