CHIEF EXECUTIVECANDIDATE BRIEFING DOCUMENT

CURVE

Curve theatre is a major UK producing theatre, and our vision is to have a worldwide reputation for awe-inspiring theatre, from the heart of the UK.

Our building is a landmark for the city, designed by world renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, and features two auditoria, one with 900 fixed seats while a 350 seat studio provides a versatile smaller space with its own power flying system. We also have three rehearsal rooms, one of which will be transformed into a third performance space for our associate companies and young people to create work in. The world-class technical facilities and unique ‘inside out’ design of the venue, ensure Curve is a truly unique and special place to work. The theatre was officially opened by Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II on 4th December 2008.

We produce a varied programme of diverse work and are proud supporters of new and emerging talent, actively participating in the development of the next generation of artists, writers and directors through programmes including Curve Young Company, annual Community productions, our partnership with De Montfort University and our associate companies.

Our produced work regularly receives national critical acclaim and draws audiences from across Leicestershire, the UK and from further afield. Recent successes include the world première of a new British musical, Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ The Musical, Paul Kerryson’s

new production of The Sound of Music, the second annual Inside/Out Festival (showcasing new work by artists from across our region) and a co-production with Nottingham Playhouse of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing. In January 2015 Nikolai Foster joined the team as Artistic Director.

We continue to further our reputation as the leading venue outside London to open new productions and work with many of the UK’s leading theatre producers: from the brand new production of Barnum, to our co-production with Kneehigh of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Akram Khan’s acclaimed Vertical Road and DESH, which were created in residence at Curve. Later this year we will launch the national tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Mary Poppins. Alongside our busy programme of visiting work, in-house productions this year include: Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, Shakespeare’s Richard III, Barts’ Oliver! And Dahl’s The Witches (which will open in Hong Kong, before playing at Curve and then touring the UK).

Over the past two years our conferencing and events offer has also expanded, with Curve regularly hosting national conferences and playing host to important events in our city. Recently we played host to Leicester’s inaugural TEDx event. Our business club offers a range of networking opportunities and ensures Curve is connected with the business community.

BACKGROUND

LEICESTER THEATRE TRUST

Leicester Theatre Trust (LTT) is a company limited by guarantee and is a registered charity, which has over 30 years’ history of producing exceptional theatre. It is a National Portfolio client of Arts Council England (ACE) and receives annual funding from Leicester City Council (LCC). LTT is responsible for the operation of Curve.

From 1973 to 2007 the organisation programmed and operated the Haymarket Theatre before de-commissioning the Haymarket and planning a new concept for making theatre in the 21st Century – Curve.

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Amongst these successes, we have learned that our values – Creativity, Customer Focus, Teamwork, Pride and Leadership are what make us stand out: to our audiences and visitors, to our casts, creative teams and visiting companies, and to our funders and stakeholders. We have received national recognition through winning the Visit Britain Gold Award for Access, reflecting not just the physical accessibility of our venue but our access programmes, accessible pricing, community and youth work that seeks to ensure every local person is able to engage with Curve. In our six years since opening, we have twice been awarded the Leicestershire Promotions award for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.

Finally, we are also an active member of our community, one of the most ethnically diverse in the UK. We recently played a major part in the Service of Reveal and Celebration, during the Re-Internment of King Richard III at Leicester Cathedral, and support a number of Leicester’s cultural and community festivals, including Indian Summer, Diwali, Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival, The Spark Children’s Arts Festival, Black History Month and Leicester Pride. Our mission is to use our unique home at the heart of Leicester’s cultural quarter and the talents of our team to entertain, inspire and engage with a modern diverse audience and play a leading role in the development of our industry, our city and our global community. We see an opportunity, in Curve, to create a new model of theatre for a 21st century European plural city.

BACKGROUND continued

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THE ROLE

The role of the Chief Executive of Curve is to provide inspirational leadership and vision for the organisation, ensuring long term strategic planning, the maximization of all possible income streams, financial sustainability and creating an environment in which Curve’s artistic remit can flourish. Through the development and implementation of an integrated artistic vision and business strategy, the Chief Executive will further develop Curve’s reputation and profile as a leading producing theatre and visitor attraction.

The Chief Executive reports directly to the Chair and Board and works closely with the senior executive team. The Chief Executive holds overall accountability for the success and financial stability of the organisation.

