MANCHESTER REGIONAL PRODUCER
(Maternity Cover Ð 9 months Ð 0.6 FTE)


BACKGROUND

Streetwise Opera is an opera company that enables people whoÕve experienced homelessness to find inspiration and empowerment while they rebuild their lives and identities. We support participants to develop as creative people and, as we amplify their voices, change how society views homelessness.

We engage world-class artists, both established and emerging, to co-create bold new work and reimagine traditional repertoire. We create opera that is for everyone and, by bringing together diverse voices, change how society views opera.?We run a programme of singing and creative workshops in London, Manchester and Nottingham, that inspires and empowers people who are recovering from homelessness. As they engage with our work, Streetwise Opera performers improve their wellbeing and rebuild their social networks, and we have a robust evaluation system that helps us demonstrate the difference we make.

People who experience homelessness very often suffer from a diminished sense of self-worth and low expectations about what they can achieve and what they can expect from life. Streetwise Opera performers reinvent themselves as creators who make the world more beautiful and have the power to bring audiences to their feet. This gives them the confidence and inspiration to rebuild their lives.

Current programming

This year, Streetwise Opera launches Re:Discover, a triple bill of new operas inspired by the music of composers of African and Caribbean heritage. Through a series of workshops starting in the Autumn of 2023, performers in our well-established Streetwise Opera groups in London, Manchester and Nottingham will each co-create a short opera to form part of a three-opera cycle. This will build on an online project that took place during the pandemic, led by soprano and Re:Discover Festival Director Abigail Kelly, which introduced performers to four such composers.?? 

Each Streetwise Opera group will explore the works of six historical composers of African or Caribbean heritage (Ignatius Sancho, Florence Price, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Joseph Bologne (Chevalier de Saint-Georges), George Bridgetower and Margaret Bonds), alongside folk music originating from the Caribbean. They will take inspiration from this music to create a short opera in collaboration with a composer and a professional writer (who will co-write the project across all three cities). Each opera will be performed in each region, alongside a wider festival of events that showcase the music that inspired the operas.

To widen the reach of the project further, we will work in frontline homelessness settings such as day centres and hostels to continue to explore the themes of Re:Discover, taking this music as our starting point to create complementary pieces of art, music, performances and talks.

We have seven core values which underpin the way we work:

* Ambition
* Creativity
* Collaboration
* Generosity
* Always learning
* Fun
* Staying true

You can read about our history at https://streetwiseopera.org/history.


WORKING AT STREETWISE OPERA

We are passionate about providing a workplace culture that values personal development and wellbeing. We anticipate the post-holder to be Manchester based and work from home to facilitate attendance each Wednesday at the weekly session (currently at Whitworth Art Gallery) and other activities as required. We operate a hybrid model of in-person and remote working with team members based across the country with a Central London office.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring within the framework of the law that our workplaces are free from unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender (including gender reassignment), sexuality, religion or beliefs, marital status, disability, age, pregnancy or trade union membership, or the fact that they are a part-time worker or a fixed-term employee. 

We aim to ensure that our employees achieve their full potential and that all employment decisions are taken without reference to irrelevant or discriminatory criteria. To find out more, read our Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy at https://streetwiseopera.org/diversity.


ABOUT THE ROLE

Streetwise Opera is looking to appoint a self-motivated individual with strong communication skills to the role of Manchester Regional Producer (Maternity Cover). Working closely with the Head of Producing & Participation, Artistic Director and other two regional producers, this maternity cover role will develop and manage relationships with partners in Manchester in order to implement our creative projects.

The producing team

Streetwise OperaÕs producing team coordinates all artistic delivery including weekly sessions, taster workshops and regular performances/productions, alongside developing relationships with homelessness partners.

Location: Working from home with the ability to attend weekly workshops in Manchester (Wednesdays, 14:00 Ð 16:00 at Whitworth Art Gallery)

Contract: 9 months 0.6 FTE fixed term contract

Start date: 8 January 2024 with some handover days in November or December

Hours: 21 hours (3 days) per week. Core hours are 09:30 Ð 17:30 (excluding one hour lunch break), and preferred working days Monday Ð Wednesday. Some additional out-of-hours working at evening and weekend events may be required, for which time off in lieu is offered

Salary: £30,000 per annum (pro rata 0.6 FTE - £18,000 per annum)

Probationary period: 1 month

Notice period: 6 weeks

Access: We are always happy to consider requests for reasonable adjustments to meet access requirements, and will support team members in any applications to Access to Work to cover relevant costs

Benefits: 
* 23 days annual leave plus 8 days public holiday (pro-rata 0.6 FTE Ð 18.5 days)
* 6 days volunteering leave (pro-rata 0.6 FTE Ð 3.5 days)
* 2 days wellbeing leave (pro-rata 0.6 FTE Ð 1 day)
* Statutory pension provision (auto-enrolment).
* Enhanced sick pay
* Employee Assistance Programme and monthly drop-in sessions with external HR advisor


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Producing projects in arts-partner and homeless-partner settings

* Work alongside the Artistic Director and Head of Producing & Participation to produce and implement creative projects and performances 
* Manage project budgets 
* Contract and support artists
* Develop relationships with a strong network of cross-genre artists in Manchester
* Liaise with artists throughout delivery of projects
* Build and manage relationships with partner venues in both arts and homeless sector settings 
* Act as the daily point of contact for both arts and homeless sector settings
* Regularly attend sessions and projects in homeless settings
* Oversee and implement safeguarding, pastoral care for performers and manage/book a team of support workers
* Draw up risk assessment for all trips and performances
* To contribute to and support the planning of projects and productions

