Venue Manager - Mark Hillery Arts Centre (Sabbatical)  at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

10 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

12 Mar, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Venue Management, Event Scheduling, Technical Support, Production Oversight, Maintenance Coordination, Regulatory Inspections, Training, Mentoring, Health and Safety, Inventory Management, Financial Oversight, Invoicing, Customer Service, Problem Solving, Digital Skills, Technical Theatre

Industry

Higher Education

Description

The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University The Role and the Department Collingwood College is excited to present an established sabbatical opportunity for upcoming Durham University graduates to develop their skills and experience as a fully integrated member of our team. The Colleges and Student Experience Division includes the 15 Maintained Colleges, the Student Enrichment Directorate, the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate, and the Wider Student Experience Operations Directorate. The post holder will be based at Collingwood College. Collingwood is a large college with a total of 1800 students, 550 of whom are resident on site. This role is open to applications from current finalist students at Durham University, who will take up the role after their graduation and completion of their degree. It is a full time sabbatical role for the academic year 26/27 (September 2026 - August 2027). The Venue Manager oversees the general operations of the Mark Hillery Arts Centre. This includes scheduling the annual calendar of events, working closely with student and professional groups, overseeing productions, and coordinating maintenance and regulatory inspections of the facility and loose equipment inventory. The Venue Manager also trains, mentors and supports the JCR Technical Crew to produce large-scale live events including induction week, Formals and Collingwood Day. The Venue Manager will also be involved in many other College initiatives related to performing arts, tech and events. · Manage the day-to-day running of the Mark Hillery Arts Centre, including providing year-round support to non-Collingwood groups using the venue. · Provide technical and logistical support to College events and productions, including but not limited to induction week, formals, JCR society productions and Collingwood Day. · Manage the maintenance and health and safety aspects of the Mark Hillery Arts Centre. · Manage and mentor two student technicians based in the Arts Centre, including the Hires Manager, and assist the Hires Manager in the running of equipment hires. · Organise a programme of training for the Technical Crew to ensure that there is always a healthy pool of technical knowledge amongst the Collingwood Technical Crew. · Manage the maintenance and upkeep of the College’s loose technical equipment inventory and equipment store rooms, including maintaining an up-to-date inventory for insurance purposes. · Promote and support the use of the Arts Centre to external visitors outside of University term dates. · Oversee financial matters including raising and paying invoices, following up unpaid hires and investing in new equipment. · Work closely with the Vice Principal and relevant JCR officers to help develop Collingwood’s outreach and volunteering programmes, particularly with regard to the arts. You will receive full training and will be supported on an ongoing basis by your allocated line-manager and team members. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: • 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. • Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. • Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. • The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community • Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. • We offer generous pension schemes. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for: Qualifications/Experience 1. A current student at Durham University, in your final year of studies and due to graduate before September 2026. 2. Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience. 3. Experience of supervising a team, delivering customer focussed services. 4. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 5. Good spoken and written communication skills, including patience and understanding with those who may lack technical skills 6. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including a desire and commitment to improving the arts and tech at Collingwood College]. 7. Knowledge relevant to the role ideally supported by relevant courses or certifications [e.g. experience of, and skills in, technical theatre and events production, including lighting, audio, video and rigging and the ability to construct and edit written and visual material clearly and concisely. 8. Committed to continuing professional development. 9. Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team. 10. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers, including student art groups, and to demonstrate experience of working to improve the student experience. How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails What you are required to submit: • A CV • A covering letter which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification Contact details If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Emma Brownlow, Vice Principal, would be happy to speak to you. emma.k.brownlow@durham.ac.uk Typical Role Requirements Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate. Service Delivery • Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values. • Provide an excellent and timely service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role. • Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve routine issues with things relevant to your role such as providing technical and logistical support for College events and productions, and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions. • Collect, organise and record data and information accurately and provide reports and analysis as required. • Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team. • When carrying out your role, use and apply relevant professional and regulatory standards including managing the maintenance and health and safety aspects of the Mark Hillery Arts Centre. • Use standard office-based devices and applications such as word, excel and power point, business systems and lighting, audio, video and rigging equipment to deliver services. • Update guidance on standard operating procedures followed by the team. • Understand and apply recognised industry standards [e.g. customer service] to enhance the level of service being delivered. Teamwork and Supervision • Supervise and delegate tasks to other members of the team and make sure that they have been completed. • Explain systems and procedures to new starters and provide advice and guidance when required so that they know how to carry out their role. • Help to coach assigned team members and provide any ongoing training needs. • Help your colleagues to organise, plan and prepare for College events and productions and contribute to team planning activities. • Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members. Communication/Liaison • Seek feedback from [students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role] on their requirements from your service to ensure that their reasonable expectations are being met. • Record information e.g. bookings for activities/events and respond to queries which you receive about our Mark Hillery Arts Centre • Liaise with staff in other areas to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way. • Liaise with external suppliers, contractors, specialists and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events. • Any other reasonable duties. Useful links If you would like further information you may find the following will help Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Responsibilities

The Venue Manager will manage the day-to-day operations of the Mark Hillery Arts Centre, including scheduling events, coordinating maintenance, and overseeing technical support for college productions and external users. This role also involves training and mentoring student technicians, managing equipment inventory, and handling financial matters related to venue hires.