Deputy Director

ABOUT THE ROLE

JOB TITLE:  Deputy Director

REPORTING TO: CEO/Director

CONTRACT: Full time, permanent for one year, subject to renewal, with six month probation period.

SALARY:   €40K p.a.

LOCATION:  Dublin (ordinarily) Online during Covid-19 restrictions.

Please note the post-holder will need to be Dublin-based to carry out the duties of this position.

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

In this new senior-level managerial role, reporting to the CEO/Director, the post holder will have responsibility for the overall management of the IWC’s operations and its resources and finances, its premises and management of the team in Parnell Square. The Deputy Director will support the CEO/Director in the day to day running of the IWC, overseeing the staff team, business development planning, and operational oversight of the organisation.

The Deputy Director will act as line manager to a small but dedicated team focused on delivery of the strategic plan 2022-2026. The role of Deputy Director will be key to supporting the Director at senior level as the IWC transitions to this new strategic planning period shaped by a radically changed operating climate. As this is a newly created role, the Deputy Director will be encouraged to contribute to the ongoing development of the IWC, the new strategic framework and will coordinate and contribute to all full-team planning meetings during the year.

The role will involve maintaining current sources of funding to service the regular programmes as well as assisting the CEO/Director in finding new opportunities for both funding and new programming, within the existing framework. The Deputy Director will maintain relationships with principal funding/stakeholders in the literature community both national and internationally, notably both Arts Councils in Ireland, Dublin City Council, Foras na Gaeilge and others.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

The normal place of work will be at the Irish Writers Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. However, due to Covid 19, the post holder may be working remotely for a period of time. Subject to government travel restrictions, you will make yourself available for face-to-face meetings as required by the Company. Wherever possible, you will work in Parnell Square to act as a positive presence to the team, within the range of opening hours which are generally from 9am to 9pm on Mon to Thurs and 9am to 5.00 pm on Fri and Sat. The role is full time Monday to Friday, however, due to the nature of the role the post holder will be required to work some evenings and weekends in order to fulfil the role successfully. Time off in lieu will be given for hours worked outside of the normal schedule. The normal hours of work will be 37.5 hours per week. The working day will comprise of an 8 hour shift with one hour for lunch, or equivalent. The salary is paid in arrears by bank transfer on a monthly basis. The Board of the IWC has authorised a Remuneration Sub-Committee to review staff salaries on an annual basis.

As a publicly-funded organisation, we commit to take positive policy measures to promote equality of opportunity, access and outcomes for all those living in Ireland regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community, as well as socio-economic background. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion through all our employment policies and practices.

The Irish Writers Centre is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to improving access to our services. If you have any specific access needs or requirements please contact us directly to discuss how we can support your application. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Development and Management

• Line manage and lead the core team, freelance staff, interns and volunteers to deliver outstanding work on a wide range of projects.
• Support and oversight to the team in all programme planning, budgeting, documentation and monitoring.
• Provide direction in the areas of operations and administration, including financial management procedures.
• Oversee development and monitoring of project budgets and annual budget, to ensure all expenditures are in compliance with IWC policies and expenditure.
• Oversee all monitoring, evaluation, reporting and surveys.

Organisational Development & Business Management

• With the CEO/Director, contribute to internal leadership activities including strategic planning, membership, administration and human resources.
• Contribute to developing and implementing new programming.
• Oversee management of contracts and operations.
• Ensure efficient and functioning operation and IT systems.
• Oversee and manage human resources (recruiting, capacity development, reviews and evaluation, workload balancing, training and career progression).
• Identification, addressing and management of risks, and compliance management as a charity.
• Identify best practices and improve internal systems with an eye toward future needs and budget realities.
• Serve as a mentor and coach for a diverse and growing staff.

Representation and External Relations

• With the CEO/Director, build and maintain strong relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Represent IWC in meetings with stakeholders, conferences, and other public venues when the CEO/Director is not available.
• Serve as a contact point and maintain solid working relationships with funders and stakeholders, including acting as the liaison with funders in the areas of reporting and compliance in a timely and accurate manner.
• Serve as the Acting Director and cover the responsibilities of the CEO/Director if required.
• Support the CEO/Director in the development of all IWC programmes and activities and any other senior-management duties as required.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The successful candidate will have excellent organisational acumen and administrative skills and preferably will have experience working in artistic and community settings, for arts organisations, venues or festivals. You will have excellent communication, writing and IT skills, and an outstanding command of English. You will have at least five years' experience of working in the arts or wider cultural and heritage sector. You will bring experience of leading, managing, motivating and supporting a staff team. You will have experience in complete project and funding cycles, including grant-writing, budget management and project management. A knowledge and understanding of the arts infrastructure within which the IWC operates is vital. Demonstrable knowledge of governance, compliance and health and safety for a non-profit and/or venue management is desirable.

