EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - APPLICATION PACK

Transform 19, JMA Photography Role : Executive Producer Organisation: Transform ABOUT TRANSFORM ‘Transform has changed the way audiences experience Leeds.’

- The Guardian

Transform is an engine room for urgent, of the moment theatre in Leeds. We are the creators of the biennial Transform festivals, citywide takeovers of powerful performance by artists from across the North of England and the globe. Alongside realising a major international festival of trailblazing performance, we commission and create new work on a year round basis. Recent productions include the Fringe First award winning ‘The Believers Are But Brothers’ by Javaad Alipoor, and ‘Idol’ by Jamal Gerald which tours in 2020. Co-creating with communities and young people, we recently established ‘Future Radicals’, a collective for those aged 16-21 to create performance led by their ideas and worldviews. We are part of networks nationally and internationally, and are leading on the Creative Europe funded ‘Festivals of the Future’ programme, supporting founder and female led festivals across the continent.

Originally established as part of the Leeds Playhouse programme in 2011, Transform became an independent company in 2015 and is led by Creative Director Amy Letman. Celebrating the independent and adventurous spirit of Leeds, Transform reflects the socially conscious and radical North, and connects to the world.

Transform 19, JMA Photography THE FUTURE It’s an exciting moment for Transform. Our highly successful 2019 festival was our boldest yet and reached more audiences and participants than ever before. The companies year round activity has increased through on-going commissioning, co-creation, touring and realisation of major networks like ‘Festivals of the Future.’ As a small, non-regularly funded organisation, the company has been led to date almost solely by the Creative Director, mushrooming to take on freelancers and project staff festival to festival. We are now at a stage where the organisation requires on going administrative, financial, fundraising and producing support. This provides an opportunity for Transform to extend and grow its team in the lead-up to the Transform 21 festival in April 2021. This role is to be one of four new-staggered freelance and part-time employed roles to be appointed in the next year (Executive Producer, Administrator, Marketing & Engagement Manager, Producer), and will be based at the company’s new base at Hope Foundry, Mabgate. Hope Foundry is a developing creative hub in the heart of Leeds’s alternative arts quarter. 2020-2021 is an important period to develop new partnerships, realise new networks, create powerful performance with artists and communities, and realise the next international festival, Transform 21 .

ABOUT THE POST The Executive Producer will support the company in the lead-up to Transform 21 , with a focus on strategy, income generation, finance, partnerships and senior producing. The main aim of this post is to underpin the realisation of Transform 21 and to support organisational development. The Executive Producer will work with the Creative Director to develop the company business plan, diversify income streams, and will provide senior producing support. The role is initially advertised as a shorter term, freelance post, but has the potential to develop further in future. We are seeking a candidate who believes in our values and work, with a shared purpose. You will understand our distinct context and positioning, becoming a natural advocate for Transform’s work. You will be an experienced producer and an entrepreneurial operator. You will thrive developing the fundraising and financial capacities of organisations, and producing across all scales. For this post, we are especially keen to hear from candidates who could contribute to diversifying Transform’s income generation function. The ideal candidate will be strategic and diplomatic, with a hawk eye for detail and a passion for making things happen.

Transform 19, JMA Photography JOB DESCRIPTION To work with the Creative Director to develop and deliver the company strategy, seeking out and realising partnerships. To co-lead the income generation functions, and to oversee finance and operations. Support the delivery of networks from a financial and management perspective, and enhance the realisation of the biennial festival. Strategy & Planning

• Work with the Creative Director to draw up a five year business plan • Work with the Creative Director to lead Transform’s strategy • With a focus on finance, management and producing oversight, support the

Creative Director to realise a major international festival in 2021 • Lead on qualitative and quantitative evaluation • Support the Creative Director in developing board papers and participate in

board meetings as required Income Generation

• With the Creative Director, be responsible for devising and implementing the income generation strategy, ensuring the company meets targets and draws appropriate support from external fundraisers and trustees

• With the Creative Director, identify further funding opportunities to support the company’s ambitions, in-line with ethical considerations

• Support the Creative Director in developing the company’s relationships with and applications to Arts Council England, local authority and trusts and foundations

