Producer: Artist Development & Research

Job Overview:

A core member of the Public Programmes team, the Producer: Artist Development & Research works closely with the Artistic Director, Head of Programming & Producing, and Assistant Producer to plan and deliver programmes which support artist and producer career development and research.

The Place is building a cross-organisation research culture which values and supports artists’ and producers’ practice research, underpinning innovation and excellence in dance performance, choreography, audience development and dance health, alongside scholarship. We give artists space and resource to experiment and learn from the ideas that don’t work, as well as those that do. For the most promising ideas, we back them through to production, with residencies in our theatre and support to build partnerships and tours.

To support the transformative potential of artists and producers, we run a series of development programmes, including our annual festival, Resolution, which is the longest running showcase opportunity for early career dance artists in the UK, accompanied by a series of workshops to build the skills and knowledge artists need for a successful portfolio career, and an annual webinar series for professionals.

The Producer: Artist Development & Research will deliver a portfolio of programmes which contribute to these areas, including Choreodrome (our annual residency programme) and our Associate Artist programme, which is currently being redesigned. One of the first tasks in the role will be to work on the final design and implementation of a new Associate Artist programme. Care and equity underpin our programmes and the Producer: Artist Development & Research plays a key role in ensuring that artists who participate feel well supported whatever their background or experience.

Contract Terms:

Salary: The salary for this position is £37,764 per annum. Salaries are reviewed in August each year when any cost-of-living increases are made. No salary changes are made until after successful completion of a probationary period.

Contract: This is an open-ended permanent contract. This is a full-time position (equivalent to 40 hours per week). These hours are inclusive of a one-hour paid lunch break each day. Your hours of work will be agreed with the line manager. Whilst in the six-month probationary period the notice period will be two weeks. Once this period is successfully completed the post holder will be confirmed in the post and the notice period will be eight weeks. Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application and for the duration of employment.

Closing Date: The application closing date is Mon 24 Aug 2026 at 12:00pm (noon). We reserve the right to close applications early depending on the volume of applications we receive and so we advise it is better to apply early.

Interview Dates: We anticipate that interviews will be conducted on Thu 10 Sep 2026 either in person at The Place or remotely via Microsoft Teams (or similar platform as necessary). Interview dates may be subject to change.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:

• Good knowledge of contemporary dance in the UK.

• Excellent and demonstrable organisational skills.

• Financial management skills and experience with the ability to create, manage and monitor budgets.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with people from varied backgrounds.

• Experience of producing in the performing arts.

• Experience of working closely with artists.

• Experience of working on Project Grant applications to Arts Council England, or similar funding bids.

• Enthusiasm and confidence to deal with a constantly changing and evolving artistic environment.

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of contemporary dance internationally.

• Experience as a practicing artist

• Experience of drafting and negotiating contracts.

• Experience of managing workshops for professional artists.

Key Responsibilities:

STRATEGY & PLANNING

• In collaboration with the Artistic Director, Head of Programming & Producing and other colleagues, plan and develop programmes which support artists and producers.

• This includes identifying potential artists, cultivating relationships with artists and partners and supporting research and development of new ideas.

• Working with the Development Team and other colleagues, undertake fundraising to support new projects, according to fundraising strategies devised in collaboration with the Head of Programming & Producing.

• In collaboration with the Artistic Director, Head of Programming & Producing and other colleagues, contribute to the development of ideas and strategy for the theatre, and for projects produced by our Producing & Touring Team.

• With the support of the Assistant Producer, manage the allocation of in kind studio space to artists supported through our Artist Development programmes. This includes ensuring sufficient presence at The Place or The Place 2 of Artist Development staff to ensure that artists are well supported and have a point of contact on site.

• Working across teams at The Place to ensure that there is consistent best practice in how we work with artists, supporting colleagues to apply the Equity, Diversity & Access Plan in how it relates to artists.

RESEARCH

• In consultation with the Head of Programming & Producing and Artistic Director, and with support from the Assistant Producer, manage Choreodrome, The Place’s year round programme of residencies for artists to research new ideas. This includes:

• Developing new and maintaining existing partnerships which support us to offer bespoke resource to artists who may be working in dance forms or with practices which are currently underrepresented in our programmes.

• Managing the annual selection process, iterating the call out based on ongoing consultation and evaluation with artists, recruiting a selection panel which reflects the diversity of the programme, and ensuring that the process is widely accessible.

• Supporting artists taking part from when they are selected, and tracking the progress of their projects beyond Choreodrome.

• Recruiting and managing the project team.

• Planning sharings and ensuring that feedback sessions are run using agreed methodologies to support artists to get the most out of the experience.

• Planning and delivering Making Progress, a two day event for professionals to meet artists developing work at The Place through Choreodrome and other programmes.

