Reports to: Board of Trustees. Southwold Arts Centre is managed by Sole Bay Arts CIO, a registered charity dedicated to enriching and engaging the community through culture.
Job Type: Permanent, full-time. Primarily venue based, including evenings and weekends, with some remote work possible. Success in this role requires strong time management and prioritisation.
Salary: c.£35,000 per annum, dependent on skills and experience.
Main Purpose of the Role
The General Manager is responsible for ensuring the efficient daily operation of Southwold Arts Centre, overseeing its programme of events, venue operations, and the management of volunteers, staff and freelancers. The role includes ensuring that the venue remains fit for purpose and compliant with the requirements of charitable status and other statutory regulations. Working in close partnership with the Board of Trustees, the General Manager is also tasked with leading fundraising activities and generating income to support the Centre’s sustainability and growth.
Programme Development and Management
The General Manager develops and manages the hall's events programme, working with the Chair of Trustees and Programme Group to coordinate an annual schedule across all genres, attract new audiences, and stay within budget. The role includes communicating with organisers about bookings and contracts, and arranging events.
The General Manager confirms event details, contracts, and invoices with artists, agents, managers, and hirers, negotiating deals that ensure financial viability. They also advance the Hall’s community mission by building partnerships locally and nationally.
Events and Hall Management
The General Manager oversees hall operations, including equipment management, contractor coordination, and event provider support for technical needs. They maintain contact lists for contractors and organisers, ensure health and safety compliance with the Health and Safety Officer, supervise cleaning, staff, and volunteers, and act as the hall licensee. Additional duties include scheduling front-of-house shifts, training new volunteers, collaborating on publicity, managing correspondence, ensuring box office coverage, stocking bars, organizing event layouts, inducting users on facility safety, and ensuring adherence to all relevant laws and regulations.
Financial Management and Fundraising
The General Manager supports the Finance Director with invoicing, payments, managing petty cash, and banking. They lead fundraising efforts with the Chair and Board, handle donations, and communicate with sponsors and major donors. The role includes overseeing the Box Office coworking space, implementing strategies for sustainability and revenue growth, and requires fundraising, business planning, budget management experience, and success in securing major funding in the charity sector.
Marketing and Public Relations
The General Manager collaborates with the marketing Trustee to maximize event visibility and ticket sales. Duties include coordinating marketing materials, overseeing distribution, maintaining media relationships, and managing website content, ticketing, and sales reports.
Strategic Relations and Communication
Building strong ties with local cultural organisations and businesses is essential. The General Manager oversees communication, serves as spokesperson for Southwold Arts Centre, attends Trustee meetings, and reports regularly to support trustees in their oversight and decision-making.
Hall Maintenance
The General Manager is responsible for ensuring that the hall is operational, clean, tidy, and fit for purpose. Any major maintenance issues must be communicated to the trustees in a timely manner.
Partnerships
The role demands proven skills in networking, building partnerships with donors and sponsors, and engaging grant-making organisations. Strong entrepreneurial and collaborative leadership, flexibility, effective communication, and presentation abilities are required. The General Manager must understand programming and offer artistic guidance to creative partners.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a genuine passion for the arts and a strong commitment to supporting the organisation’s mission. They should possess in-depth knowledge of arts programming, coupled with a thorough understanding of community engagement. The role demands an innovative and forward-thinking approach, with a proactive attitude toward problem-solving and the ability to anticipate the needs of colleagues.
Excellent leadership qualities are essential, with the ability to collaborate effectively and inclusively. The successful candidate will uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Attention to detail and strong organisational skills are vital, as is the capacity to manage time efficiently while handling administrative and IT tasks with a high degree of accuracy. The candidate must be able to work at pace, approach challenges with curiosity, and maintain a solution-focused mindset.
Education and Experience
Candidates must have a minimum of three years’ experience in management within the arts, cultural, or non-profit sectors.
A proven track record in strategic planning, financial management, and organisational leadership is required.
Process
Applicants are invited to send a statement on how they meet the job and person specifications and why they are the best person for this role, together with an up-to-date CV to Michael Rowan-Robinson, Chair of The Trustees at Southwold Arts Centre Recruitment (sac.recruitment@icloud.com).
This email address should also be used for any queries.
Key Dates
Interviews – w/c 9 February (first round), w/c 16 February (second round)
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