Director of Development and Partnership

CVAN is seeking a passionate and dedicated visual art professional to lead the National Network in partnership with the sector in England. The key attribute that the person will need is the ability to work collectively and forge alliances to enable the growth and development of not only the visual arts but arts and culture at large in the UK.

This role is part of the Baltic’s national sector development plan, and is contracted through the charity, managed by the Director but sits outside the core business of the BALTIC Centre of Contemporary Art. This post is anticipated as a freelance role as we lead the next two years of constituting CVAN as an independent body.

About

CVAN is a sector support and advocacy organisation that represents a diverse visual arts community of artists, creative practitioners, and arts organisation, institutions and art galleries across nine regions in England.

The network is representative of the whole of England’s visual arts sector, bringing together individuals ranging from artists, independent creative professionals including technical professionals, academics, students, National Portfolio Organisations and organisations (including studio providers) with investment models outside of NPO and ACE funding. CVAN’s representation of the whole visual arts ecology means that it can consider and articulate the individual segments of the sector in relation to its whole.

Current Organisation Strategic Aims 

· To ensure a sustained future for the wide ecology of the visual arts in England

· To be representative of and to amplify the voices of the wider ecology of the visual arts in England

Wider Context 

During the pandemic CVAN has forged a Visual Arts Alliance in collaboration with: a-n The Artists Information Company, Artquest, AxisWeb, Curator Space, DACS, Engage, and Guild. The Alliance is a new sector support development to collectively work together in ensuring the survival of our art form and deal with urgent sector reforms.

In 2019, CVAN worked with Policy Connect and this Autumn will launch its review of the visual arts to parliament including lobbying for continued need of the Museums, Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief.

The organisation is reviewing its structure to consider a federated model by 2022.

The Role

To act as an ambassador and advocate for the contemporary visual arts, building awareness of its public value, driving forward the Alliance aims and ensuring the voice of the sector is both represented and consulted at the highest levels.

To work with the National Chair’s Group, team and nine regions to develop strategic and high impact advocacy and professional development activities that will bring forward positive change and professional development for the visual arts sector.

To uphold the organisations values, support a positive working culture and continue to build a financially sustainable organisation.

Key Responsibilities: 

· Responsible for overall strategy and operations

· Responsible for the effective financial management of the organisation

· Responsible for development and fundraising, identifying and achieving new income streams and targets

· Ensures effective relationships with all key stakeholders and funders

· Represents the membership on UK advocacy groups and acts as spokesperson for the Network with funders and government

· Develops strategic programme and project partnerships with other leading organisations

· Support freelance and contracted developing contracts and terms and conditions and promoting a positive, dynamic working culture

· Oversees the development of effective marketing and communications plans including Network growth and engagement

· Ensures effective monitoring and reporting appropriate to all funding and charitable needs of the Baltic

· Ensures CVAN has effective policies in place including but not only equalities, diversity and inclusion and environmental sustainability.

 

Key Tasks: 

Programming & advocacy 

· Devise and deliver a high-quality programme of advocacy and sector support that drives forward the development of the visual arts in England

· Identify key opportunities to raise awareness of the public value of the visual arts, including gathering and submitting evidence to parliamentary enquiries and developing relationships with key policymakers

· Identify topics for research and gathering of useful sector data

· Make presentations, give speeches and play an active part in relevant forums and groups

· Build strong relationships with relevant organisations and individuals – opinion formers, policy makers, funders and decision makers.

Governance and reporting 

· Prepare plans, reports, papers and presentations for the Chair’s network

· Ensure good working relationships with the Chair and all Network members

· Create long-term strategic plans and annual operating plans

· Ensure annual KPIs are set, monitored and met

· Ensure all policies are up to date and observed (GDPR, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Environment etc.)

· Ensure all funders and stakeholders expectations and requirements are met and exceeded

· Ensures all charitable reporting as required for the Baltic

Management 

· Recruit staff and contractors, ensuring appropriate contracts are in place and monitored

Financial management and growth 

· Set budgets and manage finances effectively, producing annual and longer-term budgets, overseeing reporting, cash flow forecasts and quarterly management and annual accounts

· Lead on fundraising strategy and relationships, securing income by sustaining positive funder relationships, identifying new opportunities, devising and negotiating proposals, and producing applications and reports.

Marketing communications 

· Oversee an effective and strategic communications plan which raises the visibility of the network and wider sector and builds awareness of the public value of contemporary art.

Knowledge, skills & experience: 

Essential 

· A demonstrable passion and commitment for the contemporary visual arts

· Creative and inspirational with a track record in programming and partnership development

· An absolute commitment to fairness, challenging inequalities and breaking down barriers

· A confident, brave and considered advocate

· Demonstrable experience of leading a team

· Experience in a senior role within a small or medium sized organisation or a confident understanding of the operational needs

· A track record of developing strategic organisational plans

· Strong financial manager, confident in financial reporting

· Great management skills, able to nurture and motivate staff

· A natural collaborator able to develop meaningful, positive partnerships

· Experience of fundraising and develop strategic stakeholder relationships

· Organised and efficient able to prioritise multiple demands and meet deadlines

· Proactive networker with excellent people skills

· Excellent administrative capabilities

Desirable

· A professional track record working in contemporary visual arts

· Knowledge and experience in policy contexts, influencing and advocacy

· Previous experience developing CPD programmes

· Previous experience running multi-year funding agreements and budgets

· Strong networks across the visual arts, wider arts and creative industries and local and national agencies/government settings

Application Process

Deadline for application to Submittable  by Sunday 13th September 10pm. 

Interviews to take place on Zoom week of 28th September.

· Cover letter (2 pages max) outlining interest in the role and relevant experience that meets the requirements of the role

· CV (3 pages max)

· Both documents saved as a pdf and uploaded to Submittable

For more information about the role email Info@cvan.art

CVAN is committed to inclusivity and welcomes applications that reflect our diverse communities irrespective of disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.