Vacancies

Operations Co-ordinator

About Us:

Outer Spaces is building a new infrastructure for the arts in Scotland. We support artist development, artist-led activities and studio provision in empty commercial property. Our programming and partnerships support visual artists and we work in the context of vacant or disused spaces as sites of research and experimentation.

Outer Spaces is growing fast and this role is designed to continue and evolve our presence in Glasgow and towns in the west of Scotland, better supporting our resident artists as we plan for expansion into new spaces and ensuring artists have alternative spaces to thrive in and reach their potential.

The response to both our programme and our growing list of available spaces has been overwhelming – since 2021, we have supported more than 800 resident artists and groups in 60+ spaces in 13 local authority areas. Our spaces are currently located in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greenock, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Newton Mearns and Paisley. These are in former shops and offices situated in busy urban centres, out of town commuter hinterlands, post-industrial places and communities devastated first by austerity, then Brexit and Covid and now impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.

Our spaces are rent free. By offering a studio or workspace for free, Outer Spaces is removing an artist’s highest professional monthly cost and this is vitally important now during the cost-of-living crisis when artist’s incomes are being squeezed. We need to ensure artists, especially at an early stage of their career can access spaces, a network of peers, and opportunities to work with other artists and engage with audiences.

The Role:

This role is designed to support artists’ development. The Operations Co-ordinator will work closely with the team to support artists and emerging networks in Glasgow and towns in the west of Scotland. They will be responsible for existing spaces and the set up and occupation of new spaces.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Building Co-ordination

• Building Inspections: visit our existing portfolio on a regular basis to ensure all spaces are being used appropriately and common areas are clean and tidy
• Health & Safety: co-ordinate policy and ensure compliance
• Security and access: maintain controls for each space
• External relationships: co-ordinate external contractor visits & liaise with agents as required
• Emergency Contact: for landlords, resident artists, contractors, and the Outer Spaces team

Artist support

• Building tours: co-ordinate and deliver viewings for interested artists/groups/partners and match them to appropriate spaces in our buildings, in line with conditions of use
• Applications: co-ordinate the application process with artists requiring space
• Artist records: support procedures and maintenance of the resident artists database
• Building inductions: deliver inductions for artists prior to entry
• Building issues: be the main point of contact for artists and respond to issues
• Occupancy plan: maintain an accurate record of resident artists occupying each space
• Artist relocation: necessary co-ordination and communications relating to the relocation of artists to available spaces, following the termination of leases on properties

Spaces Set-up in Glasgow and towns in the west of Scotland

• New property viewings: viewing prospective properties and reporting back on suitability for the programme
• Risk Assessments: co-ordinate procedures for assessments for new properties
• Contractor liaison: co-ordinate necessary servicing, maintenance and repairs
• Property set-up & record keeping: co-ordinate and record all access and security arrangements, H&S maintenance and testing requirements, building signage, condition checks, meter readings, and Health & Safety measures for properties
• Termination of leases: condition checks, meter readings, and handover of properties back to the landlord following the termination of occupation

Other

• Liaison: maintain regular contact with the team and communicate progress along the way
• Spaces Set-up: travel is an essential part of the job and you may be asked to travel to and work in other locations in Scotland as required
• Other tasks: undertake any other tasks that might reasonably be seen as falling within the remit of Operations Co-ordinator

Terms & Conditions:

Salary: £27,800 per annum

Hours: Full time, 35 hours a week

Holidays: 33 days including statutory holidays

Contract: Permanent

Notice period: One month (employer and employee)

Reporting to: Head of Operations

Job Requirements:

Essential

• Experience of working in a studio or other arts building
• Experience of working in a team
• Excellent people skills and an ability to build relationships internally and externally
• Adaptable and flexible
• Resourceful, with the ability to take the initiative and work independently, collaboratively and autonomously
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• An understanding of the arts and artist’s practices

Desired

• Car owner and driver
• Property management experience
• Knowledge of Health & Safety

How to apply

Please send a CV (max 2 sides of A4) and a one page covering letter in pdf format to: submissions@outerspaces.org with Operations Co-ordinator in the subject line.

The letter should outline how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role to support your application.

Timeline

Deadline for applications: 10.00am, Thursday 23 January 2025

Interviews: week beginning 27th January 2025

Access

We are committed to building inclusivity and diversity within our team and artist network. We encourage candidates who are underrepresented within the arts sector to apply for this post. If there are any adjustments that would help support you in your application, please do get in touch.

Header image: Kooperator Space, Outer Spaces, The Academy, Aberdeen. Credit: Grant Anderson