Job vacancy: Company Manager

Role: Company Manager

Reporting to: Head of Artistic Administration

Contract: Freelance

Dates & Time Commitment: Part-time, flexible from November 2024, increasing to full-time between March 2025 to August 2025

Fee Scale: £22,000 - £25,000, depending on experience

Application Deadline: Thursday 17th October 2024

First interviews (online): week commencing 21st October 2024

Second interviews (in person at Longborough Festival Opera): week commencing 4th November 2024

About Longborough Festival Opera

Longborough Festival Opera is a hidden gem of the Cotswolds: an intimate, 500-seat purpose-built opera house, overlooking the spectacular views of the Evenlode valley. Every summer we present a festival that has an ever-growing local, national and international reputation for audacity and ambition, as well as critical acclaim. In 2024 we produced Wagner's epic Ring Cycle, heralding an exciting time of development and broadening ambition as we approach our 30th anniversary of opera on this site in 2027.

Our work inspires a year-round programme of community education and participation activities including in school music making, the Longborough Youth Chorus, the Longborough Community Chorus and interactive, re-imagined versions of the classics, presented in schools and in the community.

Founded by Martin & Lizzie Graham, the family spirit continues at Longborough, with daughter and acclaimed director Polly Graham, who joined in 2018 as Artistic Director. In 2024 Emily Gottlieb joined as Executive Director, bringing a wealth of experience from her time at the National Opera Studio and Royal Opera House. Following our second Ring cycle in just over a decade, Longborough is at an exciting time of development with many strategic aspirations and plans.

Job Description

Working closely with the Head of Artistic Administration and Production Manager, the Company Manager is primarily responsible for administrative, logistical and welfare matters of artists, production and season staff. The role requires a highly flexible, motived and efficient individual, with a keen interest in our values and who wants an active and responsible role in a friendly and ambitious organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• management and welfare of the performing company, creative teams, children, chaperones and production staff, in respect of accommodation, travel, payments and other requirements, as necessary
• coordinate production staff recruitment and issue contracts
• line manage and support the seasonal stage management teams
• schedule and attend seasonal production activities, rehearsals, meetings, coaching, costume fittings etc
• ensure effective and timely communication to all members of the company
• liaise and facilitate the set-up and management of internal and external venues
• to attend rehearsals and performances, in London and at Longborough Festival Opera, as required, including community chorus and youth chorus rehearsals
• co-ordinate and supervise the handling of petty cash, receipts, credit cards and order forms, working within financial policies and procedures
• assisting FOH in arranging first and last night drinks for the company
• to track and book ticket requests for creative and artists
• update and compile season related paperwork: schedules, contact sheets, handbooks, NA lists, etc
• manage the archiving of files and other materials throughout the season
• contribute to and champion the sustainability activities of company with data recording
• assist with future season planning tasks and activities, when required

Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable experience in a creative/arts management, coordination or administrative position
• Proven track record in managing multiple tasks at once and meeting deadlines, with a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail
• Experience in tracking expenditure or budget management
• Have a diplomatic and supportive approach to working with others as part of a busy and collaborative team
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities and the ability to stay calm in highly pressured situations
• Up-to-date understanding of existing legislation and best practice in all aspects of production health and safety, including the CDM and management processes
• Familiarity and experience of working with Microsoft Office software
• An interest in live performance and the arts
• A good sense of humour!

To apply

Please electronically submit your CV and a covering letter to Remi Smith, Head of Artistic Administration: apply@lfo.org.uk

In the covering letter, please explain your interest in the role and how your skills and experience are suitable for the position, making particular reference to the person specification.

Please include details of your current availability between November 2024 to March 2025 and the details of two references in the submitted information.

When you submit your application, please complete our anonymised equality monitoring form.

For any questions or to arrange an informal chat about the role/organisation, please contact Remi Smith: remi@lfo.org.uk