Page 1 is front page of Executive Director Recruitment Pack.
Image on page shows a picture of a young member of Mortal Fools Youth Theatre reacting excitedly to a drama activity.
Features Mortal Fools logo and funder logos for Arts Council, Community Foundation, Northumberland County Council, Youth Music, Child in Need, Garfield Weston, Kavli Trust and North East Combined Authority. 
Features employer accreditation logos for Living Wage Foundation and Good Wood Pledge: Advanced level.
Page 2 Executive Director Recruitment Pack contents page.
Image on page shows 9 members of Ensemble Young Company clapping at the end of their live performance of Inevitable? at YMCA Northumberland.
Page includes quote: “Mortal Fools has been such a lifeline for me. It gives me  a space to truly be myself and I have met the most amazing, genuine people. The way Mortal Fools gives the young people a voice is honestly really special.”  - Ensemble Young Company Member
Page includes clickable contents page.
Page 3 Message from our Artistic Director (CEO) page. 
Image on page is a black & white image of Mortal Fools’ Artistic Director (CEO) Kiz Crosbie, smiling.
Page includes message from Artistic Director (CEO) – “Thank you for your interest in joining us at Mortal Fools. To support our continued organisational growth, development and resilience, we are looking to appoint an Executive Director to join Team Mortal Fools. 
As the founder Artistic Director (CEO) of Mortal Fools, I have led the organisation through every step of its 12 years of development and am so very proud of everything we have achieved together. 
We have now reached a point where, to maintain our high standards of business operations, continue to innovate as an ethical business and remain an excellent employer, we need additional leadership capacity. We have created this new role to join me in an Executive Team.
Over the last 12 years, Mortal Fools has been through some incredible developments, successfully navigated significant challenges and been recognised for our excellence – all testament to our wonderful, dedicated and talented staff team. I am personally so excited to find someone to join our team who can bring fresh ideas and energy, inspire me and the rest of the staff team and work alongside me to lead Mortal Fools into its next dynamic decade.” Kiz Crosbie Artistic Director (CEO)
Page 4 is an image page with quotes 
Image on page features 10 members of Ensemble Young Company mid movement sequence during a performance of Inevitable? at YMCA Northumberland.
Page includes quote: “Without Mortal Fools, the young people of Northumberland they co-create their productions with would not be the confident  and inspiring people they are. Mortal Fools are a vital arts organisation that have understood what young people need to thrive. Their impact is enormous.” - Wendy Scott, Cultural Development Manager at Northumberland County Council
Page includes quote: “I feel uplifted and passionate every time I come to work with Mortal Fools. Everyone is respected and held in such high regard with one another; each and every member of the company is an essential part of the Mortal Fools jigsaw.” -  Mortal Fools Staff Member
Page 5 message from the Chair of the Board page
Image on page features a colour photograph of Richard Wise; partner at Ryder Architecture & Chair of our board
Page includes the following text
We are excited to be able to offer this strategically important appointment; the need for this Executive Director role represents a significant milestone in our organisational development. 
We sincerely hope that this appointment will set us in good stead to have an even greater impact and reach in  the communities we serve in our next chapter as a charity.
In my time as Chair, we have had much success and carefully managed growth. As we continue to grow and explore our multi-sector position and potential as a creative learning company, we need the capacity within the team to enable further growth, organisational development and dynamic decision making whilst also ensuring consistency of content, process, quality and delivery.
If you are appointed you will be joining an empowered, passionate, lively and creative team. We look forward to our conversations with you and thank you for your interest in joining our organisation. Richard Wise Board Chair and Partner at Ryder Architecture
Page 6 About Us page
Image on page - brightly coloured balloons and streamers showing the Mortal Fools logo at a showcase event.
Page includes the following text
Mortal Fools is an award-winning creative learning charity based in Ashington, Northumberland supporting young people aged 7—25. Our purpose is to help people to have better quality interpersonal relationships – we do this by supporting people to develop their mental health & wellbeing, personal skills, and creativity.
Our regular programmes of activity provide high quality, exciting, socially relevant arts experiences where children and young people co-create theatre, film, audio and events with professional practitioners.
We deliver Arts Award qualifications and creative employability skills development and distribute our digital content to schools and youth settings. Our ‘Melva’ digital package for primary schools supports early intervention and prevention for mental health and anxiety and reaches 1000s of children in the North East.
