Arts Administrator (Creative Programmes)

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise - to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 - making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

At Derby Theatre, we are a charity and a National Portfolio organisation forArts Council England, and we're known for artistic excellence. We're committed to education. And we believe that theatre can change your life.

Previously Derby Playhouse, we have a long and important theatrical history. As Derby Theatre, we work in partnership with the University of Derby and are a home for higher education students. We produce new plays and projects, collaborate with artists and local people, and offer training foryoung people too, with opportunities for learners of all ages. It's all about empowering people to tap into their potential and achieve.

You will provide high-quality administrative support to Derby Theatre, with a particular focus on supporting the Theatre's produced and received programmes. This role is integral to ensuring that departmental operations are delivered to the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and professionalism.

Working closely with the Arts Administrator, you will also contribute to the wider administrative function of the organisation. You will help ensure that Derby Theatre operates smoothly and effectively, meeting the needs of all users in a manner that is efficient, safe, and cost-effective.

This position forms part of a job share arrangement. You will work collaboratively with another team member who works two days per week, maintaining clear communication and coordination to ensure continuity and the timely completion of all responsibilities.

Working Pattern: This role is 24 hours per week, preferably with the hours split over Wednesday to Friday, however, we are open to discussing viable alternatives.

The anticipated interview date is Tuesday 28th April 2026.

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive individual with excellent attention to detail to join our team. This role is central to the organisation, supporting the effective delivery of both produced and received work, so strong communication skills are essential.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent organisational and administrative abilities, along with outstanding written communication skills and a high level of accuracy. Strong interpersonal skills are key, as you will work collaboratively with people at all levels across the organisation. You will also have good numeracy skills and be confident managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

You should be confident using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and able to quickly learn new systems such as Midas. The ability to set up, maintain, and clearly communicate administrative systems and processes is essential. You will be self-motivated, able to work on your own initiative, and take a proactive approach to your work.

An interest in theatre and the arts is important. Previous experience in contracting and administration within an arts organisation would be desirable, but is not essential.

What should I expect if I am invited to an interview?

We aim to make the interviews as accessible and engaging as possible, and we want you to talk about yourself and your work experience in a relaxed and friendly setting.

We believe an interview is a chance for you to find more information about the role, us as an organisation and for you to get a sense of whether this is the right environment for you.

With this in mind, we have designed an interview process which will enable potential candidates to meet members of the team and partners, see some of the spaces you might be working in, and of course a chance to talk about you and your work experience.

• Providing administrative support to the Artistic, Production and Technical Departments e.g. arranging, attending and minuting meetings, liaising with incoming companies and recording company feedback
• Providing administrative support for the received programme including processing deal memos, contract management and ensuring settlements and invoices are actioned
• Ensuring the timely distribution of information to all other departments
• Providing administrative support to gather data for monitoring and evaluation purposes
• To liaise with incoming companies regarding their productions, compiling technical specifications, plans, health and safety information and other related information as required
• Updating and circulating the Theatre's Welcome Pack, Digs List and contact sheets to touring companies, performers and creative teams
• Providing administration support for the young performers cast in Derby Theatre productions: organise and attend auditions, create rehearsal and performance schedules, organise performance licenses, rota chaperones
• Entering all programme information onto the Theatre's booking system - Midas
• Collating information on technical recharges and communicating them to the Finance department for inclusion in settlements
• Checking dressing rooms and allocating to incoming artists
• Liaison with actors, agents and creative team members (i.e. chasing their details of payment, medical forms etc)
• To organise Meet and Greet events with staff, company and creative teams
• Supporting the administration of auditions: providing scripts, arranging room hires and catering, and attending where appropriate
• To welcome artists, creative teams, visiting companies, contractors and other non-public visitors to the building at Stage Door and to fulfil the Stage Door function: acting as first point of contact for performers, creative teams and touring companies, providing relevant information and ensuring the green room is replenished with refreshments
• The Administrator should spend a minimum of 3 days a week on stage door and fill in when required.
• Liaison with Forman Street (off site rehearsal room) companies. Providing a meet and greet service, room bookings etc

General Office Systems & Administration

• To work alongside the Arts Administrator, providing cover and support over holidays and busy periods including HR administration
• To keep up to date with developments in the industry as they relate to your role, and to contribute to the overall development of the organisation
• To take an active role in the team and staff as a whole, and to attend team, or cross-organisation meetings as required
• To act always in the best interests of Derby Theatre, protecting intellectual property and confidential information at all times
• To carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time, commensurate with the level of the post
• We expect all Derby Theatre staff to work in a flexible manner to effectively deliver their role and in line with the objectives of the company, including the Learning Theatre model, Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety and Sustainability
• The job description for this position may be reviewed and amended to incorporate the future needs of the department and the organisation

This job description is intended as a guide to the nature of the work required of this position, it is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and is subject to review.

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
• Excellent written communication skills with a high level of accuracy
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel and Outlook and ability to learn new systems, e.g. Midas, quickly
• Ability to set up, maintain and communicate administrative systems and processes
• Very good attention to detail
• Ability to work well with people at all levels within an organisation
• Ability to work on own initiative and take a proactive approach
• Ability to work under pressure and juggle multiple priorities
• Interest in and understanding of theatre and the arts

Please refer to the job description for Derby Theatre benefits.

Please note benefits from University of Derby do not apply.

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Lauren Riley, Arts Administrator via

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via .

The Theatre is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
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