Head of Programme & Partnerships (Maternity Cover)

This will include securing national and international programme partnerships and co-commissioners, contributing to and sourcing funding opportunities, planning around staffing, budgets and projects, setting KPIs and ensuring funder and organisational commitments are set realistically, adhered to and upheld.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

Organisational strategy & sustainability  

• Undertake a leadership role within the organisation through contributing to strategy, business planning, objective setting and steering organisational culture.  

• Undertake a strategic contribution to the development of our mission, vision, values and organisational priorities in relation to programme and potentially contribute to ACE NPO applications if timelines necessitate this activity within the duration of the role. 

• Prepare Board papers and reports and attend or present at Board meetings when necessary, supporting the Director to continually energise and foster support from Board for programme-related matters.  

• Ensure Outcomes & Objectives and Investment Principles are embedded and reached through our artistic and engagement activities in order to maintain stakeholder relationships and ensure financial sustainability.  

• Strategic engagement and leadership with regards to organisational priorities of EDI and sustainability through building networks and ensuring these principles are embedded in early planning of LB2027.  

• Help maintain principal funder relationships by inputting to ACE and other funder reports, updates and meetings where necessary.  

• Support the Director and Development team to source, develop and implement fundraising approaches, including attending meetings with potential funders where necessary, preparing presentations, drafting budgets and steering project descriptions for applications.  

• Have strategic oversight of organisational evaluation and work to embed principles for change from LB2025 external evaluation into future planning.  

Partnerships  

• Source, leverage and manage programme-related partnerships and stakeholders nationally and internationally including co-commissioning partners, touring partners, venue partners, etc. Negotiate and oversee contracts and where appropriate, including for contributory or co-commissioning income. 

• Cultivate and build relationships with local, national and international peers and potential partners, including arts organisations, artists and creative practitioners, curators, academic institutions, community groups, local authorities, local artists etc., keeping up to date with current trends and concerns, contributing to brand awareness and strategic positioning of programmes amongst peers.  

• Lead on maintaining and strengthening relationships with Management, Programme and Learning teams at all festival partner venues, ensuring mutual respect and trust is built through collaborative working.  

• Represent Biennial at local, national, and international public events, meetings and networking events, seeking opportunity to meet key stakeholders and to speak at events and/or consult for organisations to inspire and advocate for LB’s vision.  

Curatorial / Exhibitions Organisation & Delivery  

• Work alongside the Director, Head of Development and LB2027 Guest Curator(s) to develop and uphold a cohesive artistic vision and programme for the festival which is both ambitious and achievable.  

• Ensure the effective delivery of the programme in collaboration with Senior Leadership Team, cultivating buy-in from staff, Board, stakeholders and the wider community.  

• Work closely with SLT to diversify and grow our audiences, in particular our family and young people audiences, by curating bespoke and necessary programmes which respond to and explore socio-economic issues and organisational and stakeholder priorities.  

• Advance, steer and supervise the realisation and delivery of all projects, exhibitions and events, supporting team members by responding quickly to resolve issues, find solutions or make managerial decisions when necessary.  

• Work closely with Guest Curator(s) to ensure organisational commitments are prioritised within all elements of the festival programme and ideas are developed in line with available resource and capacity.  

• Attend performances, events and festivals to make critical assessments for programming consideration and maintain a strong awareness of current trends and emerging talent.  

• Liaise with, host and support artists and their representatives whenever necessary.  

• Be Safeguarding Lead for the organisation, working alongside Safeguarding Deputy to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults throughout all activity.  

• Maintain oversight of all health and safety related issues including sign off of all programme-related H&S paperwork and ensuring staff have the necessary training.  

Team Management  

• Lead on recruitment of all Programme & Learning roles in line with company budgets and festival timelines, ensuring roles are developed in response to skills and capacity gaps in the team.  

• Ensure that the planning and delivery of artistic projects are professionally managed through effective line management, with strong and clear lines of delegation of roles and structured, supportive team working.  

• Ensure effective communication between team members and departments through devising responsive and effective meeting, feedback and communication strategies.  

Financial risk & management  

• Have ultimate responsibility for managing financial and reputational risks associated with programme budgets, keeping oversight of all projects and ensuring financial pressures are effectively anticipated, identified, communicated and resolved.  

• Maintain strategic oversight of organisational budgets and input into company-wide budgeting and financial management.  

• Supported by Programme Manager, work closely with Head of Finance to ensure management accounts and forecasts are accurate and up to date, alongside any other finance related queries.  

• Build and implement templates, working budgets, staffing levels and financial allocations for all projects, ensuring staff are trained effectively and feel confident in the daily administration and management of budgets and their roles.  

• Oversee procurement processes and frameworks to ensure best value for money is achieved and potential suppliers are thoroughly researched.  

• Be responsible for monitoring, responding to and updating programme-related risks in the organisational risk register

PERSON SPECIFICATION  

  Essential:  

• Minimum 6 years of working in an arts project management role, or similar  

• Minimum 3 years of working in or contributing to a strategic position within a publicly funded arts institution (NPO or similar) 

• Knowledge of contemporary visual arts sector and Liverpool Biennial 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to foster new relationships and partnerships quickly  

• Evidence of coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple conversations and projects with strict deadlines simultaneously  

• Adept in Microsoft Excel and/or other project management software  

• Experience of managing budgets over six figures  

• Ability to effectively line manage and delegate to a diverse team of individuals 

• Demonstrable experience of managing multiple partner and stakeholder relationships simultaneously, balancing conflicting priorities and needs  

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion  

• Commitment to environmental sustainability 

• Willingness to obtain a CRB check  

  Desirable:  

• Working in an international environment  

• Experience of Safeguarding procedures and knowledge of up-to-date legislation