• Take a lead on devising and delivering newer aspects of Transform’s income generation portfolio, such as sponsorship, individual giving and international funds

• With the support of the Creative Director and external fundraisers, seek out and secure regular funding opportunities

• Submit funding reports Finance & Operations

• Together with the Creative Director, set and oversee the organisational budgets, forecasts and scenario planning

• Lead on ensuring diligent cashflow and financial communications within the organisation, drawing up regular cashflow forecasts and quarterly management accounts

• Oversee financial and administrative operations, supported by the company Administrator

Partnerships & Advocacy

• Support the Creative Director in facilitating the company’s growing portfolio of networks – travelling nationally and internationally to attend meetings and activities

• Lead on the financial and management aspects of Creative Europe funded network ‘Festivals of the Future’, which Transform leads. Oversee reporting to Creative Europe

• Lead on negotiations with partner venues, ensuring robust and thorough agreements

• Identify partners locally, nationally and internationally that could enhance Transform’s work and be collaborators

• Where required, oversee reviews of partnerships, renegotiating where appropriate

Marketing & Communications

• Take an evaluative approach to examining the strengths and weaknesses of festival marketing campaigns, advising on different tools and tactics where required

• Feed into audience development and engagement plans where appropriate

Producing

• Support the Creative Director and producing/production team in the development of the festival programme, with a particular focus on scheduling, logistics and budget

• Take lead producer responsibility for identified productions, working as a line producer to ensure they are delivered with quality and care

• Oversee festival negotiations and contracts, with the support of the Administrator

• Support the Creative Director in recruiting and inducting the festival team, oversee team members as required

Transform 19, JMA Photography PERSON SPEC ESSENTIAL Background & Experience

• Experience working at senior level in an arts organisation or independently • Experience managing six figure budgets and of effective financial reporting • Experience fundraising at high level – including proven track record with Arts

Council England, local authority and trusts and foundations • Experience monitoring and reporting on earned income targets • Experience developing and realising strategies and business plans • Experience negotiating and successfully managing partnerships • Experience in producing or project management

Skil ls & Knowledge

• Knowledge of organisational development and business planning • Knowledge of fundraising and financial management

• Excellent IT skills • Knowledge of industry standard rates, and negotiation skills • Knowledge of financial software and ability to pull and analyse data to inform

strategic decision-making • Knowledge of governance and working positively with boards • Deep and strategic understanding of the contemporary performing arts • Management skills

Qualities and Behaviours

• Highly organised and diligent with effective time management skills • Strong communication skills • Able to work independently and lead • Strong interest in contemporary arts • Strong eye for detail • Logical, diplomatic, lateral thinker • Able to work under pressure and have a sense of humour in challenging

circumstances DESIRABLE

• Experience working internationally • Experience brokering sponsorships and of individual giving • Direct experience transitioning a small and independent company to securing

regular funding • Knowledge of organisational development • Experience of VISA’s and CoS management • Understanding of VAT and Theatre Tax Relief • Safe-guarding knowledge • Understanding of the Leeds or Northern performing arts scene • Marketing and communications experience • Experience of evaluation and related report writing

CONTRACT DETAILS Responsible to : Creative Director Responsible for : Freelancers as required Contract Basis : Freelance. Circa 3 days per week. Increased engagement during festival period to be agreed. Fee: Total fee of up to £21,000-£23,000 available per year for role. Duration of Agreement: 18 months, with a 6 & 12 month review. Potential for role to develop in future. Location:

Mainly Hope Foundry, Leeds & remote, with national and international travel required occasionally. Please note that due to the project based nature of this role we require a candidate based in, or within commutable distance to Leeds. TO APPLY Pre application If you are interested and would value an informal conversation about the role and organisation, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Creative Director Amy Letman to arrange a suitable time – amy@transformfestival.org Submitting an application Please send a CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 sides of A4, outlining why you are suitable for the role with the job spec in mind, to info@transformfestival.org, marking the subject line ‘Executive Producer’. Deadline for applications, 10 December. Interviews 16 December in Leeds. Start date to be in the New Year and agreed with the successful candidate.

Transform 19, JMA Photography