Deputy CEO / Director of OperationsRecruitment PackDear Candidate,Thank you for your interest in joining us at Circomedia. If you are passionate aboutthe importance of providing creative experiences and high level training to childrenand young people, in particular, then this job will be of interest.We are at an exciting point in our journey. For more than 30 years we’ve trainedand inspired circus artists, performers and communities. Today, we reachthousands of people each year - from children taking their first swing on a trapeze,to students mastering balance and precision, to audiences experiencing the thrillof live performance. We run BTEC, Foundation and Bachelor Degree programmesand we also offer a venue, live performance programmes, practice space andsupport to professionals and run weekly classes for adults who enjoy circuspractice as part of their recreational activities.This new role of Deputy CEO / Director of Operations has been created inrecognition of the fact that in order to achieve our growth plans, we need to havethe strongest possible foundations underpinning us. We need you to bringoperations experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to help us achieve ourambitions. You will help ensure Circomedia is not only a place of creativity andinspiration, but is sustainable for the next generations. You’ll work alongside apassionate and creative team of staff and artists, and help us grow as part ofBristol’s vibrant cultural life and the wider world of circus.We are looking for someone who shares our values - ambitious, collaborative andcreative - and who can bring both strategic insight and hands-on leadership to ourteam.We hope this pack gives you a feel for who we are and what we do. Most of all, wehope it inspires you to imagine yourself as part of our team.Best wishes,Zannah Chisholm CEOA message from our CEOFind out more: www.circomedia.comAbout CircomediaFind out more: www.circomedia.comCircomedia is a leading centre for contemporary circus and physical theatre,based across two sites in Bristol. For more than 30 years we have trained, inspiredand supported circus artists, students and communities locally, nationally andinternationally.We reach around 7,000 people each year as performers, learners and audiencesthrough:Accredited qualifications (BTEC, FDA and BA) at our Kingswood campus –currently 76 students are enrolled.Weekly youth, community and recreational classes for nearly 600 children,young people and adults.Performances and events at our city-centre venue in St Pauls.Festivals, outreach and industry partnerships providing opportunities forstudents, alumni and artists.Our team of 60+ staff, most of them practising artists, combine teaching,performing and community engagement. This creates a unique environment wheretraining is rooted in the realities of the profession.Circomedia has played a central role in Bristol being recognised as a Circus City,with a vibrant ecology that nurtures the next generation of artists. We continue towork with partners across the UK and abroad to secure the future of this distinctiveand evolving artform.Why Join Us?Working at Circomedia means being part of an organisation where your ideas andinput matter. You will contribute to:Sustaining circus and physical theatre for future generations.Inspiring young people to develop resilience, creativity and confidence.Bringing live performance and community projects to diverse audiences.We offer a friendly, supportive workplace where your work makes a realdifference every day.About the RoleFind out more: www.circomedia.comJob title: Deputy CEO / Director of OperationsSalary: £45k (salary band £45k - £50k)Hours: Full time 35 hours per week or 0.8FTE. Permanent. Occasional evening andweekend work may be requiredHoliday: 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidaysReports to: CEO Direct Reports: Head of MarketingIT ManagerEvents & Venue ManagerTechnical ManagerHousekeeperLocation: Working across two sites in Bristol (St Pauls and Kingswood)Hybrid and flexible working will be considered. Safeguarding: This role involves working in an organisation that engages childrenand young people. Appointment will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.About the RoleThe RoleThis is a new senior leadership role, combining Deputy CEO responsibilities withDirector of Operations duties.As Deputy CEO, you will deputise for the CEO at Board meetings and externalevents, represent Circomedia in networks, and help shape strategy anddirection As Director of Operations, you will ensure Circomedia is well-run with thesystems and information in place to support our ambitionsYou will join the Strategic Team (joining the CEO, Director of Engagement &Participation, Director of Education & Training) and play a pivotal role in nurturingfuture generations of circus and physical theatre artists.Governance and LeadershipEnsure the organisation has appropriate and effective organisational policies,processes, systems and management structures, including human resourcesmanagement, health and safety, communications, customer relationshipmanagement systems, sustainability, data management and data protectionSupport the CEO by writing the operational reports for the Board and attendingBoard meetings, preparing agendas, minutes, meeting arrangements (placesand dates), onboarding and offboarding Trustees, and ensuring compliancerequirements are metAttend monthly Strategy Group and staff meetings and quarterly SMT meetings,taking the lead on sessions where appropriateFinance Ensure appropriate and