King Lear: Image by Jonathan Keenan

Job Pack

Who we areTalawa is the UK’s leading Black theatre company

In September 2019 Talawa moved to its new offices and a 200 seat theatre space as part of theredevelopment of Fairfield Halls in Croydon’s new Cultural Quarter where we are delighted to be aresident company. Talawa has an established track record of producing quality work which shines a spotlight on Blacktalent, creating theatre for diverse audiences across the country. Mounting more than fifty productionsover our 33-year history, we are the only Black British theatre company that presents the traditionalcanon of British theatre alongside international work and new plays. Recent productions include KingLear and Guys & Dolls, co-produced with the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. The Tide, our co-production with Greenwich+Docklands International Festival and Breakin’ Convention is the first evershow we created exclusively for outdoor performance which toured this summer. Talawa is committed to supporting the development of emerging and established Black artists. Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, MAKE is our year-round artist development programmewhich supports Black artists over four strands of work: 1. Providing artists with their first opportunitiesin theatre (Engage); 2. Developing their craft (Grow); 3. Enabling them to connect and take risks withpeers (Collaborate), and 4. Building their career (Sustain). It includes the following projects:

Talawa Firsts: an annual new writing festival Studio Firsts: a biannual research and development programme for experimental theatre makers Creating Routes: our facilitator training for Black and other underrepresented groupsLondon Voices: a scheme that we co-run with the BBC Writersroom, to upskill writers for TV andaudioScript Reading Service: a biannual opportunity for writers to send their plays and get feedbackfrom our team of Talawa trained script readersAttachment Artists: 3 artists per year receive bespoke support Talawa Writer’s Programme: our commissioning programmeTYPT: our annual creative learning project for 18-25-year olds

Our artist development work has led to the recent productions and tours of ‘Girls’ by Theresa Ikoko,‘Half Breed’ by Tash Marshall, ‘Superhoe’ by Nicôle Lecky and ‘Typical’ by Ryan Calais Cameronwriters who came through our Script Reading Service, Talawa Firsts and Talawa Writer’s Programme.We also have a wider impact on the industry by developing artists who go on to produce their workacross the UK and we have become a crucial talent finding resource for the industry. MAKE Online, launched in 2019 is an interactive, digital platform providing an online community forartists to:

Find out about activities and opportunities with Talawa and other organisationsPost jobs and advertise eventsPost and respond to questions/requests for helpEngage in dialogue with other artists

We believe a strong community of Black artists is the key to changing the future of the theatrelandscape.

Job Description

Run It Back Image by Sanaa Abstrakt

Finance and Operations AssistantJob Description

Overview and main purpose The Finance and Operations Assistant is responsible for supporting the Finance and OperationsManager with the smooth and efficient running of the company’s finance systems as well as the day-to-day running of Talawa’s office and studio, providing effective and efficient administrative support forthe company. The Finance and Operations Assistant provides holiday and other absence cover to the AssistantProducers and Development & Marketing Co-ordinator as required.

Key duties and responsibilities Finance Following training, use the Sage Software Accounts online system to support the Finance andOperations Manager with the following:

Purchases:Maintenance of order books, cheque issues and petty cash Reconciliation with relevant vouchers receipts and invoices Cost Centre Allocation Schedule payment of invoices appropriate with credit facility

Sales:

Initiating invoices, recording and reconciling receipts Cost allocation and systematic checking of receipts Monitor Credit Control and chase outstanding Debtors

Updating Companies House and the Charities Commission websites with relevant board members’details Other tasks, as required by the Finance and Operations Manager, relating to the administration ofFinancial procedures.

Talawa offices and studio

Oversee the internal booking schedule for the studio Manage third party relationships with all of Talawa’s office suppliers and contractors (e.g.confidential waste provider, stationery company, water cooler company, photocopier supplier etc) Manage the work of the cleaning contractor to ensure that the level of cleanliness of the office ismaintained to the highest possible standard Day to day management of the office and studio, including:

opening up the office and studio switching on all equipment in readiness for the working day stock control (refreshments: milk, tea, coffee, sugar, fruit, biscuits) overseeing stationery and furniture orders as requireddealing with suppliers and ensuring best possible value for money

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Finance and Operations AssistantJob Description

Ensure regular communication and attend relevant meetings on behalf of Talawa as a tenant ofFairfield Halls, reporting back to the Finance and Operations Manager Act as Fire Marshal for the company, keeping the team up-to-date with health and safety legislationand procedures for the officeManage all aspects of the company’s information and communication systems including telephonesand IT (as the System Administrator, working with the contracted support company) Ensure that all office and studio equipment is maintained in good order, arranging for it to betested/fixed/replaced where necessaryContribute to good team morale by organising birthday cards, cakes and supporting the Financeand Operations Manager with team building activities and events.

