We’re recruiting! Job Opportunity at Music Generation for Operations Manager

Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme that helps children and young people access high quality performance music education in their local area. Initiated by Music Network, the programme is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, The Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. Established in 2010, Music Generation is a vibrant, high performing organisation. It works with Local Music Education Partnerships in Carlow, Clare, Cork City, Laois, Louth, Limerick City, Mayo, Offaly/Westmeath, Sligo, South Dublin and Wicklow, providing funding, support and expert advice.

We are now seeking to appoint an Operations Manager to join the dynamic team at National Development Office, and play a lead role managing the day-to-day business of a groundbreaking initiative in Irish music education.

We are looking to recruit a skilled professional who has a combination of initiative, rigour and excellent operational management skills. This role needs a hard-working, highly efficient, experienced individual who has gained credible experience of Operations Management and has a demonstrated track record of delivering results and achievement in this area.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity for a self-motivated individual to join the organisation at a really exciting time of radical change in the music education landscape in Ireland. This job description provides an outline of the key responsibilities envisaged for this role.

Terms and Conditions of Employment
The Operations Manager reports to the National Director of Music Generation. The position is offered as a fixed term contract for a period of 19 months with a competitive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience. A probationary period of 6 months applies to this position.

The working hours for this role are 37.5 hours per week. However the nature of the role requires flexibility and a willingness to work outside of normal office hours. Time off in lieu will operate on an agreed basis. There are 20 annual leave days excluding Public Holidays.

The role is based at the National Development Office of Music Generation (located at Music Generation offices, National Concert Hall Building, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2). However, the role may require the post holder to work at, and from, other locations throughout the country from time to time.

Key Purpose of the Job
Reporting to the National Director, the Operations Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the operational aspects of the business of the Music Generation National Development Office.

Key Responsibilities
Working with the team at National Development Office, key responsibilities include:

General Company Management

• Ensuring compliance with terms and conditions of funding, reporting requirements, relevant legislation and governance policies
• Monitoring adherence to compliance rules, regulations and procedures
• Best Practices - improve processes and policies in support of organisational goals
• Management of third party relations - ensure that correct procedures are followed when third parties are engaged
• Manage support services - liaise with suppliers and maximise the output of various support services such as, IT, finance and HR as needed
• Logistics management - co-ordinate logistical requirements in relation to performance and events production where the National Development Office is involved in addition to daily office operations

Operations & Administration

• Assist the National Director in the planning, co-ordination, management and administration of Music Generation’s activity in the following ways:
• • Preparing a range of reports to a very high standard and compiling relevant documentation
  • Assisting in the development of strategic plans for operational activity
  • Co-ordinating and minuting of meetings
  • Day-to-day general office administration

Music Education Partnerships

• Dealing with Music Education Partnership operational matters on a day-to-day basis
• Building and maintaining collaborative and productive working relationships with local Music Education Partnership Co-ordinators
• Co-ordinating and administering learning network events and information sharing for MEPs

Finance

• Providing administration support to the Finance Manager, including collection and coding of invoices.
• Working with the Finance Manager to oversee the provision of funding to the Local Partnerships, ensuring that they are complying with the terms of funding agreements
• Coordinate with the Finance Manager in managing the operational budget

Other Duties

• Undertaking other duties at the direction of the National Director and Board as required, so as to ensure the success of Music Generation

This list of roles and responsibilities is non-exhaustive and subject to change at any time.

Garda Vetting
This post is subject to Garda Vetting and there being no disclosure of convictions which the Board of Music Generation considers would render the candidate unsuitable to work with children/vulnerable adults. This vetting process will commence on appointment.

About Music Generation
Music Generation Ltd. is established as a subsidiary company of Music Network Ltd. with charitable status. It is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by U2, The Ireland Funds and Music Network.

Person Specification
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate examples from their past experience highlighting that they have both the capability and desire for this role. We are seeking someone who has: -

Experience and Knowledge

• Knowledge and at least 3 year’s experience of a proven track record in organisational effectiveness, preferably in the music / education / arts sector
• A well developed and successful track record of managing and implementing operational systems
• A third level qualification (music / education / arts desirable but not essential)

Attitude, Skills and Abilities

• A high level of enthusiasm for music performance and education
• Collaborative and service-oriented with the ability and motivation to work well on own initiative and contribute in a flexible way as part of a small, close-knit team
• An effective organiser, with an ability to design and implement efficient operating systems combined with excellent attention to detail and an appetite for organising
• Possesses initiative, along with the capacity to develop creative, innovative ideas and the ability to make things happen
• Possessing excellent written and positive interpersonal communication skills
• Well-developed IT skills and a high degree of proficiency with end user tools (word, excel, databases)

Application Process
The closing date for applications is 5pm Friday March 20th, 2015. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Music Generation’s Policy & Priorities 2010 – 2015 and other general information about the programme is available to download on here. Interested applicants are advised to consult these documents in detail.

Interested applicants are invited to apply by providing the following 2 items using the guidelines enclosed in the appendix to this information: -

1. A CV highlighting your relevant experience for this role
2. A focused covering letter

Please forward your application in strict confidence to Sigmar Recruitment, 13 Hume St, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Email: info@sigmar.ie

Interview Dates and Selection Methods
Initial short-listing of candidates will be on the basis of the information contained in their CV, covering letter content (see end of this description).

• Candidates who are short-listed will be invited to attend for an initial interview to be held on March 31st, 2015.
• The first interview may reduce the initial short list and remaining candidates may be invited for a subsequent second interview.

Application Guidance

1. A well-presented CV
2. A covering letter that engages with the opportunity presented by the role

1. CV Guidance

• No more than 4 pages highlighting your relevant experience for this role.
• Present your experience in reverse chronological order.
• Be clear about the specific responsibility you had, who you reported to and who you engaged with for each role or project in your career to date.
• Indicate 3 referees we may contact in the latter stages of the process. Contact details not necessary at this point.

2. Covering Letter Guidance

• A covering letter of no more than 2 pages. It is essential that the covering letter addresses in a reasonably concise way: -
• What particular skills and qualities you would bring to this role?
• What attracts you to the role / organisation?

• This job description describes the principal purpose and main elements of the job. It is a guide to the nature and key responsibilities of the job, but it is not intended as a wholly comprehensive or permanent description.
• Applications can be made by post or email, with email being the preferred option. An application form sent by post should be posted in sufficient time to ensure delivery by this deadline. Allegations of loss or delay will not be considered unless supported by a Certificate of Posting.
• In the event that a large number of candidates will meet minimum eligibility requirements for the role, Music Generation may decide to invite a smaller number to interview. This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates who are, prima facie, better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.
• The onus is on short listed applicants to make themselves available on the date(s) specified by Music Generation and to make whatever arrangements are necessary to ensure that they receive communications sent to them at the contact details specified in their covering letter or CV.
• Music Generation is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to the legislation governing the equality of opportunity.
• To recruitment agencies: Agency CVs or applications will not be accepted in relation to this role. Music Generation is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited applications.