We're Hiring: Dublin Fringe Festival seeks new Festival Director

06 January 2023

Dublin Fringe Festival is looking for an ambitious, determined and pioneering individual to lead this dynamic artistic organisation and its exceptional team. 

A multidisciplinary arts festival and year-round artist support organisation, Dublin Fringe Festival seeks out and presents contemporary, playful and provocative new work made by Irish and international artists in an annual celebration across the city.

Explore this opportunity to lead a bold new chapter in Dublin Fringe Festival’s future:

Festival Director Job Description (PDF Download)

JOB TITLE
Festival Director

REPORTING TO
Board of Directors

RESPONSIBILITIES
As the organisation’s executive leader, the Festival Director…

  • shapes the overall artistic and strategic direction of Dublin Fringe Festival
  • leads the organisation and team and is responsible for the overall delivery, development and financial well‐being of the organisation year round
  • creates and delivers a Festival that has local, regional and international significance and that celebrates Dublin
  • positions Dublin Fringe Festival as a leading presenter, commissioner and producer of new work, supporting artistic development and exploration, and devising and implementing strategies for the growth and well‐being of artists and the sector
  • communicates Dublin Fringe Festival’s vision to the Festival team, artistic sector, media, audiences and the general public as an advocate, spokesperson and leader
  • champions diversity, equality, inclusion and removes barriers to access for artists and audiences
  • identifies and develops talent, recognising potential for excellence and innovative approaches to artform from the annual open call for submissions, ensuring that all artistic activity is rigorous and of quality

Reporting to Chair and Board of Directors, the key duties of this role are STRATEGIC PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT and LEADERSHIP

  • Define the strategic vision for Dublin Fringe Festival as a leading curated multi-disciplinary performing arts festival in the context of the Strategy 2022-2026
  • Produce and present a pioneering and explosive Festival each September that values invigorating, daring and groundbreaking performing arts
  • Cultivate, grow and retain audiences for Dublin Fringe Festival
  • Motivate, manage, support, galvanise, inspire and enhance an industry‐leading team
  • Inspire and lead a diverse community of artists, and be a committed and inspirational leader within the sector
  • Champion the organisation at the local, national and international levels, promoting the core values of the Festival and its artists
  • Grow and strengthen Dublin Fringe Festival, its vision and all its activities within the ethos of bravery and partnership
  • Fulfil any other duties as may be required by the Board of Directors as they arise in an ever changing and evolving landscape

PROGRAMMING

  •  VISION Develop a vision for the Dublin Fringe Festival to create a dynamic, forward‐looking and engaging Festival programme
  • MANAGEMENT Direct and executive‐produce all aspects of the Festival
  • PROGRAMMING Oversee all Festival programming, taking the lead role in seeking out innovative and daring Irish and international work that impacts, moves and invigorates audiences
  • PARTNERSHIP Develop relationships and partnerships with artists and programme partners in Ireland and internationally
  • ARTIST DEVELOPMENT Set the overall strategic direction and oversee year‐round artist development activities, including FRINGE LAB and key partnerships for residencies, mentorships and workshops, providing inspirational development opportunities for artists to engage with
  • INNOVATION Implement ways of working that enable new possibilities in producing, programming and commissioning and that build on Dublin Fringe Festival’s strong support of independent artists
  • GUIDANCE Determine which aspects of the Festival and FRINGE LAB research, programming, curation and production are overseen by the Artistic Projects Manager and other artistic support staff

FINANCIAL CONTROL, MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY

  • Oversee and manage the Dublin Fringe team of full-time, part-time and seasonal staff and volunteers, including direct reports and supporting the team in managing their direct reports
  • Work with the Board of Directors to assess strategic plans, identifying opportunities for improvement while keeping all activity in line with the organisations five-year strategy
  • Plan and implement annual budgets, overseeing income and expenditure, ensuring robust financial management strategies, and long‐term sustainable financial planning — all in consultation with the General Manager and Board of Directors
  • Review and support monthly and quarterly management account planning, liaising with the Finance and Audit Committee and General Manager, as well as overseeing the General Manager’s delivery of the annual audit and preparation of financial statements in collaboration with auditor and bookkeeper
  • Support the General Manager in ensuring best practice in corporate governance, in line with all legislation and guidelines for managements of arts organisations and registered charities
  • Support the General Manager and all other Heads of Department in the overall management of finances and contracts
  • Deliver the Festival programme on time and on budget

