Project Producer (Learning & Engagement) Maternity Cover

We are looking for a part-time Project Producer for to join our Learning and Engagement (Maternity Cover)

About the Organisation 

Shakespeare North Playhouse, ‘Theatre Building of the year 2023’ is a unique new arts venue, which opened in the summer of 2022. It presents a vibrant contemporary cultural and learning programme featuring home co-produced and visiting performances, as well as comedy, music, community work, hire and events and a range of education and training activities. 

The Shakespeare North Trust (SNT) is the Charitable organisation which is the operator of Shakespeare North Playhouse. The Trust also has two wholly owned subsidiaries within the Group structure. The subsidiaries are limited companies. 

Our Vision: “Inspired by Shakespeare. Bringing Joy: Together, we tell stories that feel like our own, that change the way we see the world – opening doors, inviting debate, inspiring a love of learning, and bringing joy to this place; Our Shakespeare North Playhouse.” 

Our Mission – The Big Goal: “We share world-class theatre, activities and conversations inspired by Shakespeare and relevant to all of us.” 

Our Promise: At Shakespeare North Playhouse we commit to being ‘Bold and Brave’. It is a promise we make to each other internally as a team, to our visitors, patrons, and partners, and to all our artists and makers as we all come together to create a wonderful place. 

Our Values and Behaviours: The organisational values define Shakespeare North Playhouse. They create a framework for the way in which the organisation wishes to achieve the vision and objectives. The team are firm in the belief that what is achieved is only half of the plan, as how success is attained is of equal importance. It is critical that there is a framework of how people will thrive together, as a team, with partners, visitors, and audience. 

Innovative – Honest – Collaborative – Creative 

Equal – Supportive – Accountable – Useful 

The Role  

Project Producer for Learning and Engagement: Maternity Cover. 3 days (24 hours)  

This role includes regular workshop delivery with babies, children and young people which uses drama and performance as a primary methodology.   

The Project Producer would oversee several key projects within Learning and Engagement including our partnerships and delivery with FE colleges, the inaugural formation of a local creative teacher’s network and our work as part of Be the Change for KMBC as well as other projects. This Project Producer role will focus and work on education related projects which includes managing relationships and work with schools and teachers. This will include organising and delivering CPD and related events including booking spaces, additional practitioners as needed and coordinating stakeholders for all aspects of delivery. The Project Producer will work with partners such as RSC, Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation, The Linking Network and the local council to coordinate and support collaboration and enhancement of all education work happening within the department.  

You will work closely with other members of the department, external funders, community organisations, housing associations and freelance practitioners to ensure the successful, impactful and joyful delivery of the departments & organisation’s strategy.  

The coordination of all projects includes relationship development & management, project briefing & ideation, monitoring & evaluation, room booking & organising logistics, supporting with communication & project capture, looking for opportunities.  

This role will have practice-based delivery which includes: a weekly toddler storytime session (Tuesday mornings), schools workshops delivery (adhoc) and teacher training sessions for educators. The role may also be required to represent the department and our work in other aspects of delivery, events, internal meetings and with key stakeholders.   

This role would suit a drama/theatre practitioner who is looking to develop their experience in producing, and project coordination.  

The successful candidate for this role will be expected to undergo an Enhanced DBS check.   

Place of Work   

The place of work will be Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, Knowsley. Occasionally work will be required at alternative locations, including partners with whom Shakespeare North co-produces.  

Salary and Hours of work   

This is a part-time post working 3 days per week (24 hours). Due to the nature of this role, and to meet the demands of the building, the post holder will need to be flexible in their approach to work.  

The part-time salary will be £16,224 per annum. (FTE £27,040.00)   

Indicative hours may look like:   

• Monday/Thursday:  8 hrs  
• Tuesdays:  8 hrs  
• Wednesdays: 8 hrs   

Some flexibility required based on workshop bookings and delivery- please outline in your cover letter if you have a preference/other commitment of your week.  

MAIN DUTIES  

Project Producing  

• Ensure projects are delivered within budget, to schedule and according to key impact objectives.  
• Coordinate the Place Partnership’s Education & Culture network ensuring that teachers and educators can access opportunities across the borough for their students.   
• Foster and maintain supportive and collaborative relationships with artists, creative people and partners.   
• Seek out opportunities and connections to enhance the work and working relationships with partners including colleges and schools.   
• Closely support FE partners to make the most out of their partnership activity agreement.   
• Produce events, workshops and performances related to the programme within Learning and Engagement.  
• Contribute to the planning, reporting, and evaluation of programmes, supporting business plan goals and stakeholder requirements.  
• Work closely with colleagues across the building including Marketing and Visitor Experience to ensure our work is visible and supported consistently.  

