We are seeking a Community Development and Engagement Manager to plan and oversee the delivery of CFCCA’s community engagement programme and contribute to its strategic development, engaging Manchester communities in Chinese, East and Southeast Asian contemporary arts and culture. The role will include developing a programme of engagement projects including the organising and development of the Dumpling Social Club. This role will develop wellbeing and age friendly activities, family learning events, workshops and talks in line with the centre’s community engagement goals; scheduling and delivery of the artist-in-residence programme; and overseeing displays of engagement projects and activities in the CFCCA galleries and in community settings in Manchester where appropriate.
Job Description
Community Development and Engagement Manager
Hours of Work: Full time post – 37.5 hours across 5 days a week (including weekends) Salary: £27-30k
Reports to: Interim Executive Director
Responsible for: This post will supervise Business and Development Coordinator, FoH Assistant, volunteers, interns and freelance artists/engagement coordinator/assistant where appropriate.
Key responsibilities:
Engagement programme
To lead on the CFCCA engagement programme in line with CFCCA’s organisational objectives.
To oversee the delivery of longer term engagement projects and identify potential new partnerships going forwards. To devise opportunities to display and showcase projects across CFCCA’s gallery spaces where appropriate with relevant community groups.
To devise and deliver programmes of activity to including talks, workshops and events for a broad public audience.
To support delivery of the CFCCA community engagement and audience development plan, devising ways to connect with target audiences and actively building connections with community groups, young people and schools.
To represent the organisation on all engagement, learning and community development related work both on and offsite.
To work alongside and assist freelance project curators, engagement assistants and artists in the running of specific projects, providing DBS checks, contracts and advice where appropriate.
To support fundraising for the CFCCA engagement programme, leading funding bids where appropriate including supporting funding application to Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Artist-in-Residence programme
To support the coordination and the practical delivery of the CFCCA artist-in-residence programme and contribute to its development; identifying new national and international partnerships to collaborate with on exchange.
To provide support to the artist-in-residence throughout their stay ensuring they are well networked in the regional arts scene and their time in Manchester is maximised.
To create public opportunities both physical and on-line around the residency programme and create opportunities for direct public engagement between residency artists and potential community/artist/educational groups.
General Responsibilities
At all times commit to, and evidence, CFCCA’s values – Inclusive, Purpose/Goal driven, Respect, Collaborative, Creative, and the organisation’s Vision, Mission and Purpose while ensuring that community care and visitor experience is of the highest quality.
Represent CFCCA locally and regionally with all relevant bodies and partners.
Ensure that the principles of inclusivity and equality are evident in your behaviour and work with your colleagues, our users and communities
Make best use of technology in the development and delivery of all organisational functions.
Prioritise communication and promotion of CFCCA, its values and its services, utilising all relevant channels including social media.
Work evenings and weekends when required.
Actively participate in the wider life of CFCCA contributing to inter-disciplinary teamwork and projects, updating systems and processes and undertaking other duties as requested.
Ensure compliance with all policies and support regular reviewing of processes for effective implementation
To devise and deliver community engagement plan and audience development activities.
To act as the first point of contact for all engagement and residency related enquiries.
To be one of a team of CFCCA key-holder with shared responsibility of opening and closing the building during the opening hours of the Centre, overseeing the work of volunteers and any internal/external events in the building on these days.
To keep up-to-date with community development and changing needs in particular the Chinese diaspora, East Southeast Asian and wider communities in Manchester.
To provide learning experiences for CFCCA volunteers, including them in project work where appropriate and training and development opportunities.
To deliver tours of the exhibitions and programme at CFCCA for the public and arranged groups where appropriate.
To work within and support CFCCA’s equal opportunities, safeguarding and Health and Safety policies supporting the CFCCA Operations Manager to implement and maintain good practice.
To line manage Business and Development Coordinator in identifying funding and fundraising activities to support the work on community projects and programmes.
To work with FoH assistant and assist with front of house duties welcoming visitors to the centre, providing them with information and orientation when necessary and spot checking spaces and exhibits.
Accountable for the ongoing development of community-based programming and audience development
Accountable for high quality delivery of engagement activities with diverse communities across all ages and audiences to increase the reach and accessibility of CFCCA.
Person Specification
Essential
- Previous experience of working with community engagement and developing learning programmes
- Knowledge and appreciation of Chinese, East and Southeast Asian Contemporary art and culture
- Knowledge of devising community engagement and public programmes of events, talks and workshops for groups and audiences
- Strong project management and organisational skills including budget management
- Computer literacy including the use of word processing packages, spreadsheets, internet, email and knowledge of or willingness to learn and use other programmes
- Attention to detail
- Effective communicator
- Understanding and commitment for equity, diversity and inclusion
- Team player, managing, supporting and enabling others within a small but ambitious arts organisation
- Willingness to work the indicated hours including working on Saturdays, some Sundays and occasional evenings
- Highly motivated and organised, with a keenness to learn and develop this area of work
- Willingness to adhere to all CFCCAs policies including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities
Desirable
- Degree or equivalent experience in an art-related subject
- Experience of working in an engagement role in a visual arts institution
- Knowledge of Chinese contemporary art/lived experience of Chinese, East Asian culture
- Fluent in written and spoken Mandarin
- Fundraising experience
