candidate briefing pack for - dundee contemporary arts · candidate briefing pack for: director...

Candidate Briefing Pack for:

Director

September 2015

Contact: Liz Amos

e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)20 7464 4352 m: +44 (0)7841 419 782 Liz Amos Associates 1 Royal Exchange Avenue London EC3V 3LT

mailto:[email protected]

Recruitment Pack for Director, Dundee Contemporary Arts 2

Contents

Page

Welcome from Chairman 3

Advertisement 4

Background 5-7

Dundee Contemporary Arts Organisational Structure 8

Role Specification 9-14

Person Specification 15-18

Conditions and Remuneration 19

How to Apply 20

Disclaimer

Please note that ELGA Executive Search Ltd, trading as Liz Amos & Associates, believes that while the information contained in this document is true to the best of the

Company’s knowledge at the time of writing, such information may change without notice. Further, the information therein is the property of the Company and must not be

passed on to third parties, published or attributed unless explicitly agreed.


Welcome from Robin Presswood, Chairman Dundee Contemporary Arts

Thank you for your interest in the role of Director of Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA).

This role is vital for the leadership of DCA as one of Scotland’s foremost arts organisations and a leading force in the cultural

regeneration of Dundee. As well as working closely with DCA’s experienced and committed team on the delivery of its acclaimed

programme, the post holder will be responsible for advocating for the organisation and the city’s creative sector at a local, national and

international level.

Since opening in 1999, DCA has grown to become one of the most respected arts organisations in the country, with an acclaimed exhibitions programme that has forged important programming links with other major arts organisations both nationally and internationally; two screens offering the best in cultural cinema to a large (and still-growing) audience; a highly successful programme of alternative content screenings; a world-class open-access Print Studio that has produced editions with many internationally respected artists; an award-winning Community and Education programme and a Shop selling work by some of the most talented makers from Dundee, Scotland and beyond. DCA has also developed a reputation for excellence in its digital activity, and in its work as a hub for collaborative creative activity through initiatives like its Blue Skies Festival, the Below another sky project and the Small Society Lab.

In recent years, Dundee has transformed itself into a lively, cosmopolitan city and has developed into an exciting commercial, cultural and artistic city that is recognised for its diverse contributions to fields including bio-sciences, medical research, journalism and technology.

Dundee is at an exciting point in its cultural development, and DCA is at the centre of the ongoing conversations about the city’s new status as the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design, its pioneering Cultural Strategy, and its £1bn Waterfront Development project, which includes the V&A at Dundee.

We are looking for someone with the vision and enthusiasm to lead the organisation, taking it through this exciting period of change for

the city of Dundee. We need someone who can act as a leader to the organisation’s team of 70 staff, and who can be a strong voice for

the organisation and our city in a range of contexts and settings.


Advertisement

Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) is a leading centre for the development and exhibition of contemporary art and culture. Working with

the best national and international artists to create a diverse and critically acclaimed programme across its galleries, cinema, print studio

and editions programme, DCA, since 1999, has confirmed its position as an exemplar of bold civic cultural ambition contributing

profoundly to the culture-led regeneration of the City. Demonstrating leadership through the breadth and depth of its programming, DCA

also presents an award-winning community and education programme building audiences and engagement with the best of

contemporary culture locally and nationally. In addition, its shop and popular Jute Cafe Bar contribute to DCA's status as a focal point to

enjoy world-class arts and culture within the city of Dundee.

At this significant point in the development of DCA and at a time of continuing cultural recognition for the City of Dundee, which is soon to

be host to the new V&A at Dundee and recently became the first city in the UK to win UNESCO City of Design status, the Board of

Trustees seek to appoint a new Director. This is a challenging, high profile role, and therefore the Board seeks candidates with the

vision, artistic leadership and business acumen to continue to develop DCA as a community asset recognised on the national and

international stage.

Responsible for leading the senior management team in sustaining and developing DCA's mission and strategic objectives, the new

Director will be charged with taking the organisation through the next stage of its development as a thriving cultural centre and business,

maintaining its high quality while continuing to extend its impact on Dundee and the wider cultural landscape. Working as a Chief

Executive, programme leader and civic collaborator, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to make a mark in this rapidly

evolving city that is an exemplar of cultural excellence and ambition.