Project Practice  

• Delivering Schools Workshops according to shared departmental objectives to a broad range of students including those from SEND and alternative education settings. This includes delivery for early years to Year 13.   
• Weekly delivery of Baby Bards: Shakespeare North’s Tuesday morning storytelling session for children ages 18 months to 4 years old.   
• Delivery of training or additional sessions for participants where cover is required for ongoing projects e.g. teacher training, Be the Change workshops,  
• Representation of the department at events such as open days, careers fairs or community events.   
• Designing programmes and workshops that may be deliverable by other practitioners.   
• Complete educational tours of Shakespeare North Playhouse as needed.   

General & Administrative  

• Be an active and supportive member of the Shakespeare North staff team.  
• Be welcoming and provide excellent customer care to all visitors to Shakespeare North in all departments.  
• Booking spaces and navigating the internal booking system at Shakespeare North.  
• Working within project budgets.  
• Understanding and working within guidelines relating to access & inclusion, health & safety, equality & diversity, data protection & GDPR, sustainability.   
• Actively keep up to date with the artistic programme.  
• Actively engage with the arts and culture sector and be knowledgeable on activities happening across the Northwest and beyond.  
• Regularly meet with the Head of Engagement and other members of the team.   

PERSON SPECIFICATION   

Background and Experience:   

• Significant experience working with participants including children and young people, participants with additional needs and vulnerable adults. Ideally in a drama-related practice.  
• An understanding of the theatre ecology and potential culture and learning programme partners.  
• An enthusiastic and active champion of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Access and a demonstrable track record of championing a diverse range of creative voices.   
• Experience in managing relationships with multiple stakeholders.   
• Experience working in educational settings.  
• Chaperone License or willingness to undergo the process to obtain a license.   

Skills and Knowledge:   

• Excellent project management skills.  
• Strong IT skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office.  
• Strong practice-based delivery skills including dynamic workshop delivery, excellent communication skills and leading participants to an outcome.  
• Comprehensive understanding of the principles and best practices of safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults including experience of escalating concerns and disclosures.  
• Ability to solve problems proactively in a fast and effective manner, working well under pressure.  
• Strong administrative, organisational, time management and prioritisation abilities.   
• Commitment to working collaboratively and creatively with others including colleagues and other practitioners.  

Personal Qualities:   

• Strong interest in and commitment to the arts and culture.  
• An interest or willingness to learn about the work of Shakespeare.   
• A positive, mature and professional attitude towards work with excellent verbal and interpersonal and good written communication skills.  
• Flexibility in relation to duties and working hours which may include evenings and weekends.   
• Ability to work with a broad range of people/participants in an enthusiastic and curious way.   
• Resourceful, open minded, positive and solution focused.   

How to Apply 

If having reviewed the job description and information about the Shakespeare North Playhouse you consider yourself to be a good fit for this role, please email a CV, a cover letter of application and completed equal opportunities form to [email protected] 

The cover letter of application should be of no more than 2 sides of A4 addressing how your experience matches the role description, why you are interested in the role and why you think your skills and experience would make you a good candidate. Alternatively, you may submit a video/audio file of no more than 10 minutes in length. You can do this via WeTransfer or an alternative file transfer service.  

The closing date for applications is Monday, 21 September at 9am. 

We are keen to find the right person and will be reviewing applications as they are received. Early applications are encouraged, as we may interview and appoint before the closing date.  

Diverse representation 

We encourage and welcome applications from people whose background and experience are under-represented in the cultural sector. We are committed to inclusive working practices and understand there may be barriers people face when considering an opportunity like this. If you are interested in applying for this role but feel there are things that may prevent you from getting involved, please get in touch and let us know how we can support you in making your application and throughout the selection process. 

Equality Monitoring 

As part of your application, please make sure to fill out the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form . The information you provide will not impact on the consideration of your application and will be used solely for the purpose of monitoring. 

Data Protection 

Information provided by you as part of your application will be used in the recruitment process. Any data about you will be held securely with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your application in the recruitment process. Once the process is completed the data relating to unsuccessful applicants will be stored for a maximum of 6 months and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, your application will be retained and form the basis of your personnel record. By submitting your application, you are giving your consent to your data being stored and processed for the purpose of the recruitment process, equal opportunities monitoring and your personnel record if you are the successful candidate. In submitting your application, we will assume that consent by you is given. We refer you to Shakespeare North’s job applicant privacy notice which you should read before applying for this role. 

If you have any questions or would like to have an informal conversation about the role before applying, please contact us via email at [email protected] 

This job description is intended as a guide to the duties expected of the post-holder. These duties may be reviewed from time to time to meet the needs of the business. 

This job description is not contractual.