Kirklees Theatre Trust

Dear Applicant

Re: BOX OFFICE ASSISTANT

Thank you for your interest in the LBT and the position of Box Office Assistant.

This is an exciting time for the LBT. We recently received ‘Outstanding’ in our Arts Council annual review for Excellence and innovation in the programme and for Engagement. This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join our busy box office team and champion high quality customer service, playing an important role as the organization moves forward.

You will see from the Additional Information that this is a lively and energetic theatre that is making a lot happen!

To tell you more about the role and our venue we have enclosed the following:

·  Latest Season Brochure (download from www.thelbt.org)

For your information about what we have on.

·  Job Profile

Outlining the role, the skills and experience that we are looking for and the terms on which we offer the position.

·  Additional Information

This provides background information on the LBT and our activities.

·  Application Form

Please complete and return this to us if you are interested in applying for this position. Ensure you describe how you think you meet our requirements.

·  Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

You do not have to fill this in but if you do complete and return it we can see who our recruitment campaigns are reaching.

The deadline for completed applications is Wednesday 18 April at 12noon. Interviews will take place on Thursday 26 April.

Applications may be submitted by post to the above address or emailed to . If you email your application and you are invited for an interview, you will be asked to sign it then. Applications should be marked ‘Confidential’ and sent to the Administration Department.

If you would like an informal discussion about this position before applying you can contact me on 01484 484499.

Thank you for your interest in the LBT.

Paul Myatt

Box Office Manager

JOB TITLE: Box Office Assistant (Part Time)

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To deliver a high quality sales and reception service through the Lawrence Batley Theatre (LBT) box office as part of the LBT’s marketing department.

POSITION IN THE ORGANISATION

·  Reports to the Box Office Manager or Deputy Box Office Manager in their absence.

·  Works closely with the Front of House, Finance and Technical departments.

SCOPE OF THE JOB

·  Responsible for a range of ticket related enquiries and reception duties.

·  Maintaining the theatre’s ticketing system and customer database.

·  Championing standards of customer care.

·  To handle money and reconcile takings, ensuring financial information is accurately recorded.

·  To be a key holder for the organisation.

DIMENSIONS AND LIMITS OF AUTHORITY

·  Making decisions regarding refunds and exchanges within company policy.

·  Managing/handling cash and customer financial transactions.

QUALIFICATIONS

·  Applicants are required to be versed in both English and Mathematics to at least GCSE level (or equivalent).

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

·  At least 12 months professional experience of working in a customer orientated environment.

·  Strong IT skills.

·  Experience of cash handling.

·  Previous experience of ticketing systems is welcomed but not essential.

·  A passion for the arts.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

·  Friendly demeanour

·  Organised and punctual

·  Attention to detail/accuracy

·  Confident in a sales environment

·  An effective communicator

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Sales and Reception 70%

·  To ensure that the box office/reception is a warm, friendly and welcoming information point, and to achieve the highest standard of customer care/service at all times.

·  To take a proactive approach to achieving set targets and to take the lead on sales initiatives when required.

·  To record marketing information in an efficient way using the Patron Edge ticketing system.

·  To take ticket bookings and manage reservations over the counter, by post and on the telephone in a courteous manner.

·  To support the development of group bookings.

·  To support customers with access needs.

·  To support other retail activities, eg. selling merchandise.

Financial and System Administration 15%

·  To reconcile all monies taken during each shift and ensure that all floats are maintained and secured in the safe at the end of each shift.

·  To ensure the confidentiality of information is maintained at all times and the regulations regarding data protection are adhered to.

·  To provide accurate financial or sales reports as required.

General 15%

·  Opening of the building following the official procedures and maintaining the day to day running of the box office when required.

·  To support casual team members to deliver a high quality service.

·  To maintain the presentation of the box office and surrounding areas, eg. updating leaflet racks and display boards to make sure that all information is up to date and relevant.

·  To ensure that the box office area is kept in a clean and tidy state at all times.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SALARY £11,848 per year (full time equivalent), pro rata for 15 hours the role pays £4,739.20 per year.

PENSION Stakeholder pension scheme.

Employer contribution offered after 12 months service (currently 5%).

HOURS 15 per week.

Hours vary according to a monthly rota system, ability to work evenings and weekends is an essential requirement and expected on a weekly basis.

HOLIDAYS Annual holiday entitlement is 8 days per year. There is an additional bank holiday entitlement (pro rata) and an additional days holiday (pro rata) is added for each year’s completed service up to a total of 10 days.

NOTICE PERIOD 4 weeks.

Standard terms and conditions of the LBT apply.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Venue - The Lawrence Batley Theatre (the LBT) is a middle scale theatre which was opened in 1994 in what was once the largest Wesleyan mission in the country and is now a Grade II* listed building. The conversion was carried out as the result of a sustained campaign by local people and amateur societies, who demanded a professional theatre venue within the district.

Within the complex there are three performance spaces; the Main Auditorium seating 477 people, the Cellar Theatre with 120 seats and the Attic Theatre, also used for rehearsals and education, with 60 seats. All the spaces are flexible and can transform to host a range of presentations. Offices and supported accommodation for arts companies are housed in one wing while the other provides a bar, meeting rooms and the box office. The building surrounds an outdoor courtyard which is also used for performances and events.

The Company and Team - The theatre is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status, governed by Kirklees Theatre Trust. It currently receives revenue funding from Kirklees Council and the Arts Council England, this revenue funding makes up approximately 39% of the theatre’s overall income. The remainder is made up of project grants, sponsorship, box office income, space hires and bar profit. The theatre’s annual turn-over is approximately £900,000 and growing.

