Creative Scotland launch search for new CEO
Outline of terms and conditions published
By Thom Dibdin
Creative Scotland has published the terms and conditions for its new Chief Executive Officer, to replace Andrew Dixon who resigned from the post in December.
The full recruitment pack for the job is available to download from the Creative Scotland website: www.creativescotland.com. Here, for ease of examiniation, is the text of the recruitment pack, divided up into its different sections. It makes for interesting reading, as it gives a clue to what the board of Creative Scotland think the role of the organisation itself is – as well as the role of the CEO.
The job attracts a salery of £110,000 – which is £10,000 less than Andrew Dixon got as the founding CEO of the organisation.
First up, we have the welcome from the person who is currently at the head of the arts agency: Sir Sandy Crombie.
Welcome from the Chair
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in the position of Chief Executive Officer for Creative Scotland.
Our role is to help the arts, screen and creative industries to thrive in Scotland. It means we support artists, filmmakers and creative ventures of all kinds and work in partnership with everyone who shares our ambitions.
We understand how enjoyment and appreciation of the arts and creativity nourish and enhance lives, which is why we encourage maximum access to and participation in the arts. We have seen how creativity transforms lives and communities.
Since it was formed in 2010, Creative Scotland has been able to deliver success stories across all the art forms in every part of Scotland. Yet we understand from all the feedback we’ve received that we can and must do better.
We are working very hard on making important changes to the way we work and offer support in order that we can generate confidence in our activities and deliver our remit as effectively as possible.
The Chief Executive’s role will be key to moving the organisation forward and to its future success. He or she will need to work collaboratively with staff and external audiences and partners to provide the right kind of support across all the sectors.
As Chief Executive you would also be expected to work constructively with myself as Chair and with the rest of the Board.
You would lead the senior management team and the staff to create a vibrant, respectful and positive working environment.
The successful candidate will inherit a team of staff committed to working for a successful future for the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland. They want Creative Scotland to be seen as a trusted partner by everyone who contributes to achieving that vision.
We therefore expect to appoint a Chief Executive who understands and shares that commitment. A person who can work effectively with Government, local authorities, and all the artists, filmmakers and creative organisations we are here to serve.
We are looking for someone who will pursue a positive, collaborative and, not least, an exciting future, especially as we look forward to the high profile, pan Scotland cultural programme attached to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
If you believe you can meet these challenges, I hope you find that the accompanying information pack provides all the information you require for your application. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes and good luck,
Sir Sandy Crombie
Chair of Creative Scotland
Here is the advertisement itself:
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Ideas are everything. They help us create, innovate, challenge and push the boundaries of what we think is possible.
Creative Scotland is about supporting the ideas of our great established and emerging artists for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of Scotland. This has been our aim since our creation three years ago – across the arts, screen, creative industries and beyond – and we recognise that we can do it even better.
To lead that journey we are recruiting a new Chief Executive Officer.
We need someone with integrity, vision and imagination, who understands Scotland’s unique cultural landscape, who can work effectively with a team and community, and who values the remarkable contribution that the Scottish arts can make both nationally and internationally.
If Creative Scotland’s future excites you as much as it does us, then we’d like to speak to you.
To have a confidential conversation, please contact our recruitment partner Badenoch & Clark on +44 (0) 141 225 2542 or +44 (0) 131 524 9020 or e-mail creativescotland@badenochandclark.com Applications should arrive no later than midnight Sunday 7th April 2013. Late applications will not be accepted.
Tellingly, the following “Background” is a summation of how Creative Scotland views itself. Published on the day of the second of its open meetings, this one in Edinburgh.
Background
Creative Scotland is the national body responsible for helping the arts, screen and creative industries thrive in Scotland for the benefit of the public to enjoy and appreciate. We do this by supporting artists, filmmakers, creative industries and organisations across Scotland and by working in partnership with others to make this happen. We promote and facilitate access to the arts in the knowledge of the value it adds to people’s lives.
We are here to:
• Support excellence in creative practice
• Enable a thriving environment for the arts, screen and creative industries
• Deliver our support and advice effectively
• Widen and improve access for audiences and enhance their participation, experience and enjoyment in creative activityWe support and celebrate the arts, screen and creative industries and ensure that creativity plays a central part in the lives of people who live, work or visit here.
And now for what the board want to see in a candidate:
The Chief Executive Officer of Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is looking for an inspirational and visionary leader to carry out a high profile role with integrity and intelligence. Together with the Board, The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will ensure that Creative Scotland holds the trust of the creative and cultural sectors and those it is designed to support. The CEO must demonstrate the requisite qualities – including relevant social and political nous – to work effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals and organisations. The CEO must have a deep knowledge of all areas of cultural life, with particular reference to Scotland.
The CEO will work with artists, creative businesses, staff, the Board, central and local government, partners across the sectors, the media and the Scottish public. The CEO must exhibit the ability to generate confidence and to meet any challenges that arise.
