Artistic Director

Performing Arts (Advertising, Arts & Media)WAYJO is Australia's leading youth jazz orchestra and one of the country's cultural gems.
It provides a unique experience for jazz musicians aged 14 to 25 who are the absolute cream of young jazz musicians from Western Australia and beyond.Vision and PurposeOur Vision is Music for Life and Our Purpose is to create an environment that nurtures and inspires musicians through big band jazz.Core ValuesInspire: Striving for excellence in all that we do; leading by example; providing a unique experience in Australia; inspired by artists who produce great art with us; inspired by our own people taking risks to grow.Nurture: Providing opportunities to grow, to learn musically and as people; building discipline and resilience; learning for life, music for life.Connect: An inclusive learning environment that broadens and deepens the experience of the WAYJO family; retaining and re-engaging the talent of past participants, inviting new participants to connect; creating legacy; regional, national and international interactions.Create: Making great music all the time; an invitational culture where anyone can initiate and contribute; opportunities for emerging and established musicians/artists to create with us; encouraging lifelong creative expression.Reflect: Considered in our work; a learning organisation in every aspect; aspirational AND realistic; accountable and increasingly sustainable.For forty years, WAYJO has created an environment where young people thrive artistically, professionally and personally.
Our artistic activities take place locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, and many of our alumni have achieved outstanding reputations as musicians, composers and educators throughout the world.WAYJO is a not-for-profit incorporated association, governed by a volunteer Board of Management and supported by a team of arts professionals.Our members range in age from 14 – 25 years, and the Orchestra consists of three 18-piece jazz big bands performing challenging repertoire appropriate to their level of artistic development.We manage a number of other artistic programs including touring, exchanges, workshops, residencies, and educational programs for primary and secondary school students.POSITION SUMMARYThe Artistic Director provides artistic leadership for the organisation, is primarily responsible for the realisation of the organisation's artistic vision and ensures that artistic choices are consistent with the organisation's vision and purpose.The Artistic Director's primary responsibility is to develop and implement the artistic strategy, lead and manage the WAYJO artistic team, and to develop and lead the annual artistic seasons of work for all WAYJO.
The WAYJO orchestras include three premier weekday orchestras (MNO, TNO, and WNO), the Pathways Programme (Northern Corridor, Armadale orchestra and any other new corridor orchestras), the Progressions Programme, the Composer in Residence Programme and the Assistant Music Director programme.
The Artistic Team includes part-time Music Directors and Programme coordinators.The Artistic Director will be responsible for both role modelling and driving the WAYJO core values with band members and across all artistic platforms.The position is currently part-time but has flexibility.POSITION OBJECTIVESHave a commitment to the vision and strategic goals of the organisation.Be responsible for the development, realisation and evaluation of the annual artistic program in line with the strategic plan.Provide artistic leadership in the achievement of the organisation's vision, purpose and strategic goals.Play a leadership role in relation to the future artistic growth of the organisation.Play a leadership role in the Jazz scene not only in Western Australia – but nationally and internationally.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESContribute creatively to an agreed number of shows as part of the long-term artistic vision and annual program.Liaise with the General Manager on the construction of budgets and the management of artistic program expenditure.Commission new works as consistent with the organisation's strategic plan and budget.Develop and oversee the organisation's artist development programs, in line with the strategic plan.Develop programs suitable for schools and touring.Represent the organisation within state, national and international networks.Develop and maintain collaborative relationships between WAYJO and other Jazz companies in Australia and internationally.Complete reports as required by the Board and funding bodies with agreed timelines.Attend all Board meetings and major organisation events, including opening nights.Work with the Board, Committee, General Manager and other key Business Development staff, in attracting and servicing sponsors and donors and raising funds for the organisation.Undertake all work within the financial parameters established under approved budgets and as managed by the General Manager.Participate in and undertake organisational reviews to optimise transparency and build organisational culture.RESPONSIBILITIES - DUTIESThe organisation's key performance indicators, as stated in the strategic plan, to which the Artistic Director will be expected to contribute are:Board and StrategyGreater collaboration with the Board and General Manager utilising management effectively in an open and transparent way.Contribute and adhere to the WAYJO strategy and implementation with a flexible and open mindset.WAYJO LeadershipDemonstrate organisational leadership, in