Park Theatre are seeking to recruit a new Trustee to provide a link with the local community. Ideally the successful candidate will be a long time local resident and have connections with our diverse local communities and their grassroots groups. We are looking for people who are passionate about Park Theatre’s vision and want to support us as we head into our next phase.

About Park Theatre

Park Theatre opened in May 2013 after three years of planning and building and comprises

Park200 (a 200 seat theatre with stalls and circle), Park90 (a flexible studio space), the Morris Space (a multifunctional room used for rehearsals, workshops, readings and the majority of our creative learning activity); the Theatre Bar and additional facilities (including offices, dressing rooms and a green room). We have a talented and dedicated team of 16 permanent staff, plus a pool of casuals and volunteer ushers. 

Park Theatre presents work of exceptional calibre in the heart of Finsbury Park. We strive to ensure that our building, and the work on stage, is inviting and accessible to all. We work with writers, directors and designers of the highest quality to present compelling, exciting and beautifully told stories across our two intimate spaces. Our programme encompasses a broad range of work from classics to revivals with a healthy dose of new writing, producing in-house as well as working in partnership with emerging and established producers from both the commercial and subsidised sectors. Within the industry, we aim to be a creative home from home for actors, writers, directors and producers; we offer our spaces as a platform for development, rehearsed readings or sharings of new projects, with the aim of securing a future life either on our own stage or on another. We are invested and rooted in our local community and seek to work with local residents, businesses and partner organisations to create a better Finsbury Park for everyone. In everything we do, we aim to be warm and inclusive; a safe, welcoming and wonderful space in which to work, create and visit.

Governance & Finance 

Park Theatre is a company limited by guarantee and is registered with the Charity Commission. We are governed by a non-executive Board of Directors, currently chaired by Nigel Pantling whose term of office ends in 31 March 2022. The Board delegate day-to-day management of the theatre to its Executive Team: Jez Bond (Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive) and Rachael Williams (Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive).

Our Board has a strong mix of skills which reflect the identified needs of the charity. They have ultimate responsibility for the strategic direction, development and governance of the organisation and offer guidance and expertise to the Joint Chief Executives, to whom day-to-day management of the organisation is delegated. Trustees must be positive and passionate advocates for the theatre and its core mission, and must ensure that its affairs as a registered charity and company limited by guarantee are conducted with probity. 

A list of current Trustees can be found here. 

The Board meets every two months throughout the year. All Trustees are expected to attend regularly our shows and projects including press nights, development events and showcases of our work with young people. Trustees undertake their responsibilities on a voluntary basis and are not remunerated.

Future Plans

We have used our period of closure to do some strategic planning for our future, in advance of writing our new business plan in 2022 (our current plan concludes in a year’s time). We have launched our new catering concept, Park Pizza, which we want to grow over the coming years. We are rolling out a new programming process, which will allow more engagement from our staff team, will utilise the expertise of a team of readers and viewers and will support us in increasing the diversity of stories that are told on our stages. We are in the process of designing a new financial model for Park90 that will allow us to better support producers and artists, and will be applying for multi-year funding to make this happen. This is an exciting time to join the Board of Trustees as Park Theatre enters a new phase, emerging from the pandemic with new ideas and refreshed thinking. 

Role Description 

Park Theatre are seeking to recruit a new Trustee to join our Board later this year. We are looking for people who are passionate about Park Theatre’s vision and want to support us as we head into our next phase. We are particularly interested in candidates who will be able to support our community engagement work; we are currently reviewing our strategy in this area and will be looking to broaden our engagement with our local community in the coming years. 

The Board meets every two months. Trustees are appointed for a 3 year term, with a maximum of 2 terms possible. 

Responsibilities

• Ensure that Park Theatre fulfils its purpose and charitable objectives, as well as any legal requirements;
• Oversee Park Theatre’s business plan and its implementation;  
• Safeguard the good name and values of Park Theatre;
• Ensure the theatre is financially sustainable;  
• Support Park Theatre’s fundraising efforts;  
• Serve as an advocate for Park Theatre as required, including at performances and fundraising events;  
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion across all of Park Theatre’s activities; 
• Support Park Theatre’s community engagement programme, advising our Community Engagement Manager on ideas and approaches were appropriate. 