The Chief Executive is directly responsible for the Artistic Director, Commercial Director, Head of Finance, Head of HR, Technical & Operations Director and Executive Officer.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

• Provide consistent, clear leadership to the organisation, creating a best practice, positive working environment that encourages a cohesive team approach to fulfilling the vision and mission of Curve

• Lead the development, implementation, monitoring and review of Curve’s Strategic Business plan and ensure performance against all key performance indicators

• Support the Artistic Director and artistic team in developing and delivering an artistic strategy, producing and programming world-class theatre that actively seeks to broaden its audiences

• Maintain the financial integrity and efficiency of Curve, and oversee the development and implementation of the Commercial Strategy, ensuring income from all possible sources is maximised and costs controlled

• Play an active role in Curve’s fundraising efforts, regularly representing Curve to the wider business community, philanthropic donors, funding bodies, trusts and foundations

• Ensure an imaginative and effective approach to audience development in a multi-cultural demographic, and the promotion of all artistic and commercial activities, Curve’s brand and corporate identity

• Actively promote Curve’s core values of Pride, Leadership, Teamwork, Customer Focus and Creativity, ensuring that these are reflected in Curve’s relationship with our audience, stakeholders, and internally

• Ensure long term financial and operational plans are in place for the maintenance and development of Curve’s capital assets, and lead the development of plans for capital improvements

• Take overall responsibility for all aspects of the management of Curve, ensuring it is run in a safe, effective and efficient manner and complies with all legal obligations and requirements

• Report to, and work effectively with the LTT Chair, Board and its sub-committees, attending Board meetings and ensuring members are kept fully informed of all business relating to Curve.

STRATEGIC RELATIONS & REPRESENTATION

• Maintain positive and productive relationships with Arts Council England and Leicester City Council and ensure that relationships with other business partners, stakeholders, sponsors and customers are successfully developed and managed

• Develop creative and strategic partnerships and networks to ensure that Curve continues to be seen as a cultural leader and recognised for its contribution to the cultural, social and economic development of the city, county and region

• Build positive and productive relations with the press and other media acting as the chief spokesperson for Curve

• Continue to develop and promote Curve’s reputation as a leading producing theatre and regional visitor attraction, actively working to develop Curve’s profile nationally and locally, with the media, decision makers, opinion leaders, the cultural sector and the public

• Regularly represent Curve at meetings, conferences, public events and other forums as required.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCEEssential• A proven track record as a leader, managing significant budgets and teams in a high profile performing arts organisation

• A demonstrable track record in the production and delivery of high quality performances or events

• Experience in strategic thinking, business planning, policy setting and implementation

• Demonstrable experience of growing an organisation through commercial activity

• A track record in fundraising across sponsorship, trusts & foundations, and philanthropic giving

• Experience of working or collaborating with creative people, ideally in a relationship with an Artistic or Creative Director

• Experience in initiating, managing and sustaining effective partnerships with a diverse range of organisations and individuals

• Demonstrable experience at growing new audiences and markets

• Experience in networking at the highest political levels.

Desirable• Experience of working with a Local Authority and public funding bodies

• Experience of working in some capacity in a producing theatre

• Experience of working with, and reporting to a voluntary Board of Trustees.

SKILLS AND QUALITIES

• The ability to lead, inspire and motivate a team and win the confidence and respect of colleagues and external contacts

• Ability to manage risk intelligently within an entrepreneurial and creative environment

• Financial and commercial acumen, with strong financial planning and analytical skills

• The ability to balance artistic risk taking with commercial imperatives

• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to broker and maintain trust-based relationships with a wide variety of people and organisations

• Collaborative skills, with proven ability to work effectively with creative individuals and enable artistic excellence to flourish

• Good negotiating and advocacy skills

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, and the ability to represent the organization to a broad range of stakeholders nationally.

KNOWLEDGE

• Wide range of contacts and networks in the arts and cultural sectors nationally

• Knowledge of the international arts and cultural scene

• Knowledge and experience of arts funding systems

• Some knowledge of theatre or venue management is desirable.

The Chief Executive will be a senior executive in the performing arts with a proven track record of working successfully with creative people and leading a large team in the production and delivery of high quality performances or events. He or she will have experience in strategic and financial planning, fundraising, growing commercial revenue streams, and audience development. The successful candidate will have exceptional interpersonal skills, be strongly results oriented and driven to succeed, and have a track record in building effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders. A strong interest in theatre and a commitment to the development of diverse audiences in essential.

The following experience, skills, knowledge and personal qualities are sought:

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CONTRACT Permanent.

SALARY Negotiable (depending on experience).

PENSION Company contributory pension scheme.

LIFE ASSURANCE Company life assurance scheme after 6 months continuous service. Two times annual salary.

PROBATION Six months with one months’ notice.

NOTICE PERIOD Six months.

HOLIDAYS 25 days plus Bank Holidays.

LOCATION The Chief Executive will be expected to live within reasonable distance of the theatre and costs towards relocation are negotiable.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

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If you would like to apply, please send a CV and a letter of application stating why you think you are suitable for the job to Heather Newill, Director AEM International, by email to hnewill@aeminternational.co.uk

Applications must be received by 5pm on Monday, 29th June.

If you would like an informal conversation about the job, please contact Heather Newill on 07866 546117.

Further information on Curve can be found on the website WWW.CURVEONLINE.CO.UK

Curve’s current programme can be found at http://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows

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HOW TO APPLY