If you have the ambition to take this successful organisation forward and the skills of artistic, team and commercial leadership

which the role requires, please be in touch with and ask for an application pack from Liz Amos or Mary Deegan of Liz Amos

Associates on +44 (0) 207 464 4351 or at [email protected] or [email protected]

Closing date for applications: WEDNESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2015 (close of business).


Background

Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) is an organisation that has established itself as a major force in contemporary art, cultural cinema and community and education practice and as a vibrant social and cultural hub. The secret of its success has been the imagination, ambition, commitment, intricate care and hard work of those who conceived the idea of DCA and brought it into being and those whose energy and ideas have earned it national and international acclaim while ensuring that it is embraced by the community that is its home. Its unique position in the development and exhibition of contemporary art and culture through providing opportunities for artists to create and for audiences to engage with an active, high-profile and high-quality cultural offering, is enhanced by its generously equipped print studio which sits at the core of the building, enabling print collaborations to be carried out in-house and offering instruction in all forms of printmaking to the wider community. DCA's success is also a result of its business model: it boasts a shop and a vibrant cinema offer and cafe bar, providing a good source of income generation for the organisation; also to the commitment of its audiences who have supported DCA by visiting, attending, participating, enjoying, challenging and questioning.

DCA delivers a varied programme through its resources which comprise:

galleries for the presentation of international contemporary art

two cinemas showing a diverse programme of cultural film

a state of the art, open access print studio that also offers an extensive artists' production facility focused on printmaking

activity and interpretation spaces

shop and print space featuring editions and publications

social spaces, including Jute Cafe bar.

Since 1999 DCA has confirmed its position as an exemplar of bold civic cultural ambition, leading in the breadth and depth of its programming. It has received plaudits from many different directions - from critical reviews of its programme to successfully evidencing significant leverage in the economic regeneration of the City of Dundee.


Key examples of the impact DCA has had in the 16 years of its existence include:

the outstanding role DCA has played in the development of visual artists achieving prominence in their field. For example, several artists who have previously exhibited at DCA, or who have worked with the Print Studio have been subsequently nominated for the Turner Prize e.g. Simon Starling, Richard Wright, Martin Boyce

many children from Tayside - over 5k last year - have experienced global cinema at DCA’s Discovery Film Festival

in a city of 142,000 people, DCA has had average annual attendance figures of over 300,000

DCA editions have been purchased for public and private collections around the world.

DCA Ltd is a charity registered in Scotland, set up to be the operator and managing tenant of the DCA building, which opened in 1999. The organisation has a turnover of approximately £2m p.a of which around 50 per cent is made up of trading income from cinema box office, retail activities, workshops, print sales and income from a catering franchise. The remaining income is comprised of grant support from Creative Scotland and Dundee City Council. DCA is a Regularly Funded Organisation within the portfolio of Creative Scotland and is working with an agreed funding package of £2m spread over the three year period 2015/16 to 2017/18. DCA has a management agreement with Dundee City Council which includes grant support for the DCA programme and operation and this is renewed annually alongside a lease for the building that has recently been renewed with a 20 year extension until 2035. Dundee City Council also provides background support services as part of this lease including building maintenance, IT infrastructure and payroll services. DCA employs around 70 staff, many of whom work part-time in the different front of house roles and a further number are employed by the independent catering franchise operator. DCA Ltd also currently shares the building with a small team of staff from Leisure & Culture Dundee, Cultural Enterprise Office, Tayscreen and the University of Dundee. Fuller details of the DCA programme and functions can be found in the DCA Annual Review document which is available as a download from the DCA website.

DCA Vision

Dundee Contemporary Arts is a world-class centre for the development and exhibition of contemporary art and culture.

DCA mission

DCA promotes the development and exhibition of contemporary art and culture through providing opportunities for artists to create, and for audiences to engage with an active, varied and high-quality cultural life for the people of Dundee, Scotland and beyond.


DCA core values

Bold, Open, Meaningful, Magical.