SKILLS:

• You will have the ability to manage a demanding workload across multiple projects in a professional and confident manner.
• You will be able to translate creative ideas into deliverable projects and programmes and present proposals clearly and persuasively
• You will have strong interpersonal skills together with the ability to get on with people of all ages and a commitment to a very high standard of work.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to think on your feet and make sound decisions.
• Ability to work autonomously and effectively manage your own work programme.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a small team in order to meet organisational objectives.
• Good IT skills; knowledge of office-based IT systems is a distinct advantage.
• Written and spoken competence in Irish is a distinct advantage.

Short-listing Criteria

Candidates will have a degree level qualification and at least 3 years’ recent experience of managing an organisation, or autonomous division within a large organisation (candidates without a degree will need at least 5 years’ recent experience), working either as team leader or as a line manager.  The successful candidate will have a track record of demonstrable success and experience in:

Arts Programming and Audiences

• Involvement in, and understanding of literature in particular, or of the arts in another field, AND
• Experience in targeting and reaching new audiences through management of effective communications/marketing strategy, and having ability to identify and remove barriers to participation.

Programming experience of events, festivals or creative learning is a distinct advantage.

Human resources

• Experience of successfully leading and managing an effective and engaged staff team to achieve organisational objectives. AND
• Experience of dealing effectively with challenging HR issues.

Planning & Delivery

• Successful implementation and delivery of programmes and the day to day financial/ operational/business management. AND
• Ability to plan, manage and coordinate complex work in line with agreed objectives, with changing priorities, conflicting agendas and varying resources.

Professional and public credibility with the ability to express oneself confidently and engagingly both in oral and written communications, in the public and private arena.

Budget management and Income generation

• Demonstrable experience of successful budget management and monitoring of a mid-scale organisation, or autonomous part of a larger organisation AND
• A proven track record of successfully submitting, and reporting on, applications to government departments and agencies, and trusts/foundations.

The attributes below do not form part of the short-listing process but are considered advantageous:

• Ability to network, and maintain relationships with strategic partners.
• Experience of fundraising and/or sponsorship.
• Experience of managing entertainment/hospitality venues/facilities and in customer relations.
• Demonstrable business acumen
• Experience in preparing contracts or tenders for the provision of services, as a contractor.

At interview stage, in addition to these competencies, the panel will also assess:

• The ability to inspire and motivate
• Verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Evidence of clear, logical thinking
• Congruence with the IWC’s values

The Process

Application

The Board of the IWC has authorised a Steering Committee to manage the selection/interview process on behalf of the Board. The application will comprise of:

1. A cover letter which concisely outlines the key skills and qualities which you will bring to the role of Deputy Director, and also relating how your experience has prepared you for the key challenges of this role.
2. A Curriculum Vitae, including the names and contact details of two referees (email and mobile number. Referees will only be contacted in the case of final shortlisted candidates.)

Applications, by email only, should be submitted to the attention of Valerie Bistany CEO/Director at director@writerscentre.ie with Application for Deputy Director in the subject line.  It is essential that both of the above stated documents are collated into a single word or pdf attachment to be eligible.

Deadline for applications is on Monday February 1st, 2021 at 5pm. (Late applications not accepted.)

Selection

Interview candidates will be selected on the basis of their suitability for the role, in line with the stated shortlisting criteria.

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates may be offered the opportunity to make a presentation of no more than 10 minutes duration to make their best case to the interview panel.  At the steering committee’s discretion, a candidate may be called for a second or subsequent interview. Interviews may be held in 19 Parnell Square, Dublin D01 E102, subject to government measures at the time, or via video call. Short-listed candidates will be informed prior to interview.

The Irish Writers Centre is registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority in the Republic of Ireland. Our Charity Registration number is CHY 19738. Our registered address is: Irish Writers Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, D01 E102,