Page 7 About Us Continued page
Image on page - A member of Team Mortal Fools looks through a camera at a Sounding Board filming day with Mortal Fools Youth Theatre.
Page includes quote: “For the first time in years, she came home with a big smile on her face. She was really anxious before she got there but managed it really well. After a terrible few years, this has given us hope. She felt listened to and really liked meeting new people. She had an amazing day, and she can’t wait to do more with Mortal Fools.” Employability Intervention participant’s carer
Page includes the following text
Our priority is supporting and including children, young people, and communities who are disempowered or facing barriers. Many of our members are neurodivergent, have social, emotional & mental health challenges and are experiencing deprivation. We are committed and proactive in continuing to develop our inclusivity.
A key success factor of our charity is our agility and responsiveness both in our established work and new opportunities. We apply our ambition and innovation alongside sound management, good governance and positive company culture.
Our dynamism and resilience is supported by:
Our multi-stream income generation model including grants; our Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation status; our CONNECT training programme for businesses and professionals; our Melva schools’ package (currently commissioned for regional distribution by the North East Combined Authority).
Working in cross-sector strategic partnerships including education, health, arts and youth sectors.
Working in national, regional, local and grassroots contexts, and taking a place-based approach to working in our base of Ashington, Northumberland.
Our approach to monitoring, planning & evaluation via the development of our Wellbeing Practice Guide and Toolkit (future plans to distribute nationally).
Our staffing structure, proactive board and accreditations (more info later in this pack).
Our Current Programmes/Areas of Work:
Mortal Fools Youth Theatre and Ensemble Young Company.
Creative Intervention Projects in schools & youth settings.
Melva mental health focused digital storytelling package for primary schools.
CONNECT training programme for businesses & professionals.
Future Ready – a creative approach to young people’s employability.
Outreach events in community settings.
Digital Distribution of our young people’s co-created content.
Strategic Development – including membership of the youth theatre national NPOs group, North East Youth Alliance, several local and regional cross-sector networks.
Page 8 Our Values page
Page features Mortal Fools logo and values and clickable link to Mortal Fools values page on Mortal Fools website: www.mortalfools.org.uk/our-values
Page includes the following text
Contributing - Everyone Matters
Growing - Becoming More
With Others - Better Together
As Ourselves - Always Authentic
Page 9 Get Know Our Work page
Image on page - 4 members of Mortal Fools Youth Theatre during a performance of Sounding Board.
Page includes the following text
To get more details about our work and the type of company we are you can:
Visit our website www.mortalfools.org.uk and our social media channels (all @mortalfoolsuk).
Download our Impact Report 2022/23 via our website.
Visit our Mortal Fools YouTube Channel to watch our digital content.
Our recent achievements include: 
Supporting approx. 4,500 children & young people Apr 23—Mar 24.
Engaging 127 youth theatre members and 489 audience members Apr 23—Mar 24.
Award nominations at Northern Cultural Education Awards, Pride Action North Awards, National Diversity Awards, North East Culture Awards and North East Charity Awards.
New partnerships with NE Combined Authority, Northumberland College and Prince’s Trust. 
Funding from NE Combined Authority and North of Tyne Combined Authority to deliver our Melva Programme and young people’s employability pilot.
Page 10 Staffing Overview Page
Page includes Mortal Fools branded diagram outlining Mortal Fools current staffing and organizational structure, including line management responsibility. This diagram depicts the Executive Director being line managed by the Artistic Director (CEO) and line managing the Finance Director and Production Manager. 
Page includes the following text
Our staffing structure includes permanent, fixed-term, casual and freelance contracts for a range of full-time and part-time staff.
Our proactive board of trustees includes three subgroups (Finance, Audit & Risk; Artistic, Delivery & Practice; and People).
Our approach has been recognised with accreditations including:
Real Living Wage Foundation – accredited employer
North of Tyne Good Work Pledge – advanced 
Cyber Essentials 
Investors in the Environment (bronze)
Page 11 is an image page
Image on page - 5 members of Ensemble Young Company mid movement sequence during a performance of Inevitable? at YMCA Northumberland.
