DIRECTOR  INFORMATION  PACK      

 

 

Introduction         p.  2  

The  Role         p.  4  

The  Person         p.  7  

Terms  and  Conditions       p.  8  

Application  Process       p.  9  

 

 

 

 

 

Image:  Sir  Peter  Blake,  Everybody  Razzle  Dazzle,  2015.  Photo:  Mark  McNulty  

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INTRODUCTION  –  ABOUT  LIVERPOOL  BIENNIAL  

 Founded  in  1998,  Liverpool  Biennial  is  the  UK  biennial  of  contemporary  art  presenting  a  free  festival  of  newly  commissioned  contemporary  art  from  around  the  world  in  the  context  of  Liverpool  and  the  region.  It  is  underpinned  by  a  programme  of  research,  education,  residencies  and  commissions.  Taking  place  every  two  years  across  the  city  in  public  spaces,  galleries,  civic  buildings,  museums  and  online,  it  has  commissioned  over  340  new  artworks  and  presented  work  by  over  480  renowned  artists  from  around  the  world.  Artists  featured  in  our  last  ten  editions  include  Doug  Aitken,  John  Akomfrah,  Yael  Bartana,  Mohamed  Bourouissa,  Lara  Favaretto,  Nicholas  Hlobo,  Yayoi  Kusama,  Taus  Makhacheva,  Philippe  Parreno,  Superflex,  Ai  Weiwei,  Betty  Woodman  and  Franz  West.    

 Haegue  Yang,  Long  Neck  Woman  Upside  Down,  2016.  Installation  view  at  Tate  Liverpool.  Photo:  Roger  Sinek  ©  Tate  Liverpool  

In  2018,  celebrating  20  years  of  presenting  international  art  in  the  city  and  the  region,  the  10th  edition  of  the  Biennial  ran  for  15  weeks,  showcasing  44  artists  from  22  countries  across  16  sites,  responding  to  the  theme  Beautiful  world,  where  are  you?  Curated  by  Sally  Tallant  (outgoing  Liverpool  Biennial  Director)  and  Kitty  Scott  (Carol  &  Morton  Rapp  Curator  of  Modern  and  Contemporary  Art  at  Art  Gallery  Ontario)  it  invited  artists  and  audiences  to  reflect  on  a  world  of  social,  political,  environmental  and  economic  turmoil.    

The  2018  programme  included  more  than  80  performances,  talks,  films,  family  and  educational  events  and  also  featured  a  film  programme  curated  by  Agnès  Varda.  

Liverpool  Biennial  2018  was  a  highlight  of  Liverpool  2018,  a  year-­long  programme  which  has  showcased  the  city’s  culture  and  creativity  10  years  on  from  its  year  as  European  Capital  of  Culture.  Biennial  audiences  were  invited  to  explore  the  histories  and  stories  evoked  by  objects  and  artefacts  from  the  city’s  collections  and  architecture,  from  the  encaustic-­tiled  

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Minton  floor  in  St  George’s  Hall,  and  masterpieces  at  Walker  Art  Gallery  by  artists  including  George  Stubbs,  David  Hockney,  Augustus  John  and  Joseph  Wright  of  Derby,  to  a  rare  complete  album  of  The  Birds  of  America  by  John  James  Audubon  at  the  Central  Library,  the  Harda  Totem  pole  at  World  Museum,  and  the  Civic  Silver  in  the  Town  Hall.  The  2018  edition  also  included  the  60th  annual  John  Moores  Painting  Prize,  the  Biennial  fringe  which  this  year  featured  over  250  new  works  and  more  than  100  individual  events  across  the  six  boroughs  of  the  region,  Bloomberg  New  Contemporaries  2018,  and  This  is  Shanghai  –  an  exhibition  of  contemporary  artists  from  Shanghai,  presented  by  Culture  Liverpool  with  Open  Eye  Gallery.    

