CAT ASSISTANT MANAGER

JOB OVERVIEW

Within the Department for Education Music and Dance Scheme (MDS), the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) at The Place is one of a national network of centres created to improve the training of young dancers between the ages of 11 and 18. The programme which is accessed through admissions workshops provides places for up to 130 young people to access high quality professional dance training and successfully progress into Higher Education, vocational pathways in dance and related programmes of study. The Place programme also features unique sub-contract arrangements with the National Centre for Circus Arts.

The CAT Assistant Manager will be the operational lead supporting the CAT Senior Programme Manager in developing the logistics of the course.

Principal responsibilities include:

• Operational lead in developing systems and processes to ensure team efficiency and smooth day to day running of the programme.
• Assist in programme management including planning, development, delivery and evaluation.
• Support Student Recruitment, retention and progression through developing relationships with students and families.
• Business Partnering with Communications, HR, and Finance Teams to ensure smooth running and advocacy of the programme.
• Line management of the CAT Trainee.
• Work with stakeholders and partners to promote opportunities for students and co-create projects.
• Act as a Deputy Safeguarding Officer (DSO), First Aider, and Mental Health First Aider, and ensure Health and Safety compliance for the programme.

SALARY & CONTRACT TERMS

SALARY

The salary for this position is £34,682 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 TERMS

This is a 12-month, fixed-term 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. Regular weekend and evening hours are required.

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.

CLOSING DATE

The application closing date is Tue 26 Aug 2025 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.

For an informal chat about this role to answer any questions you may have before applying, please email Vicky Evans , CAT Senior Manager.

INTERVIEW DATES

We anticipate that interviews will be conducted on Wed 10 and Thu 11 Sep 2025 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

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. Please see our Disclosure of Criminal Records Policy for further information.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

KNOWLEDGE

• Good knowledge of the dance sector and working with partnership organisations.
• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding regulations and confident following relevant procedures.

SKILLS

• Strong IT skills, especially Microsoft Office 365.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Holds a dance, arts, or equivalent qualification or equivalent professional experience.
  
• Experience of controlling expenditure within budgets and working with IT systems that support this.
• Experience working in arts/education administration and/or programme delivery.
• Experience offering pastoral care to young people.
• Experience in mentoring and supporting dance teachers and teaching assistants at pre-vocation level with an understanding of pedagogical principals.

ATTRIBUTES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Works collaboratively within a small team environment as well as independently.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

KNOWLEDGE

• Good knowledge of the national dance framework and organisations within it.

SKILLS

• Current First Aid and/or Mental Health First Aid trained.
  
• Designated Safeguarding Officer training within the past 3 years.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in stage management and performance/project event organisation.
• Experience of supervising/line managing staff members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

• Develop and maintain efficient administrative systems to improve team processes for student recruitment, retention, induction, expenses, project activity, and evaluation.
  
• Produce and maintain risk assessments for key projects and activities, including overnight stays, productions, and offsite events.
  
• Oversee CAT adherence to GDPR regulations and ensure appropriate archiving and deletion of documentation as required.
  
• Gather and analyse data to support the MDS grant, including socioeconomic backgrounds, student progress, and impact assessments.
  
• Collaborate with the Development Team and Head of Widening Participation and Recruitment to compile data demonstrating CAT's impact and improving outreach, access, and student progression.

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT (PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, DELIVERY & EVALUATION)

• Support the CAT Senior Manager in the planning and delivery of course days and intensive programmes, including pastoral care of the students, staff and families.
• Assist in the devising of an effective outreach programme including working with the Communications Department to ensure promotion of the programme.
• Development of Teaching Assistant mentoring programme.
• Creating agendas for team meetings.
• Develop processes for evaluating key elements of the programme.
• Chair CAT team/faculty meetings as required.
• Attend regular National CAT Meetings and contribute to sub-working groups as required.

STUDENT RECRUITMENT, RETENTION & PROGRESSION

• Oversee the CAT recruitment process by leading on the coordination of Experience Days, Admission Workshops, and other recruitment events, including Marcoms.
• Work with students to develop student progression and retention.
• Develop processes for Student Support procedures.
• Organise and lead, as required, student/parent meetings.
• Signpost students to additional relevant opportunities beyond The Place.
  
• Maintain accurate records of any other income and expenditure relating to students' training and enhancements (e.g. theatre trips, in order to monitor cash flow and meet financial targets).

BUSINESS PARTNERING (HR, FINANCE & COMMUNICATIONS)

• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Communications teams to ensure the smooth operational running of the programme.
• Attend meetings as required with the Director of Student Lifecycle and Well-Being, Finance Department, and CAT Senior Manager to reconcile management accounts and review forecasting.
• Assist the CAT Senior Manager and Finance Team in preparing and reviewing financial reports, tracking expenditure, and reconciling management accounts monthly, including Debt collection process in line with budget constraints.
  
• Work with the Communications team to ensure visibility of the CAT Programme locally and nationally, and provide key support in student recruitment initiatives.
• Develop Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiatives and programmes.

LINE MANAGEMENT

• Line Manage and support the CAT Trainee in all areas of their work (i.e. Health & Well-Being duties, attendance) and offer regular one-to-one meetings, probationary review, and appraisal meetings.
  
• Support the CAT Trainee in their career progression.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT, PARTNERSHIPS & FUNDRAISING

• Represent CAT at external events as required by the CAT Senior Manager.
• Collaborate with the CAT Senior Manager and Development Team to research and disseminate information regarding funding opportunities for individual students or project-based activity.
• Offer cross departmental support across The Place including collaborating on projects with other teams, youth programmes and opportunities.

SAFEGUARDING & COMPLIANCE

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) following the safeguarding policy on reporting procedures.
• Organise student accommodation and chaperones for intensives, including ensuring due diligence on all activity.
• Oversee departmental Risk Assessments are correctly held and up to date, ensuring timely reviews in line with Safeguarding Policy updates.
• Ensure relevant training is up to date for chaperones and casual staff.
• Assist with evacuation procedures as required.
• Attend organisation-wide meetings to stay up to date on policies, health and safety, security regulations as required.
• Act as First Aider and Mental Health First Aider where appropriate, ensuring that health and safety legislation is adhered to, including the completion of the accident book, correct reporting procedure of accidents and incidents, and any other health and safety requirements to be carried out in line with The Place’s policies.

OTHER DUTIES

• Keep up to date with developments in dance education and training to develop own skills and experience.
• Work with the CAT Senior Manager to identify areas for personal development in line with the core responsibilities.
• Deputise for the CAT Senior Programme Manager in their absence.
• Any other responsibilities that may reasonably required by the CAT Senior Manager.

HEADER PHOTO CREDIT

Summer Show | 2023 | Photo by Stephen Berkeley-White