ONCA is a Brighton-based arts charity that bridges social and environmental justice issues. With our public programmes we create inclusive spaces for collaborative learning, artist support and community solidarity.

The ONCA Barge is a community centred learning space that supports artist development, and offers a programme of creative activities addressing environmental and social change. Located in Brighton Marina, the ONCA Barge hosts artist residencies within its dedicated artist studio space all year round. It’s also available to hire.

We are excited to announce an amazing opportunity to join the ONCA staff team: we need someone to take a leading role in building our profile and practice in East Brighton as manager of the beautiful ONCA Barge at Brighton Marina, increasing income and visitor numbers, expanding its local reach and relevance, and helping deliver ONCA’s commitment to develop activities on board.

ONCA Barge Manager – Job Description

(- downloadable version of JD here)

• Hours: 8 – 10 days per month including Saturdays, with occasional evenings where needed. Team meetings fortnightly on Wednesdays at ONCA’s main office

• Salary: £20 – 22,000 pro rata depending on experience.

• Location: ONCA Barge, Brighton Marina, and sometimes working from ONCA’s main site in central Brighton, as required

The ONCA Barge Manager will: 

• ensure the smooth, safe running of all activities on the Barge
• ensure a high level of service to all Barge users (staff, artists, audiences, event, hirers, local community etc). 
• lead on front of house and communications, with support where needed
• ensure the good financial and operational management and maintenance of the space

Responsibilities:

1. ONCA events & programming
2. Network building & social media 
3. Hires and income generation
4. Venue maintenance
5. Finance management
6. Volunteer management

1. ONCA events & programming

• Organise and promote regular income-generating Barge-based events
• Oversee the setting-up of a weekly workshop / friendly drop-in community space on the Barge one morning per week
• Help design and manage a programme of drop-in and free events on the Barge

2. Network building & social media 

• Develop ONCA’s profile, relationships and partnerships with local businesses and community groups
• Proactively promote and market the ONCA Barge as a venue for youth and community events
• Social media: Keep the ONCA Barge social media pages updated. Provide content regarding Barge events and activities to the Brighton Marina website
• Attend local professional and community networking meetings
• Develop networks of supporters and users at the Marina to build interest and community around the Barge as an art and community space

3. Hires and income generation

• Be the first point of contact for people interested in hiring the venue
• Developing income from Barge hires – work with line manager/ business manager to set and meet income targets
• Keep the venue listings up to date – develop and deliver a marketing strategy to raise the profile of the venue
• Carefully manage Barge budgets and ensure that all invoicing and contracts are completed in a timely manner
• Ensure that hirers are well cared for – communicate clearly with them from start to end of process regarding invoicing, hire agreement, insurance, health & safety, fire safety, hygiene, by-laws etc on the Barge

4. Venue maintenance

• Make sure that the ONCA Barge is kept clean and attractive at all times
• Oversee all building maintenance issues, reporting to the line manager as necessary, and ensure that repairs are carried out in a timely manner with help from Marina maintenance and management staff
• Be the primary key-holder for the Barge, responding to security and fire alarm calls when required
• Ensure all periodic inspections and checks that meet licensing and health & safety obligations are carried out appropriately. Ensure certification, risk assessments and any other due diligence and/or auditable paperwork is completed and maintained professionally
• Report 3 x per year to the Brighton Marina management team on all activities, including number of hires, footfall etc 
• Ensure that Brighton Marina by-laws are adhered to by all staff, volunteers and hirers 
• Ensure Barge policies, insurance, health & safety information and DBS checks are calendarised and kept up to date
• Attend one full ONCA team meeting fortnightly at the main ONCA office in central Brighton
• Meet fortnightly/ as required with the line manager

5. Finance management

• Develop, promote and deliver income-generating Barge-based events where required
• Attend monthly meetings with the Business & Operations Manager to discuss general barge finances, project budgets and activities and any HR queries
• Fundraise for projects where relevant

6. Volunteer management

• Recruit, liaise with and manage any Barge volunteers

 

Essential skills & experience

• People skills – confidence – front of house skills
• Excellent literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• Budget management
• Practical skills eg venue maintenance, DIY
• Happy with regular lone working as well as being part of a team
• Confident talking to businesses and corporate hirers
• Meticulous attention to detail regarding hygiene and tidiness
• Able to commit to regular weekend working
• Commitment to ONCA’s values of environmental and social justice and sustainability

 

Desirable skills & experience

• Enthusiastic about arts practice
• Experience working with children and/or community groups, ability to interact with vulnerable people and manage difficult situations  
• Up to date DBS check
• Local East Brighton links
• Experience of supervising others
• First aid training
• Fire safety training

How to apply

Please email  with CV, references and covering letter or video explaining why you think this role is right for you. Use ‘ONCA Barge 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. BME, LGBTQ+, disabilities). Click here to read our equal opportunities policy.

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

Deadline: midnight, Sunday 1 December

Interviews: 5 December, at the ONCA Barge

Role starts: January 2020