On  24  October  a  new  large-­scale  public  work  by  Ugo  Rondinone  was  unveiled  at  Liverpool’s  Royal  Albert  Dock,  outside  Tate  Liverpool.  Commissioned  by  Liverpool  Biennial  with  Tate  Liverpool,  and  supported  by  Liverpool  City  Region  Combined  Authority,  the  10-­metre  high  sculpture,  Liverpool  Mountain,  comprises  fluorescent  coloured  rocks,  stacked  vertically.  It  is  Rondinone’s  first  public  artwork  in  the  UK  and  is  part  of  his  Magic  Mountains  series.  It  joins  other  major,  permanent  public  artworks  commissioned  by  Liverpool  Biennial  such  as  Peter  Blake’s  Everybody  Razzle  Dazzle  ferry,  Jaume  Plensa’s  Dream  and  Antony  Gormley’s  Another  Place  on  Crosby  Beach.  

Liverpool  Biennial  is  underpinned  by  an  extensive  education  and  participation  programme  which  is  integrated  into  all  our  work.  The  Biennial  commissions  artists  to  make  work  together  with  people  of  all  ages  from  diverse  communities.  This  year  round  programme  is  key  to  how  Liverpool  Biennial  builds  and  maintains  audiences  whilst  strengthening  national  and  international  partnerships.  Formal  networks  and  partnerships  such  as  the  International  Biennial  Association  (IBA)  generate  co-­commissions,  organisational  improvements,  opportunities  for  staff  development,  and  heighten  the  profile  and  status  of  Liverpool  Biennial.  

 

 

 Ugo  Rondinone,  Liverpool  Mountain,  2018.  Installation  view  at  Royal  Albert  Dock  Liverpool.  Photo:  Rob  Battersby  

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 THE  ROLE    

DIRECTOR    

The  Director  has  overall  responsibility  for  the  artistic  vision  and  management  of  Liverpool  Biennial,  for  the  development  and  implementation  of  its  Biennial  festivals  and  other  artistic  output,  as  well  as  for  its  organisational  and  financial  sustainability.  Reporting  to  the  Chair,  the  Director  is  tasked  with  aligning  the  organisation  behind  its  strategic  vision,  and  for  growing  and  developing  its  reputation  locally,  nationally  and  internationally  whilst  strengthening  existing  partnerships  and  developing  new  ones.  They  will  work  closely  with  the  Board  of  Trustees,  the  Executive  Director,  other  senior  staff  and  curators.  

 RESPONSIBILITIES  

Artistic  Direction  

•   Develop,  articulate  and  lead  the  team  to  deliver  an  innovative,  exciting  and  ambitious  artistic  programme  of  exceptional  quality  in  line  with  the  Biennial’s  vision,  its  business  plan,  and  within  given  resources    

•   Take  responsibility  for  all  aspects  of  the  Biennial  programme  including  exhibitions,  commissions,  public  programmes,  publications  and  education  and  ensure  that  these  are  integrated  and  leading  the  field  nationally  and  internationally    

•   Build  commitment  to  the  Biennial’s  vision  and  strategy  with  the  Board,  staff,  partners  and  funders  and  align  all  Biennial  initiatives  and  programmes  with  the  vision    

Leadership  and  Strategy  

•   Work  with  the  Board,  the  Executive  Director  and  the  staff  to  develop  and  deliver  an  effective  business  plan    

•   Ensure  that  the  Biennial  achieves  its  stated  aims  and  objectives    

•   Take  overall  responsibility  for  the  regular  review  and  monitoring  of  outcomes  and  impacts  against  the  business  plan,  and  all  its  key  performance  indicators    

•   Take  lead  responsibility  for  the  overall  shape  and  branding  of  the  Biennial  festival,  for  the  definition  and  co-­ordination  of  its  constituent  parts,  and  for  its  effective  integration  into  other  local,  regional  and  national  marketing  initiatives  

 •   Ensure  that  all  aspects  of  the  Biennial  are  representative  of  its  communities.  The  

Director  will  be  expected  to  keep  equality,  diversity  and  inclusion  at  the  top  of  their  agenda,  and  ensure  that  the  Biennial’s  agreed  Equality  and  Diversity  Policy  is  implemented  and  legislatively  compliant    

•   Advocate  on  behalf  of  the  Biennial  to  politicians,  funding  bodies,  corporate  sponsors,  the  press  and  media,  conferences  etc.  ensuring  that  it  maintains  the  highest  possible  profile  amongst  local,  regional,  national  and  international  funders  and  decision  

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makers,  ensuring  its  inclusion  on  relevant  artistic,  cultural,  political,  place-­making  and  regeneration  agendas  

