Job Opportunity: Director
Download the full job pack for all the details.
As the organisation celebrates 20 years since its founding and as Director Erica Hesketh steps down after an incredible 8 years in post, we are seeking a dynamic and creative individual to lead the next chapter in our story and to support the incredible team at the PTC to realise the next phase of our vital work.
About The Poetry Translation Centre
The Poetry Translation Centre was established by the poet Sarah Maguire in 2004, to introduce new audiences to leading poets from around the world. We see translating poetry as an act of welcome. Central to our mission is celebrating the diverse communities who live in the UK by working with them to champion poetries from their home-cultures.
We publish award-winning books, organise poetry tours and deliver hands-on translation workshops that are open and inclusive to all. We offer free online resources including a popular dual-language poetry podcast and an extensive web archive of poems in translation. Our UNDERTOW programme supports the development of young poets and translators, while the biennial Sarah Maguire Prize for Poetry in Translation, first awarded in 2020, spotlights the very best books in the field of poetry translation.
Main Purpose of the Role
The core purpose of the Director role is to set and deliver the organisation’s strategic plan and take the lead on team management, fundraising and partnership management. You will define The Poetry Translation Centre’s artistic vision and hold final decision-making responsibility for all aspects of public programming, creative development and project activity, governance, and financial matters. You will act as ambassador for The Poetry Translation Centre and its mission and will seek to maximise opportunities to grow the Centre’s position as the leading organisation for poetry translation in the UK.
The Director will report to the Chair of Trustees and will represent the organisation externally with participants, poets, funders, partners, and other key stakeholders.
The new Director will have the opportunity to shape the role around their strengths and working style. The main duties of the role provide a framework for the position.
Person Specification
Essential
- An understanding of The PTC’s mission and a commitment to its values;
- Experience of managing a team and freelancers;
- A proven record of developing and delivering creative programmes and/or cultural activity;
- An understanding of the principles of working with a Board of Trustees and operating within a charity;
- Experience of raising funds for the arts particularly from philanthropic sources;
- Experience of managing and setting budgets and ensuring sound financial management;
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with a wide range of people, including the ability to create and communicate a vision, build empathy, and embrace complexity;
- A commitment to centring diasporic communities and best practices of inclusion and access in your work by demonstrable, practical means.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the PTC within the wider translation, poetry, and cultural sectors;
- An understanding of Arts Council England’s Let’s Create strategy and how The PTC’s work aligns with it as part of the National Portfolio;
- Knowledge of the principles of developing and managing complex partnerships (including commercial and sponsorship) and maintaining strong and productive relationships with key stakeholders;
- An understanding of growing earned income streams, for example, through publishing sales;
- Experience of working with online arts programming.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Poetry Translation Centre is committed to embodying diversity and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We will take positive action around this by guaranteeing an interview to any applicant who self-identifies as being from a diaspora heritage background and who has proven experience of managing a team and a proven record of developing and delivering creative programmes and/or cultural activity. If you self-identify as having this background and experience, please state so in your supporting statement as outlined below.
Terms and Conditions
Reporting to: Chair of the Board
Contract: Permanent
Working hours: 3 days per week (0.6 FTE)
Location: At present the team work in a hybrid way between the PTC office at The Albany in Deptford, South London and home. The team work together in person on a Tuesday with other days flexible. We would expect this role to work at least one day a week (Tuesday) from The Albany to work alongside the team.
The Director will also be expected, alongside the rest of the team, to attend PTC’s events as required. No overtime is payable but a Time Off In Lieu policy is in place.
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum full-time equivalent (FTE) pro rata (depending on experience)
Annual leave: 16 days holiday per year plus pro rata bank holiday allowance
How to Apply
Download the full job pack for all the details.
To apply for Director at The Poetry Translation Centre, please send a supporting statement (of no more than 2 pages) outlining why you want to work for The Poetry Translation Centre and how you meet the person specification, and your CV to recruits@achates.org.uk.
We will take positive action around this by guaranteeing an interview to any applicant who self-identifies as being from a diaspora heritage background and who has proven experience of managing a team and a proven record of developing and delivering creative programmes and/or cultural activity. If you see yourself as someone who meets these criteria, please say so in your supporting statement.
If you would like an informal conversation about this role whilst considering your application, please contact Vicki Grace at Achates Recruits, who are supporting us with this process. You can reach Vicki by email on vicki@achates.org.uk. These conversations will not influence our selection process.
Closing date for applications: 10am Monday 3 June 2024
First round interviews with Trustees will take place online during the week commencing Monday 10 June 2024.
The second interview will take place during the weeks commencing 17 June 2024 or 24 June 2024. This will involve a short presentation or similar and an opportunity to meet with the staff team as well as a further conversation with the Trustees. Full details will be provided in advance upon invitation to that stage.
If you require any of this information in an alternative format, then please email vicki@achates.org.uk.