Education Officer/Youth Theatre Director - #191069

About Us

It’s an exciting time to be joining our award-winning theatre. Set in the beautiful surrounds of our Edwardian gardens, we work as one team to present a diverse, high-quality programme consisting of over 600+ events per year.

Over the years, we’ve welcomed artists including Rick Wakeman, Sue Pollard, Chris McCausland, Lesley Garrett, Jason Manford, Jasper Carrott, Steve Ray Ladson, Seth Lakeman, and

Nik Kershaw.

Alongside this incredible programme, we run a range of community workshops throughout the year designed to get young people and adults creative in a safe environment. 

Job Purpose

To develop, deliver, innovative, an inspiring educational programmes that uses theatre to engage, empower and support all ages, abilities, and educational groups, focusing on artistic and personal growth. This involves leading the creative vision, planning, facilitating workshops, productions, managing resources and ensuring the programme is inclusive and aligned with Lowther’s aims and ambitions.

The post holder will be required to have a valid enhanced DBS clearance and may be required to provide some pastoral care to groups they are working with.

Main Duties

• Working closely with the Artistic Director, contribute to the creative vision, strategy and artistic policy in relation to education and community arts
• Manage all education and community art activities, including administration, planning, external venue hire, budget adherence, scheduling and resource allocation. Ensuring an effective return on investment (ROI) whilst supporting access to users
• Design, deliver, and innovative education and participation programmes that engage diverse audiences and are tailored for different age groups, abilities and community needs. Such as workshops, masterclasses, materials, school programmes and community projects
• Provide oversight, manage and support any Freelancers and/or volunteers engaged to assist delivery of the education programme
• Stay informed about current trends in arts education and community arts, bringing fresh ideas to programmes
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, other Arts providers, community organisations and cultural institutions to foster collaboration and expand Lowther’s reach
• Provide encouragement & tailored support for vulnerable people to assist in their preferred educational route i.e. classroom based and/or home educated
• Liaise with local authorities, other Arts providers, local educational partnerships and community groups to develop opportunities for people to experience and participate in the arts
• Ensure parents/guardian are kept informed of any arising issues that may need parental/guardian intervention & location permissions e.g. if external venue is being utilised, child performances etc
• Report on outcomes. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programmes and access schemes, using feedback to continuously improve, innovate and inform reporting requirements e.g. if charitable funding is being used
• Ensure Freelancers, volunteers & community groups comply with accepted professional standards, policies, procedures, licensing arrangements (child performances), risk assessments and relevant legislation
• Work as an effective team member and promote teamwork between departments on shared activities and responsibilities e.g. marketing to promote education & participation activities and finance to ensure accurate administration of the educational bursary scheme

Person Spec

Essential

• Knowledge of leading theatre workshops for people with different ages and abilities, including directing, devising and project management
• Knowledge of national curriculum developments in education and Youth Theatre Networks both locally and nationally
• Knowledge and awareness of safeguarding and child protection issues
• Experience in building and maintaining partnerships with educational and community organisations
• Proven experience in designing arts education and community engagement programme
• Ability to demonstrate empathy with different ages and abilities and an understanding of their needs and motivations
• Proficiency in MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint and Databases
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills to interact effectively with staff, volunteers, community groups, parents/guardians and external partners
• Organisational and administrative competence, including accurate record-keeping, data collection and reporting
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Demonstrate a passion for culture and have a keen attention to detail
• You may be required to undertake additional duties where appropriate, as well as be asked to work flexible hours to support the operation of the business

Desirable

• Experience and understanding of working with charities and charitable trusts
• Experience of working in a venue or production environment and understanding of the business operations and industry parlance of entertainment venues, theatres and the arts funding bodies
• A degree level qualification in a related field, or equivalent professional experience.