Creative Partnerships Assistant

Birmingham Hippodrome; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 19,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A cultural institution in Birmingham seeks an Education Assistant to help administer arts education programs for children and young people. The role involves collaboration with schools to promote accessibility and engagement in the arts. Ideal candidates have strong organizational and communication skills and experience working with SEN. This position offers a hybrid working model with a competitive salary and various employee benefits.

Benefits

6 weeks holiday plus 8 Bank Holidays

Contributory pension scheme

Discounted public transport pass

Discounted gym membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in education or arts programming for children and young people.
• Understanding of Special Educational Needs (SEN).
• Ability to engage effectively with diverse communities.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Education Manager with administration tasks.
• Support the delivery of arts education programs for young people.
• Engage with schools to promote accessibility initiatives.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Experience with children and SEN

Job description

Birmingham Hippodrome is committed to forging relationships with schools and colleges in the West Midlands. This crucial work is central to everything we do at Birmingham Hippodrome ensuring that we are breaking down barriers to access and inspiring the next generation of artists, audiences and workforce.

We bring creativity into the curriculum, connect learning outcomes to exciting opportunities at the Hippodrome, and provide young people with the chance to experience and connect with theatre. Our schools network Hippodrome Education Network (HEN) is designed to allow schools and colleges to have as much flexibility as possible and to find the model that works best for them. The impact for schools is far-reaching: 93% of teachers involved say that the cultural education we provide helps their students perform better in other academic subjects.

We strive to provide Access for All. We welcome over 600,000 visitors each year to a world-class performance across our stages and reach a further 450,000 children, young people and families through our learning, participation, free outdoor arts festivals and accessibility programmes. We regularly offer audio‑described, captioned or British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances as well as Relaxed Performances.

To help us achieve our ambition of becoming “the most accessible venue of its scale in the UK, with a greater number of performances meeting the needs of different audiences”, our Access & Inclusion Advocates are helping us by sharing experiences and ideas which will help to break down barriers for individual and community access to theatre.

Contract & Working Conditions

• Fixed Term: Contract until 31 July 2026
• Salary: £19,080 per year (37.5 hour equivalent = £23,850)
• Location: Hybrid, with a minimum of 2 days per week onsite at Birmingham Hippodrome (occasionally higher depending on the needs of the department).
• Working pattern: 30 hours per week across 4 days. 15 hours across 4 days Primary & SEN Assistant. 15 hours across 4 days Access Assistant. The usual working week will be across Monday Friday (between the hours of 10am-9pm: 7.5 hours per day plus break time, with the occasional need to work later).
• Some evening work expected: Supporting SEN YT weekly on Wednesday until 7.30pm in term time, and Access & Inclusion Advocates until 8pm once per month throughout the year (planned in advance).
• Weekend work is not expected: there is the option (not mandatory) to contribute to occasional events such as the Weekender Festival, and claim this time back in lieu later.
• DBS requirement: Must possess or be willing to acquire an Enhanced DBS.

Job Summary

To assist the Education Manager (Primary & SEN) and Access Lead with the administration of the Hippod’s Primary, SEN and Access offers.

What does success look like in this role?

• By 2028, Birmingham Hippodrome will be recognised as a national benchmark for the engagement and progression of young people (including its schools work) and the most accessible venue of its scale in the UK.
• By 2028, we will have further developed our Hippodrome Education Network (HEN), the biggest bespoke theatre education programme in the region and harnessed our connections with the communities that surround our partner schools to build new audiences.
• By 2028, we will have increased engagement opportunities for young people at the Hippodrome and in our communities, contributing to Birmingham having the fastest growth in arts participation in the country.

Employee Benefits

• 6 weeks holiday plus 8 Bank Holidays (prorated for part time employees).
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Discounted public transport pass.
• Discounted car parking.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Show ticket offers.
• Personal Growth Fund.
• Enhanced company sick pay.
• Free life assurance.
• Free Critical Health insurance.
• Discounted private health cover.
• Enhanced maternity/adoption/paternity pay.
• Free flu jab.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Electric car scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

Equal Opportunity

Recognising under‑representation in our workforce of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people, and those with disabilities, we particularly welcome applicants from those backgrounds.