General Manager

An experienced and organised General Manager is sought for a new co-leadership model alongside a new Artistic Director. This role will lead on operations, financial management, compliance, project monitoring, and reporting, ensuring the organisation is efficient, resilient, and responsive. You’ll also oversee internal systems, staff management, marketing strategy, and help shape and deliver our fundraising approach.

Person Specification:

Essential

– Experience in a operations, general management, or project management role, ideally in the cultural or charity sector.
– Strong time management and project planning skills, and the ability to instil good practice in others.
– Strong budget management and financial planning skills.
– Knowledge of compliance and reporting requirements for charities or arts organisations.
– Proven ability to lead teams and manage external partners.
– Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
– Experience of project reporting for stakeholders, such as trustees or funders, such as Arts Council England:

Desirable

– Experience working of in a co-leadership or collaborative leadership model.
– Familiarity with communities and cultural sector similar to Peterborough’s.
– A commitment to inclusive, place-based, and community-centred arts work.
– Understanding of audience development and marketing strategies.
– Experience of marketing and communications delivery, across digital and non-digital processes.
– Knowledge of providing systems that support engagement with those with specific needs, from young people and families, access and well-being needs, to adapting to respond to different cultural expectations.
– Experience with CRM systems, fundraising platforms, or ticketing systems.

Salary Range: £38K- £42.5K Commensurate with experience and skills within a new co-leadership model with a new Artistic Director.

Hours: 4–5 days per week. 7.5  hours day (negotiable)

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Peterborough/ Hybrid. At least 2 days/week working in the office with the team, plus homeworking, public facing events and external meetings.

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Line Manages: Participation Producer, Marketing & Participation Officer, freelancers and volunteers

What We Offer

– Flexible working hours and hybrid working options (4-5 days a week.)

– Opportunity to co-lead a nationally recognised, community-rooted arts organisation

– Opportunity to innovate creative practice and delivery in a young and dynamic city, alongside a skilled and enthusiastic team.

– A supportive team and engaged Board of Trustees

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic & Operational Management

• Lead the development and oversight of management systems, processes, and policies.
• Monitor project delivery with a focus on financial resilience, inclusion, and environmental responsibility.
• Identify and manage risks relating to income, participation, and resourcing.
• Ensure robust project planning and responsiveness to change.
• Manage day-to-day operations and support live event delivery.

Financial Management

• Co-design and manage the overall organisational budget.
• Oversee individual project budgets, especially within line management, contracts, and pricing strategies.
• Support team to monitor and process engagement and income (from marketing and promotions to ticket sales, donations, sponsorships to monitoring and evaluation.)
• Report on financial performance to trustees and funders.
• Ensure best value is achieved in procurement and delivery.
• Manage overheads and central budgets, including marketing and governance.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Lead quantitative evaluation and reporting, including funder reports and regulatory returns (Companies House, Charity Commission, HMRC).
• Manage internal evaluation frameworks to monitor impact and progress.
• Use data and insights to inform strategic planning and funding bids. People Management & Compliance
• Line-manage staff, freelancers, and volunteers.
• Ensure compliance with staffing, safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, and equality policies.
• Oversee recruitment processes and contracting for external partners and artists, especially the implementation of DEI practices, safeguarding and contracting.
• Monitor staff and trustee development needs and allocate training budgets.

Marketing & Communications

• Co-lead marketing and communications strategy with the Artistic Director, with support in delivery by the Marketing & Participation Officer.
• Oversee delivery of project-specific marketing campaigns, including working with an external marketing advisor as required.
• Monitor marketing performance against audience targets and ensure campaigns are data-informed.
• Support awareness-raising activities and act as a public representative of the organisation.

Fundraising & Development

• Co-design the fundraising strategy and contribute to major bid, alongside the Artistic Director and with support from the team.
• Lead on financial and data input for applications.
• Support identification of new funding opportunities and manage local fundraising relationships.
• Help shape donation and sales strategies to generate income.