Co-Director (Young People & Programme)

Peak is now recruiting for a new Co-Director (Young People & Programme). We are looking for someone who can bring dynamic creative leadership to Peak’s programme for Young People (14-30) and co-curate our programmes for artists and intergenerational rural communities, rooted in the context of the Black Mountains.

Job Title: Co-Director (Young People & Programme)

Purpose of Job: To provide dynamic creative leadership for Peak’s programme for Young People (14-30); and collaborate with Peak Co-Directors to develop and deliver a creative, cross-disciplinary programme benefiting artists, Young People and intergenerational rural communities, rooted in the context of the Black Mountains.

The Co-Director (Young People & Programme) will lead on all Young People’s programmes, co-create and embed non-extractive evaluation frameworks; lead on Peak’s long-term mission to embed YP’s governance at the heart of the organisation; and write and implement a dedicated Young People’s Engagement Strategy, increasing access and opportunities for those facing intersecting barriers to participation. This role has been funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and ArtFund.

Contract terms: 3-year contract; 24.5 hours per week (equivalent of 3.5 days)

Start Date: May/June 2024

Salary: £28,000 per annum (based on full-time salary of £40,000 / 35 hours per/wk).

Location: Minimum two days per week at one of Peak’s physical sites in Abergavenny and Crickhowell. It is a requirement of this role to live within 45 minutes travel of Peak sites, and there is a budget of £1500 to support relocation, if needed. 

Working Pattern: Core days – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Some working outside of normal office hours, including evenings and weekends, will be expected.

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Works with: Co-Director Strategy & Programme and Co-Director Operations & Programme; and freelance colleagues and practitioners across our programmes.

A note on our Co-Leadership Model: in Summer 2023 Peak transitioned towards a new Co-Leadership model and we now have a flattened hierarchy across our small team, led by Co-Directors holding dedicated roles across Strategy, Operations and (now) Young People’s work. All three Co-Directors curate, produce and deliver programmes, and contribute to the day-to-day running of the organisation. Melissa Appleton is the Co-Director of Strategy & Programme and Louise Hobson is the Co-Director of Operations & Programme.

Peak Cymru is an organisation which collaborates with Young People, artists and intergenerational communities. We work from two sites in Southeast Wales, a railway station and an old school, and from rural locations such as mountains, caves and canals.

Through Young People’s programmes, collaborative research and artist residencies we celebrate the unique qualities and ecologies of our region including the Black Mountains, the Welsh Borders and Vale of Usk. A key part of our work is hosting public conversations that root urgent global conversations in local places and contexts, led by artists and Young People in dialogue with farmers, geologists, writers, gardeners, system designers and other makers and thinkers.

We believe that artists build worlds and imagine and manifest new ways to live; Young People are at the forefront of change and they need support, solidarity and empowerment to do the work of the future; and that multiple ways of thinking, communicating, making and being are needed in a world where all species thrive.