Graphic Designer

Information and Application Pack

December 2016

About Oxford Playhouse

A Playhouse for Everyone

Positioned at the cultural heart of Oxfordshire, with the drive to inspire, engage and
entertain a wide-reaching and diverse audience, Oxford Playhouse presents,
produces and tours the highest quality middle-scale, small-scale and off-site theatre,
supports and nurtures artists to make work, creates imaginative and ambitious
participation opportunities for children and young people and provides exceptional
cultural experiences for all. Oxford Playhouse has an outstanding record of success
as a receiving house for productions offering an ambitious programme which includes
the finest national and international touring drama, family shows, contemporary dance
and music, circus, comedy and poetry and provides a platform for local student and
amateur groups. Audience attendance is above the national average. Playhouse
Plays Out shows, designed to reach new audiences, give local residents the chance
to see unexpected theatre in unexpected places.
Increased Arts Council funding in recent years has enabled us to strengthen our
producing arm. Last year we co-produced The Tempest with Northern Stage and
Improbable Theatre, and 2016 has seen mainstage co-productions Peter Pan in Scarlet
and Sand in the Sandwiches (the latter with Edward Fox). Two new family studio
productions and two new off-site productions are created and toured annually too.
The Playhouse produces its own pantomime, which reaches over 37,000 people and is
a vital source of income.
Oxford Playhouse also manages the 50-seat Burton Taylor Studio for the
University of Oxford, which hosts student drama productions throughout the academic
year and a diverse professional programme outside of term.
The Playhouse's artist development scheme EVOLVE was launched in 2013, and
provides support for artists including funding, space, mentoring and support. 2015
saw the launch of a life-long Writers Programme PLAYHOUSE PLAYMAKER - with
specific strands for primary school pupils, young writers and professional writers on
attachment.
The Playhouse achieves a high proportion of earned income, and has a successful
track record in fundraising and reasonable levels of reserves. The theatre is an Arts
Council England National Portfolio Organisation, and receives core funding from The
University of Oxford and Oxford City Council.
The Playhouse's annual turnover for 15/16 was 4.2million.

Box Office sales provided 65% of the gross income.

Commercial operations including the bar and ticket agency generated 14% of
total income.
14% of income was derived from three core funders:
Arts Council England 10%, The University of Oxford 3%, Oxford City Council 1%
Fundraising from individuals, corporate supporters trust and foundations and
catalyst provided 7% of income.

The Playhouse employs 52 full-time equivalent staff and has over 100 volunteers.
The Oxford Playhouse Trust is a company limited by guarantee No: 2397373 and a
registered charity No: 900039.
Graphic Designer December 2016

The Post

Graphic Designer
Working with the Marketing Department, the Graphic Designer will support the work of
Oxford Playhouse by producing creative designs and artwork for all aspects of the
organisations print and digital requirements, ensuring that the strong brand is
consistent across all communications.
Terms:

The post is subject to Oxford Playhouse standard terms and

conditions of employment: based on UK Theatre/BECTU
agreement.
Salary:
25,000 per annum
Hours:
Full time (39 hours).
Holiday:
20 days paid holiday (increasing with length of service) is given in
addition to 8 statutory public holidays per annum.
Probationary period: Six months
Pension:
This post will be subject to auto enrolment in Oxford Playhouses
pension scheme held with Scottish Widows with a 3% employee
contribution matched by 3% from Oxford Playhouse.

How to Apply:
Your application must consist of:
Completed application form (included in this pack);
Your current CV inserted into the application form;
Completed equal opportunities form (included in this pack).
To ensure fairness to all applicants, any decision to shortlist you for interview will be
based solely on the information you supply in your application form. Ensure you read
the job description and person specification before you complete the form. It is
important you give as much information as relevant regarding why you wish to apply
and what makes you a suitable applicant for this post.
You can download a version of the information pack from our website
www.oxfordplayhouse.com, contact Laura Smith on recruitment@oxfordplayhouse.com
or telephone 01865 305 318. If you have any difficulty accessing the pack please let
us know and we will arrange an alternative means of application with you. Please do
not include references or educational certificates with your application.
Applications should be emailed to recruitment@oxfordplayhouse.com or posted,
together with the equal opportunities form, in an envelope with Graphic Designer
written in the top left hand corner to: Laura Smith, Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont
Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW.
Applications should arrive no later than 12.00 noon on Wednesday 18
January 2017
Graphic Designer December 2016

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 25 January 2017

We are a Playhouse for everyone - diversity in our workforce is crucial

to our success

Graphic Designer December 2016

Department:

Marketing

Position:

Graphic Designer

Reports to:

Marketing Director

Position status:

Full time Permanent

Main Duties

To take ownership of the design requirements of Oxford Playhouse and the

Burton Taylor Studio, creating original, eye-catching and exciting concepts to
represent everything we do on and off stage.

Alongside Marketing Directors, act as guardian of the Oxford Playhouse, Burton

Taylor and Tickets Oxford brands.

Ensuring all marketing, web, social media and in-house collateral is costeffectively designed and delivered to agreed standards and deadlines from
concept to fruition.

