ARVON. Assistant Centre Director (job share) The John Osborne Arvon Centre, The Hurst, Clunton, Craven Arms, Shropshire.

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1 ARVON Assistant Centre Director (job share) The John Osborne Arvon Centre, The Hurst, Clunton, Craven Arms, Shropshire Information Pack February 2018

2 February 2018 Dear Applicant Thank you very much for your interest in applying for the role of Assistant Centre Director (job-share). I am delighted to provide you with some information about Arvon, our work and the role itself. Arvon is a thriving and ambitious arts charity, celebrated for its unique ability to discover and develop the writer in everyone. A flagship of excellence, it has been described by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy as the single most important organisation for sharing and exploring creative writing in the UK. Arvon produces an annual programme of residential creative writing courses and retreats at three historic houses in Shropshire, Devon and Yorkshire. Tutored by leading authors, the courses offer a powerful mix of workshops and individual tutorials, with time and space to write, free from the distractions of everyday life. A third of Arvon s residential weeks are with schools, young people and disadvantaged adult groups, many of which have taken advantage of our grant scheme. The Hurst is Arvon s Shropshire writing centre. The nineteenth-century Manor House was once owned by John and Helen Osborne. In 2016 we extended our offer and opened Writers Retreats at The Clockhouse, in a refurbished building on site. The Assistant Centre Director plays a key role in managing and hosting Arvon s courses and retreats, while also looking after the buildings and facilities at The Hurst. The estate comprises 26 acres of woods and gardens. For people with an interest in creativity, the role is a unique opportunity to help support a community of writers, and to play a part in the development of new authors from the UK and internationally. It is an exciting time to join Arvon as we celebrate our 50th anniversary year. The documents accompanying this letter give you more information about the activities of the organisation. In the Information Pack you will find: 1. Advertisement 2. Job Description and Person Specification 3. Details of how to apply and the timetable 4. Arvon staff organisation chart 5. Arvon s vision and values We warmly welcome applications from individuals who are from groups that are under-represented in the arts sector. If you have any questions about the role or the organisation, please call Natasha Carlish, the Centre Director at The Hurst on Applications, consisting of a completed application form, an up-to-date CV and a personal statement, should be sent to Dan Pavitt, Senior Administrator, by 12 noon on Thursday 22 March We will be holding interviews during the week commencing Monday 2 April We look forward to hearing from you. With all best wishes Ruth Borthwick Chief Executive and Artistic Director Arvon

3 Job Description and Person Specification Job title: Assistant Centre Director (job-share) Reports to: Centre Director Base: The Hurst, The John Osborne Arvon Centre, Clunton, Craven Arms, Shropshire - the appointed candidate will need to live within 30 minutes travel of The Hurst Salary: 14,458 per annum Hours: 24 hours per week, including some evenings and weekends Contract: Fixed term of 1 year Purpose of the role: The Assistant Centre Director will play a key role in helping manage the centre and hosting Arvon s courses and retreats, while also looking after the buildings and facilities at The Hurst, to provide a welcoming and hospitable environment for a regularly changing cohort of guests and school groups who arrive every week for up to 46 weeks per year. Some of the work is also unglamorous and domestic in nature, and the centres need a great deal of management and practical attention to keep them running smoothly. Context: The Hurst residential writing centre is run by a team of just over four full time equivalent staff positions who help shape the residential creative writing course programme as part of a wider artistic team, manage the centre and its buildings and grounds, and host Arvon s course weeks. We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal and practical skills to fill a part-time job share opportunity with our existing Assistant Centre Director. This post will not have line-management responsibility for other staff but will help direct the work of ancillary staff such as cleaners and grounds staff. The post will be line-managed by the Centre Director. Principal Duties: The postholder will share day to day responsibility for the running of the whole centre, with a particular focus on hosting courses, and maintenance of the buildings and grounds. The postholder will be expected to work closely as a team with the Centre Director under her line management. The duties below form a broad overview describing the job and a full induction is provided upon taking up the post. The list is typical of the level and type of duties which the post holder will be expected to perform. Centre Management Staff Share operational responsibility for the proper management and smooth running of the centre, including all its activities, staff, buildings and grounds. Share operational responsibility for Health and Safety, security, Fire Safety, Food Hygiene, and First Aid at the centre, and ensuring compliance with all legal requirements and best practice. Be proactive about the maintenance and safety of all parts of the centre s buildings, ensuring that necessary work is carried out without delay and within budget. Agree regular work plans for maintenance and improvements with the Director of Finance and Resources, based in London, and the Centre Director. Deputise for the Centre Director as necessary. Help to foster a strong, positive and creative staff team at The Hurst. Assist with the day to day management of casual staff and contractors. Follow Arvon s employment policies and procedures.