Administration

Ensure the company calendar is kept updated Manage the administrative systems which facilitate the smooth operation of the company’sactivitiesBe the first point of contact between the public and the Company, specifically to receive and directtelephone calls and undertake reception duties Maintain an efficient and effective filing system (including electronic files) Arrange and co-ordinate internal and external meetings as required Assist in the maintenance of the Company’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systemSupport the administration of recruiting office-based roles by placing adverts, logging applicationson the CRM system, responding to applicants and setting up interviewsSupport the onboarding and induction of new staff members Support the collection and collation of statistical and evaluation data from all of Talawa’s work Support the team with the preparation and management of events, such as Talawa Firsts, asneededEnsure that Talawa continues to be environmentally responsible across all of its work. Monitoringour usage, reporting annually to Julie’s Bicycle and keeping the Environmental Policy updatedProvide holiday and other absence cover to the Assistant Producers (new roles) and Developmentand Marketing Co-ordinator as required

Directorate

Provide administrative support to the Artistic Director and Executive Director in all aspects of theirwork, including:

diary managementhandling correspondence and phone calls booking tickets organising travel and accommodation

Manage incoming and outgoing mail, including handling unsolicited correspondence for theDirectorsAttend and minute Talawa’s Board and other meetings as required (minute-taking training can beprovided) Organise board and staff away days.

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Finance and Operations AssistantJob Description

Duties and Responsibilities of all staff members

Maintain confidentiality in all areas relating to Talawa Theatre Company where appropriateBe aware of, and comply with, Health and Safety rules at work and to abide by the procedures asset out in the Health and Safety policyWork in accordance with the principles of Talawa’s Equality and Diversity statement Be active in Talawa’s commitment to Environmental Sustainability and reduce environmentalimpactBe aware of and comply with rules and legislation pertaining to Safeguarding and to abide by theprocedures as set out in the Safeguarding policyAbide by other guidelines, procedures and policies provided by the CompanyContribute towards Talawa’s fundraising goals, this may include research, writing applications,advocacy and managing relationshipsTake part in such working groups as might from time to time be required for the fulfilment oforganisational targetsParticipate in all training and development initiatives as requiredUndertaking such other duties as may be reasonably required.

Finance and Operations AssistantPerson Specification

Essential skills and experience

An interest in theatre, and in Talawa’s mission and values Previous experience of working in a busy office environment, managing good administrativesystems Proven organisational skills, with a high level of attention to detail and a methodical approach towork Strong multi-tasking skills and the ability to prioritise and work quickly to tight deadlines whennecessary Discreet and able to deal appropriately with confidential information Ability to deal with a wide range of people at all levels using tact, diplomacy and patience Confidence and friendliness when dealing with guests and visitors Responsible, resourceful and able to troubleshoot, with a can-do attitude Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Excellent office skills and computer literacy (including MS Word, Outlook, Excel and internalCRM/Database software)

Desirable Skills11. Experience of working in theatre or the arts 12. Some knowledge of IT system administration 13. Some knowledge of cloud-based Customer Relationship Management systems14. Some knowledge of financial systems.

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Finance and Operations AssistantMain Terms and Conditions

Job title: Finance and Operations Assistant Responsible to: Finance and Operations Manager Key working relationships: All heads of departmentContract type: Full-time, permanent Hours: 40 hours per week including a lunch break of 1 hour, worked over 5 days Monday to Friday. Additional hours may be necessary to fulfil the requirements of the post, including eveningsandweekends, and travel out of London when required Salary: £22,000 to £24,000 per annum depending on experience Holiday: 20 days per annum plus bank/public holidays Pension and Benefits: Within 3 months you will be enrolled into The People’s Pension in accordancewith statutory deadlines and contributions. Discounts available at Fairfield Halls café and on shows and concerts. Talawa has an EmployeeAssistance Programme (EAP) 24/7 confidential helpline including face-to-face counselling. Probationary period: Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a 3-month probation. Notice period: 2 weeks’ notice by either party until successful completion of probation. On successfulcompletion of probation period 6 weeks’ notice by either party Location: Fairfield Halls, Croydon

Guys & Dolls: Image by Manuel Harlan

Finance and Operations AssistantApplication Details

Closing date: 23:59 on Sunday 10 November 2019 Interview: Week commencing 18 November 2019 Start date: Ideally week commencing 6 January 2020 To apply: Please complete our online application form, accessed on our website at: talawa.com/get-involved/opportunities Talawa is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to working towards a morediverse theatre and cultural industry. Please let us know if you require this Job Pack in adifferent format by calling us on 020 7251 6644 or by email to recruitment @talawa.com.

Guys & Dolls: Image by Manuel Harlan

Superhoe: Image by Helen Murray