Key aims 1. To present contemporary art and culture of the highest quality. 2. To create clear pathways for engaging with art and culture at DCA. 3. To develop artists and practical support mechanisms for the creation and dissemination of their work. 4. To establish and sustain Dundee as an internationally significant cultural hub. 5. To be a community asset. 6. To maintain a healthy and progressive environment for staff. 7. To create and consolidate the ventures that will provide for a secure and vibrant future.


Dundee Contemporary Arts Organisational Structure


Role Specification

The Position

This is a challenging and high profile position. The new Director, working as a Chief Executive, programme leader and civic collaborator,

will be required to make their mark, contributing on behalf of the organisation to this rapidly evolving city that is proving to be an exemplar

of cultural excellence and ambition. They will ensure a culture of review and renewal that contributes to the development of the

organisation and the sustained success of DCA as an organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

the strategic overview and leadership of DCA ensuring, with the Senior Management Team, that the organisation continues to meet its aims and objectives

developing and delivering on an ambitious vision which continues to realise the potential of what DCA, as the foremost exemplar of contemporary culture in Dundee, can offer

leading DCA to achieve its artistic and strategic objectives within a changing cultural and commercial environment

developing the business model of the organisation to ensure its future sustainability as it works to expand and develop its impact

providing artistic leadership to DCA which leverages the strengths of its different parts and its professional expertise

advocating for the organisation and the city’s creative sector at local, national and international level and offers a challenging and

high-profile position


working in partnership with Creative Scotland and Dundee City Council to ensure the mission and aims align with those of the

principal stakeholders.

The Director will report to DCA’s Board of Directors.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

The Director will provide visionary leadership, strategic direction and financial sustainability for DCA by demonstrating the following key

accountabilities and responsibilities:


Role Specification

Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities Requirement

Leadership Provide visionary, strategic leadership ensuring the sustained success of DCA's mission and aims

Work in partnership with Creative Scotland and Dundee City Council to ensure that DCA’s mission and aims align with those of principal stakeholders

Promote excellence and innovation in all of DCA’s programmes

Build and sustain collaborative relationships with audiences and other stakeholders

Work effectively with the Board of Directors

Provide strong and effective advocacy for the organisation at a local, national and international level

Sustain and develop relationships with the organisation’s key funders and stakeholders

Strategic Direction Ensure a culture of review and renewal is contributing to the development of the organisation

Ensure effective processes are in place, and that people are developed to meet organisational objectives

Lead and motivate DCA’s executive/senior management team and employees to achieve their goals

Work with the Board collegiately to create and implement policies that provide the framework to achieve DCA’s mission and aims

Define future horizons and put in place the steps required to reach these horizons

Apply innovation to the organisation in order to support its future resilience and success

Financial Sustainability Ensure that financial procedures are in place that will protect the security and stability of the organisation

Prepare annual budgets for submission to the DCA Board that ensures the continued success of the organisation


Work with the Board to explore avenues for diversifying the organisation’s income and to develop and manage capital campaigns

Responsibilities

Responsibilities Requirement

Working Relationships Reports to Chair DCA Board

Principal adviser to DCA Board

To line manage key DCA staff: o Head of Operations

o Exhibitions Curator

o Head of Cinema

o Head of Print Studio

o Head of Community and Education

o Head of Marketing

Leadership

Ensure a successful relationship with DCA’s principal stakeholders (Creative Scotland and Dundee City Council)

Represent DCA on national and local strategic partnership fora (including Dundee Cultural Agencies Network, Dundee Learning & Culture Strategy Group)

Provide active, visionary and strategic leadership for the management team at DCA

Oversee and develop artistic policy and promote excellence and innovation in all of DCA’s programmes

Advocate for DCA in Dundee, nationally and internationally

Demonstrate a commitment to consensus-building, balanced with the ability to act decisively in a politically astute and highly professional manner


Financial Provide oversight to all functions of DCA including income-generating activities

Review and develop the business model of the organisation to ensure its long-term sustainability

Develop strategic funding plans to meet current and future developments

Reporting and Review Ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the DCA programme and operations (which culminates in the DCA Annual Review)

Provide management reports, information and advice for the Board relevant to the discharge of its responsibilities and attend its committees and working groups

Strategic Planning Lead on the review and renewal of cyclical strategic plans, engaging staff, Board and stakeholders as appropriate