effective systems for financial management andinternal financial controls, including budgeting, business planning, forecasting,management accounting, delivering financial targets and financial complianceManage the outsourced finance support (bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, invoicing)Contribute to funding bids and prepare reports for successful bidsFind out more: www.circomedia.comAbout the Role Cont.Find out more: www.circomedia.comPeopleSupport an organisational culture that nurtures staff and freelancer wellbeing,implements fair and competitive pay benchmarked to the subsidised artssector and provides professional development opportunities with clarity ofprogression routesEstablish a Salaries & Remuneration Working GroupManage the outsourced HR team to: use Breathe HR software effectively,deliver fair recruitment, induction, onboarding and offboarding ; oversee linemanagement, job reviews and contract, collect equality data and run the annualstaff wellbeing surveyKeep HR policies and procedures compliant and up to dateProperty Work with the CEO and Board to ensure that Circomedia has the space neededto provide first class circus and performance training ; liaise with landlords onmaintenance, repairs and lease discussions; arrange purchase or repair ofinfrastructure and equipment as needed; manage cleaning and maintenancecontracts ; oversee the property maintenance checklist and ensure the correctlicences and insurance are in placeMaintain robust administration and Health & Safety systems, ensuring staff aretrained (IOSH/NEBOSH), follow procedures, and keep thorough records IT and DataSupport IT functions to remain user-friendly, fit for purpose and cost effectivewith essential planning in place to manage riskAudit and review evaluation and data collection systems that contribute to thedraft evaluation framework and train staff in the use of these systems.Access and use data to write and contribute to information for stakeholdersand to influence decision makingPersonal Specification Find out more: www.circomedia.comEssentialChampions an inclusive working culture that welcomes people from diversebackgrounds and promotes creativity, equality, accessibility, learning andenjoymentSenior leadership experience in operations, ideally within the charity,education, or cultural sectorsProven track record in financial management and HRStrong understanding of charity governance and complianceExperience as a line manager including managing outsourced provisionExperience of leading health & safety Desirable Accountancy, HR, or Health & Safety qualificationExperience managing property portfolioExperience in the arts or subsidised cultural sectorOther skillsStrong advocate for the arts Strong communicator, written and verbalConfident and reliable to lead under pressure Ability to build relationships and represent the organisationCommitment to achieving environmental good practiceCircomedia’s ValuesAmbitious: We push boundaries in education, performance and participationCollaborative: We work with artists, communities and partners to createopportunities and share knowledgeCreative: We embrace innovation and celebrate differenceHow to ApplyAccess NeedsIf you need any access support for your application, please reach out to us. What to SendYour CV including contact details for two referees in a Word document or pdfformat to recruitment@circomedia.com. One of your referees must be yourmost recent employer/client and neither will be contacted until the position isoffered and we have your consentA covering letter (no more than 2 pages) in a Word document or pdf format OR       a short video (max. 5 minutes – send via We Transfer)Please fill in our anonymous equal opportunities form hereWhat to CoverIn your application, written or video, please tell us:Why you want to join Circomedia.How your skills and experience match the responsibilities in this pack.How you embody our values: ambitious, collaborative, creative.What excites you about helping us grow the future of circus and physicaltheatre.The ProcessClosing date: 12noon Monday 3 November 2025Shortlisting: We’ll review all applications against the person specification.First Stage Interviews: will take place online on 12 November. Shortlistedcandidates may be asked to complete a short task.Second Stage Interviews : will take place in person in Bristol on 19 November.Final decision: We aim to appoint shortly after the second interviews.Find out more: www.circomedia.comHow to Apply Cont.A Few Tips Think of your application as your “act”, grab our attention from the start.Keep it focused and clear, don’t try to juggle too much detail.Evidence with real examples how your experience, skills and interests meet thejob requirements and work through them methodicallyShow us your balance of strategic vision and practical delivery.Most of all, let your personality and passion come through.Where to Send ItPlease send your application to: recruitment@circomedia.comQuestions?If you have any questions or would like an informal conversation about the role,contact Zannah Chisholm, CEO at zannahc@circomedia.comFind out more: www.circomedia.comBenefitsFlexible and hybrid working by arrangement.Company pension scheme.Free tickets to Circomedia shows and discounted classes and merchandise.Employee Assistance Programme and staff discounts scheme.Cycle to Work and childcare voucher schemes.Circomedia is the trading name of the Academy for Contemporary Circus and PhysicalTheatre which is a registered charity no. 1056852 and limited company no. 2928738.Thank You