Fixed Term- from January 2024 to 31 March 2024 then subject to Reading’s Shared Prosperity Fund availability, probable extension until 31 March 2025.
Part time – up to 3 to 4 days per week
In Reading we are passionate about our culture, heritage and our communities – as part of Reading’s Shared Prosperity Fund response, we have created a brand new role that aims to support the Abbey Quarter to become an even more resilient and sustainable site, with a high profile and ambitious programme. You can make this new role work for Reading and for you – and shape the Abbey Quarter site to deliver even more for our communities.
You will be working as part of the Culture Development team, a small enthusiastic team that thrive to work with the community and the cultural sector to develop the culture and heritage offer in Reading.
Reading Abbey Quarter lies at the heart of Reading and brings together many unique historic sites within the former grounds of Reading Abbey, once one of Europe's largest royal monasteries. You can explore 900 years of history in the Quarter, including the Abbey Ruins, the burial place of King Henry I. Between 2010 and 2021 the ‘Reading Abbey Revealed’ project developed the Abbey Quarter through conservation, interpretation, signage and public activities. We are now looking at making the site even more sustainable.
As the Abbey Quarter Business Development Officer, you will be providing business support, developing partnerships and engaging with key stakeholders and the communities across the historic Abbey Quarter site, improving opportunities for the outdoor spaces, outcomes and the overall offer to everyone.
Your role will be to engage with people, to find out which groups, services, partners, stakeholders and people are using the spaces, what is the audience and what they are using the site for, to further develop the event opportunities of the site, while ensuring financial stability accordingly – we want the Abbey Quarter to become a space that is even more at the heart of the community and encourage people outside of Reading to visit.
Working alongside all the services operating the site, including external groups and partners you will become the co-ordination point to ensure services are working together for the best benefit of the site, communities and the Council.
You’ll be communicating, relationship building, supporting fundraising, explore external funding and build creative partnerships that enable the delivery of site more efficiently. Your role will be looking at potential trials/pilots through recommendations from the recent options appraisal report of the site, to develop and to deliver a business improvement plan for the Quarter.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
About you
The following experience is required for this role:
* Previous experience of working in a culture/heritage and community engagement and partnership role
* Previous experience of delivering and reporting on public consultation exercises
* Able to be analytical and interpret data to construct robust and informed recommendations
* Ability to identify new opportunities and promote through to implementation, ideas for new ways of working
* Strong networking and negotiating skills
The following experience is desirable for the role:
* Experience of assisting in the production and assessment of business plans, leading where necessary, to deliver sustained income growth
* Experience in preparing and presenting clear and concise documentation and reports for a variety of purposes and audiences.
* Experience of undertaking business benchmarking and the identification of best practice
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
Hybrid working arrangements.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
* Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
* A wide range of flexible working opportunities
* Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
* Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
* Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
* On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
* Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
* Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: 17th December 2023
Interview Date: 10th or 11th January 2024 (TBC)
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is the key to our success