By engaging the wider Scottish creative and cultural sectors as a whole, the CEO will work to set and implement both the current and long-term goals of the organisation, helping to continue Scotland’s growth as a creative and culturally vibrant nation.
The CEO will continue to ensure that Creative Scotland is an organisation which is for Scotland and of Scotland; which supports telling the story of Scotland; and which drives a collective ownership of arts, culture and creativity by individuals and communities.
Here is the nitty-gritty of it all, the specifications.
Role Specification
The CEO must have the relevant experience, skills and values to represent Creative Scotland both at home and abroad, with a passion for Scottish life and culture.
Candidates will have evidence of the following personal traits, leadership competencies and experience:
Personal Attributes
Values:
• Candidates must identify with the core values and aims of Creative Scotland – particularly with our staff, internal culture, and across the whole creative environment – creating, fostering and delivering imaginative and productive partnerships and collaborations.Communication:
• Candidates must be effective and compelling communicators, with good listening skills and the ability to develop dynamic and strong relationships with all working partners.Character:
• Candidates must be able to perform and thrive under extensive scrutiny and pressure. They will demonstrate integrity and independence of mind.Leadership Competencies
Organisational Leadership:
• Candidates must be able to lead and manage change and inspire a culture of continuous improvement.Creative Leadership:
• Candidates will be able to establish a culture where creativity can flourish, empowering teams and individuals to lead and deliver according to their individual and collective strengths. They will have a high level of self-awareness and be intrinsically motivated to grow and improve.Vision & Strategy:
• Candidates will have the ability to engage and bring together a wide range of individuals and organisations both internally and externally, and to support and facilitate the long-term development of the creative and cultural sectors.Accountability & Resilience:
• Candidates will make commitments to hold themselves fully accountable for delivery. They will also let colleagues know clearly, from the outset, what is expected in terms of performance and hold them accountable for delivery.Experience
Leadership of a Creative or Funding Organisation:
• Leadership experience in a large organisation relevant to the remit of Creative Scotland. Previous accountability for a large budget.Engaging with a Complex Range of Interested Parties:
• Ability to perform against a range of multiple and/or conflicting priorities, and to build long-term meaningful relationships and partnerships founded on trust and respect.
• Ability to lead partnership working with key agencies to support the creative industries.Leading Change:
• Experience of managing change, with the ability to ensure that artists and creative practitioners are at the heart of Creative Scotland’s thinking.People Management:
• A proven track record in recruiting, retaining and developing high-performing individuals and teams. A capacity to motivate and inspire.Scotland:
• Wide understanding of social, political, creative and cultural Scotland. Deep appreciation of the role of the arts within a broad social and economic agenda.International:
• Experience of operating internationally.
And what the statutary obligations of the role are:
Governance
Creative Scotland is subject to a number of statutory obligations and governance arrangements. The CEO will ensure that those obligations and arrangements are complied with and appropriately maintained. The CEO will also oversee all income, expenditure and financial processes for both Government and lottery funding, ensuring that they conform to public sector standards of stewardship for which the CEO has personal responsibility as Accountable Officer. The CEO will establish productive working relations with the Scottish Government and will foster collaboration with other agencies in public service delivery, particularly in supporting creative industries.
The Creative Scotland Board is accountable to, and appointed by, the Scottish Government, and provides leadership, direction, support and guidance to Creative Scotland as a whole.
The CEO is appointed by, and reports directly to, the Board.
Further information can be found at http://www.creativescotland.com/about/our-policies
But how much is all this worth?
Conditions and Remuneration
Salary From £110,000 per annum
Pension A defined benefit pension scheme (final salary) is offered
Notice A notice period of six months is required on either side
Holiday 37.5 days (inclusive of public holidays)
Location The base location will be Edinburgh, with regular travel to Glasgow. A willingness to travel nationally and internationally is essential
Relocation Relocation assistance may applyFor further information and to learn more about Creative Scotland and our people, please visit our website: www.creativescotland.com
And finally, if you still want to go for the job, this is how to do so:
How To Apply
To apply for the post, please send an up-to-date CV and supporting statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria specified in this application pack and why you are interested in the role.
Once complete, please send your application in MS Word format by e-mail to creativescotland@badenochandclark.com If you would like a confidential, informal discussion about the role then please contact Scott Miller or Bonnie Clarke on +44 (0) 141 225 2542 or +44 (0) 131 524 9020 or e-mail creativescotland@badenochandclark.com The closing date is midnight Sunday 7th April 2013. Late applications will not be accepted.
Provisional Timescales
Closing date for applications Midnight Sunday 7th April 2013 Initial telephone discussions with Badenoch & Clark Week commencing 8th April 2013 Interviews with Creative Scotland CEO recruitment panel 23rd/24th April 2013
ENDS
