Summary
More Details
The Mercury is an artistic powerhouse in the East – a vital, vibrant, welcoming centre of culture for the people of Colchester, Essex and beyond. We’re creative, collaborative, kind, energetic and connection is at the heart of everything we do.
We are looking for an experienced Administrator to join our Creative Engagement team at the Mercury. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our team that delivers a wide range of creative and community programmes, supporting young people, older people, schools, and theatre makers.
As Administrator, you will play a key role in supporting the smooth running of our talent development, community, and creative activities. You will provide essential administrative support that enables the team to plan and deliver inspiring engagement projects, including work with schools, artist development programmes, and community outreach.
If you are organised, proactive, and passionate about the power of the arts to engage and inspire, we would love to hear from you.
The opportunity is available for a fixed term contract from July 2025 until March 2026.
Purpose of the post
The Creative Engagement Administrator provides administrative and operational support to the Creative Engagement department and the Talent and New Work Producer. The role is focused on ensuring the smooth running of the department, across all elements of the programme, putting in place clear and easy to follow processes, policies and procedures where required.
Main Duties
The Creative Engagement Administrator will:
Administration
- Provide administrative and logistical support to the Creative Engagement programme – community engagement, outreach, education and schools activity,
- Provide administrative and logistical support to the talent development programme,
- Provide creative input to the Creative Engagement department, when appropriate,
- Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the Mercury’s creative engagement activities, and wider artistic programme, including its new work & new talent development activities
- Manage the contracting of all freelance staff,
- Manage all aspects of DBS checks for the department, maintaining accurate records for all who work within engagement activities,
- Provide clear induction processes and support to freelance practitioners delivering on behalf of the organisation,
- Maintain an up-to-date record of all participants, practitioners, teachers and local schools using Spektrix,
- Ensure that all participant data is monitored and captured for evaluation and reporting purposes using appropriate systems including Spektrix ticketing and Artifax software,
- Respond to enquiries from existing and potential participants (e.g. youth theatre members),
- Ensure all registers and emergency contact details are up to date for all participation activities,
- Ensure all participatory activities are set up for sale on Spektrix and the Mercury website in a timely manner,
- Apply for licencing for creative engagement performances involving child performers.
Finance
- Monitor, process and record all department financial transactions,
- Provide live data on expenditure to the department and on request from SMT,
- Prepare and submit regular reports and prepare financial information for funders, Senior Managers and the Head of Creative Engagement as required.
Marketing
- To provide the marketing team with information in a timely fashion to ensure that engagement activity is suitably promoted,
- Ensure compliance with all Mercury policies and procedures, including health & safety, safeguarding and GDPR,
Health and safety
- To ensure health and safety and correct working methods are adhered to by the department and to liaise with management team as necessary on any issues identified.
- To ensure risk assessments relevant to the Creative Engagement departments are up to date and acted on.
- Contribute to maintenance of a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
General duties
The Administrator will also be required to:
- Participate actively as a member of the Creative Engagement team,
- Contribute ideas to expand and develop the Mercury’s Engagement and Participation programme,
- Assist the Theatre Administrator responding to call and visitors when required.
- Attend and contribute to staff meetings and/or training sessions,
- Maintain positive and effective relationships with colleagues across the organisation.
- To adhere to all Mercury theatre policies included Safeguarding, Health and Safety and environmental policies.
- To maximise income and minimise expenditure whilst ensuring high quality delivery.
- Deputise for other members of the Creative Engagement department where necessary to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of all the team’s activities.
- Undertake First Aider duties if required.
- Undertake any further duties as may be reasonably requested.
This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of this position. It is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and does not preclude change or development that might be required in the future. It does not form part of the contract of employment.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities
- Excellent administration and planning skills
- Self-disciplined, organised and self-motivated
- Adaptable and receptive to new ideas and initiatives
- Ability to work under pressure, at pace and to manage competing deadlines
- Enthusiasm for the arts
Professional competencies
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven administrative and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Excellent all-round IT skills including experience of using Microsoft Office
- An accurate and thorough approach to work with excellent attention to detail
- Knowledge of safeguarding procedures
- Experience in a customer-facing environment
- The ability to problem-solve and provide solutions to unexpected challenges.
Desirable
- Experience of managing contracts
- Knowledge of Spektrix and Artifax
To find out more and apply, download the candidate pack here
Submit your application via Staffology here by 10:00am on Tuesday, 3 June 2025.
Organisation