4 Course hosting and support Ensure the security, safety and comfort of all course students, tutors, visitors and staff, and that hosting of courses and retreats is to a high level of customer service. Preparation of a simple lunch for the group once a week, on average, and offering support to course participants while they cook the evening meal Provide support to the visiting writer-tutors (who are themselves responsible for the course structure within existing Arvon guidelines) and guide them where necessary. Facilitate the evaluation of all courses, tutors and participants in line with Arvon policies. Finance Carry out your work within agreed budgets under the management of the Centre Director. Provide reports and information as requested and following Arvon s finance procedures. Properties and buildings management Responsibility for general building maintenance, regular inspections and service agreements, making sure that the buildings and grounds are maintained to the highest possible standard, in consultation with the Centre Director and the Director of Finance and Resources Act as Arvon s presence on the ground raising any areas of serious concern with the buildings and grounds as soon as possible with the Centre Director or the Director of Finance and Resources Identify general maintenance work as it arises and, as agreed with the Centre Director, develop and commission investigations, find contractors, obtain quotes, liaise with consultants, commission and supervise contractors, ensuring that they follow our Health and Safety and other policies. Work within and follow the agreed recommendations from expert reports and quinquennial condition surveys. Throughout your work, ensure that the centre operates in accordance with Health and Safety and Fire Safety legislation and Arvon s policies. Promote and implement Arvon s sustainability policies. Manage the use of and facilities for IT at the centre. General Regular reporting to the Centre Director and to other colleagues throughout the National team as appropriate. Contribute to the planning and hosting the annual business meeting weekend and Christmas meetings whenever they take place at your centre. Attending Arvon staff meetings and other meetings in London and at other centres. Adhering to Arvon s procedures and national policies. Promoting and implementing Arvon s equal opportunities policy and safeguarding policy amongst staff and course participants. Any other task that may reasonably be required by Arvon in order to meet the specific needs of the organisation and the running of the centre. Person Specification Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work positively with participants and tutors from all backgrounds. A full range of practical and domestic skills, including a sound understanding of the importance of health and safety issues. An awareness of the potential hazards and issues of working within an historic building, and a pro-active approach to maintenance of the buildings. A commitment to equal opportunities and ensuring access for all to Arvon s courses. Applicants will be expected to obtain a new enhanced DBS check before starting work and must hold a full UK driving licence.

5 Experience of the education sector or the arts. Experience of managing buildings. Experience of working with people with a range of individual needs, including people with disabilities. Arvon is committed to openness and equality of opportunity in every activity, from the way we employ staff to the way we deliver services. Arvon expects board members, managers, employees and contractors to ensure that every individual with whom we come into contact is treated with dignity and respect. February 2018 Additional terms and conditions: Contract: Fixed term of 1 year Holiday: 17 days holiday per year plus pro rata entitlement to Bank Holidays Pension: 5% employer contribution Probation period: 13 weeks This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) How to apply and timetable How to apply: please send your completed application form and CV together with a personal statement explaining why you are interested, how you meet the Person Specification and what you will bring to the position of Assistant Centre Director (job-share) for Arvon to: thehurst@arvon.org or by post addressed to: Dan Pavitt The Hurst The John Osborne Arvon Centre Clunton Craven Arms Shropshire SY7 0JA Please also submit a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and Criminal Record Form. Recruitment timetable: Please ensure that you will be able to meet the application deadline and date for interview. If you have any concerns about this, please do let us know: Thursday 22 March 2018, midday: closing date for applications Week commencing 2 April 2018: interviews at The Hurst, The John Osborne Arvon Centre, Clunton, Craven Arms, Shropshire We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your application.

6 Staffing structure Each of Arvon s residential writing centres is managed by a Centre Director. The other staff at each of the centres are the Assistant Centre Director, Centre Assistant and Centre Administrator/Bookkeeper. All of our houses also employ a staff cleaner and a gardener. From time to time each centre engages relief staff to cover permanent staff when they are either on training, planned leave or sick leave.

7 Arvon s vision and values OUR VISION We believe creative writing can change lives for the better. Creative writing allows us to harness our imagination and find our voice. It creates new possibilities, new ideas, new futures. It unlocks our potential, our empathy and our hope. And we re keen to share this opportunity for transformation with as many people as possible. WHAT WE DO We produce residential and city-based creative writing courses and retreats for schools, groups and individuals, led by highly respected authors. Founded in 1968, we now have three writers centres, in Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire, and offer courses across a wide range of genres. We offer a home for the imagination, where anyone, regardless of writing experience, can step away from their normal routine, immerse themselves in the creative process, be inspired by experienced writers and release their imaginative potential. OUR VALUES Inclusive: We believe everyone is creative. We create a space that is open to all, where anyone, regardless of writing experience, feels welcome and included as part of a community of writers. Inspiring: Step away from the routine, be inspired by writers and our beautiful places and release your imaginative potential. Arvon is a place for contemplation, challenge and going beyond what you thought you were capable of achieving. Supportive: Creative writing is a craft that can be learnt, through guidance from experts, and through the peer support that comes from creative friendships with fellow writers. At Arvon, writers teach writers, and everyone encourages each other to become a better writer. Transformative: Immersing yourself in creative writing nourishes the imagination, can deepen the connection to self and to the world, and can lead to dramatic change and progress. EQUALITY Arvon recognises the importance of understanding and removing barriers to engagement in the arts. Our national diversity is to be celebrated and this belief is reflected throughout all of Arvon s work and the belief that everyone can benefit from the transformative power of writing. Our definition of diversity encompasses race, ethnicity, faith, disability, age, gender, sexuality, class and economic disadvantage, and any social or institutional barriers that prevent people from creating, participating in or enjoying literature and the arts. We celebrate diversity, exploring all the artistic and creative opportunities it offers. We welcome applications from a diverse mix of people. Please download and complete the separate Application Form, Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and Criminal Record Monitoring Form here. The monitoring forms won t form part of the decision-making process for this role but will enable us to monitor who is engaging with our vacancies and where we might want to take action to address underrepresentation in the future.