Ensure all staff are clear on how their roles contribute to the strategic plan and work effectively to deliver this plan

Ensure all teams have SMART objectives and annual team development plans

Deliver to DCA’s current three year plan and in parallel the planning and implementation of subsequent programme development to sustain and further develop the success of DCA

Managing Relationships Lead on the development of new relationships in the public, cultural and commercial sector that may have benefit to DCA

Ensure existing relationships are productive and positive

Maintain an open and collegiate working relationship with the Trustees and facilitate their engagement as a Board and individually with DCA’s diverse programme

Identifying Opportunities Constantly seek to identify new opportunities that can contribute to the success of the DCA mission

Nurture a profile for DCA that will encourage external stakeholders to bring opportunities to the organisation

Promotion of DCA Ensure the promotion of DCA is effective and positive

Represent DCA in a manner in accordance with the core values

Ensure the promotion of DCA has maximum breadth, depth and reach

Governance Roles The role may require the Director to fulfil corporate governance roles on behalf of DCA, for example with Scottish Film Limited


Venue and Building Ensure the building is used effectively to enable DCA to deliver its objectives as a venue in line with organisational vision and aims

Champion DCA’s commitment to accessibility and affordability to develop the widest possible audience

Health and Safety Ensure that DCA has effective policies in relation to the health & safety of staff and visitors

Ensure a culture of respect for health & safety across the organisation

People Management Ensure that the design and delivery of people and organisational development strategies support the organisation’s strategic and operational plans

Provide leadership, direction and motivation to all staff, leading by example

In close collaboration with the Senior Management Team, and in consultation with the Board, lead, direct and oversee DCA’s methods for evaluating activity to establish and maintain appropriate measures of success

Equalities & Diversity Ensure that DCA has an active equalities and diversity Action Plan that is understood and used by all staff

Actively contribute to and champion the organisation’s commitment to equalities and diversity


Person specification

The Candidate

In the new Director, the Board are looking for a creative, astute and accomplished leader with the energy and vision to take the

organisation through the next stage of its development as a thriving cultural centre and business. Candidates for the role will have a

sophisticated knowledge and understanding of contemporary culture. They will have the level of knowledge and experience to guide,

direct and develop the artistic positioning of the organisation with its unique mix of exhibitions, cinema and print studio; to maintain the

high level of creative programming and to further develop audience engagement building on its successful community and education

programmes. They will be commercially astute, with an ability to sustain and develop the business model with its strong income-

generating activities, to meet the demands of the organisation as it continues to grow its impact on Dundee and the wider cultural

landscape. They will demonstrate good management and leadership skills to motivate and inspire a strong professional staff.

With strong interpersonal skills, the Director will be both a leader and an ambassador for DCA, building positive relationships with the

Board and staff, developing partnerships, growing audiences, nurturing relationships with artists, funders, key stakeholders, the local

community, and cultural organisations in Scotland, nationally and internationally. As the public face of DCA, the Director will continue to

develop the organisation's profile locally, nationally and internationally.

In summary, in this challenging and high profile role, the Board seeks candidates with the vision, artistic leadership and business acumen

to continue to develop DCA as a community asset recognised on the national and international stage.


Key Competencies

Key Competencies

Sectoral Expertise Proven leadership and expertise in the cultural sector

Excellent knowledge of contemporary art, cultural cinema and artists’ production needs

An understanding of programming priorities

Strong commitment to developing audiences through effective learning and community engagement programmes

Demonstrable understanding of the role that culture plays in people's well-being and as a driver of economic change

Strategic Capability Excellent judgement and strategic thinking; able to evaluate complex information and make the right decision for DCA

Ability to identify the right opportunities to pursue and the skill to put in place the tools to develop these opportunities

Budget Management Financially literate – the ability to create and manage budgets effectively

Ability to monitor financial performance and act in response to perceived trends

Relationship Management Ability to build trust and confidence in others

Ability to assess internal and external relationships to ensure that they are consistently serving the best interests of the organisation

People Leadership Ability to demonstrate strong and effective people leadership skills

Lead and motivate DCA’s management team and employees

Act in a manner that will ensure the best performance from all members of staff

Have a clear focus on development and learning and at the same time the ability to challenge poor performance with courage and empathy