To design, typeset and artwork seasonal brochures for Oxford Playhouse and the
Burton Taylor Studio, working to existing brand templates.

To design and artwork all adverts for local and national press.

To design and artwork a variety of posters (including A5, A3, A1, 6 and 4 sheets,
large format back wall banner, duratrans and canopy boards).

To develop the brand and create visual assets and print promoting Oxford
Playhouses Participation work, as well as Members, Friends and fundraising
schemes.

To design and artwork business cards, stationary, invitations, envelopes.

To develop the brand and create visual online assets for use on
oxfordplayhouse.com, ticketsoxford.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.

Retouching and altering photos as required.

Manage and keep up to date the in-house image library.

Print procurement maintain a good relationship with external printers, ensure

all files are print ready, maintain up-to-date knowledge of prices, materials,
processes and deadlines/delivery. To assist in gathering quotes from printers
where appropriate.

Delivery ad hoc design related projects.

Graphic Designer December 2016

To attend weekly marketing meetings and to work as part of the marketing team
to develop campaign plans for individual productions.

Duties and responsibilities of all members of staf

To be aware of the work of other departments in the achievement of Oxford

Playhouses aims and to take an active part in communicating and co-operating
with other staff and departments

To work in accordance with the Equality and Diversity policy of Oxford Playhouse
and participate in the achievement of the theatres Diversity action plan.

To be aware of, and comply with, rules and legislation pertaining to Health and
Safety at work and to abide by the procedures as set out in the Health and
Safety policy

To abide by other guidelines, procedures and policies provided by the company

To take part in such working groups and committees as might from time to time
be required for the fulfilment of departmental or company aims

PERSON SPECIFICATION

A minimum of two years of professional graphic design experience.

Have a foundation degree/HND in graphic design or other visual art subject.

Comprehensive understanding of Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign Photoshop,

Illustrator, Acrobat.

Comprehensive understanding of print production techniques, processes and

requirements

Demonstrable experience of artwork delivered for print.

Understanding of digital design and asset generation for online channels

Microsoft Office and Google Docs knowledge essential

Graphic Designer December 2016

Creative flair and a strong visual sense, with a wide range of skills from
Photoshop style creatives through to illustrative approaches (either created or
commissioned).

Absolute attention to detail and a strong typographic eye.

To be able to work to existing templates and brand guidelines.

To be able to think creatively and develop new graphic design concepts,

graphics and layouts.

Experience of commissioning illustrators and photographers an advantage.

Excellent time management skills and the ability to balance several projects at
one time.

Ability to work under pressure.

Ability to work as part of a team and support colleagues.

A high level of practical and organisational skills.

Ability to work on your own initiative.

Ability to work in a changing and flexible organisation.

Confidence to present and explain ideas to colleagues and senior management

team.

An understanding of and a commitment to theatre. PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

Post Applied for: Graphic Designer

Application Cover Form

Personal Details
Name:

Email:

Address:

Mobile:

Graphic Designer December 2016

Postcode:

Day time number if different from mobile:

I confirm that the details given in the attached cover letter and CV are accurate:

Signed:

Date:

(Electronic Signature accepted)

References
Please give the names and addresses of two people who may be contacted in respect
of your application. If you are in employment, one referee should be a senior member
of that organisation.
Name:

Name:

Contact address:

Contact address:

Tel no:

Tel no:

Email:

Email:

Relationship:

Relationship:

May we contact at interview

Yes No
stage

May we contact at interview

Yes No
stage

Suitability for the post:

Explain, with reference to the person specification and examples from your
experience, why you think you would perform well in this job. Please continue on a
separate sheet if necessary.

Graphic Designer December 2016

Please insert your current CV at this point.

Details MUST include details of your present or most recent employment,
together with a summary of your responsibilities, dates of employment, your job
title, notice required and current salary. Please also include reasons for you
leaving positions.
Include any qualifications you hold (including professional training undertaken),
awarding bodies and dates of those qualifications.

Graphic Designer December 2016

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES RECRUITMENT MONITORING FORM

Oxford Playhouse is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity in

employment and to taking action to avoid discrimination within the
organisation. All applicants for employment are considered only on the
information given in application regarding their ability to undertake the job for
which they are applying.
This information is used for monitoring purposes only, and is removed from the
application prior to the short-listing process.

Please tick the appropriate box:

Age range

Under 16
45-54

17-24
55-64

Gender

Male

25-34
65+

35-44

Female

Ethnic Origin
Asian or Asian British

Indian
Bangladeshi
Other: Please write in:
Black or Black British

Black Caribbean
Mixed

White & Black Caribbean

Other: Please write in:
White

British

Irish

Other Ethnic Group

Black African

Pakistani

Other: Please write in:

White & Black African

European

Chinese

White & Asian

Other: Please write in:

Other: Please write in:

Do you consider yourself to be a disabled person?

Yes

No

IMPORTANT: If you have answered yes to this question and you require any
adjustments to be made in order for you participate fully in our recruitment
process, please ensure you have indicated these in your application or on an
additional sheet or email recruitment@oxfordplayhouse.com separately with
details.

Please tell us how you found out about this post:

Thank you for your co-operation in completing this form.
Graphic Designer December 2016