Project Co-ordinator with Sidney Nolan Trust

The Sidney Nolan Trust is seeking a project coordinator to manage and deliver the restoration and adaptation of the recently acquired Rodd Court, a Grade II* listed manor house in Presteigne.

Some background: Established in 1985 by renowned Australian and international artist Sir Sidney Nolan, the Trust has a growing reputation as an important and vibrant rural centre for the arts.  It runs an artist residency and master-class programme, alongside artists’ camps and exhibitions that enjoy national and international recognition and a learning programme that provides vital opportunities for those, particularly young people, who would otherwise be unable to engage with the arts and the natural environment. 

Through the UK Government’s Acceptance-in-Lieu scheme, the Trust has recently acquired Rodd Court, a Grade II* listed 17th-century manor house. The house, formerly the Nolan family home, is a fine example of Jacobean domestic architecture, hardly altered since 1633. As the principal building of The Rodd’s 245-acre organic farm, it lies at the heart of a historic complex of domestic and agricultural buildings.

While the house was in private hands, the Trust could not develop the full potential of the site. Acquiring the house allows us to re-integrate the estate, build a new relationship with the public and expand our creative programme. It also brings responsibility for repair and maintenance.

At this turning point, the Trust is embarking on a development and consultation programme in order to draw up a new Strategic and Business Plan which will explore and develop how the opportunities afforded by Rodd Court can be integrated across the whole site and to raise funds for the restoration of the house. The programme is funded by an Architectural Heritage Project Development Grant and a Heritage Lottery Fund Resilience Grant of £88K. The role of the Project Co-ordinator is to manage and deliver this programme.

Work will include:

• Engagement of specialist consultants and professionals to assist us in preparing costings, surveys and plans for the restoration and adaptation of Rodd Court
• Consultation with stakeholders and potential new audiences to increase public engagement.
• Assisting the Director with research into new income streams in order to make the Trust a more resilient and sustainable organisation

The role requires a highly motivated individual with experience of project co-ordination to take a lead in the management and delivery of the project.  This individual will make a major contribution to the long-term sustainability of Rodd Court and the Sidney Nolan Trust, within the objects and ethos of the Trust.

The successful candidate will report to the Trust’s Director and will work within a structure of which the overall responsible body is the Trustee Board, operating through its Property and Heritage Working Group, a delegated body of the Board.  Close working with the Trust’s staff will be required. 

The Trust has a small but committed and skilled staff team that currently includes the Director, Learning Project Co-ordinator, Office Coordinator, tutors, technicians and volunteers.

The Project Co-ordinator will:

• Contribute to planning, co-ordinating, delivering, monitoring and developing the project in consultation with the Trust Director, with support from the Property and Heritage Working Group
• Commission and manage relevant professionals (in liaison with the Director) to obtain costings for a full programme of repairs to Rodd Court
• Represent the project and the Trust publicly, in person and in written communication in matters relating to this project
• Contribute to and assist the Director in preparation of relevant fundraising activities.
• Build on the Trust’s current research into suitable uses for the house, including creative, community and income-generating activities with fully costed forecasts and budgets
• Ensure that the key objectives of the project are understood and delivered in strict accordance with the funders’ terms, agreed milestones and timeframes
• Liaise fully with Trust staff on all matters relating to planning and marketing (including social media)
• Set up and manage the consultation process so that sustainable relationships are explored and extended  locally, regionally and internationally, building on the Trust’s existing partnership network and forging new relationships with potential end users
• Contribute to the management of the project budget and regular cash flow updates for the Board
• Establish and maintain the ongoing collection of visitor feedback and statistics
• Work with a consultant to evaluate the project in order to fulfil funders’ requirements and enable the Trust to reflect and learn from its findings
• Uphold the Trust’s ambition for excellence and quality of experience throughout the project.
• Undertake other necessary duties as they occur and are appropriate to the role.