Participant recruitment

* Develop relationships with partner centres, identify shared goals and put in place partnership agreements
* Work with the Head of Marketing and Communications to develop and implement strategies to generate awareness, interest and engagement in Streetwise Opera projects amongst partners and participants.
* Ensure that participants are aware of the wider Streetwise Opera programme and signpost them to these workshops. 
* Work with the Head of Marketing & Communications to recruit and retain participants

Performances

* Support the Head of Producing & Participation with all logistics relating to local performances
* Support artistic teams to deliver and produce performances 
* Identify local performances and sharings and highlight to the Artistic Director

Theatre trips

* Organise theatre trips in consultation with the Head of Producing & Participation and regional partners, and manage logistics relating to these trips (e.g. staffing; distributing information)  
* Develop partnerships with theatres and concert halls for discounted and free tickets

Monitoring and evaluation

* Liaise with the Monitoring and Evaluation Lead, ensuring that all membership and monitoring forms are completed and returned to the London office, and that all online surveys are completed
* Manage and monitor the take-up of performing and other opportunities offered to participants  
* Undertake any other necessary evaluation and monitoring  
* Contribute to the Workshop Programme quarterly report

Volunteers

* Manage volunteers who undertake specific tasks in workshops, attend performances, trips etc. in conjunction with the Arts Administrator and Head of Producing & Participation

General

* To contribute to creative development of projects through initial Ideas Room sessions

General requirements for all Streetwise Opera staff

* Uphold and promote the organisationÕs core values 
* Contribute to the organisationÕs policy of including performers in decision-making 
* Contribute to the organisationÕs strategic priority of diversity and to ensure that this informs all activities
* Contribute to the development of a professional working and learning environment within the organisation
* Ensure adherence to the organisationÕs policies and procedures
* Work in a flexible manner in line with the organisationÕs objectives and be willing to undertake other duties as reasonably requested
* Deputise for senior colleagues as appropriate

Reporting to: Head of Producing & Participation

Who you will be working with: Artistic Director, Head of Producing & Participation, Nottingham Regional Producer and London Regional Producer as well as colleagues across Streetwise Opera

About you

We are looking for an individual who has experience producing participatory creative arts projects/live performances and working with vulnerable adults with the ability to multi-task and work in a busy, fast paced environment.

The attributes we are looking for:

* Demonstrable experience producing participatory creative arts projects and live performances
* Track record of working in an arts organisation and/or social sector setting
* Knowledge/understanding of the homeless sector and/or experience of working with vulnerable people
* Strong written communication skills
* Excellent administrative skills and knowledge of all major Office software programmes
* Excellent networks (or capacity to build networks) within ManchesterÕs artistic community, including arts organisations or homelessness sector
* A self-starter, with the ability to take the initiative and work independently, collaboratively, and autonomously
* Ability to work well in a fast- paced and varied environment
* Ability to multi-task and work to tight deadlines
* Approachable and well grounded, ability to maintain professional boundaries
* Confident and assured communicator in a group setting


HOW TO APPLY

Webinar to discuss the role

We will be hosting an open webinar event about the role on Friday 15 September from 1pm to 2pm with our Head of Producing & Participation, Marigold Hughes and our General Manager, Jessica Reddel. You will be able to find out more about our work, the role of Manchester Regional Producer and have the opportunity to ask any questions (anonymously, via a written chat function). 

The webinar can be accessed by clicking on the link below, and questions can also be submitted in advance to jessica.reddel@streetwiseopera.org. 

Zoom webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84231809625?pwd=bmtzbGRRcnFhRFRFZWEvOHRPQUVLdz09
Webinar passcode: 292222

Closing date for applications: 12:00 noon on Monday 25 September. We will contact all applicants regarding the outcome of their application by 5:00pm on Friday 29 September.

Interviews

First round interview: Thursday 5 October (in person Ð Manchester) with the Head of Producing & Participation, Artistic Director and a Streetwise Opera performer.

Second round interview: Wednesday 11 October - attending a weekly session (in person Ð Manchester).

To apply for the position of Manchester Regional Producer, please submit an application form online at https://streetwiseopera.org/mrp-mc-apply answering the following questions:

* Why do you want to work for Streetwise Opera? (max 300 words) 
* Tell us about your experience of producing arts participation projects and live performances (max 300 words)
* Tell us about your knowledge of the cultural landscape of Manchester, and how you might draw on this to build partnerships with homeless partners and arts venues (max 300 words) 
* Tell us about your commitment to, and knowledge of, working with vulnerable adults and how you might draw on this to work with, and support, Streetwise Opera performers (max 300 words)

You can send your response in written format, as a video file (no more than 5 minutes) or as an audio file (no more than 5 minutes).

Please make sure to fill out the equal opportunities monitoring section of the form (this information will be held anonymously and will not be used as part of your application). 

All applications will be considered anonymously, using only the answers to the questions you have provided. We will request your CV if you are invited to interview.

We will guarantee an interview to candidates who have lived experience of homelessness and meet the essential criteria in the ÔAbout youÕ section above. If you regard yourself as someone who has this lived experience, please also indicate this on the application form where indicated. Please state if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made with regards to an interview on this on the application form where indicated.

We will support any access requirements you may have during the recruitment process and ensure that reasonable adjustments are in place. If you have any access needs, or barriers to access that you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to let us know either before applying or as part of your application.

If you would like an informal conversation to discuss this role further and find out more about our future plans, or you have any other questions about the role, please contact jessica.reddel@streetwiseopera.org. These conversations will not form part of our selection process.

You can download this job pack in different formats, including Large Text and Plain Text, at https://streetwiseopera.org/vacancy/mrp-mc.