 •   Lead  and  develop  strong  and  productive  relationships  with  Arts  Council  England,  

Liverpool  City  Council,  and  other  key  partners  in  the  city  and  city  region    

•   Develop,  manage  and  optimise  existing  partnerships  within  contemporary  art,  public  bodies,  communities,  academia,  and  civic  networks,  locally,  nationally  and  internationally    

•   Lead  a  process  of  continuous  evaluation  to  result  in  an  improved  organisation  and  programme    

•   Support  the  Chair  in  Board  development  and  appointments    

•   Set  the  standard  for  behaviour  which  is  professional,  supportive,  positive  and  focused  on  excellence    

Financial  and  Operational  Management  

•   Take  overall  responsibility  for  risk  management,  finances  and  income  generation,  ensuring  that  the  Biennial  is  solvent,  legislatively  compliant,  effective,  efficient  and  financially  sustainable      

•   Support  the  Board  and  executive  team  to  deliver  effective  governance    

•   Ensure  that  the  Biennial’s  marketing  and  communication  strategy  supports  all  areas  of  the  programme,  audience  development,  research  and  advocacy  work    

•   To  act  as  signatory  to  major  funding  agreements  and  take  ultimate  responsibility  for  income  and  expenditure,  associated  budgets  and  accounting  systems    

•   Work  with  the  Executive  Director  to  strengthen  the  culture  of  financial  management  across  the  organisation  ensuring  ambitious  but  realistic  income  targets,  effective  finance  and  cost  control  systems,  and  accurate  regular  monitoring  and  reporting    

•   Work  with  the  Executive  Director,  the  Director  of  Development  and  the  Board  to  strengthen  financial  reserves  

 •   Work  with  the  Director  of  Development  to  develop  and  deliver  the  fundraising  strategy  

across  trusts  and  foundations,  corporate  bodies,  private  individuals  and  other  grant  giving  bodies    

•   Act  as  Secretary  to  the  Board  and  make  recommendations  for  its  development:  the  appointment  of  Board  Members,  structuring  of  Board  business,  Sub-­Committees  etc.      

•   Together  with  the  Executive  Director,  act  as  primary  contact  with  Charity  Commissioners,  Companies  House  etc.        

         

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Education  and  Research    

•   Foster  a  culture  of  research  and  development  to  underpin  the  work  of  the  Biennial  and  nurture  the  team  to  participate  in  thinking  and  writing  about  contemporary  art  in  the  organisation,  the  city  and  beyond    

•   Contribute  to,  and  participate  in,  conferences  and  publications  nationally  and  internationally  ensuring  that  Liverpool  Biennial  continues  to  lead  the  field  in  public  practice  and  research  

 •   Working  with  the  Education  Curator,  ensure  that  the  education  programme  is  

integrated  within  the  Biennial’s  stated  aim  to  meet  the  needs  of  Liverpool’s  diverse  communities      

People  Management    

•   With  the  Executive  Director  and  HR  Consultant,  review  and  plan  staffing  levels,  in  response  to  changing  needs,  and  recommend  an  appropriate  organisational  structure  to  the  Board    

•   Oversee  the  appointment  of  all  staff  in  a  fair,  equitable  and  effective  manner  in  keeping  with  prevailing  legislation,  best  practice  and  Biennial  policies    

•   Ensure  that  all  staff  have  agreed  job  descriptions,  development  plans  and  performance  management  objectives  allied  to  the  business  plan,  and  that  these  are  reviewed  annually    

•   Work  with  the  Executive  Director  and  HR  Consultant,  to  ensure  that  all  members  of  staff  have  a  well-­developed  understanding  of  their  measurable  contribution  to  the  aims  and  objectives  of  the  Biennial    

•   Work  with  the  Executive  Director  and  HR  Consultant  to  ensure  that  staff  wellbeing  is  given  appropriate  priority  and  that  the  organisation  offers  appropriate  support  and  pastoral  care  to  all  employees    

•   The  Director  is  responsible  for  the  senior  management  team  including  the  Executive  Director,  the  Director  of  Development,  Head  of  Programmes  and  the  Education  Curator.  Direct  line  management  may  be  reviewed  according  to  operational  need.    

