Job Description

Overview

SET is looking for an Assistant Studios Manager to work with us at our SET Centres. SET runs arts centres across London, being well known for our community-building, experimental arts programme, and being one of the most affordable workspace providers in London. SET is an organisation with over 20 staff and turns over about 1.5m per annum. This would be an ideal role for an individual with experience in the arts and who wants to become an integral part of SET.

SET is looking for a candidate who understands the unique way in which the organisation works, and is committed to the arts, the values and goals of the organisation. We are looking for a new staff member who is motivated, friendly as well as practical and resourceful. Applicants must have good personal skills; have experience in administrative roles and be committed to the arts, affordability and maintaining artists' communities!

The Assistant Studios Manager role will include but is not limited to: handling the turn- over of studios, studio administration and being the first point of contact for Centres. The Assistant Studios Manager will work with other SET staff, and the Associate Members who hold studios. There may be extended hours available due to public events and studio administration workload variance.

To Apply

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, varied educational paths, and individuals with disabilities. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve.

Please send:

A cover letter (max 1 side A4) with details of your relevant experience. A CV (max 1 side A4) including contacts details for references.

Send to work@setspace.uk with 'Assistant Studio Manager' in the subject line.

Key Dates

Applications open: 09/04/2025 Application deadline: 06/05/2025 Interviews held: 19/05/2025 and 21/05/25
https://setspace.uk/set-is-hiring-an-assistant-studio-manager/

Role Overview

Salary Hours

13.85 p/h London Living Wage.

Term

6 months fixed term period.

Term Probation

3-month probation terminable on one month's notice by either

party.

Reports to

Studio Mangers - Shirley Moore and Josh Moseley

Location

The Assistant Studios Manger will be located at the specific SET Centres that they assist with. When appropriate, there is an obligation for all staff to be at SET Woolwich, SET's main offices.

Hours

32 hours per week (full-time), 10:00-18:00 Monday-Thursday

(paid lunch). Occasional evening and weekend work will be

required according to the demands of the centres and arts

programme. Overtime will be counted in lieu.

Benefits

PAYE, Holiday Entitlement (incl. Christmas period on top of hols

and bank holidays), Pension Scheme (you can opt out if you

wish to).

Additional

Quarterly reviews to discuss ongoing progress, address issues

and re-evaluate objectives.

Responsibilities

This position will assist with the following:

Ensure that all centres are continually at <95% occupancy (were appropriate - currently appropriate in 12/14 centres).

New Associate Members:

Respond to requests for studios. Organise and conduct studio viewings. Assess studio application (via in-formal interview with Associate Member, proxy interview is not appropriate). Onboarding of new Associate Members, including collection of information, completion of licence agreements, and inductions.

Associate Members:

Be the first point of call for all Associate Members. Ensure that Associate Member's information is kept up to date including updating the SET Studio Handbook. Resolve or elevate (for high-level only) all Associate Member relevant issues (relevant meaning: within SET's charitable aims and abilities). Assist in managing internal studio changes. Coordinate Associate Members leaving their studio including re-filling, key return & deposit information collation. Assist with delivery of SET's Eviction Policy when necessary. Assist in upkeep of studio buildings, cleaning, signage and clearance. Assist the Curator & Members Programme Coordinator and help manage bookable project spaces.

Maintain the filing system:

Collate utility and business rate information for other SET staff. Keep clear files of SET activities including letters, licence agreements, complaints against members, terminations etc. Update and maintain the SET Database, including all studio door codes and Associate Members contact information.

Invoices and Accounts:

Using the SET Database, collate new invoices and amendments for SET's Accounts Team. Review data on Associate Members studio fee payment habits to confirm fines and evictions. Conduct meetings with SET's Account Team to evict or/and establish a payment plan with an Associate Member.

Building Maintenance:

Raise any maintenance, Health and Safety, or security issues with the appropriate teams Assist the Infrastructure Team in the commissioning of external works, as needed

Conduct:

Ensure that SET's aims and objectives are always upheld and supported. To continually act professionally and efficiently. Maintain standard working hours and arrange time in lieu accordingly. Ensure that all confidential information is kept confidential, and that data protection is upheld. Report misconduct to the appropriate staff - generally this will be to theHR Officer or your line manager. For further expected duties please refer to your contract - section 5 Duties.*

Person Specification

Essential Skills

Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Proven ability to support day-to-day operational and administrativeprocesses. Experience using office software such as Microsoft Office or GoogleWorkspace. Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team. A proactive, flexible, and problem-solving approach to work. An understanding of, and commitment to, equity, diversity, and inclusion inthe workplace.

