ONCA is a Brighton based arts charity that bridges social and environmental justice issues with creativity. We promote positive change by facilitating inclusive spaces for creative learning, artist support, story-sharing and community solidarity. We work with artists, educators and organisations to co-deliver exhibitions, events and workshops that explore social and environmental issues. Come and work at the heart of this dynamic organisation for up to a year, running ONCA’s much-loved building and the co-working spaces Upstairs.

Downloadable job description

Hours: 2 days per week, based at the ONCA office, 14 St George’s Place, Brighton BN1 4GB. Our office hours are between 9am and 5.30pm (8.5 hour working day including one hour unpaid lunch). You may occasionally be required to come in early or work evenings and weekends. Occasional home working is possible.

Contract: Fixed term contract 9-12 months maternity cover with possibility to extend. Probationary period: 2 months.

Salary:  £24,948 – £26,845 per annum pro rata, dependent on experience.

Through all activity, maintain and develop ONCA’s ethical premise: ONCA is an anti-racist environmental charity and we aim to ensure our working practices are as ethical and sustainable as possible.

Responsibilities

Running ‘Upstairs at ONCA’ desk rental scheme

• Manage and care for existing members – retention is essential. Be available as a supportive and friendly face.
• Respond promptly to emails from members, particularly if there are issues with building maintenance (e.g. toilets, internet etc.)
• Send a weekly email to members, with building/ maintenance/ safety updates, news from the gallery etc.
• Develop and manage a strategy for recruiting new members. The income from Upstairs at ONCA is a core part of the charity’s earned income and must be prioritised in this role. It is essential that our members align with and understand our core organisational values, and adhere to our environmental and anti-racist policies. 

Maintaining the building & ONCA office

• Ensure that the offices and communal areas are clean and presentable. There is a weekly cleaner, however ‘in between’ cleans are essential when there is heavy footfall onsite. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Ensuring the kitchen is clean and clear, checking the fridge for food or milk that has gone out of date, keeping the floor clean (hoover where needed), keeping supplies topped up (teas, coffees, milks, sugar etc.) 
  • Ensuring toilets are clean, with soap, towels, toilet rolls and other cleaning products stocked and topped up
  • Keeping the offices clean and clear of clutter. Members are responsible for their desk area but should not have bulky furniture or equipment on site unless agreed beforehand 
• Make sure the recycling is sorted and put out for collection on Mondays before 10.15am
• Carry out a monthly maintenance report with the Gallery Manager and follow up promptly on anything that needs addressing
• Carry out monthly meter readings with the Gallery Manager 
• Check in with members Upstairs about any issues they are aware of, for example with the toilets, internet, furniture etc.
• Plan quarterly social activities where members can connect with each other or ONCA activties
• Lead on procurement, managing and improving ONCA’s environmental footprint and ensuring our supply chain aligns with ONCA’s environmental and anti-racist policies
• Liaise with and be the main point of contact for tradespeople and services including but not limited to: cleaning company, fire alarm company, managing agent, landlord, recycling company, Suma etc.
• With the Gallery Manager, keep the ONCA garden tidy and presentable. Use of the garden is an important part of the offer for members Upstairs 
• Manage the heating in the building, ensuring it is warm enough in the winter and cooled in summer whilst being mindful of unnecessary energy consumption
• Make sure any building improvements are carried out professionally and in a timely manner, having minimal impact on members upstairs
• With other staff, be on call to be notified if the gallery alarm goes off. Go to the building out of hours to deal with this if necessary.
• Make sure the ONCA office is clean and tidy
• Ensure the printers have ink and paper
• Listen and respond to any voicemails
• Collect and sort post, notifying staff of anything addressed to them

General admin/ relationship management 

• With other staff, check info@ email address regularly. Respond to emails promptly and forward messages to other team members where necessary 
• Manage any legal/ contractual documentation for the building such as insurance, alarm/ building checks, waste management paperwork etc
• Manage all supplier relationships 
• Be the main point of contact for the managing agents and landlord
• Attend regular team meetings, trainings and CPD, and one-to-one meetings with line manager
• Work with the Communications Manager and Gallery Manager to produce annual reports
• Work closely with the Gallery Manager to ensure all activities comply with health & safety laws
• With Gallery Manager, act as support and contact point for artist/s working in the basement studio.
• Attend and support weekly BSL brunches, 11am on Wednesdays (presently)

Person specification

Essential

• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
• Venue management experience
• IT proficiency

Desirable

• Marketing and PR experience
• Sales experience
• Business development experience
• Knowledge of digital design software (Canva, Figma etc) and WordPress
• Experience of running a building or particular aspects of running a building alongside an enthusiasm for the potential of buildings
• Basic British Sign Language (BSL)

HOW TO APPLY

Please email with your CV including the names of 2 referees, and a covering letter/ video explaining why you think this role is right for you. Use ‘ONCA Building & Operations Manager’ in the subject line.

We acknowledge structural exclusion in the arts, and are actively striving to make ONCA a more inclusive organisation. We are keen to encourage applications from people who may face barriers to employment in the arts (e.g. people of colour, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities or facing economic disadvantage).  We can refund travel expenses relating to interviews. Click here to read our equal opportunities policy.

If you have a disability and/ or access needs and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to attend an interview, please contact or call the office on 01273 607101.

• Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 7 May 2023
• Interviews: Friday 12 May 2023
• Role starts: June 2023 or ASAP