General Manager

Brown’s Mart

Brown’s Mart Arts Ltd.(Brown’s Mart) is a performing arts organisation and venue based on Gulumerridjin – Larrakia Country, in Garramilla Darwin. As the Home of Northern Territory Performing Arts, Brown’s Mart plays a pivotal role as the leading developer, producer, and presenter of new performance work by artists living and working in the Northern Territory.

Brown’s Mart champions new work and new voices and has done so since 1972. Just as this legacy continues, so does Brown’s Mart’s commitment to artists, audiences, and community.

Position Context

Brown’s Mart works closely with the Larrakia people to ensure respect and acknowledgement for elders and for the Country in which the organisation operates.

Brown’s Mart operates as a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee and is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission. Brown’s Mart is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, with duties, obligations and responsibilities prescribed under the Corporations Act 2001. The General Manager is appointed by the Board to carry out functions as directed and delegated by the Board.

Brown’s Mart supports the development and presentation of new performance work across multiple art forms and throughout the Brown’s Mart Precinct, which contains a flexible black box theatre, a live music venue and an open-air courtyard. In addition to housing Brown’s Mart’s own arts programs, the precinct is home to a variety of users and the General Manager role holds a licence for the responsible sale and service of alcohol at the premises.

Funded by the Northern Territory Government (NTG) through Arts NT, Brown’s Mart is supported by a range of stakeholders including the City of Darwin, Creative Australia, the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, as well as a range of private sector sponsors and donors. Brown’s Mart partners with various local and national arts organisations including Darwin Festival, Darwin Fringe Festival, Corrugated Iron Youth Arts, Tracks Dance, ArtbackNT, Performing Lines and Australian Theatre for Young People.

The Role – Overview

Reporting to the Brown’s Mart Arts Board, the General Manager provides leadership to ensure the delivery of the Brown’s Mart Arts Strategic Plan, annual Artistic Program and business development activities. The role is responsible for the effective recruitment and management of a team and allocation of resources to deliver the core functions of the business.

The Strategic Plan 2024-2028 is Brown’s Mart’s roadmap for becoming the Northern Territory’s premier arts association whilst achieving the sustainability of the business. This position will need to work with the Brown’s Mart Arts Board to identify strategic risks, implement mitigation controls, and recommend variations when appropriate.

The core business functions include:

• Financial Management: including budgeting and reporting to the Board
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Venue, Technical and Equipment management
• Fundraising and Sponsorship
• Governance, policies and procedures

In partnership with the Board, the General Manager will build and maintain key stakeholder relationships with government, corporate partners, supporters, partners, media, suppliers, and the general public.

The General Manager fosters collaboration and team-work amongst staff, supports managers as required and ensures an inclusive, flexible, supportive environment for our artists, audiences and community.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Deliver the Board-endorsed Strategic Plan and manage ongoing strategic risk monitoring and achievement of KPIs.
• Plan and manage the financial, material and human resources required to deliver the Board-endorsed Annual Program, reflecting the Strategic Plan.
• Communicate the aims and ambitions with Brown’s Marts key stakeholders to inspire partnership and secure investment.
• Oversee the development of the artistic program by the artistic team, ensuring financial viability, and that strategic and artistic goals are met.

Business Development

• Work with the Board to identify, design and deliver business development and fundraising plans to meet budgeted income targets.
• Review internal business functions and changes in the external environment to identify risks and opportunities for changes to business initiatives.
• Long-term financial planning and revenue generation strategy, including fundraising and sponsorship.

Business Management

Financial Management: 

• Lead the organisation’s annual budgeting process with the Board and team.
• Manage and maintain effective financial control systems and processes across the organisation, including authorising all expenditure against approved budgets, in line with the financial delegations.
• Prepare and report on monthly and year-to-date profit and loss, balance sheets, and cash flow actuals to budget to the Board.
• Coordinate the financial audit and prepare required internal documents in consultation with the Finance Officer and independent auditor.
• Oversee the execution of agreements of local, NT and federal government grants, sponsorship, and philanthropic income, and ensure deliverables are achieved, all required reports are submitted on time, and all acquittals completed.

Venue, Technical & Equipment Management 

• Manage and ensure compliance with the NTG Licence Agreement and oversee any necessary maintenance or repairs in conjunction with NTG representatives.
• Oversee compliance with regulatory obligations for the Liquor Licence and act as Licensee.
• Ensure proper preparation of the buildings in the event of severe weather events (e.g. cyclone)
• Support Managers in developing and delivering on their business areas, including quality service and achieving budgeted income.
• With the Technical Manager, ensure the venue maintains adequate theatre and other equipment inventory

Staff Management 

• Lead a strong workplace culture dedicated to excellence in the arts and role modelling Brown’s Mart’s values of Welcoming, Creative, Adaptive and Excellence.
• When necessary, review the organisational structure and recommend changes to be implemented with the Board.
• Manage the recruitment and induction of all staff and contractors.
• Manage day-to-day activities of staff, providing annual performance reviews and professional development opportunities.
• Maintain a high standard of Work Health and Safety across all areas, adhering to WH&S guidelines and codes of practice, and manage Workcover claims.
• Ensure operational staff and contractors are familiar and work in compliance with Brown’s Mart policies and procedures.

Marketing 

• Provide oversight of the marketing and communications functions including providing support to the Marketing Coordinator to create a positive brand image and succeed on marketing initiatives to drive attendance and sales to Brown’s Mart events.
• Manage corporate and other external communications, leading and shaping marketing and public relations in conjunction with the Board.

Governance

• Meeting regularly with the Chair, assisting the Board with the preparation of Board papers for scheduled meetings.
• Maintain the company’s regulatory compliance with ACNC, ASIC and ATO requirements.
• Ensure that safe work practices and policies are in place for all Brown’s Mart projects and productions which comply with all necessary legislation and meet minimum risk assessment standards through management and implementation of the Brown’s Mart Risk Management Plan.
• Ensure the company maintains appropriate insurance cover for its operations, programs, personnel and Board members.
• Ensure an Incident Register is maintained and provide regular updates about incidents to the Board.
• Ensure policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated to meet requirements of legislation.

Selection Criteria

Essential 

• High-level leadership, strategic and management skills, including the ability to develop and evaluate strategic plans
• High-level financial, analysis and reporting skills
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders, including funding bodies, other arts organsiations and artists, donors and sponsors, and the wider community
• A successful track record in fundraising, sponsorship and grant writing
• Ability to work with artists in a creative environment driven by the development and delivery of new artistic content

Desirable 

• Experience in a leadership position in the arts
• Knowledge of the arts and theatre in Darwin
• Understanding of theatre operations, including technical, box office and venue management

For a full position description and selection criteria, please contact board@brownsmart.com.au

Please e-mail applications, addressing the selection criteria and including a CV and referees, to board@brownsmart.com.au