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Membership & Communications Manager

Our organisations are funded as a consortium as part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio – effectively working as a joint venture. We share an office and resources, and work in close collaboration on joint initiatives including our national conferences and industry showcases (BEAM), which take place in alternate years.

The Membership and Communications Manager is a joint appointment. A vacancy has arisen due to the relocation of the current postholder. In this pack you will find information about the role, both organisations and the application process,

We look forward to hearing from you.

James Hadley, Executive Director, Musical Theatre Network and

Victoria Saxton, Executive Director, Mercury Musical Developments

Introduction

Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) began life in 1992 when a group of students studied with Stephen Sondheim at Oxford University. Since then the company has grown into a national membership organisation dedicated to nurturing new musical theatre writing. Its membership currently consists of over 430 bookwriters, lyricists and librettists across the UK and internationally. MMD’s members have access to a range of development and showcasing initiatives including seminars, masterclasses, professional residencies and writers labs designed to further their craft and career. It actively seeks out commissions, builds professional networks and acts as an ambassador on behalf of its members. MMD’s aim is to support and represent the writers who are shaping the future of British musical theatre.

MMD is a charity and company limited by guarantee, governed by a board of directors (currently 13) led by Francis Matthews.

Further information can be found at www.mercurymusicals.com

Musical Theatre Network (MTN) was formed in 2005. It works with, and on behalf of, its membership to support and create opportunities for new musical theatre in the UK. Its membership is a national network of venues, producers, colleges, directors, organisations and individuals developing or staging new musical theatre. MTN works to strengthen and diversify the new musical theatre sector nationwide, and so support development of the art form. MTN currently has over 230 members and is fast growing, with a year-round events programme of industry discussions, networking and professional development opportunities taking place in London and elsewhere.

MTN is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, governed by a board of directors (currently nine), chaired by Jodi Myers. Directors are drawn from across the country and meet on a quarterly basis.

Further information can be found at https://www.musicaltheatrenetwork.com

Together as a consortium, MTN and MMD respond to the development needs of the new musical theatre sector. Through a wide range of activities we help new, excellent and diverse musical theatre achieve its wider potential in the UK. Our joint activities include BEAM, a biennial industry showcase sharing new musical theatre in development found from pitching days held around the UK, our biennial UK Musical Theatre Conference, and the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer scheme. We were two of the first organisations to be established with a focus on the development needs of new British musical theatre, now occupying a central position within that dynamic and fast evolving sector.

MTN and MMD share a small office at the Ambassadors Theatre. Currently the office is only accessible by stairs. It is likely that the office will be relocated before the end of 2018, as it is expected the building will undergo development.

Role Function

The Membership and Communications Manager provides a range of services to the members of MMD and MTN. S/he is involved in recruiting new members, collaborating on the planning and delivery of members’ events and co-ordinating related communications. S/he is often the first point of contact for members, therefore it’s vital s/he sets an appropriately friendly and professional tone as representative of both organisations.

Staff Structure

The Membership & Communications Manager works for both MMD and MTN, and reports to the Executive Directors of both organisations. A typical week would consist of two days devoted primarily to MMD and two days to MTN, with the fifth day focused on joint venture events/communications, although there is often flexibility around this. This role works closely in collaboration with MMD’s Administrative Manager, Martin Jackson. MTN’s Executive Director is employed for five days a week, MMD’s Executive Director for three days a week, and MMD’s Administrative Manager for four days a week.

JOB DESCRIPTION

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Membership

• Manage effective membership systems for both MMD and MTN, including administration of subscriptions and renewals, ensuring membership records are kept up to date, and co-ordinating payment systems

• Working closely with the Executive Directors, design and implement membership development plans, including marketing strategies and promotions to retain and grow memberships

• Provide an efficient and courteous point of contact for all existing and prospective members, as well as in response to general enquiries, pro-actively encouraging new members to join through wider communications, and setting the tone for a friendly, mutually-supportive community of members

• Provide regular and timely monitoring of memberships to the two Executive Directors, and report to both Boards on membership development and retention

