Job – Operations Manager
Who we are
Arc is a leading arts and mental health charity based in Stockport (North West UK), which explores the relationships between creativity, culture and wellbeing. We provide opportunities for people to explore their creativity, connect with each other and learn new skills.
Arc has a 25-year track record of producing transformational arts projects which engage and include marginalised groups, promote wellbeing and recovery from mental ill-health, and reach thousands of audiences across the North West.
What we do
- We help vulnerable adults & young people on a creative journey through recovery to good mental health, wellbeing and independence.
- We offer health partners and commissioners an effective, specialist service which uses the arts to support recovery from mental ill health.
- We offer communities the opportunity to experience, design and co-produce inspirational arts events.
- We offer artists training, space, opportunities and resources to develop their practice in socially engaged settings.
- We offer a cultural venue at the heart of Stockport town centre, with a rolling programme of exhibitions, events, and facilities for use by other cultural/community organisations.
Our mission
Our mission is to offer high quality creative experiences, skills and opportunities which promote individual and communal wellbeing, reaching the most vulnerable within communities, recognising the value of creativity to self-worth, resilience and confidence.
Our values
Connectivity – The arts have an amazing ability to bring people together, enabling us to find strength in ourselves and each other. By connecting through creativity to people and place, we support each other, and develop a genuine sense of belonging. This has a profound impact on our mental health.
Creativity – Creativity can transform lives – we can be inspired to flourish, to express ourselves, to be more confident and articulate. To take control of our future and to celebrate our journey.
Sharing Stories & Listening – There is huge power in being given the space to tell your story and to listen to others’. Exploring and sharing narratives help us make sense of our experiences and our world, reinforcing that we are not alone.
Accessibility – Creative projects need to be open, welcoming, easily accessed and responsive to the needs and interests of participants, but also ambitious, striving for the highest artistic outcomes / values.
Efficiency, Value & Impact– We can always seek to improve our model, increase our impact and focus the use of our valuable human and financial resources.
Where we are
In late 2019 Arc relocated to Hat Works, an iconic building in Stockport town centre, which also houses the Hat Museum. The Arc Centre at Hat Works includes a large art studio, a ceramics studio, offices and a gallery space with a refreshment offer.
Arc now works from this high quality venue, in a central location which over the next 5 years will be transformed by the creation of a multi-million pound transport hub, town-park, and residential neighbourhood. We have also begun to extend our offer into new areas of Greater Manchester (primarily Oldham and Tameside) in response to demand, and are part of the Greater Manchester Culture Portfolio.
During 2020/2021
- We provided intensive, sustained support to 176 acutely vulnerable adults across 183 sessions at the Arc studios, community and healthcare settings and via digital delivery.
- We worked intensively with 131 children and young people in Arc and with 8 partner organisations through 12 separate projects, we ensured families were better supported and equipped to avoid problems worsening and developing life-long mental health challenges.
- Within a week of lockdown Arc had launched #KeepingUsTogether to ensure consistent support to our vulnerable participants via Zoom, phone, email, postal packs, online materials. 2000+ people visited the website, 339 signed up for our regular emails and activities curated by our volunteers and professional arts facilitators and over 170 pieces of art were shared with us via the Gallery page.
- Through our online Creative Mums programme and a closed Facebook group page we worked with 61 women experiencing perinatal mental illness. During the pandemic this became a lifeline for very isolated mums and their families.
- We led a programme of cultural engagement projects for 121 people over the age of 50.
- Postal Art: we devised a new mailart project which reached 19 isolated older people, connecting them to a team of 13 volunteers.
- 34 people volunteered 2637 hours over the year.
- We contracted 24 local artists across our programmes.
- Placements for 8 social work and 2 post graduate Gallery & Museum studies students from 4 regional universities. In addition, we provided opportunities for 3 trainee music facilitators.
The Role
We are seeking a highly organised Operations Manager, to realise the potential of our town centre venue and to oversee the day to day running of our operations. This role will be responsible for running our operations at The Hat Works and creating a welcoming and safe space for both visitors and staff.
The ideal candidate will have significant experience of operations / project management, preferably in a community-based setting. We are looking for someone who can contribute enthusiasm, a ‘can do’ attitude and fresh ideas to the continued development of exceptional service delivery in alignment with our organisational values.
Operations Manager Role Description
| Job Title | Operations Manager |
| Hours and pattern of work | 37.5 hours, full time. Core hours are to be worked 9am to 5pm during the week and some evenings and weekend working will be needed. The post holder will be required to work a minimum of 1 Saturday per month.Two years fixed term, with possibility of extension subject to funding. TOIL may be taken by arrangement with line manager |
| Salary | Starting salary in the range of £23,044 – 25,615. (Arc scale point 17 to 24) based on full time week of 37.5 hours. |
| Responsible to | Lead Officer (Artistic Director, line manager), Personnel, Policies and Quality (P, P&Q) sub-committee |
| Responsible for | Line management of Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator. Task management freelance Marketing Officer. And a team made up of freelancers, volunteers and students – including, front of house admin & cafe volunteers. |
| Location | Arc Centre, Hat Works, Wellington Mill, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK3 0EU. |
| Budgets managed | None, but will be expected to follow financial procedures in place. |
| Holiday | 25 days + Bank Holidays pro rata, (3 days of allocation to be taken between Christmas and New Year). |
| Benefits | NEST Pension – Arc contributes up to 5% salary, matched by employee. |
| Probation Period | 3 months. |
| Job purpose | Responsible for day-to-day operations and the smooth running of both Front of House and Administrative areas and supporting the Lead Officer and Board of Directors in managing personnel, administration and compliance systems. |
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and oversee day to day operations in accordance with Arc’s policies and procedures and as directed by your line manager.