 

     

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THE  PERSON    

The  Director  will  embody  the  Biennial  values  which  are  in  all  aspects  creative,  professional,  collaborative,  positive  and  cooperative.  They  will  have  proven  senior  level  experience  in  the  field  of  visual  contemporary  art  and  a  passionate  commitment  to  making  art  accessible  to  the  widest  possible  audience.  They  will  also  have  a  well-­developed  network  with  considerable  international  reach.  

 

Candidates  will  have:    

•   A  passion  for  visual  arts,  with  the  ability  to  demonstrate  visionary  flair  and  creativity  as  well  as  an  appetite  for  innovative,  ambitious  and  challenging  projects,  accessible  to  all    

•   Excellent  knowledge  and  understanding  of  twentieth  century  and  contemporary  art  and  proven  experience  of  successfully  commissioning  and  co-­commissioning  public  art  with  a  detailed  understanding  of  the  processes  involved  

 •   Substantial  experience  in  conceptualising,  leading  and  managing  the  delivery  of  

large-­scale  multi-­site  exhibitions  or  projects    

•   Proven  experience  of  senior  stakeholder  management  and  multi-­partnership  working    

•   Demonstrable  leadership,  people  management,  motivational  and  communication  skills  with  the  ability  to  build,  influence  and  lead  effective  teams  and  deliver  through  others    

•   Resilience  and  stamina  to  work  in  a  busy  and  demanding  role  with  substantiated  experience  of  dealing  with  a  wide  variety  of  complex  issues  at  any  one  time  

 •   The  capacity  to  develop  and  deliver  a  programme  which  balances  the  demands  of  

artistic  quality  and  commercial  viability      

•   Ability  to  think  strategically  and  work  with  a  combined  analytical  and  creative  approach  

 •   Proven  academic  research  skills,  ideally  with  experience  of  producing  successful  

publications  on  time  and  within  budget    

•   Excellent  communication  skills,  including  public  speaking,  advocacy  and  ambassadorial  skills  

 •   Experience  of  talent  development  both  in  terms  of  colleagues  and  artists  

 •   Proven  fundraising  and  income  generation  skills  

     

 

   

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TERMS  AND  CONDITIONS  OF  EMPLOYMENT    

Salary:     Competitive  

Hours  of  work:     37.5  per  week  

Annual  Leave:   25  days  plus  public  holidays  

Probation  Period:   6  months  

Notice  Period:   During  probation  period       1  month  either  side             After  probation  period     3  months  either  side  

Other  Benefits:   Contributory  pension  scheme,  cycle  to  work  scheme,         childcare  vouchers,  free  parking  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silke  Otto-­Knapp,  A  series  of  images  following  one  from  the  other  Eine  aufeinander  folgende  Reihe  von  Bildern,  2018.  Installation  view  at  Bluecoat.  Photo:  Thierry  Bal  

   

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APPLICATION  PROCESS    

To  apply  for  this  exciting  and  challenging  role  please  submit:      

•   A  letter  of  application,  no  longer  than  2  sheets  of  A4,  setting  out  your  aptitude  and  experience  in  relation  to  the  essential  skills  required  

•   A  full  curriculum  vitae    •   The  names  and  full  contact  details  of  three  referees.  References  will  not  be  sought  

without  prior  agreement  and  only  if  you  are  invited  to  and  confirm  attendance  at  interview.      

Please  send  your  submission  to  HR@biennial.com  by  the  deadline  below,  using  the  email  subject  Director  Application  2018.  We  only  accept  online  applications,  however  if  you  have  any  queries  please  contact  our  HR  Consultant,  Jane  Howard  by  email  at  jane@biennial.com  or  by  telephone  on  07736  646  623.  If  you  would  like  to  discuss  the  role  further  before  applying,  either  with  the  Chair,  the  outgoing  Director  or  the  Executive  Director,  please  notify  Jane  Howard  via  email.    

Application  deadline:   Wednesday  9  January  2019,  12pm    

First  interview  date:     Friday  18  January  2019  (Liverpool)  

We  expect  some  candidates  to  be  invited  for  a  second  interview  on  a  date  to  be  confirmed  week  commencing  28  January  2019  in  London.    

 

   

 

Mohamed  Bourouissa,  Resilience  Garden,  2018  and  Granby  Gardening  Club,  April  2018.  Photo:  Pete  Carr