Communication Skills Ability to articulate the aims and actions of the organisation in a convincing and inclusive manner

Ability to represent DCA effectively externally

Ability to sustain effective internal dialogues across all staff teams


Able to influence a range of people at senior levels

Delivery Focus To know what needs to be done to fulfil organisational aims, how to make it happen and to know when these are achieved

To ensure all staff are aware of the bigger picture and their role in making it happen

To understand how DCA may fulfil its responsibilities as an asset and resource for many different communities

Have a firm grasp of key realities and constraints that may affect DCA in the short or medium term

To perform the role and deliver in accordance with agreed KPI’s and objectives

Vision Ability to scan the horizon for threats and opportunities and to build and lead an organisation that is able to grasp opportunities and respond to challenges

Technical Competencies

Key Technical Competencies

Deep knowledge of contemporary culture

Proven knowledge and experience of the development, creation and presentation of the best of contemporary culture

Proven understanding of the role of arts and culture, the position it holds in public life and the mechanisms designed to support it

Direction, supervision and mentoring

Knowledge and experience of how to get the best out of people

Ensure that the needs of the organisation and the needs of the individual staff member can best align

Proven ability to develop innovative programme strategies

Business acumen A history of successful senior executive leadership positions within a cultural organisation

Relevant experience of working successfully with a Board of Directors

Visionary with business savvy, drive and dedication


Resource management Proven ability in applying resources to achieve the best outcome

Proven ability in developing and building new resources

Broaden and diversify DCA sources of income in line with aims and objectives

Communication skills Confident in expressing what needs to be done and how to do it

Experience of presenting and speaking professionally about arts and culture

Demonstrable ability to express complex ideas in ways that can be understood by the widest number of people

Understanding of media relations

Personal Characteristics

Personal Characteristics

Organisational skills Proven ability to prioritise and manage a number of projects simultaneously

Committed to quality and getting the job done

Attentive to detail

Interpersonal skills Ability to nurture, develop and sustain positive relationships with all stakeholders

Instils confidence, trust and respect in others

The ambition and drive to lead an institution that thrives

Disposition Professional

Positive thinker

Problem solver

Values Culturally aligned to DCA’s values, mission and aims


Conditions and Remuneration

Salary Competitive Salary

Pension The Director will automatically become a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme which currently attracts a 17% employer’s contribution. The Tayside Pension Fund is administered by Dundee City Council and its benefits include a secure pension based on your Career Average Revalued Earnings (1/49th for each year of pensionable service) together with annual increases thereafter, an increased tax-free lump sum option on retiral, generous cover for in-service ill-health and death benefits. Further details available from http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/pensions

Notice A notice period of 3 months is required on either side

Holiday 29 days (inclusive of public holidays) with incremental increases up to 34 days after 5

completed years of service

Location DCA, Dundee. A willingness to travel nationally and internationally is essential

Relocation Relocation assistance may apply

http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/pensions


How to Apply

To discuss this role and for further information, please contact:

Liz Amos: t: +44 (0)20 7464 4352 m: +44 (0)7841 419 782 e: [email protected] Amanda Smethurst t: +44 (0)20 7464 4351 e: [email protected] In making an application, you will be asked to include:

Comprehensive curriculum vitae;

Maximum two page covering letter that summarises your interest in this post and provides evidence of your ability to match the criteria outlined in this brief;

Completed personal details form available from Mary Deegan who can be contacted at: e: [email protected], t: +44 (0)20 7464 4351

We would prefer to receive applications electronically. Please e-mail applications to: [email protected]. Alternatively, applications can be posted to Liz Amos Associates at 1 Royal Exchange Avenue, London EC3V 3LT, to arrive by Wednesday 30th September, the closing date for applications.

All applications will be acknowledged on receipt. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within 5 working days, please telephone Mary Deegan. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Liz Amos or Amanda Smethurst, details as above.

We expect to be able to inform applicants by 16 October 2015 whether or not they are being taken forward to interview. First

stage interviews will take place on 27 October 2015 with final interviews scheduled for 13 November 2015. Please indicate on

your application if you are unable to attend at any of these times. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 30th

September 2015.



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