Community Engagement Coordinator - Derby Theatre

As Community Engagement Coordinator, you will help connect people across Derby with Derby Theatre's creative learning, participation and community programmes. You will make sure projects are well organised, effectively communicated and delivered to a high standard, creating a positive and welcoming experience for young people, partners, students, artists and communities.

This is a varied, people-focused role combining project coordination, relationship building, communications and administration. You will act as a key point of contact for designated projects and partnerships, working with schools, community groups, libraries, students, cultural organisations, artists and practitioners. From coordinating schedules, bookings and venues to supporting workshops, performances, training sessions, partnership programmes and events such as the Eagle Awards, you will help ensure activity runs smoothly, safely and inclusively.

You will also help us demonstrate and celebrate the difference our work makes. Working with colleagues, you will gather participant stories, testimonials, images, evaluation information and case studies; create accessible content for digital channels, presentations and reports; and ensure that the voices of communities, participants and artists are represented authentically. You will maintain accurate project records, contribute to reports for funders and stakeholders, and support consultation that enables local people to influence future programmes.

Key priorities include:
- Coordinating high-quality community, learning and participation activity from planning through to bringing together the team to deliver
- Building trusted relationships with existing partners while helping us reach new groups and communities
- Supporting participant and audience development through consultation, advocacy and ambassador initiatives
- Gathering reliable evidence of activity and impact for organisational, partner and funder reporting
- Creating clear and engaging communications that bring our projects and their impact to life, in partnership with colleagues in Creative Learning and the Marketing Department
- Supporting safeguarding, GDPR and other organisational requirements across all allocated activity
- Contributing to the continued development of Derby Theatre's Learning Theatre model

The position has no direct reports, although you will have opportunities to take ownership of agreed programme strands, working independently within established frameworks. In post, you will develop valuable specialist experience in community engagement, cultural education, arts participation, partnership working, safeguarding, evaluation and impact storytelling.

This is a part-time position of 21 hours per week, normally worked over three days, with some flexibility required. There is no stated on-call commitment, but occasional evening, weekend and public holiday work will be necessary to support activities and events.

Principal Accountabilities:

Project Coordination and Delivery
- Coordinate and support Derby Theatre's core learning, participation and community programmes, ensuring effective planning, communication and delivery.
- Act as the principal point of contact for designated projects, programme strands and partnerships.
- Coordinate activity involving schools, cultural organisations, community groups, libraries, artists and practitioners.
- Manage project schedules, bookings, logistics and communications to ensure activity runs smoothly and safely.
- Support the delivery of community events, including the Eagle Awards, workshops, training sessions, performances and partnership programmes.
- Lead on agreed project strands and work independently within agreed project frameworks.
- Coordinate the use of theatre and community spaces for project activity.

Partnerships and Community Engagement
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with schools, community partners, artists, participants and stakeholders, including administrating Derby's Cultural Education Partnership.
- Support consultation activity that ensures community voices contribute to programme development and future planning.
- Research and engage with new community groups and organisations to widen participation and strengthen Derby Theatre's reach.
- Develop and coordinate ambassador, advocate or participant voice initiatives that help communities actively champion Derby Theatre's work, including the theatre's Creative Ambassador Scheme.
- Attend meetings and events on behalf of Derby Theatre where appropriate.

Communications and Storytelling
- Gather stories, testimonials, case studies, images and other evidence to communicate the impact of Derby Theatre's learning and community work.
- Create and coordinate engaging content across a range of platforms including website, digital channels, presentations and reports.
- Support the Marketing Team with copywriting, promotional materials and communications.
- Work with colleagues to translate project outcomes, research findings and impact data into accessible and compelling stories and key messages.
- Ensure community, participant and artist voices are authentically represented throughout communications activity.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
- Collect, organise and maintain project monitoring, evaluation and reporting information.
- Support the production of reports for funders, partners and stakeholders.
- Maintain project databases and tracking systems including participant, evaluation and activity records.
- Coordinate research and consultation activity linked to programmes and partnerships.
- Contribute to organisational reporting requirements including Arts Council and funding reports.

Safeguarding, Administration and Compliance
- Support safeguarding systems, training and policy implementation across Creative Learning and Community programmes.
- Issue contracts, raise purchase orders and maintain accurate financial records and project documentation.
- Coordinate meetings, prepare documentation and produce minutes where required.
- Ensure all project activity complies with Derby Theatre policies, procedures and GDPR requirements.

General Accountabilities
- Keep up to date with developments within community engagement, participation, safeguarding, cultural education and audience development.
- Contribute to the overall development of Derby Theatre's Learning Theatre model.
- Take an active role within departmental and organisational meetings and activities.
- Contribute to departmental policies and working practices.
- Act in the best interests of Derby Theatre at all times, protecting confidential and sensitive information.
- Carry out any other duties commensurate with the level of the post.
- Work flexibly including occasional evenings, weekends and public holidays as required.
- Actively support Derby Theatre's commitments to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:
- Safeguarding training or willingness to undertake training
- Experience of coordinating projects, programmes or events
- Experience of working with community groups, schools, young people or cultural partners
- Experience of administrating multiple projects simultaneously
- Experience of collecting monitoring, evaluation or reporting information
- Experience of writing content, reports, promotional copy or case studies
- Experience of working independently and managing competing priorities
- Experience of supporting funded or partnership-based activity
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong organisational and administration skills
- Ability to learn new reporting platforms and data capture methods
- Ability to build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
- Understanding of community engagement and participation practice
- Understanding of safeguarding principles and their practical application
- Ability to gather and communicate impact stories effectively
- Strong written communication and copywriting skills
- Good digital skills including Microsoft Office and content management systems
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Completed DBS check with Child Barred check
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of Arts Council or grant-funded programmes
- Experience of content creation for digital channels
- Knowledge of cultural education, community arts or participatory practice

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The Theatre is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role.