Artist Development Programme Leader

Overview

Mayflower Theatre is the largest theatre on the South Coast with 2,271 seats in the auditorium. The Theatre's aim is to bring a diverse range of shows to Southampton. We present a mixture of spectacular touring productions, from musicals to dance, opera, drama, ballet and comedy. Mayflower Studios is a cultural and community hub with family shows, dance, musicals, music, comedy, circus, cabaret, spoken word, and visual arts, and participation is at the heart of everything we do. Both the Theatre and Studios operate under the Mayflower brand. Collectively we provide Inspiring Experiences to all who engage with each venue.

As Artist Development Programme Leader, you will programme and manage Propel Artist Development opportunities through a range of projects. You will support and nurture local and regional artists, as well as deliver clear pathway opportunities throughout the programme.

What we are looking for

We are searching for someone with a "can-do" attitude, the ability to work well under pressure, with knowledge and experience of artist development programmes to join a vibrant Participation Department.

Propel Programme

At the heart of Mayflower's creative approach is our commitment to supporting the work of local artists and those with a strong connection to Southampton and the surrounding area. We define this area as east to west, Bournemouth to Portsmouth, and from north to south, Basingstoke to the Isle of Wight. We aim to support artists at all stages of their development and particularly want to hear from artists who are currently underrepresented in our industry. We are dedicated to supporting artists develop both their work and themselves. We offer opportunities to meet with our team and receive advice and guidance on any ideas or projects you may have.

Responsibilities

• Programme and manage Propel Artist Development opportunities through a range of projects.
• Support and nurture local and regional artists; deliver clear pathway opportunities throughout the programme.
• Collaborate with the Participation Department and other teams to ensure project success.

Qualifications

• Educated to a degree level in dance, drama, performing arts or an arts-based subject or equivalent qualification or experience.
• At least 2 years' experience of project managing artistic programmes.
• Knowledge and experience of theatre making and emerging arts practice.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at one time and work to strict deadlines.
• Previous experience of administering and co-ordinating arts-based projects.
• Knowledge and understanding of funding and particularly ACE applications.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Be a self-starter and independent worker, whilst also working well within small teams.
• Maintain a flexible approach and be an independent problem solver.
• Be skilled in Microsoft packages inc. Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Experience in evaluation and reporting on projects.

Salary and hours

Salary: £29,000 per annum (£17,400 pro rata) plus benefits.

Working hours: 3 days at 22.5 hours per week which includes evenings and weekends.

How to apply

Full details including job descriptions and how to apply can be found at

Diversity, equity and inclusion

We are committed to ensuring a fair process for all candidates. For more details, please see our Diversity and Inclusion statement on our website's jobs and opportunities page on the link above.

If you require any assistance or have any additional requirements to complete your application with the recruitment process, please contact the People & Culture Team at or on ext. 0. You can also contact us with any further questions you may have.

Closing date

Closing date: 10 October 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.