Senior Arts & Events Project Officer - Req25040

Job title: Senior Arts & Events Project Officer

Salary: £26,999 – £28,785

Hours:  37 (over a 7-day week including some weekends and unsociable hours)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds City Centre

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

As a Senior Arts & Events Project Officer, you’ll thrive on being a creative individual and the opportunity to work on a variety of cultural events and activities for the city of Leeds including Light Night.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Senior Arts & Events Project Officer you will bring to the role:

• Experience of planning and delivery of arts projects and outdoor events
• Knowledge and experience of working with local cultural, creative and artistic organisations and venues
• Knowledge and experience of working with temporary demountable structures and event health & safety regulations
• Able to work and contribute effectively as part of a close-knit team

About the role 

As our next Senior Arts & Events Project Officer, you’ll have a strong passion for the arts and outdoor events and the ability to collaborate and work effectively across a wide range of artists, producers, contractors, stakeholders, and partners across the cultural sector. The successful candidate will have a can-do attitude, be able to work on their own initiative and calmly under pressure across multiple projects simultaneously.

The role is integral to our Events team within the Arts, Events & Venues service which organises and manages a diverse programme of events on Millennium Square and within the city centre.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Craig Shackleton, Events Manager. Call 0113 37 87169 or email craig.shackleton@leeds.gov.uk

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
 
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose

To support the curation and operational delivery of a variety of arts and event projects for the city of Leeds, liaising closely with partners and contractors to deliver safely and within budget.  It is a requirement of the postholder to work 37 hours over a 7-day week which will at times involve unsociable hours and weekend work and working in an outdoor environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for the artistic development, curation and implementation of Light Night and other arts led and event specific projects
• Assist with the temporary care and interpretation of all featured art works, installations, collections and commissions and to ensure a collaborative approach to working with artists, co-curators, producers, contractors and suppliers
• Coordinate the production and operational delivery of specific projects, ensuring a due regard for the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work at all times, promoting a safe working practices for all staff, artists, producers, contractors, volunteers and public
• Review and ensure up to date Event documentation, risk assessments, method statements and public liability insurance details are provided for each event project, artist, installation or contractor
• Act as the nominated responsible officer to ensure compliance with venue / entertainment licensing conditions when supervising an event 
• Liaise effectively with the Leeds Safety Advisory Group (SAG) and various multi-agency partners (internal and external) and emergency services to provide detailed and accurate event information
• Work within set budgets and to assist with the procurement and financial management of contractors and suppliers in compliance with council Corporate Procedure Rules and financial regulations
• Manage the street food trader database and ensure compliance with all food hygiene and safety standards
• Work collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners to ensure that project delivery including marketing and promotion meets the needs of all stakeholders (including artists, promoters, venues, funding bodies, sponsors, arts organisations and community organisations)
• Promote and apply consistently the principles of accessibility, diversity and inclusion to ensure all activities are accessible and inclusive to all, both in content of programme and site design and location
• Undertake the accountabilities of the post in accordance with corporate values and priorities and council policies including Equal Opportunities
• Contribute to team, cross directorate and service activities and initiatives as required and / or to undertake any other duties as required as directed by the Events Manager that are commensurate with the nature and level for this post 

Qualifications 

None

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements. 

• Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people at all levels and present information accurately and concisely
• Able to work flexibly on own initiative and make practical decisions 
• Able to handle multiple priorities and to prioritise work programmes
• Able to develop and nurture partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a close-knit team
• Knowledge of outdoor event organisation 
• Knowledge of an understanding of the Guide to Health Safety and Welfare at Pop Concerts and similar events
• Knowledge of local Arts & cultural activity, venues and organisations
• Knowledge of temporary demountable structures and the Construction, Design & Management regulations 2015
• Experience of planning and delivering projects and initiatives in a service or operational area relevant to the post
• Experience of working collaboratively and in developing and maintaining partnerships with a wide range of cultural, creative and artistic organisations
• Experience of reviewing and producing risk assessments and method statements
• Experience of working within set budgets
• Willingness to work unsociable hours and weekends
• Demonstrates an enthusiasm for working within the arts and outdoor events industry 

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity. . 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. 

• Able to learn and use site design software (CAD or similar) 
• Able to lead, support and supervise contractors, temporary staff and volunteers
• Knowledge of the Council’s key priorities and ambitions
• Knowledge of current trends and best practices in outdoor light art festivals 
• Experience of working within council financial procedures and corporate procedure rules (CPR’s)
• Experience of working with the voluntary sector
• Demonstrates a commitment to welcoming all audiences including individuals and communities who are less-well engaged
• Demonstrates an understanding and awareness of working in a political environment