General Manager Vacancy
This newly created position represents an outstanding opportunity to play a key management role in one of the UK’s most exciting and fast-growing classical music festivals. The ideal candidate will be resourceful and organised, able to lead a team and build good working relationships with the festival’s many stakeholders. They will establish a stable and effective presence at the heart of the festival, ensuring operational excellence and contributing at many different levels.
Job Profile
The role reports to the Artistic Director who has overall responsibility for the festival’s strategy, programming and operations. Key responsibilities include:
Team
- Work closely with the Artistic Director to ensure all aspects of the festival’s activities are well planned and professionally produced
- Line management responsibility for the Festival Assistant and Assistant Treasurer
- Manage seasonal staff including the Box Office Manager, Technical Manager,Events Assistant, interns and other freelance contractors
- Work closely and collaboratively with the festival’s many volunteers.
Festival Office
- Overall responsibility for the smooth and professional running of the festival office and Box Office
- Management responsibility for the contracting of all artists and venues
- Sustain positive working relationships with supporters and suppliers
- Manage core expenditure in line with budgets
- Management of office software, databases and the festival website ensuring the systems are appropriate, maintained, secure and current at all times.
Events
- Overall responsibility for the efficient scheduling, professional implementation and logistical planning of all festival events
- Ensure effective team presence and management responsibility at all festival events
- Oversee arrangements for artist liaison, transport and hospitality
- RyeStream production support
Marketing and Communications
- Implement the festival’s annual marketing, advertising and PR campaigns
- Coordinate publications and communications relating to the festival’s members, subscribers and supporters
- Maintain and develop positive and beneficial relationships with the festival’s corporate sponsors and sponsors-in-kind
- Work closely with the festival’s many volunteers, nurturing the goodwill that is a key component of the festival’s success.
Funding Streams
- Lead and develop the festival’s annual drive to secure advertising revenue, meeting core targets
- Work closely with the Artistic Director to develop an annual schedule of funding applications to Charitable Trusts and Foundations
- Work with the Chairman, Artistic Director and Fundraising Consultant to develop commercial partnerships and funding streams from private and corporate donors
Governance
- Provide support to the Chairman and attend Board and sub-committee meetings as required
- Prepare for Board and sub-committee meetings, ensuring papers are circulated and minutes recorded
- Act as Company Secretary, with responsibility for statutory reporting to the Charity Commission and Companies House
- Responsible for the festival’s policies (including those relating to Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Data Protection, Diversity and Sustainability, Risk Assessment, HR and Insurances) ensuring they are reviewed, adequate and appropriate standards are always maintained.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills, with good attention to detail and the ability to prioritise a complex workload
- Experience of events management
- Experience of managing a team
- Self-motivated and able to work independently, but also collaboratively
- Passion for the festival and classical music
- Current driving licence
Desirable
- SAGE literate
- Arts or charitable sector experience
- Professional written communications and/or marketing experience
Timeframe
Deadline for applications: 30th November 2021
1st interviews (video call): 3rd and 6th December 2021
3nd interviews (in person, in Pickering, N. Yorks): 13th and 14th December 2021
Salary
This is a permanent position for 4 days per week, but applications for full-time or 3 days per week will also be considered. The salary range is between £34,000 – £38,000 FTE, dependent on experience.
Holiday
Up to 30 days per annum (including Bank Holidays)
Location
Based at the festival’s office in Pickering, with flexibility for a mix of part-office/part- home working each week once established in the role.
How to Apply
- Please submit a CV and covering letter to Jo Rackham, Festival Recruiter, at recruitment@ryedalefestival.com by 30th November 2021.
- The Ryedale Festival is an inclusive employer and warmly welcomes and encourages applications from people from all backgrounds and experiences.
- If you have a disability, please indicate in your application whether you need any specific assistance or adjustments to enable you to be interviewed if invited.