• Ensure members’ details are kept up-to-date on both MMD and MTN’s websites

Communications

• Working closely with the Executive Directors, manage and implement a communications strategy – currently including daily use of social media; co-ordinating, proofing and writing copy for emails about members’ events, wider opportunities and initiatives; weekly email circulation of members’ activities; and bi-monthly newsletters to both memberships

• Keep MTN’s website up-to-date, including redesigning content and monitoring any members only areas; responding to public queries received from both organisations’ websites

• Pro-actively gather information and listings of relevant new musical theatre productions / development sharings around the UK, including by members, for inclusion in mailouts and wider advocacy

• In conjunction with the Executive Directors, promote events and opportunities to current membership and potential future members

• Attend board meetings for both organisations, taking minutes at MTN board meetings

Events & Initiatives

• Provide all necessary support for event planning and delivery, often in collaboration with MMD’s Administration Manager, including arranging venues, booking travel, collecting attendee feedback and managing attendance lists. The Membership and Communications Manager is expected to attend members’ events (often in evenings) when practical

• Collaborate with the staff of MMD and MTN and freelancers to plan and deliver the biennial BEAM industry showcase of new musicals and biennial conference – with a particular responsibility for designing and co-ordinating booking processes and invitations

• Collaborate with the staff of MMD and MTN to identify and research potential fundraising opportunities, supporting the delivery of fundraising events

• In conjunction with the Administration Manager, manage the submission process for professional development opportunities (such as the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer) and competitions (such as the Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize and the MTI Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award)

• in conjunction with MMD’s Executive Director, co-ordinate MMD’s Reading & Advice Service and Buddy Scheme

General

• Undertake training as required

• Implement appropriate legislation and policies, including Equalities, Health and Safety and Data Protection

• Any other duties as may reasonably be required

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to engage positively with a wide range of individuals
• Experience of working in a customer/client-facing role and excellent customer service ethic
• Enthusiasm for musical theatre as an art form, and for new musical theatre in particular
• Excellent IT skills and experience in managing databases, including understanding of the Data Protection Act
• Strong copy-writing, editing and proofing skills
• Experience and understanding of social media
• A commitment to diversity, equality and inclusivity
• Demonstrable attention to detail
• High levels of initiative alongside the ability to work well as part of a team
• Goal oriented
• Ability to manage and prioritise a busy and varied workload, responding constructively to working for two ambitious yet comparatively small arts organisations

DESIRABLE

• Experience in events management
• Experience of working in the professional arts sector
• Experience of management of membership organisations
• Website development (ideally WordPress) and/or graphic design skills

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should be made by submitting a letter of no more than two sides of A4, explaining what attracts you to this position and evidence of your ability to fulfill the Job Description and Person Specification.

In addition, please include:

• A CV
• Names and contact details for two referees who have knowledge of you in a working environment; where applicable one of which should be your current or most recent employer (referees will not be contacted prior to interview)
• A statement that you have the right to work in the UK or that you require a work permit to do so.
• In addition, to help us monitor our equal opportunities plan, we would be grateful if you could complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring form. When your application is received, this form is removed and is not used during the short-listing process.

Applications should be addressed jointly to Victoria Saxton, Mercury Musical Developments, and James Hadley, Musical Theatre Network. Applications should be sent via email to martin@mercurymusicals.com with Membership and Communications Manager in the subject line by midday Tuesday 2^nd May 2017.

Candidates will hear whether they have been invited to interview by 8^th May.

Interviews will take place on Monday 15^th May in central London.

PRINCIPAL TERMS

Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and evidence of right to work in the UK as defined by the Home Office.

A salary of between £26,000 and £28,000, according to experience, will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

The postholder will be expected to work an average of 35 hours a week. S/he will be expected to do occasional evening work. Overtime is not payable, but time off in lieu will be offered wherever practical.

The person appointed will be engaged as an employee and from June 2017 will be entitled to an annual pension contribution equivalent to 1% of salary, due to increase in subsequent years, in line with the Pensions Act 2008.

Notice period is four weeks by either party during the three month probationary period and three months thereafter for both employee and employer.

April 2017