• Work closely with the Director of Research, Head of Programming & Producing and Research Officer to develop opportunities for independent artists to contribute to the research culture at The Place, and engage with artist-scholars and researchers who are permanent members of staff.

• Develop and produce national and international labs and other workshops, often designed in collaboration with artists, which support innovation and excellence in the development of the art form.

• Contribute to the producing of ‘Research Cluster’ events in the Theatre and off-site.

• Manage The Place’s open commissions for artists by being the main point of contact with the commissioned artist and their producer; negotiating studio space; drafting contracts; sharing updates with the rest of the team; ensuring that The Place is kept up to date on sharings and other project developments; managing the commissions budget.

• Liaise regularly with colleagues in London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS) and Classes & Courses to ensure holistic support for artists researching new ideas at The Place, including opportunities to share and develop research with students, and The Place’s recreational dance companies.

ASSOCIATED ARTISTS

The Place is currently redesigning our programmes for Associate Artists, formerly called Work Place. The duties below will evolve in response to the final design of these programmes.

• Provide bespoke support to artists and producers (including artist researchers developing their practice at The Place, artists whose work is being co-produced by The Place’s Producing & Touring team, producers and artists taking part in touring programmes, artists undertaking PhDs) who are working closely with The Place.

• Ensure that support provided to these artists and producers is holistic, liaising between different departments so that there is consistency in communication and a clear plan for how any individual artist is working across the organisation.

• Support artists to get the most out of the research culture of The Place, which includes keeping the Director of Research updated on artists’ research plans, and work alongside the Research Officer to develop funding bids and opportunities to connect with other research happening at The Place.

• Work with artists to raise funds to support research and development, new creations and touring. Draft funding bids when required.

• Identify and liaise with appropriate venues to show the artists’ work, including tour booking.

• Support artists to identify and apply for opportunities, for example, residencies, workshops, and performances. Advise, where possible, on tax, visa, employment, insurance and legal issues, or sign posting the artists to the relevant information.

• Support all the artists in the scheme to develop strategies for the sustainability & accessibility of their work, exploring partnerships, potential contexts and markets.

• Curate and host labs or intensives for artists and producers which allow time for reflection, conversation and debate.

• Manage the call out and selection process for any future Associate Artist programmes which may be designed.

CREATIVE CAREERS

• Develop and programme professional development workshops for dance artists, including the annual Webinars for Professionals series, and the Resolution workshops.

• Be part of the producing team for Resolution, delivering elements of the festival in liaison with the Theatre Programme Producer.

• In collaboration with colleagues in London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS), manage Propeller, a series of opportunities for LCDS graduates to transition into creative careers.

• Produce Choreodrome: Next Steps programmes in the Theatre (mixed bill performances which offer artists who have been part of Choreodrome the opportunity to present their work in the main Theatre programme, often for the first time).

• In collaboration with colleagues in the Theatre Team, support the presentation of artists in the Theatre programme who have been part of Artist Development programmes.

• In collaboration with colleagues in the Producing & Touring team, plan and manage programmes which support independent producers, trainee producers at The Place, and placements for producers offered through LCDS.

• Develop other national and international projects and new initiatives as reasonably requested and agreed with the Head of Programming & Producing and Artistic Director. Duties on these projects will typically include: Managing application processes with the Assistant Producer.

• Promoting the project to artists and/or other stakeholders.

• Managing project budgets.

• Providing advice and support to artists taking part.

• Attending and hosting events.

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

• Manage the representation of projects for which they are responsible on The Place’s website.

• Develop and implement marketing strategies with the Communications team.

• Promote artist sharings to industry colleagues.

OTHER DUTIES

• Line manage staff for which they are responsible including recruitment, induction and appraisals within the practice guidelines of The Place.

• Work with the Executive Producer to ensure adherence to best practice in administrative, financial, contracting and customer care systems.

• Manage delegated budgets carefully and responsibly in line with The Place’s vision & mission and business plan objectives.

• Advocate for and represent The Place in all appropriate situations, including at national and international meetings, and to give talks about Artist Development and Research programmes where appropriate.

• Maintain good relations with other organisations, especially peer organisations such as choreographic centres and professional support/development organisations and funding bodies.

• Attend performances at The Place or elsewhere as necessary and as agreed with the Head of Programming & Producing.

• Contribute to quarterly reports against business plan Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and the Equality, Diversity and Access Plan, and any other plans which may be implemented.

• Any other duties that may reasonably be requested by the Artistic Director or Head of Programming & Producing.

Additional Details:

For a breakdown of what to expect from our general recruitment process, please see our information page: https://jobs.theplace.org.uk/pages/our-recruitment-process.

If you have any further questions that relate to this role before you make your application, you can send these to us addressed to: Christina Elliot, Head of Programming & Producing at jobs@theplace.org.uk and we will do our best to answer by email, or arrange for an informal online chat as appropriate.