Deputy Director

Salary: £50,000 per annum

MK Gallery in Milton Keynes is seeking a new Deputy Director.

The Deputy Director works closely with MK Gallery’s Director to develop the Gallery’s strategy and manage day-to-day operations. The Deputy Director has responsibility for delivering effective governance, administration and finance as well as overseeing building facilities, visitor services, trading activities, personnel and IT.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Strategic planning and management

• Develop, review and monitor MK Gallery’s business plan working with the Director to determine the effective use of resources and secure the finances required to implement plans.
• Represent MK Gallery and manage relations with major stakeholders including Arts Council England and the local authority.
• Oversee the servicing of the MK Gallery Board, Enterprise Board and various committee structures.
• To deputise for the Director as appropriate.

2. Finance and Administration

• Ensure effective financial monitoring and management systems are in place.
• Develop and help set annual budgets and agree expenditure with budget-holders.
• Ensure the Gallery’s long-term investments are managed effectively.
• Lead the Gallery’s financial audit.
• Ensure the Gallery takes a proactive and effective approach to risk management.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial guidelines and reporting frameworks to all stakeholders (e.g. MK Council & Arts Council).
• Set and control IT, admin, building, facility and visitor services management budgets, including production of budget reports, authorising expenditure; monitoring and reporting on expenditure and income and taking action to deal with variances.
• Liaise with the Charity Commission, HM Customs and Excise, the Inland Revenue and Companies House.

3. Staff and facilities management

• Directly manage the Gallery’s catering, events and retail offers in order to underpin the successful delivery of the Gallery’s business plan.
• Direct the management of the facilities, building and visitor services so that all users experience the highest possible quality of visit.
• Ensure that all Health and Safety regulations are met and that regular monitoring is in place.
• Act as a registered key holder, on 24-hour call out in case of emergency.
• Lead on all HR matters including recruitment, induction, training, performance management systems etc.
• Line manage the Finance Manager, Technical Manager (Facilities), House Manager, Retail and Box Office Manager and Volunteer Manager
• To be responsible for a range of external relationships with business and professional advisers.
• Act as a champion for organisational policies and procedures and ensure these are embedded within the culture and systems of the organisation.
• Ensure an appropriate Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults policy is in place, implemented and monitored.

4. General

• To undertake any other duties commensurate with this role.
• To carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to Health and Safety, Child Protection and Equal Opportunities Policies and Procedures at all times.
• To provide his/her own clerical support.

Level of Working Contact

• All Gallery staff and volunteers
• Trustees and advisers of the MK Gallery Board
• Local and national stakeholders, revenue funders, partners
• Suppliers, contractors, legal and other professional advisors
• Gallery visitors/general public

Person Specification

Essential

• Understanding of the arts and cultural sector
• Understanding of operational practices in non-profit art organisations
• Understanding of health & safety policy and effective building/resource management

Skills

• Excellent time management and organisational skills including project planning and management
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to communicate with a broad range of people
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proven IT skills including confidence in MS Office Software
• Experience of establishing and monitoring strategies to guide the work of an organisation
• Experience of setting, managing, monitoring and reporting on budgets
• Experience of employment issues, recruiting and managing people, implementing organisational change
• Experience of supporting a Board of Trustees/Directors
• Experience of managing a building

Equal Opportunities

Ability to carry out duties in accordance with equality and diversity policies.

Desirable

• Degree qualification in an arts or related subject (e.g., fine art, history of art, arts management)
• Understanding of charity finance and VAT issues
• Experience of working in an arts or charitable organisation
• Experience of fundraising and income-generation
• Experience of managing capital projects
• Experience of developing commercial trading activity

Behaviours and characteristics

• Resourceful and adaptable.
• Confident and personable, able to develop rapport with a wider range of people.
• Tactful and diplomatic.
• Ability to lead teams and work on own initiative.

Full details and to apply

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week, with some flexibility). Permanent contract.

To download an application pack and find details of how to apply, visit MK Gallery’s website.

The closing date for this position is 24/01/2022 at 10:00