WHALE Arts – Chief Executive
WHALE Arts is seeking a dynamic Chief Executive to lead the organisation through an exciting new phase of development and ensure that WHALE Arts is the creative heart of a vibrant, thriving community.
The Chief Executive is responsible for WHALE Arts’ strategic and operational development. They will oversee all aspects of WHALE’s programming, building, staff, finances, and ensure the organisation achieves its objectives.
Job Description
Strategic Management
• Develop, implement and monitor strategic and operational plans with the Board of Directors and staff. Ensure these align with local authority and government aims and respond to the assets and aspirations of local people.
• Maintain current and develop new partnerships with community, creative, cultural, and academic partners – including Wester Hailes Community Trust and Living Well Wester Hailes.
• Positively and proactively represent WHALE Arts at local and citywide networks and events.
Financial Management
• Set annual organisational budgets and monitor regularly with Finance Officer.
• Monitor all expenditure and income and ensure staff follow good financial practice.
• Oversee preparation of monthly management accounts and annual audited accounts.
Fundraising
• Secure funding to support the core work of the organisation, including tendering for contracts, establishing service level agreements and social enterprise development.
• Ensure funding objectives are met and good relationships with funders are developed and maintained.
• Support WHALE staff to secure and manage funding for projects and programming.
• Work with the Board to increase income from fundraising and donations.
People Management
• Manage staff team according to set policies and procedures.
• Ensure staff, Board and volunteers receive any necessary training, support and supervision.
• Coordinate team meetings and ensure effective team communication.
• Ensure policies and procedures are complied with and up to date, and develop new policies and procedures required.
Governance
• Recruit and support a voluntary Board of Directors.
• Attend and service all Board meetings and sub-group meetings (where required), preparing papers and reports and ensuring accurate Minutes are taken.
• Set up, attend and service Annual General Meeting and all other general meetings a set out in the Memorandum and Articles.
Reporting
• Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of all WHALE Arts activity.
• Report on the impact of our work to a range of stakeholders.
• Develop the use of creative evaluation systems and ensure staff are trained and supported to use systems.
• Produce WHALE’s Annual Report and other reports required for OSCR, Companies House, funders and other stakeholders.
Facilities Management
• Ensure facilities management and working practices comply with Health and Safety, Data Protection, Employment and other relevant legislation.
• Maintain effective, efficient and environmental organisational practices.
Programming
• Oversee the development and delivery of a programme of regular and project activities in line with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
Marketing and PR
• Oversee the marketing of the organisation.
• Ensure website and social networking sites are regularly updated.
• Promote the work and maintain the profile of WHALE Arts Agency by attending conferences, making presentations, liaising with Press, Councillors, MSPs etc.
Other Duties
• To be a key holder, opening and securing the building out of office hours when required.
• To comply with relevant WHALE Arts Agency policies.
• To undertake any relevant training in relation to the post.
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may, from time-to-time, be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Person Specification
Essential Skills:
• Previous experience in a leadership role with an arts or third sector organisation, large scale project or similar.
• Experience and understanding of using arts to address community issues, particularly those faced by people living in areas of deprivation.
• Ability to think and plan strategically and to deliver related operational outcomes.
• Excellent financial management skills, managing budgets up to £350,000.
• Experience in successfully securing and managing funding from government, lottery, trusts and other sources.
• Experience of developing and maintaining partnerships with public bodies, further education and other similar organisations.
• Collaborative leadership of multidiscipline teams.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience of monitoring, evaluation and evidencing impact to stakeholders.
Desirable Skills:
• Educated to degree level in arts, education, community work or other relevant qualification.
• Experience of managing a community and/or arts building.
• Knowledge of the arts and community arts sector in Edinburgh.
• An understanding of creative, community-led regeneration.
• Experience of social enterprise development.
• Knowledge of policy developments that impact on communities.
Application Process
Apply by email to info@whalearts.co.uk attaching:
• A covering letter demonstrating how your skills meet the Essential and Desirable criteria of the job description. Cover letters should be no more than 2 pages in length and written in Arial size 11 font.
• An up to date CV detailing relevant education and employment experience.
• Details of two referees, including at least one previous employer.
• A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring form.
Applications should arrive at WHALE Arts Agency no later than 12:00 (midday) on Monday 12th February.
Interviews will be held on the 22nd and 23rd February 2018.
The successful candidate will be appointed to the role subject to confirmation of PVG Scheme Membership.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
WHALE Arts Agency is committed to recruiting high quality candidates whose skills and experience are most suited to the job regardless of sex, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion (or beliefs), marital status, sexual orientation (or perceived sexual orientation), disability, age or political affiliation.
Please complete the Equal Opportunities form enclosed with the application pack. This information is for monitoring purposes only, will be treated as confidential and will not be used in the selection process.
Contact Details
Michelle Herron
Chairperson
WHALE Arts Agency
30 Westburn Grove
Edinburgh
EH14 2SA
0131 458 3267