General Manager

Salary: £30,000 to £33,000 per annum

Location: Toxteth TV, Liverpool – option of remote working for some working days

Hours: 37.5 hours per week – Full Time (with some evening and weekend working hours)

Contract: Permanent

Applications close: 9am, Friday 4^th October 2024

The Role 

The role of the General Manager at 20 Stories High is a crucial position within the Senior Management Team, responsible for overseeing the company’s operations, legal compliance, HR, and financial management. This role ensures the smooth functioning and stability of 20SH by managing the day-to-day operations, including premises management, policy updates, and legal compliance.  

The General Manager also plays a vital role in financial oversight, handling cash flow forecasts, budget preparation, and maintaining relationships with accountants and auditors. In addition to these operational duties, the General Manager contributes to the strategic development of the company, supporting fundraising initiatives, income generation, and the integration of young people’s voices into the organisation’s business plan. Working closely with the Executive Director and other team members, the General Manager is a key advocate for the company’s values, including equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that these principles are embedded in all aspects of the organisation’s work. This role requires strong leadership, excellent financial and administrative skills, and a commitment to the well-being of the 20SH community. 

It is important to us that the General Manager shares the company’s values, and is committed to contributing to our developing practice in terms of both wellbeing and EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Activism).  

Responsibilities

The General Manager is part of the Senior Management Team, working closely with the Co-CEO/Executive Director and Administrator, and is responsible for managing 20 Stories High operations and legal compliance, HR and Health & Safety Systems and is lead responsibility for the financial management and stability of the Company.

The General Manager will work closely with the Executive team to ensure the smooth running of the company, delivery of the business plan and programme.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Operational

• Lead, manage and oversee 20 Stories High operational systems and resources including finance, HR, legal, evaluation and monitoring, digital and IT, supported by the Administrator
• Space and premises are kept fully operational, secure and in good working order
• Policies and procedures are regularly updated and effectively implemented/reviewed
• Effective communication with the Board and Sub-Committees, with members having the information required to make informed decision
• Legal, financial and charity legislation compliance
• Measure the effectiveness of 20SH activity, setting and reviewing targets, particularly in relation to ACE’s Investment Principles
• Staff contracts, training, appraisals, risk assessments and HR policies are robust and actioned in a timely fashion, with appropriate support as required
• Recruitment, selection and induction processes are delivered in a fair and timely way
• Appropriate management processes are in place for employment of freelance personnel, placements and volunteers, with relevant support from 20SH team
• Contribution to developing and growing 20SH’s networks, to enable the sharing of and development of best practice
• Engagement with and promotion of good practice in the wellbeing of young people, freelancers, staff and partners
• Active contribution to the development and implementation of 20SH’s Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Activism plan and activity
• Supporting 20SH commitment to environmental sustainability and reducing environmental impact

Financial Management

• The financial management of 20SH, including regular cash flow forecasts, preparation of monthly and quarterly management accounts and year end accounts
• Preparation and revision of annual budgets, management accounts and day to day finance systems including payroll
• The Board and sub-committees, Executive Team and Development Associate are all fully informed on all financial matters, convening the necessary meetings of the Finance Sub-committee and other groups, as appropriate
• The management of a good relationship with the accountant and auditors, preparing the required documents for the annual audit
• Timely monitoring and reporting as required of Service Level Agreements
• The fundraising strategy is reviewed and updated as required
• 20SH complies with the funders’ requirements
• Identification of, and develop and manage new income generation activities, as appropriate, including the management of relationships with potential sponsors, collaborating, as required, with 20SH team members
• Support the Administrator in the day-to-day financial administration

Sustainability and Development

• Support and maintain positive relationships with 20SH partners and stakeholders
• Work with the staff team to ensure the safeguarding of all participants, audiences and young people new to the organisation
• Engagement with and involvement in developing 20SH Business Plan, supporting the facilitation of young peoples’ voices into the plan’s development and delivery

General

The core staff team at 20SH is small and there is an expectation that all staff members will take a hands-on role and work together to successfully deliver the programme

Person Specification

Essential

• Passion for supporting and working with culturally diverse, working-class young people/young adults, artists and communities.
• Knowledge of managing Human Resources including employers’ legal responsibilities
• Experience of contracting, negotiation, and project management
• Experience of working in theatre administration
• An up-to-date knowledge of the arts, specifically in the UK
• Ability to manage the company finances, including preparation of management accounts, budgeting, cash flow, use of accounting software and reports.
• Excellent administration and office management skills
• Excellent IT skills
• A knowledge of and commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Desirable

• Good knowledge and experience of funding systems and bodies, including grant applications
• Experience in fundraising for creative projects
• Knowledge and understanding of communities in Liverpool and Merseyside
• Management experience within a small-scale arts organisation
• Demonstrate management experience within a small-scale arts organisation
• An up-to-date knowledge of the arts nationally and internationally, specifically in the UK

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
• High motivation, with a flexible approach to work
• Thrive from working as part of a team
• High standards of collaboration, initiative and tact
• Good organisational and time management skills with the ability to work to strict deadlines
• Values-driven, with a demonstrable commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• The ability to act as an advocate for 20SH, its work and its values
• An openness to working and engaging with young people

5. Terms and Conditions

Hours of Working: 37.5 Hours – FT (with some evening and weekend working hours)

Contract: Permanent

Annual Salary: £30,000-£33,000

Annual Holiday: 25 days (pro rata), plus bank holidays

Place of work: Toxteth TV, Liverpool (option of remote working for some working days)

Probation and Trial Period: All appointments are subject to satisfactory DBS checks, employment and character references. There is a probationary period of 6 months then a review by both parties will be held. A 3 months-notice period on either side (post review period)

Responsible to: Co-CEO/Executive Director

Responsible for: Administrator and Freelance Team members

6. How to Apply

We are committed to inclusive working practices and ensuring equal access. This pack is available in a range of formats including audio, large print, and screen reader compatible versions. If you have a more specific formatting requirement, please let us know and we will try our best to provide this for you.

For those interested in applying we will be holding an informal group zoom meeting so you can meet the company and find out a little bit more of what we do, who we are and why we do it.

It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the role or the process. This will take place: Tuesday 10^th September 5pm-5.45pm

Please email recruitment@20storieshigh.org.uk if you’d like to attend.

To apply for this role, please send the following:

1. Application form available: https://www.20storieshigh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Plain-Text_-General-Manager-Application-Form-1.pdf
   

1. An up-to-date CV

Alternatively, we welcome applications in video/audio format and BSL – please send a film/audio file answering the questions within the application form (no longer than 15 minutes).

If you have any additional access requirements to complete the application, please let us know and we will support this.

Please send your application to:

Amy Thompson, Administrator.

20 Stories High, Toxteth TV, 37-45 Windsor St, Liverpool, L8 1XE

recruitment@20storieshigh.org.uk
0151 708 9728

Recruitment process timeline

• Application Deadline: Friday 04^th October at 9am
• Shortlisting: Successful applicants will be invited to a recruitment day by Monday 07^th October
• Recruitment days: will be held Thursday 17th October

If invited to interview, we will ask you about any access requirements you might have at each stage of the process (e.g. BSL interpreter, wheelchair access, additional breaks, dimmed lights, interview questions in advance). We can also cover any travel expenses.

Thank you, we look forward to receiving your application.

For those interested in applying we will be holding an informal group zoom meeting so you can meet the company and find out a little bit more of what we do, who we are and why we do it.

It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the role or the process. This will take place: Tuesday 10th September 5pm-5.45pm 

Please email recruitment@20storieshigh.org.uk if you’d like to attend.