Person Specification

Essential:

• An affinity for the vision, mission and work of Park Theatre;
• Knowledge and understanding of the Finsbury Park area and its diverse communities;              Strong understanding of how to engage meaningfully with a wide range of communities. 

Desirable: 

• Prior experience of being a charity Trustee;
• An understanding of subsidised arts organisations and appreciation of the current challenges faced by the sector.

Application Procedure

Applications should be made by submitting a letter explaining in no more than two sides of A4 what attracts you to the position and evidence of your ability to fulfil the role and meet the person specification. Please also submit a C.V. and a complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form by visiting https://cutt.ly/Lki5oDV. 

Park Theatre operates a Positive Action policy to aid in our endeavour to diversity our workforce. Any disabled candidates or candidates who identify as ethnically diverse who meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification will be guaranteed a first round interview. If you feel that this applies to you, please include the following sentence at the end of your application letter: I would like my application to be considered under Park Theatre’s Positive Action policy.

Applications should be addressed to Nigel Pantling, Chair of Trustees and sent via e-mail to jobs@parktheatre.co.uk by 10am on Monday 18^th October 2021. Interviews will take place w/c 8^th November. 

It is hoped that the successful candidate will be able to attend the next Board meeting on Tuesday 16^th November at 4pm. 

By submitting an application to us, you confirm the following:  

• The information you provide is correct at the point of submission; 
• You give your consent for Park Theatre to hold and process your data and information;                You give your consent for Park Theatre keep your details on file for up to 2 years, after which point they will be destroyed.   

TRUSTEE (Chair of Finance Committee)

Park Theatre are seeking to recruit a new Trustee who will take on the role of Chair of the Finance Committee, succeeding Robert Hingley who will be stepping down from the Board shortly.

About Park Theatre

Park Theatre opened in May 2013 after three years of planning and building and comprises

Park200 (a 200 seat theatre with stalls and circle), Park90 (a flexible studio space), the Morris Space (a multifunctional room used for rehearsals, workshops, readings and the majority of our creative learning activity); the Theatre Bar and additional facilities (including offices, dressing rooms and a green room). We have a talented and dedicated team of 16 permanent staff, plus a pool of casuals and volunteer ushers. 

Park Theatre presents work of exceptional calibre in the heart of Finsbury Park. We strive to ensure that our building, and the work on stage, is inviting and accessible to all. We work with writers, directors and designers of the highest quality to present compelling, exciting and beautifully told stories across our two intimate spaces. Our programme encompasses a broad range of work from classics to revivals with a healthy dose of new writing, producing in-house as well as working in partnership with emerging and established producers from both the commercial and subsidised sectors. Within the industry, we aim to be a creative home from home for actors, writers, directors and producers; we offer our spaces as a platform for development, rehearsed readings or sharings of new projects, with the aim of securing a future life either on our own stage or on another. We are invested and rooted in our local community and seek to work with local residents, businesses and partner organisations to create a better Finsbury Park for everyone. In everything we do, we aim to be warm and inclusive; a safe, welcoming and wonderful space in which to work, create and visit.

Governance & Finance 

Park Theatre is a company limited by guarantee and is registered with the Charity Commission. We are governed by a non-executive Board of Directors, currently chaired by Nigel Pantling whose term of office ends in March 2022. The Board delegate day-to-day management of the theatre to its Executive Team: Jez Bond (Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive) and Rachael Williams (Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive).

Park Theatre has an annual turnover of approximately £1.9m and our work is funded through rental income from visiting companies; box office income from our in-house productions; fundraised income from trusts, businesses and individuals; and other earned income which includes commercial hires and Park Pizza (our catering offer). There are two subsidiary companies in existence: Park Theatre Cafe Bar Ltd and Park Theatre Productions Ltd. 

Our most recent set of accounts can be found here.

Our Board has a strong mix of skills which reflect the identified needs of the charity. They have ultimate responsibility for the strategic direction, development and governance of the organisation and offer guidance and expertise to the Joint Chief Executives, to whom day-to-day management of the organisation is delegated. Trustees must be positive and passionate advocates for the theatre and its core mission, and must ensure that its affairs as a registered charity and company limited by guarantee are conducted with probity. 

