Director

Job title: Director
Employer: Void Art Centre, 10 Waterloo Place, Derry BT486BU
Reports to: Board of Directors
Hours of work: full time (35 hours per week)
Contract time: 5 year contract (6 months probation)
Salary:  £50,737 – £53,050

Void Art Centre is one of the leading art institutions in Northern Ireland and Derry. The gallery relocated in March 2021 to the city centre, 10 Waterloo Place. The gallery has 2 exhibition spaces and an education space that is used for talks, screenings and workshops. Void Art Centre was found in 2005 and since that time has developed a significant exhibition and engagement programme as well as a reputation nationally and internationally. 

Void commissions and produces a visual arts programme that aims to challenge audiences and promote the arts to new and existing audiences. The programme supports a diverse range of artistic practices of national and international artists.

The programme focuses on the collaborative nature of art and its ability to add to artistic discourse through exhibitions, events, discussions and partnerships. Through the commissions programme Void works with a network of arts organisations both nationally and internationally to create specific projects. Void commissioned artist Helen Cammock’s film The Long Note, which she was one of the recipients of the Turner Prize, the work was purchased by the Irish Museum of Modern Art for their collection. Void with Chisenhale Gallery co-commissioned the work of Ima-Abasi Okon, which was purchased for the Tate collection. In 2019, Void was the producer of the Irish Pavilion with artist Eva Rothschild as part of the Venice Biennale. 

This role will appeal to someone who is innovative and ambitious, with a dynamic vision and a deep passion and knowledge of the arts, a person who works well with others in a creative team and with strong management and financial skills. Experience in arts management, cultural production, generating revenue, managing teams and building partnerships is a must for this role along with an ability to collaborate, network, negotiate and influence at multiple levels. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build on the organisation’s recent successes in developing its international profile and ambitious programming.

The board invites interest from those with knowledge of the visual arts sector with curatorial experience is essential for this role.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Established track record in organisational leadership and arts management at a senior level, with at least five years’ experience in a similar role.
• Established track record in cultural production and artistic programming.
• Experience in fundraising and income generation through public and private funds.
• Strong financial skills, including budgeting and cash forecasting.
• Ability to work and report to Board of Directors
• Experience in audience and public engagement development locally, nationally and internationally
• Experience in developing creative marketing strategies and PR.
• A minimum of graduate degree in a relevant area, a postgraduate degree would be an advantage.
• Knowledge and enthusiasm for contemporary art

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Overview
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Director is a senior management position with responsibility for the efficient management of all aspects of the work of Void Arts Centre. They will develop and deliver the artistic programme.  The Director puts in place the structure necessary to realise the potential of The Void Art Centre. They lead with applications for funding and the effective management of grants and stakeholders. They will foster positive relationships with cultural, educational and funding bodies, including, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Derry City and Strabane District Council and key organisations in Northern Ireland and beyond. They will liaise regionally, nationally and internationally with artists’ resource organisations and with all relevant national agencies.

They will ensure the organisation meets the highest of standards of governance practices and health and safety. They will oversee the documentation and evaluation of the organisation’s work and fulfil and anticipate conditions attached to funding and grants.

The Director oversees financial controls and works with the Finance Officer in the development of quarterly management accounts. They liaise with the Finance Officer and Voids accountant who manages the annual audit and preparation of financial statements. They oversee the updating of budgets, managing income and expenditure, ensuring robust financial management strategies and long-term sustainable financial planning, all in consultation with the Finance Officer and with the approval of the Board.

They will be responsible for best practice in governance and will work with the Finance Officer in liaising with all government bodies.

Strategic 
Work with the Board of Directors in developing and implementing the organisational strategy. Develop 5 year business plan with Board. 

Void Arts Centre Team 

• Director
• Head of Public Programmes
• Learning Officer
• Finance Officer
• Gallery Co-ordinator
• Press & Marketing Co-ordinator
• Freelance Technicians 
• Casual Staff: Front of House Staff, volunteers and interns

Artistic Programming:
The Director is responsible for:

• Programming and planning the artistic programme, 5 exhibitions per year 
• Work with Head of Public Programmes in developing a programme that aligns itself with the exhibition programme.
• Building and maintaining relationships with all stakeholders and building diverse audiences and partners.
• Managing all programme budgets and sourcing additional project funding.
• Planning and overseeing all installations and adhering to health and safety requirements for the public, staff and visiting artists.
• Maintain and develop relationships with local, national and international institutions
• Advocate for and represent the Centre at relevant professional meetings; for example, Plus Tate, North South Visual Arts Network.

Financial Management
In particular the Director is responsible for the sound financial management of the organisation:

• Preparing and managing annual budgets
• Ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements
• Working with the company auditor and finance officer to prepare annual audited accounts
• Presenting financial and Director reports to the Board
• Managing with Finance officer payroll, creditors, debtors and cashflow
• Sourcing new / additional revenue streams
• The timely preparation, delivery, drawing down and reporting on all funding applications, in particular those of the main funders (i.e. Arts Council Northern Ireland and Derry City and Strabane District Council)
• Supports Development and Curatorial projects with the production of funding proposals to major donors and applications to Trusts and Foundations 
• Contributes to the fundraising strategy in collaboration with the board, in line with the business plan 
• Develops strategies to increase earned income, including edition sales, gallery hires and visitor donations 

Galleries, Office and Building Management: 
The Director is responsible for:

• Overseeing the smooth running of the galleries, and office throughout the year and ensuring that appropriate and efficient systems – including utilities and IT systems are in place.
• Upkeep of the building, including managing and sourcing funding and resources for its upkeep.
• Servicing the Board with documentation, organising board meetings, preparing agendas, and disseminating minutes.
• Ensuring that organisational requirements, and legal and insurance obligations, all legal, contractual, financial, health and safety, child protection and other statutory obligations are adhered to.
• Has oversight of audience evaluation across departments and programmes. Supports the Operations Coordinator with recording audience figures, feedback from artists, audiences, participants and stakeholders, analysing audience data and drafting reports. Suggests ways to apply this knowledge to the organisation and programme.

Human Resources

The Director is responsible for:

• Management of staff and contracts.
• Convenes and attends regular staff meetings, including those to discuss and plan current and future artistic programmes, evaluation and organisational strategy
• Manages recruitment, including advertising, short-listing, interviewing, reference checking, ensuring compliance with equal opportunities policies etc. 
• Supervises induction of new staff members with support from the Gallery Co-Ordinator 
• Writes and updates staff job descriptions 
• Supports staff members in their professional development, devise policies and procedures for staff training and mentoring 

Other 

1. • Engages in specific anti-racist and inclusive learning and professional development; participates in related arts community discussions, to contribute to Void Art Centre’s ongoing commitment to solidarity, social justice, and anti-bias 
   • Demonstrates commitment to Void’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy 
   • Adheres Void’s code of conduct and all policies and procedures 
   • Carries out other duties deemed appropriate by the Director 
   • Some weekend and evening work is required
   • Attend events, meetings and conferences. Actively participates in the contemporary art world – networking with artists, gallerists, collectors, funders and other institutions supporting the work of contemporary artists.

Void requires all staff to obtain enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure, in accordance with Void’s Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy. You will be required to provide the necessary documentation for the checks to be carried out. Void will cover the cost of obtaining the disclosure and reserves the right to request additional CRB checks at any time in the future.

Please contact hello@derryvoid.com with any questions.
We will be accepting CV and Cover Letters for this post to hello@derryvoid.com

Deadline for applications: March 20^th 5pm
First Interview via Zoom: March 29^th
Second Interview in person: April 3rd