ABOUT
Soul City Arts (SCA) is an arts organisation committed to developing creative programmes with a vision of ‘connecting communities and transforming society through creativity’. The organisation is founded and led by artist and curator Mohammed Ali MBE, who has built a strong team over the past two decades. We create events and programmes that explore commonalities and shared narratives of people across all faiths and those of differing perspectives. We seek to build hope, pride and confidence within communities enabling them to celebrate themselves and their narratives. We like to help tell the stories of everyday people in extraordinary form.
Soul City Arts is based at a former industrial warehouse in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, which we have named ‘Port Hope’. We have transformed the space into a creative oasis in the middle of inner-city Birmingham. Whilst we have delivered programmes across the UK and around the globe, we are proud to be embedded in the community and remain committed to delivering locally. Following our recent success in becoming an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, this is the perfect time to join the team as we continue to build our team, offer, and reach.
THE ROLE
Soul City Arts seeks to employ an experienced Senior Producer, reporting to the Artistic Director. The Senior Producer will support SCA’s Artistic Director in the effective delivery of all SCA activity, from planning to delivery review, whilst providing effective event support. You will supervise and manage a small team.
As Senior Producer you will work collaboratively with creative organisations and practitioners; be skilled at building relationships with speed and credibility with people at all levels, cultivating strong relationships with UK, international partners and venues alongside developing new partnerships. You will also support the Artistic Director to oversee and manage events and projects.
You will be a creative, collaborative and ideas driven individual, confident in managing people and multiple priorities, with extensive experience of producing complex productions with a range of partners.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As Senior Producer you will:
- Identify artistic opportunities that further SCA artistic ambitions, nationally, internationally and digitally by developing partnerships and prospecting leads
- Work with the wider SCA freelance team (production manager, tech etc) to deliver diverse commissions, programme strands and ideas across multiple interdisciplinary artforms.
- In collaboration with the Artistic Director establish new relationships with potential partners and companies, programmers and producers, nationally and internationally.
- Identify the best way to develop each project, and be the first point of contact for events and projects that are taking place locally
- Ensure artists SCA is working with are supported, communicated with, and managed to ensure the best possible experience.
- Manage event/project budgets liaising with the Executive Director providing regular and accurate updates.
- Manage and champion representation, accessibility and inclusion across the Producing Process including setting frameworks for accountability and monitoring.
- Ensure effective internal production communication between the SCA team, artists, production partners and staff
- Ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget
- Work with the SCA team to collect data for Arts Council England and other funders as
- Lead on projects that include community engagement and meet with the local community champions and figures to profile build and develop relationships, including schools and our work within schools
- Represent the company at cultural, city council and Arts Council meetings as required locally and nationally
- Work with partner venues to ensure all spaces for projects, including workshops, rehearsals and technical support are booked
- Work with the Production manager for site specific delivery to ensure the technical and production requirements for the artists are met.
- Liaise with the artists to understand who is attending, what their production and technical requirements are and liaise with venues and SCA staff with regards to implementing this.
- Liaise and work with the operations manager with regards to contracting of artists, freelance staff and access to Port Hope.
- Advance planning of production schedules in conjunction with the Operations Manger and Studio Assistant to ensure that events can be set up in good time.
- Other producing responsibilities as required
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We are looking for someone with:
- Demonstrated achievement of results in proactive partnership, stakeholder and business development
- Previous responsibility for contracting and financial oversight
- Experience of financial monitoring and budgeting
- Experience of managing projects and large-scale events
- Working knowledge and understanding of operational delivery linked to projects and programmes, including the development of systems, policies and procedures and ensuring compliance
- Experience of monitoring, evaluation and reporting, including to funders and Trustees, and specifically liaising with, and reporting to Arts Council England
- Excellent organisation and leadership skills, with the ability to balance and prioritise a diverse workload,
- Be competent across IT and software, including a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and willingness to learn other software programmes and digital tools quickly as needed (Arts Council England interfaces)
- Demonstrable interest in community engagement, representation and inclusion
- The ability to be an effective communicator, able to build and maintain relationships with colleagues, agencies, and partners
- A can-do attitude to working in small and busy team structure, with experience of working on multiple work strands with competing demands with people from all walks of life
- A personal and professional interest in arts, culture and heritage
- Familiarity with and appreciation of diverse cultures and faith in all its forms
- Understanding and appreciation of the brand, vision and values of SCA – set out in outline here
- Experience of managing staff and personnel procedures
- Flexibility and an ability to self-manage and self-motivate
You will also need to be based in, or able to move within commuting distance of Birmingham.
What you can expect from us:
- Opportunity to shape and build our internal processes.
- Opportunity to work for an organisation that is committed to serving our community.
- Multiple opportunities to connect, grow, and develop.
- Enhanced annual leave.
- Opportunity to work flexibly.
We’re All About Equal Opportunities:
We know that a successful team is made up of diverse people, able to be their authentic selves.
Interviews will be guaranteed for all candidates meeting the basic criteria linked to the person specification provided in relevant job description. SCA aims to reflect all of the city of Birmingham’s communities in our workforce and in particular those from a diverse background.
If you believe that you meet the minimum requirements of the role, you are warmly encouraged to apply. In addition, SCA is committed to meeting your access, inclusion, and support needs. Please share with us any access and support needs and reasonable adjustments that will support you during this process and we will work with you to ensure that your support needs are met.
To support us with our monitoring processes, please complete the anonymous equal opportunities form available via our job pack and website. www.soulcityarts.com
How to apply:
To apply please send your CV to support@ig-hr.co.uk
We would also love to find out more about you and why you have applied so please also write (up to 1 page) your answers to the following questions (select 3 questions max):
- Tell us what excites you the most about Soul City Arts?
- Tell us more about you and your interest in this specific role?
- Please provide up to three examples of your experience which you believe best demonstrates your ability to deliver the role for which you have applied?
- Tell us about a recent creative experience that you really enjoyed?
- What does community and inclusion mean to you?
If you prefer, you can record your answers to your selected questions on a video of no more than 4 minutes.
Timescales
Deadline: Monday 15th July 2024.
Interviews will commence from 15 July 2024.
Role Commencement: As soon as possible after the offer is made.