A list of current Trustees can be found here. 

The Board meets every two months throughout the year. All Trustees are expected to attend regularly our shows and projects including press nights, development events and showcases of our work with young people. Trustees undertake their responsibilities on a voluntary basis and are not remunerated.

Future Plans

We have used our period of closure to do some strategic planning for our future, in advance of writing our new business plan in 2022 (our current plan concludes in a year’s time). We have launched our new catering concept, Park Pizza, which we want to grow over the coming years. We are rolling out a new programming process, which will allow more engagement from our staff team, will utilise the expertise of a team of readers and viewers and will support us in increasing the diversity of stories that are told on our stages. We are in the process of designing a new financial model for Park90 that will allow us to better support producers and artists, and will be applying for multi-year funding to make this happen. This is an exciting time to join the Board of Trustees as Park Theatre enters a new phase, emerging from the pandemic with new ideas and refreshed thinking. 

Role Description 

Park Theatre are seeking to recruit a new Trustee who will take on the role of Chair of the Finance Committee, succeeding Robert Hingley who will be stepping down from the Board shortly. The Chair of the Finance Committee will work closely with the Chair of the Board and the Joint Chief Executives Jez Bond and Rachael Williams to ensure the smoothly financial running of the theatre and enable other Trustees to carry out their financial responsibilities. 

The Board meets every two months, and the Finance Committee meets 1-2 weeks prior to each Board meeting. 

Trustees are appointed for a 3 year term, with a maximum of 2 terms possible. 

Responsibilities

As a Trustee: 

• Ensure that Park Theatre fulfils its purpose and charitable objectives, as well as any legal requirements;
• Oversee Park Theatre’s business plan and its implementation;  
• Safeguard the good name and values of Park Theatre;
• Ensure the theatre is financially sustainable;  
• Support Park Theatre’s fundraising efforts;  
• Serve as an advocate for Park Theatre as required, including at performances and fundraising events;  
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion across all of Park Theatre’s activities. 

As Chair of the Finance Committee:  

• Chair regular meetings of the Finance Committee, leading on the scrutiny of management accounts and the approval of the annual budget; 
• Present financial reports to the Board in a format that helps Trustees understand the charity’s financial position;
• Advise the Board on how to carry out its financial responsibilities, including appropriate policies for reserves and regular analysis of the theatre’s risk register;
• Oversee the theatre’s annual audit process, liaising with the theatre’s auditors as appropriate.  

Person Specification

Essential:

• Financial expertise, with the ability to scrutinise and probe financial statements, reports and balance sheet information; 

• Skill in chairing meetings; 
• The ability to communicate financial information clearly and succinct, including to those who may be less financially literate;
• An affinity for the vision, mission and work of Park Theatre.

Desirable: 

• Qualified as a chartered account;
• Prior experience of being a charity Trustee;
• An understanding of charity finance;
• An understanding of subsidized arts organisations and appreciation of the current challenges faced by the sector.

Application Procedure

Applications should be made by submitting a letter explaining in no more than two sides of A4 what attracts you to the position and evidence of your ability to fulfil the role and meet the person specification. Please also submit a C.V. and a complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form by visiting https://cutt.ly/Lki5oDV. 

Park Theatre operates a Positive Action policy to aid in our endeavour to diversity our workforce. Any disabled candidates or candidates who identify as ethnically diverse who meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification will be guaranteed a first round interview. If you feel that this applies to you, please include the following sentence at the end of your application letter: I would like my application to be considered under Park Theatre’s Positive Action policy.

Applications should be addressed to Nigel Pantling, Chair of Trustees, and sent via e-mail to jobs@parktheatre.co.uk by 10am on Monday 18^th October 2021. Interviews will take place w/c 1^st November.

It is hoped that the successful candidate will be able to attend the next Board meeting on Tuesday 16^th November at 4.00 pm. 

By submitting an application to us, you confirm the following:  

• The information you provide is correct at the point of submission; 
• You give your consent for Park Theatre to hold and process your data and information;                You give your consent for Park Theatre keep your details on file for up to 2 years, after which point they will be destroyed.