General Operations Manager

1. The Position The Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of General Operations Manager, Regional Cultural Centre (RCC), (analogous to Senior Staff Officer Grade VI). It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates from which permanent and temporary vacancies which arise will be filled during the lifetime of the panel. The General Operations Manager is a middle management post within the management structure of the RCC. The General Operations Manager will report to the RCC Director. The General Operations Manager will deputise for the RCC Director and will represent the RCC Director and the organisation as required. The main role of the General Operations Manager in the RCC is the management and delivery of services in line with the priorities identified in Cultúr le Chéile: Strategic Plan for Culture Division 2022 - 2026. All roles are reviewed periodically to reflect changing circumstances. The General Operations Manager role will evolve over time and it should be understood that as the RCC environment changes, so too will the requirements of the post.

Regional Cultural Centre The Regional Cultural Centre is based in the Housing, Corporate and Culture Directorate of Donegal County Council. The Culture Division comprises the Library Service, the Arts Service, the Regional Cultural Centre, the Museum Service, the Archives Service, the Biodiversity Office and the County Donegal Heritage Office. The Regional Cultural Centre (RCC) is a multi-disciplinary arts facility developed by Donegal County Council. The centre incorporates first-floor, ground-floor, and foyer art galleries, an auditorium with 140 retractable seats, full cinema facilities, three multi-purpose workshops, two dedicated sound and video studios, and a music tuition room. The RCC presents an annual program of concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, and festivals. Major festivals include Letterkenny Trad Week and Sound! Soundtrack Film Festival as lead partners, as well as Wainfest, Bealtaine, Letterkenny Blues & Roots, Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival, and Earagail Arts Festival in collaboration with our cultural partners. An ongoing program of local, national, and international art exhibitions is presented throughout the year. The RCC has a strong commitment to developing early-career artists of promise and continuously assists in long-term practice development. This is accomplished through commissions, mentorships, and professional development opportunities.

The RCC excels in music, literary, and film development and produces multiple artists in our dedicated Sound Studio and Video Editing facilities, as well as two issues per year of ‘The Pigs Back’ literary journal, featuring six writers per issue. The RCC has an extensive education and community arts program. This includes a wide range of weekly community arts activities, along with regular workshops and events run in collaboration with cultural, educational, community development, and health organizations throughout the year.

2. Roles, Duties and Responsibilities A non-exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities are set out below: • Working with the RCC Director and partners to deliver local and national plans and policies, • Contributing to the preparation, development and delivery of policy/plans, • Assisting the RCC Director in preparing, implementing and managing annual work programmes, • In conjunction with the RCC Director, making applications to local, national and EU bodies for additional programme funding, • Participating in both national and local committees for the development and implementation of new, innovative services, • Leading and managing the RCC team effectively, including PMDS (Performance Management & Development System), • Ensuring that Council policies in respect of human resources and staffing matters are fully implemented, • Preparing and managing local budgets, including procurement, • Developing and delivering innovative education and engagement programmes, • Managing the day-to-day programme in the Centre and in partner venues, • Liaising with the Technical & Facilities Officer on the technical requirements of exhibitions, performances and projects, • Liaising with Marketing & Communications Officer regarding programme marketing/box office with colleagues, • Developing strategies for digital media training, artist development, production and programming, • Managing RCC Sound Studio residency programme, • Assisting the RCC Director in the curation of artist programmes, • Managing RCC film, concert, creative writing and event programmes, • Developing projects in film, animation, music and sound etc., • Providing producing support for all inhouse projects and activities, including work in development: involving tasks such as contract negotiations, budget planning and monitoring, and financial reporting, • Co-ordinating new online digital initiatives such as a public photographic and film archive of Letterkenny and a Donegal Culture event and art / music-review based website, • Assisting in the development and management of proposed RCC Archive, • Supporting artists in the production of new work, • Assisting the Marketing & Communications Officer to promote RCC programme through digital and social media, • Promoting RCC services and growing visitor numbers, • Preparation of reports, attendance and presentations at meetings, • Monitoring and evaluation of services provided, • Ensuring high standards of Health and Safety and Child Protection, • Undertaking any other duties as required by the County Librarian/Culture Division Manager.

3. Qualifications & Requirement of the Post This post is analogous to a Senior Staff Officer and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for Senior Staff Officer will be as set out below: (a) Character: Candidates must be of good character. (b) Health Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Medical advisor prior to appointment. (c) Education, training, experience, etc Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms – (i) (a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics, and (b) have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in Higher Level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics), OR (ii) have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, OR (iii) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard, AND (iv) have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff. (d) Desirable skills and experience

The ideal candidate shall demonstrate: • Excellent decision-making skills • good project management skills • an ability to work to deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks • the ability to think, act and work strategically • proven ability to implement artistic and cultural strategy • up to date knowledge of best governance practices • a strong track record in working with cultural organisations • excellent familiarity with the Irish arts sector

(e) Key Competencies Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form and at interview of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates:

Personal Effectiveness • Demonstrates knowledge of the structure and functions of arts facilities and services, including an understanding of arts management and cultural innovation • Demonstrates knowledge of local and national cultural policies and plans as they relate to the RCC • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of Donegal County Council and its policies • Understands the structures and environment within which the Culture Division and the RCC operates and the role of the General Operations Manager in that context • Experience of managing relationships with funding bodies and proven management skills • Maintains a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role

Delivering results

• Demonstrates the ability to take ownership of tasks and determination to see them through to a satisfactory outcome • Demonstrates the ability to manage time and workload effectively • Demonstrates flexibility and openness to change and new challenges • Contributes to the delivery of high-quality service and customer care • Demonstrates the ability to ensure their work contributes to meeting the purpose and priorities of the Service • Identifies problems and contributes to solutions • Displays high level of ICT skills • Demonstrates ability to prepare and manage budgets, including knowledge of procurement and other procedures

Performance through People • Displays excellent interpersonal skills • Displays excellent verbal and written communication skills and high level of attention to detail • Displays excellent administrative and organisational skills • Develops and maintains positive and productive working relationships (internally & externally) • Demonstrates ability to resolve conflict situations • Demonstrates ability to lead by example and show initiative • Demonstrates ability to work productively, both independently and as part of a team • Demonstrates the ability to motivate, empower and encourage staff to achieve maximum performance 4. Particulars of the Post (a) General Donegal County Council proposes to create a panel of qualified candidates for the position of General Operations Manager, RCC from which it will fill any vacancy that may arise. (b) Probation The successful candidate shall be required to be on probation for an initial period, as determined by the Council. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Council. (c) Remuneration The current annual pay-scale is €55,090 minimum to max LSI2 €67,304. (as per Circular EL 02/2024). Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. New entrants will commence on the minimum point of the scale. (d) Base The base for the post shall be the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny or any other location as determined by the Council. The role of General Operations Manager may involve some travel, with some trips involving overnight stays and associated costs covered by the appropriate allowances. (e) Residence Holders of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. (f) Working Hours / Annual Leave The normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time. The General Operations Manager may be required to enter into arrangements to work on an on-call rota basis and work out of hours including public holidays. Annual leave allowance will be in accordance with Circular LG(P) 07/2011. (g) Conflicts of Interest The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his duties as a local authority employee. (h) Garda Vetting Candidates for the post of General Operations Manager are subject to Garda Vetting. Prior to appointment, candidates must undergo and satisfactorily complete the Garda Vetting process.