Page 12 is Role Overview page
Page includes the following text
The creation of an Executive Director role is a step change for Mortal Fools. It is our hope that this new role in executive leadership will support us to maintain excellence in our business operations, together with creating renewed capacity for our Artistic Director (CEO) to lead the next phase of the development of our creative programmes to fulfil our considerable artistic ambitions.
Additionally, we expect the new postholder will bring new ideas, new ways of working and new energy into our team and organisation, positively influencing all areas of business development. 
As a new role, we anticipate that it will evolve and develop with the successful candidate, utilising their skills, knowledge, ideas and interests to best support business development needs.
We invite applications from people who can strongly articulate and demonstrate how their personal values align with the values of Mortal Fools and the contribution they could make in this new and evolving role.
Purpose: 
Working collaboratively with the Artistic Director (CEO), the Executive Director leads the strategic development and growth of the organisation, devising business plans and multi-sector industry advocacy. The role has specific responsibility for the operational implementation of the business plan, including (but not limited to) strategic partnerships and funders, business systems, legal compliance, HR, governance and the safe and positive functioning of the organisation.
Contract: Employed, permanent.
Full-time (40 hours per week, with flexible working and very occasional evening and weekend working – e.g., special events).
Salary: 
£40 —55k depending on experience and capability Salary bandings and individual salaries are reviewed annually.
Responsible to: Artistic Director (CEO)
Responsible for: Finance Manager; Production Manager and other roles TBC.
Key relationships (external): Arts Council England, Northumberland County Council and other funders, regulatory bodies, landlord(s), external systems service providers, strategic partners, professional membership organisations and Board of Trustees.
Based at: Hybrid working between head office in Ashington, home working, and other external work locations, as required. Staff are required to work from the office at least once a week and for most monthly team meetings. We believe this enables the cultivation of good team relationships, working practices and communication.
Holiday entitlement: 33 days including Bank and Public Holidays
Pension: Pension Contribution: 4% employer / 4% employee
Probationary period: 6 months
Notice period: 6 months 
Other Requirements: A Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, as required. Ability and willingness to travel throughout the North East region to meetings and events.
Flexi-time system: Our flexi-time system enables employees and line managers to negotiate and manage working hours and days to suit the needs of the role and the needs of the individual. Due to the nature of our work, some weeks/months of the year are busier than others and some quieter. Overtime payments are not made.
Adjustments: As our working environment is always changing, we may need to alter roles slightly to fit business needs. The job description may be reviewed at any time.
Page 13 Key Responsibilities page
Image on page - A Youth Theatre Member sitting at a piano with a microphone during a performance of Sounding Board.
Page includes the following text
Heading - Organisational Leadership
With the Board and Artistic Director (CEO), devise and lead the organisation’s strategic development – including creative and operational business plans.
Role model excellence in Mortal Fools core values and organisational culture at all times.
Provide inspirational leadership to motivate staff and freelancers to deliver their full potential.
Ensure that the company operational structures and systems are best suited to support the delivery of the business plans.
Work with the Artistic Director (CEO) to plan and lead annual company activity and development cycles. 
Oversee the implementation and delivery of all aspects of Mortal Fools’ commitments as an ethical business including, but not limited to, access and inclusion, environmental sustainability, fundraising, wellbeing and working practices.
Heading - Strategic Relationships and Advocacy
With the Artistic Director (CEO) and the Communications and Audience Development Manager, lead the development of Mortal Fools’ multi-sector profile regionally and nationally. 
Act as Mortal Fools’ representative and advocate at appropriate conferences, events, strategic meetings, forums and networks.
Develop and maintain good relationships with key funders, commissioners, strategic partners, current and potential sponsors and donors. 
Act as key contact for managing facilities contracts e.g. premises lease and professional memberships e.g. VONNE, NCVO.
Develop positive working relationships with the Board of Trustees, including contribution to appropriate Sub-Groups. 
To regularly attend Mortal Fools events and activities, supporting the creative teams and build relationships with beneficiaries and stakeholders.
Page 14 Key Responsibilities continued page
Image on page - Mortal Fools Team Members at an away day.
Page includes the following text
Heading - Governance and Compliance 
Work closely with the Board of Trustees, specifically developing and overseeing working practices that support trustees to most effectively contribute their skills, knowledge and ideas to support Mortal Fools’ work.
