Principal - ArtsEd

Department

Reports to

Board of Trustees

Working pattern

Hours

Salary

Application deadline

11/10/2024

Interview date

28/10/2024

Start date

Download PDF Apply here

Summary of the role

ArtsEd has engaged the services of Odgers Berndtson to assist with the recruitment of the next Principal.

The closing date for applications is 9am BST on Friday 11 October.

Initial interviews with Odgers Berndtson will take place during the weeks commencing 28 October and 4 November. Candidates invited to the final stage will be invited to attend a briefing visit week commencing 25 November and 2 December, with final interviews week commencing 9 December.

In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive CV along with a covering letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria. Please include current salary details and the names and addresses of three referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates.

The preferred method of application is online at: www.odgers.com/92137.

All applications will receive an automated response.

All candidates are also requested to complete an online Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which will be found at the end of the application process.
This will assist the client in monitoring selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. Any information collated from the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Forms will not be used as part of the selection process and will be treated as strictly confidential.

For an initial discussion, please contact:

Harry Ford: +44 (0) 207 529 1013 harry.ford@odgersberndtson.com

Joseph Whittaker: +44 207 529 6323 joseph.whittaker@odgersberndtson.com

Personal data

In line with GDPR, we ask that you do NOT send us any information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning health or sex life and sexual orientation, genetic and/or biometric data) in your CV and application documentation. Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV/application documentation will be understood by us as your express consent to process this information going forward. Please also remember to not mention anyone’s information or details (e.g. referees) who have not previously agreed to their inclusion.

Key Responsibilities

Purpose of the role

Accountable to the Board of Trustees,
the Principal is responsible for setting and agreeing the strategic direction, and for the financial sustainability of ArtsEd.

The Principal sets the cultural tone and lives the values of ArtsEd, working closely with the Senior Team to ensure the professional and collaborative development of the staff body. They will provide creative and inspirational leadership to ensure that ArtsEd attracts the best students through first class teaching, and through the provision of a safe and rewarding learning environment in which students and staff can achieve their set goals.

This role is for an outstanding individual
who recognises the distinctiveness of ArtsEd’s ethos and sees real value in the diversity
of opportunities offered to its students to enable their individual development.

Line management for:

Senior staff including:
Interim Director of HR
Head of Facilities
Director of Finance
Head of Day School and Sixth Form (DSSF)
Director of the School of Musical Theatre (Higher Education)
Director of the School of School of Acting (Higher Education)

Main duties and responsibilities

To lead the strategic and academic development of ArtsEd.
To develop a compelling vision for the future of ArtsEd.
To lead the development and implementation of a new, transformational organisational strategy, to ensure that the organisation is modern, sustainable, adaptable and resilient to the local and global challenges posed in the mid 21st century. To work closely with the Chair of Trustees, giving appropriate updates and apprising the Chair of significant events as necessary.
To lead and develop strategically senior leaders within ArtsEd in a manner that enables them to deliver effective, high quality, and sustainable provision in
their specialist areas, and setting clear performance objectives.
As Head of Provider, to be the Accountable Officer (OfS).
To be accountable for the overall financial sustainability of ArtsEd, working closely with the Finance Director.
To be a highly respected ambassador, voice, and face of ArtsEd, with a commitment to diversity, inclusion and outreach.

To network and promote ArtsEd widely by developing and maximising the use
of our wide-ranging facilities and other resources for educational, cultural, social, philanthropic and economic benefit.
To promote ArtsEd’s development activities, in order to build a strong portfolio of supporters who will contribute to the School’s profile, reputation and future financial sustainability.
To sustain and develop the highest academic and artistic standards, setting standards for innovation across all activity to ensure ArtsEd remains contemporary, progressive, and proactive and is recognised externally as a trail blazer and leading performing arts institution.

To oversee and work strategically with the Head of the DSSF, to ensure the successful provision of an academic programme for students, aged 11 to 18, that meets the required standards and ensures continuous improvement of teaching and learning.
To oversee and work strategically with the Directors of HE provision to ensure required academic and vocational standards are met and to ensure continuous enhancement of learning, teaching and the student experience.
To build strong working relationships
with the Board of Trustees, and to work with the Board and senior leaders to create and implement an action plan following the recent independent external investigation.

To work with the Board of Trustees to ensure the most effective development of the ArtsEd infrastructure (physical and digital), in pursuit of academic excellence, an outstanding student experience, and the highest standard of industry leading professional practice.
To ensure that ArtsEd has a robust critical incident plan, to demonstrate resilience in dealing with unexpected crises or challenging incidents, and to take a leading role in associated communication with stakeholders.
To build strong working relationships with key partners, including City
St George’s University, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation (ALWF), Industry professionals, and other Alliance of Musical Theatre Conservatoires (AMTC) institutions.
To engage with, and actively participate in, sector bodies to influence educational and professional practices.

To ensure with the support of the Board of Trustees that ArtsEd is able to meet all regulatory obligations and to ensure it builds strong transparent relationships with the relevant bodies eg. Charity Commission, OfS and ISI.
To embrace and role model an inclusive leadership style and cultivate good leadership in others, providing an environment that encourages learning, growth, and development.
To review the institution’s culture and subsequently to lead strategies to deliver and embed organisational clarity, unity and sense of purpose in respect of culture and matters of EDI to all stakeholders.
To work closely with the Director of HR in support of the wellbeing and development of staff and implementation of the
HR strategy.

Essential Skills & Attributes

A demonstrable passion for the performance and creative arts which has been evidenced over a significant period of time.
Academic/educational credibility, evidenced by, for instance, relevant leadership experience, a higher degree, research or innovation experience, external examiner roles or external accreditation/validation/advisor responsibilities.
A successful track record of strategic leadership and operational management, gained at executive level, within a comparable organisation.
An outstanding creative, strategic, and operational leader with the ability to think laterally, a commitment to the value of the arts and a passion for education, learning, training and vocational excellence.
A visible, active and engaged leader with a proven track record of leading transformational change in an organisation.
A distributive leadership style that builds on the strengths and expertise of others in their respective specialisms.

A leader with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, who has a track record of building trust-based relationships and delivering both institutional and personal credibility to internal and external stakeholders.
A proven ability to motivate and inspire staff, pupils and students, and to create an atmosphere that is creative and dynamic.
A passion for learner progression, creating an environment that nurtures young people to be innovative and to excel.
A commitment to the welfare of children and young people as being at the heart of everything at ArtsEd, including an appreciation of their diverse individuality.
A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within ArtsEd’s pupil and student bodies, creatives, and staff, ensuring that ArtsEd continues to be one of the most accessible and diverse drama school in the country.
Demonstrable ability to manage high performing teams through effective planning, setting priorities, delegation, and monitoring, with an empathetic and empowering leadership style and approach.

The ability, proven through experience,
to listen, be adaptable, approachable and collaborative, bringing clarity through informed decision making; creating a positive, pro-active, and dynamic approach to projects and problem solving.
Financial understanding and commercial awareness, with a good appreciation of the current challenges facing the education and arts sectors.
An effective understanding of independent secondary and higher education provisions, and, in both cases an appreciation of the unique regulatory requirements applicable to each.

Entrepreneurial awareness with the ability to identify philanthropic and commercial opportunities.
A willingness to explore new technology and digital trends.
Drive, determination, and energy with a resilient nature.
Integrity and a strong moral compass with the ability to make tough decisions when needed.
Knowledge of, and total commitment to, the application of best practice in Safeguarding.

Apply here