General Manager at Different Planet Arts

Role: General Manager

Reports to: Artistic Director & Board of Trustees

Salary: £190 per day, 3 days a week for 48 weeks of the year

Contract: This is a rolling freelance position initially for 6 months to be extended subject to securing future funding

Hours: Preferably 3 days (22.5 hours) a week, 1.5 days at our office in Lewes.

Benefits: Training and development opportunities

Probation Period: 3 months

Deadline for submissions is 5pm on the 10th March 2026; interviews will take place on the 17th March with a view to onboarding around the middle of April though this is negotiable.

Job Description

The General Manager of DPA will be responsible for supporting the development of DPA, driving the company forward, raising the profile, reach and impact of the work and ensuring the viability and effective operations of DPA.

This role is suitable for someone building a career in operations. We are looking for someone who can maintain and provide the right systems and structures to enable others to lead and create our arts projects, and provide ongoing, efficient admin, managerial and fundraising support.

You will manage and be responsible for our systems and processes for financial administration, fundraising, governance procedures and processes, monitoring and keeping the Different Planet Arts office running day-to-day as an administrative hub. You will work closely with our treasurer (who is responsible for creating quarterly Management Accounts).

Management responsibilities
• Support and implement the artistic, business and strategic planning of DPA, in consultation with the Artistic Director, board of Trustees and stakeholders.
• Drive relationships with key stakeholders and funders
• Cultivate a supportive climate of creativity, innovation and risk taking in DPA’s work
• Ensure DPA remains solvent and able to meet its commitments as outlined in the Three Year Plan
• Lead the fundraising strategy and portfolio at DPA and develop new and diverse fundraising initiatives
• Lead the processes and procedures of governance of DPA both internally with trustees and with external agencies.
• Manage DPA’s financial operations, ensuring accurate budgets and reports for staff, board, auditors and funders
• Develop and operate the most efficient administrative processes and systems to support the smooth delivery of DPA’s work.
• Ensure DPA’s organisation and activities comply with requirements of Charities Commission and Companies House. Act as DPA’s principal interface to these bodies
• Ensure governance, HR policies and practices are reviewed and updated to deliver a safe working environment and compliance with employment law

Other
● To work within DPA’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety
● To support the development of safeguarding policies and practices

Job Requirements

Experience & Knowledge
• A minimum of three years' experience in management and administrative in an arts, or charity organisation or as a company manager in theatre
• Experience of financial processes, including budget management & monitoring
• Understanding of HR policy, processes and best practice
• Experience of securing resources, including making successful funding proposals and grant applications
• Experience of managing office systems, including IT systems.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person and in writing with a wide range of people
• Understanding of Health and Safety in the workplace
• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to effectively prioritise
• Ability to develop, maintain and contribute to partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes
• Skilful in managing a small and passionate team of employees, freelancers, and volunteers.
• A commitment to access and inclusion within the arts, in alignment with our justice goals.

Skills & Attributes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• An organised team player, able to balance competing demands and work collaboratively with a broad range of people
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Desirable
• Full driving licence and own transport
• Experience in working on arts projects
• Knowledge of the local area and preferably located in Brighton or Lewes or the surrounding area or the South East

To apply, email us at ariane@differentplanetarts.org.uk for our application pack.

Please then email us the application forms together with a CV and cover letter.

Please visit https://differentplanetarts.org.uk/ to find out more about our work

Different Planet Arts are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion among all our staff and artists. We are interested in applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and life experiences, and are dedicated to providing a supportive, respectful, and dynamic workplace.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team. We’re excited to hear from you!