Oversee the production of Board Reports and attend Board meetings, sub-group meetings and working groups, as required.
Act as Company Secretary and ensure compliance with all legal obligations and requirements of regulatory bodies, including compliance with Companies Act, Charities Act, Data Protection and Employment Law.  
Take Executive responsibility for overseeing company Health & Safety and Risk Management, including maintaining the company risk register and leading quarterly risk reviews. 
Act as signatory for relevant agreements and contracts across the company’s activities.
Together with the Artistic Director (CEO) and Creative Producer, lead the HR delivery and processes for the organisation, including seeking external HR advice where appropriate. 
Take executive responsibility for data protection, ensuring that all staff comply with best practice. 
Manage the annual cycle of reviewing and developing Mortal Fools’ policies and procedures.
Oversee the team’s timely reporting to all relevant funders, regulatory bodies and other external stakeholders.
Heading - Financial Resilience
Take executive responsibility for the effective and entrepreneurial management of Mortal Fools’ financial operations and viability. 
Together with the Artistic Director (CEO), develop the annual budget for approval by the Board.
Oversee the work of the Finance Manager, including reviewing monthly management accounts, financial targets and quarterly cash flow projections. 
Oversee the financial integrity and solvent financial management of Mortal Fools, including monitoring profitability and expenditure analysis. 
To act as a banking signatory for the company, company card holder and key contact for the company’s bank accounts. 
Oversee the preparation of annual statutory accounts, and any communication with HMRC & other statutory bodies, as required. 
Oversee the management of outsourced payroll services, pension and HMRC. 
Work with the Artistic Director (CEO) to balance financial viability with sustaining delivery programmes and artistic excellence. 
Together with the Artistic Director (CEO) and Income Generation Group, lead an entrepreneurial approach to income generation, including maximizing opportunities for earned income and grant income.
Attend and participate in multi-sector business networks and events to develop new funding opportunities.
Page 15 Person Specification page
Page includes the following text
You will be scored in your application based on how strongly you demonstrate these requirements in your application. The scoring system for each item in the person specification is:  0 = no evidence / 1 = little evidence / 2 = some evidence / 3 = strong evidence
Person Specification
Heading - Experience and Knowledge  
Proven experience of leadership and strategic management in an arts (or comparable) organisation, with experience of implementing change and growth.
Experience of managing significant budgets and financial systems.
Evidence of strong leadership, team building, communication and people management and delivery of HR best practice. 
A strong knowledge and understanding of relevant sector/s e.g. charitable, arts, business management etc.
Proven experience of income generation from a range of sources.
Proven experience in initiating and developing effective and successful partnerships and collaborations. 
An understanding or appreciation of the importance of good governance and working effectively with the Chair and Board of Trustees.
Heading - Skills
Excellent, confident communication skills, with the ability to lead staff and advocate widely outside of the organisation. 
The ability to manage multiple priorities and a diverse workload.
Highly numerically literate. 
A collaborative, inclusive and empowering approach to people management, with the ability to bring out the best in a team.
Entrepreneurial approach to work, with the ability to think creatively about organisational development and operational models. 
Good appreciation of risk, with good judgement of calculated risk and a problem-solving mindset with a proven ability to predict, manage and mitigate risks.
Able to work collaboratively.
Heading - Personal Attributes 
Demonstrable alignment with Mortal Fools’ core purpose and values. 
Demonstrable ambition and ability to build the reputation and work of Mortal Fools.
Genuinely committed to working with children, young people and communities. 
Robust and resilient, with the ability to work under pressure.
Proven ability to deal with confidential matters with discretion and compassion.
Maintains the highest professional standards in all aspects of their work.
NB: The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive and are subject to change in accordance with the needs of the company.
Page 16 is an image page
Image on page - 6 members of Ensemble Young Company during a performance of Inevitable? at YMCA Northumberland.
Page includes quote: “What Mortal Fools do is just incredible, the confidence they’ve given our daughter is mind-blowing.” Mortal Fools Youth Theatre Parent
Page 17 Why Work at Mortal Fools Page?
Page includes the following text
We want everyone who works with us to feel that they belong and their efforts and skills are valued.
Heading - Core Benefits: 
Above statutory holiday allowance.
Above statutory employer pension contribution.