The LBT is led by, Victoria Firth, the Director and Chief Executive Officer. 25 permanent full or part-time staff and 59 casual staff are employed working in departments for marketing & box office, technical & premises, creative engagement, front of house & events, finance and administration. There is a volunteer-base of 117 people. The LBT also offers 2 placements with the University of Huddersfield.

The Programme - The LBT is primarily a presenting theatre. The professional programme includes drama, dance, opera, children’s theatre, music, comedy and most recently film. We also work closely with a number of festivals in the district including Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (hcmf//), the Holmfirth Arts Festival, and Marsden Jazz Festival. Non-professional and community use of the theatre is supported and several amateur dramatic societies regularly perform at the LBT. We also have an events programme encompassing summer/festive fayres, Huddersfield Open Studio Trail (HOST) and other annual events.

The LBT runs a varied programme of creative engagement activities. Our Youth Theatre has approximately 250 members from the ages 6 to 25 and we are currently expanding our portfolio of courses and classes for adults. Discreet outreach projects have been generated to build community links and engagement. We have been working with Deighton and Brackenhall Initiative (DBI) for the last 5 years and are currently delivery in the Crosland Moor and Dewsbury West wards of Kirklees.

The LBT supports the work of locally based artists and is home to 3 resident companies, Dark Horse, formerly known as Full Body and the Voice (learning disabled ensemble and exponents of integrated theatre), Chol Theatre (inter-cultural theatre with a strong youth feel) and Tell Tale Hearts (Children’s Touring Theatre). We also run an exhibitions programme and provide space for 5 visual artists in residence.

During the day-time the complex is used for conferences, seminars and functions. The LBT also has a free wi-fi lounge.

APPLICATION FORM

Position Applied For:

Please type or write clearly in black ink.

PERSONAL DETAILS

Last Name / Title
Optional
First Name(s)
Address
Evening
Telephone / Daytime
Telephone
Mobile Telephone / Email Address

DISABILITY

Do you suffer from illness or disability that could affect your ability to carry out the duties described in the Job Description for this post?

Please tick (ü) Yes ______No ______

If yes, please give details, including how we can support you, both during the application process and in employment:

______

______

______

______
REFERENCES

Please give the names and addresses of two people (not relatives) who have known you in employment. One should be your present or most recent employer.

Name
Address
Telephone Number
Email Address
Job title, or work relationship to you
Can they be contacted before offer of the post?

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT

If not in employment, your current activities:

Name of Organisation
Job Title
Responsibilities
Employment Began /

Leaving Date

(if applicable)
Notice Required / Current Salary Level
Reason for leaving, or for seeking other work?

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT

Please start with most recent. If there are gaps between employments please give relevant information. Freelancers or people with a large number of short-term contracts may wish to select their most relevant work experience. Please continue on additional sheets if necessary.

Organisation / Job title, responsibilities and reason for leaving / Dates

EDUCATION AND RELEVANT TRAINING

Please give details of your formal training (most recent first), and any additional training that may be relevant to the post (most recent first).

Institution / Trainer / Qualification and Subject / Grade / Dates

HEALTH

How many days absence from work have you had in the past twelve months due to illness? ______

CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

(Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974)

Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence?

Please tick (ü) Yes _____ No _____

If yes, please give details: ______

WORK PERMIT

Do you require a work permit to work in the UK?

Please tick (ü) Yes _____ No _____

ADMINISTRATIVE

Where did you see the advertisement for this post?

______
SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Please outline why you have applied, and referring to the job profile and information provided, why you feel that you are a suitable candidate for this post. Please continue on additional sheets if necessary.

DECLARATION

I declare that the information I have given in this application is correct, and that I consent to the LBT checking any details on this form. I understand that the supply of any inaccurate information may result in the withdrawal of any offer of employment, or the termination of employment. I have not canvassed (either directly or indirectly) any member of the LBT staff, or Kirklees Theatre Trust.

Signed: ______Date: ______

NOTES

§  If you are emailing your application and can’t sign above, and you are invited for an interview, you will be asked to sign it then.

§  Do not send additional papers such as CVs.

§  Enclosed is an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. Completion of this form is optional, but we would be grateful if you would take the time do so. It will not be provided to the short listing panel.

§  If you wish to receive acknowledgement of your application, please supply either your email address here or a stamped addressed envelope. ______

§  If you do not hear from us by the date of the interview, please take it that you have not been successful in your application on this occasion.

Please return the completed form marked as ‘confidential’ to:

The Administration Department

Lawrence Batley Theatre

Queen Street

Huddersfield

HD1 2SP

Or email to:

Please note the deadline for this position is 4th April 2012 at 5 pm.

Thank you for applying to work with us.

EQUAL OPPORTUNTIES

MONITORING FORM

Confidential

Completion of this form is optional, but we would be grateful if you took the time to do so.

This form will help us to assess the diversity of our organisation, our recruitment, and to ensure we are reflecting the community we work in.

This form will be separated from your application before short-listing.

Post applied for: ______Date: ______

Please tick (ü) the words that best suit you to describe your identity.

The following descriptions are based on recommendations by the Commission for Racial Equality.

Black or Black British

African _____ Caribbean _____ Other (please specify) ______

East Asian or East Asian British

Chinese _____ Other (please specify) ______

South Asian or South Asian British

Bangladeshi _____ Indian _____ Pakistani _____

Other (please specify) ______

White

English _____ Scottish _____ Welsh _____

Irish _____ other (please specify) ______

Gender Male ______Female ______Alternative/no answer _____

Disability

The Equality Act 2010 defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Do you consider yourself to have a disability? Yes ______No ______

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