line with the Artistic Director's role, that contributes to meeting and/or exceeding organisational fundraising, ticket sales and annual subscription targets as set by the Board.Excellence in decision-making in terms of timeliness, efficiency and commitment to WAYJO.Artistic LeadershipStrengthen and lead positive organisational culture by embracing the values and vision of the organisation.Lead the Music Directors to produce an annual program dedicated to the growth of member musicians.Lead one of the three WAYJO ensembles as Music Director throughout the year.Grow the reputation and standing of WAYJO nationally and internationally through award nominations, co-production opportunities, and touring invitations.Broaden our audience and grow the reputation and standing of WAYJO through achieving independent positive reviews for all programmes.Growth of artist development programs across the 2-year period.The creation of new and ongoing opportunities for WA's Jazz musicians.Successful implementation of regional touring strategy each year.Attend one performance in each season of works by each WAYJO ensemble.Attend other key performances throughout the year, i.e., Progressions and Northern Corridor Training Band performances.Lead the annual audition sessions.MarketingProvide draft copy for each ticketed season within the annual program to the Marketing and Public Relations and General Manager.Liaise with the Marketing and Public Relations on ongoing marketing of WAYJO and the annual program.Provide artistic rationale copy for program specific funding applications.Assist the GM with research in sourcing corporate and private donors.Meet with potential funders.CommercialSuccessfully present a commercially viable artistic program incorporating two annual commissions of new work.Successfully present artistic work in a minimum of one WA Festival per annum.Contribute to the development of corporate gig opportunities for WAYJO musicians.Working with Children and YouthGiven this position will be closely working with children and youth, the AD will need to maintain a current and valid Working with Children Check and will also require a Police Clearance.Hours of WorkThe current thinking is for this role to be at 0.5 FTE, with the AD's normal hours of work equal 18.75 hours per week.
In keeping options open, there may be alternative arrangements to attract the right person.
This could include taking on more hours and the AD taking on roles currently done by other part-time resources in WAYJO.The AD has traditionally been the MD of one of WAYJO's ensembles, and this will equate to three hours per week for this function.An additional 1.5 days (11.25 hours) will be spent in the WAYJO office delivering the outcomes listed above.The AD receives TOIL as standard for all WAYJO staff during the office closure around the Christmas/New Year's period (2.5-3 weeks).Flexibility in office hours is available pending hours spent working on additional performances, Board and Sub-Committee meetings and other additional work as outlined above.ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPSThis role works closely across the organisation and in particular, the board, the Board Committees, the management team and artistic department.Key Internal Liaisons: WAYJO Board Members, General Manager, Events and Program Manager, Music Directors, Assistant Director, Operations Coordinator and Accounts Manager.Key External Liaisons: Artists, audiences, funding bodies, sponsors, donors, local, national and international performing arts sector.SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTSDemonstrated leadership skills in artistic direction and artistic program development.Proven ability to develop and deliver a strong artistic vision.Ability to deal sensitively and constructively with artists, to achieve the highest quality artistic outcomes.Demonstrated and nationally or internationally recognised ability as a music leader of passion and innovation.Excellent communication and advocacy skills and the ability to build high-level strategic and collaborative relationships.A broad understanding of business development, fundraising and revenue generation strategies in the arts industry.Capacity to delegate and manage tight schedules.Demonstrated ability to act as a public face of the organisation.Degree level qualifications in a relevant field.Familiarity with and appreciation of the aesthetic and artistic agenda of WAYJO and its work, including an understanding of the organisation's position within the Australian cultural sector.Knowledge of strategic planning processes.Knowledge of human resource management practices.Knowledge of statutory, legal and contractual obligations for the not-for-profit arts sector.SPECIAL CONDITIONSExtensive work outside normal office hours will be required – both evening and weekend events.
This position has the provision for flexible working hours.Please send through your CV and a Letter addressing the Skills and Knowledge Requirements or email the General Manager Monique Douglas at ****** application will include the following questions:Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?How many years' experience do you have as an Artistic Director?Do you have a current Police Check (National Police Certificate) for employment?Do you have a current Australian driver's licence?Do you own or have regular access to a car?Are you available to work public holidays?Are you willing to relocate for this role?Do you have a current Working With Children (WWC) Check?
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