Desirable Skills

Previous experience in a studio, creative, or production environment. Knowledge of health and safety procedures in a studio or similar setting. Experience liaising with a range of stakeholders, including artists, orexperience working across departments. Experience working in grassroots/DIY organisations or working for acharity.

Organisation Overview

Founded in 2016, SET is a multifaceted arts and community organisation and registered charity. SET currently has 14 centres across London. In 12 we house affordable artists workspace: Woolwich, Farringdon, Ealing, Lewisham Retail Park, Lewisham High Street, North Greenwich, Tower Gateway, Lombard Street, Throgmorton Avenue, Hosier Lane, Titchfield House & Tabernacle Street. In three of these centres, Woolwich, Ealing, Lewisham Retail Park, we have project spaces, which are home to our arts programme. Our aim, as an organisation, is the advancement of the arts as a public benefit.

We do this through creating arts communities, where those who hold studios become Associate Members of SET and help to develop our arts programme, especially through our Members' Programme. Members pay workspace fees for their workspaces - a price which includes studio rent, internet, utilities, access to project space and so forth. Our aim is to be as inclusive as possible with a focus on the community local to each SET Centre. Therefore, we offer some of the most affordable studios in London and at all sites we aim for a minimum of 50% of our membership to either live or work in the local borough. SET's studios are currently home to around 1,000 artists, and we have a former membership of over 1,000. SET's membership is made up artists working in a variety of practices and disciplines from text, performance and installation to music, sound, print, textiles and more.

Our arts programme is divided into: SET Projects & our Members Programme. The programme includes: performances, exhibitions, live music, talks, workshops and screenings, and seeks to provide a platform for new and collaborative projects. With an inclusive ethos always, SET is a community which aims to bridge gaps between disciplines and demographics, creating a platform for collaboration and multidisciplinary experimentation.

Each SET Centre is housed in otherwise vacant property, some temporary and some long term. SET brings disused space back into positive use in the interim period.

SET's Goals

To create communities of artists at SET centres making and presenting work:

this means curating an exciting, high-quality and collaborative arts programme, as well as providing good quality, genuinely affordable artists workspace, supporting our Associate Membership to grow.

To expand our meanwhile use provision and to create permanent centres:

SET's aim is to continue to provide meanwhile use workspace because it is the best way to provide genuinely affordable workspace now for artists in London. SET also wishes to secure its and artists in London's future in the capital by purchasing freeholds or leaseholds.

To make our programme as brilliant as it can be:

SET's programme is very broad and focuses on the Members' Programme, our own curated visual programme, an innovative music programme, a broad cross-disciplinary programme which focuses on literature and community-oriented events and creating social space for people to meet.

To be a place for communities to gather:

SET centres are arts centres but through various initiatives, we also endeavour to make the centres places for all parts of the community to meet, be this through workshops, offering space to community groups, having over 50% of our Associate Membership at each site be local residents or running our recent food bank.

Being a voice for the arts:

We wish to continue to engage with other organisations to make SET's voice heard and to advocate on behalf of our communities. Working with LAASN and other organisations to represent the interests of our 1,000+ Associate Members.

SET's team currently consists of: 3 founder-directors; a Head of Studios; a Curator & Members Programme Co-Ordinator; a Head of Infrastructure, three Studios Manager and FOH Woolwich. The Accounts Team consists of one Associate Member Accounts Manager, an Accounts Assistant and Accounts Payable. SET also works with a Buildings Team, a Venue Manager and bar team, PR project management, external accountants and HR. SET also has a Board of Trustees (Trustees volunteer for the charity): Robert McLaren (Chair), Amy Brennan, Dr Alex Thomas and Dr Alexandra Bickley Trott.

SET is a member of London's Affordable Artists Studio Network (LAASN)

Charity Number:

1170903

Registered Offices:

SET Woolwich, Beresford Street, London, SE18 6BU

www.setspace.uk www.instagram.com/setsetsetsetsetset/ www.facebook.com/setsetsetsetsetset/ https://twitter.com/set_set_set_set https://www.linkedin.com/company/setsetsetsetsetset/

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 6 months

Pay: 13.85 per hour

Expected hours: 32 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount
Schedule:

Day shift No weekends Overtime Weekend availability
Work Location: Hybrid remote in London, SE18 6BU

Application deadline: 06/05/2025
Reference ID: 2