- Support the organisation and staff teams with the management of administrative areas, operational delivery of projects and event management on and offsite.
- Work closely with the Lead Officer,implementing and managing compliant and systematic personnel and employment practices.
- Ensure the organisation and Arc centre spaces are presented in a welcoming, appropriate and professional way to volunteers, visitors, participants and others.
- Ensure awareness of and adherence to all legal requirements relating to health and safety and building regulations.
- Identify new opportunities and deliver targets relevant to this post, within the framework of Arc’s operational and strategic plans.
- Be a member of the Personnel, Policies and Quality sub-committee and Leadership Team.
Key Tasks
Venue & Event Management
- Take a lead in all aspects of running the café, including administration systems for the retail and refreshment offer at the Arc Centre, including till cash reconciliation and stock reordering.
- Ensure adequate cover for front of house, office, café, and events through management of the Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator.
- Ensure that all spaces are safe and well-presented.
- Supervise volunteers for Front of House, Office and the café, organising and delivering in house training.
- Provide regular briefings and training for Front of House volunteers to enable them to act as ambassadors speaking confidently about the centre and our activities.
- Provide support for for a range of events, exhibitions and activities throughout the year, contributing to the set-up, planning, budgeting, and marketing . This occasionally may include work off site and during evenings and weekends.
- Work with the Lead Officer and Marketing Officer to develop the Public Programme at the Arc Centre, including contracting artists and listing workshops on Eventbrite.
Health and Safety
- Take a lead on all Health and Safety matters, reporting to the Lead Officer, PP & Q sub committee and Board of Directors as relevant.
- Take a lead in ensuring a Covid safe venue through compliance with Arc risk assessments and policies.
- Liaise with Hat Works Museum / SMBC staff for fire safety and other building-based health and safety issues.
- Undertake risk assessments for the venue and events, volunteers, visitors and staff.
- Induct all staff and volunteers in health and safety, food hygiene and fire procedures.
- Ensure compliance with food hygiene standards.
- Act as a First Aider and Fire Marshall when on duty and ensure a rota for cover when not on duty.
Systems and operations
- Work with the Lead Officer to implement and manage compliant and systematic personnel and employment practices.
- Support the organisation and staff teams with ordering resources and appropriate logistics.
- Take and circulate minutes and actions from meetings, following up in-between meetings.
- Ensure work practices comply with GDPR, the organisation’s insurance cover and relevant policy and support the ongoing development of policy and procedures.
- Keep the shared team calendar up to date, liaising with staff and volunteers.
- Provide leadership and line manage the Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator and contract manage the Marketing Officer.
- Maintain a record of Arc’s digital estate and knowledge of who to contact when there is a problem with hardware, software or internet related issues.
Finance & Administration
- Ensure rigorous cashing up processes are followed, training and monitoring others, as necessary.
- Support all financial office functions, working with the Finance Manager.
- Work with the Finance Manager and Lead Officer on managing supplier and utility contracts, check for renewal dates and search competitive rates across suppliers when up for renewal.
- Support the Lead Officer in the administration of HR systems.
General duties and responsibilities
- To be a designated key holder, responsible for opening and locking the premises when required.
- Undertake regular supervision from your line manager and participate in an annual appraisal.
- Enthusiasm and commitment to supporting Arc’s policies and the principles of advancing equality and inclusion.
- To be an ambassador for Arc.
- Be committed to Arc’s Environmental Policy,actively seeking ways to minimise environmental impacts and waste.
- Attend relevant training and CPD learning.
- Adhere to Arc’s policies and procedures at all times.
- To undertake other reasonable duties.
If you have any questions about the role please contact jacqui@arc-centre.org
Specification – Experience, Skills and Knowledge
| Experience in a similar role, venue manager, operations, administration, or events. | Essential |
| Some previous experience of finance reporting, familiarity with budgeting and good numeracy. | Essential |
| Experience of customer service, ie. retail, arts, hospitality etc. | Essential |
| Knowledge of fire and security procedures, health and safety legislation, Risk Assessments and COSHH (including current government restrictions and requirements eg. Covid-19). | Essential |
| Good level of competency in IT, including Microsoft Office products. | Essential |
| A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. | Essential |
| Ability to multi-task, prioritise, plan and meet deadlines. | Essential |
| Ability to work independently and as part of a wider team, exemplifying mutual respect in working with others. | Essential |
| Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both in person and in writing, including using social media. | Essential |
| A practical and creative approach to problem solving. | Essential |
| Good attention to detail, ability to proof read and give constructive feedback. | Desirable |
| Experience of leadership and managing a team. | Desirable |
| Experience of working with and managing volunteers. | Desirable |
| Previous experience of Office 365. | Desirable |
| Experience of implementing and maintaining systems and training others in procedures and policy. | Desirable |
To apply
Please send a letter of no more that 2 sides of A4 in Word format, explaining what attracts you to this position, and evidence of your ability to meet the job description and person specification.
In addition, with your letter of application, please supply:
- Your CV (no more than 2 sides of A4)
- Names and contact details for 2 professional / employment referees
- A completed equality and diversity monitoring form:
(Download a PDF version here) (Download a Word version here)
Please submit your application to: admin@arc-centre.org
Deadline for applications: 6pm Sunday 12 December 2021
Interviews will take place during the week of Tuesday 4 January 2022.
Due to the volume of applications we receive for jobs at Arc, we will not be able to inform you if you have not been shortlisted for this role.
Arc is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