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF DUBLIN FRINGE FESTIVAL

  • Ensure the Festival’s objectives and activities are communicated effectively internally, externally, and to all stakeholders, working with the team to ensure excellent customer service is delivered on a consistent basis
  • Oversee the management of the Festival production timeline, working with the General Manager, Production Manager and Marketing Manager, ensuring these Heads of Department deliver the aspects of their roles on time and within budget
  • Negotiate agreements and contracts with partners and ensuring the administration of same are implemented with companies, suppliers, venues and strategic and funding partners

COMMUNICATION, FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Build, strengthen and consolidate relationships with core funders the Arts Council and Dublin City Council
  • Oversee the submission of all funding applications and ensure reporting for strategic planning and development of existing, new and potential income strands
  • Identify and develop new income generation and fundraising activities in conjunction with the General Manager, Board of Directors (Development Committee) and staff and/or consultants hired to work on fundraising and development
  • With the General Manager, define a process to cultivate, secure and manage relationships with commercial sponsors and corporate partners
  • Identify and develop relationships with strategic partners, in both the public and private sector, to enhance and deliver the Festival’s primary objectives, proactively engaging with the business and not‐for‐profit community on behalf of Dublin Fringe Festival
  • Build and oversee the successful implementation of comprehensive marketing and PR strategies and budgets, taking the artistic lead with the Marketing Manager on conceptualising and devising marketing campaign messaging and materials

ADVOCACY

  • Seek opportunities, advocate, and champion for Dublin Fringe Festival and for the community of artists — nationally and internationally
  • Attend networking events both nationally and internationally as required
  • Advocate for the arts both locally and nationally, particularly at governmental level and also in the business, not‐for‐profit and other related communities

Application Closing Date Friday, 3 February, 2023, no later than 5pm
First interview date Thursday, 16 February
Second interview date Thursday, 23 or Friday, 24 February
Start date March / April 2023

CV, COVERING LETTER AND APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Applicants are invited to submit:
1) A CV outlining relevant experience

  •  Maximum of four pages focusing on your relevant experience for the role
  • For recent roles, it would be beneficial to outline the number of teams or team members who reported to you (highlighting whether they were full-time, part‐time or on a project basis) as well as your level of budget responsibility
  • Please present your experience in reverse chronological order
  • Please indicate the names and positions of two referees relevant to your application. Contact details are not necessary at this stage and references will not be contacted before consulting with applicants, but names and positions held are required

2) A covering letter (of no more than three pages) which outlines

       i. What you would bring to the role
      ii. Why you want the role
      iii. The letter can include an indication of your vision for Dublin Fringe Festival (optional)

3) Should you be invited for interview, you will be required to prepare a presentation on your vision outlining what’s next for Dublin Fringe Festival under your direction

Please note: All documents must be in PDF format.

Dublin Fringe Festival is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Dublin Fringe Festival is committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. We particularly encourage applications from members of groups who are underrepresented in the cultural sector. Black people, People of Colour, people with disabilities, members of the Traveller community, LGBTQ candidates and candidates of all gender identities are actively encouraged to apply.

Must have, or be willing to acquire, legal status to work in the Republic of Ireland. Dublin Fringe Festival is core funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Dublin City Council.

Applications should be emailed to recruit@fringefest.com

For further information about Dublin Fringe Festival and our previous programme information, please see fringefest.com.

If you wish to speak with us in confidence, in advance of your submission, please contact our independent applications administrator via recruit@fringefest.com. Our administrator will connect you with a member of the Board as appropriate for an informal, confidential discussion.