Heading - Training Opportunities: 
With Mortal Fools staff or external providers:
Regular training in safeguarding, first aid, anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, disability awareness, mental health first aid.
Free access to our open CONNECT training sessions.
External professional development training and attendance at learning and networking events where appropriate within staff roles.
Heading: We support staff in day-to-day work via:
Regular line management check-ins and one-to-one feedback / mentoring.
Peer-to-peer support.
The chance to work with a cross-sector network of national partners, expanding professional networks and experience.
A supportive, inclusive, and fun company culture where all staff can offer ideas, suggestions and contributions to company development.
Heading - Working Patterns and Operations: 
Flexible working hours and locations, to balance staff needs and organisational needs.
Discretionary personal days to deal with life’s unexpected moments.
Company-wide ‘office closed’ weeks to enable staff to simultaneously either take time off, or work without the expectation to have meetings, attend events, respond to emails etc.
Support for different working styles/options, e.g., walking meetings, a quiet and an animated office with some hot desks.
Support for ‘Access to Work’ applications and access riders.
Free office tea, coffee and snacks.
Heading - Social Time: 
A combination of compulsory and optional activities for staff throughout the year, including:
Away days & company development days.
A summer beach day and a Christmas party.
Ad-hoc social activities like after-work walks, team lunches, trips to see shows/events
Page 18 – To apply for this role page
Image on page - People chatting and laughing at a MELVA teachers CPD day.
Page includes the following text
To Apply:  
Fill in and send the following documents to admin@mortalfools.org.uk 
Application Form Part 1 – download on Executive Recruitment page
Application Form Part 2 – download on Executive Recruitment page
Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form – download on Executive Recruitment page
Please send them: In Word document format (not PDF) as separate attachments 
With the subject: Application: Executive Director
Your name and personal information (including specific educational institutions attended) will be removed from the application form when shortlisting.
Heading - Key Dates:
Application Deadline: Monday 16th December, 9am 
Interviews for shortlisted candidates: Thursday 9th January at YMCA Northumberland, Ashington.
If you cannot make this date, we cannot guarantee you an interview if shortlisted, but if you have an unavoidable issue, please email admin@mortalfools.org.uk and we will see if there is anything we can do.
Second interview following further shortlisting: Thursday 16th January, or another mutually agreed slot between 13—23 Jan, via Zoom.
Start date: Dependent on successful candidate’s notice period.
Additional Application Information:
If you prefer, you can complete Section G of your application form via video submission instead.
If you’d like to request this application pack in a different format – email admin@mortalfools.org.uk. Plain text format is available on our website.
If you have any general questions, queries, or feedback (including anything connected to accessibility or inclusion) please email admin@mortalfools.org.uk or call 0191 580 1250.
If you’d like an informal conversation about this role with our Artistic Director (CEO), Kiz Crosbie you can request this by emailing kiz@mortalfools.org.uk
Page 19 – Recruitment Promises page
Image on page - 6 Youth Theatre members and one Youth Theatre Practitioner playing games outside during a Sounding Board filming day.
Page includes the following text
Recruitment is often a person’s first contact with our organisation and we want to make that as positive an experience as possible, even for those people who don’t go on to get a job with us.For that reason, we have a series of recruitment promises. They are summarised below, and more details about them can be found on our website page – Work With Us. 
We can provide recruitment information in a range of formats
We support the positive recruitment action in the Equality Act by offering an interview to all disabled candidates who score at least 2 on all person specifications.
We accept written and video application formats 
We provide a detailed recruitment pack and application form and explain specifically what we need you to reference and demonstrate/ evidence in your application e.g. with reference to the person specification.
We reply to everyone who applies, providing all applicants with concise, personalised feedback and response
We provide interview questions in advance to support preparation. For jobs that require the ability to think on the spot, we’ll ask some questions in our interviews that aren’t provided in advance (and will inform you that this will happen).
All our applicants are assessed against the same criteria and without bias or favouritism
We assess all applications anonymously against the same criteria to have as equitable a recruitment process as possible. 
Your personal details and educational establishments are anonymised by someone not involved in shortlisting when your application arrives.
Applications are assessed using a numeric scoring system, based on how well you have demonstrated the qualities listed in the person specification. 
The scoring system for each item in the person specification is: 
0 = no evidence 
1 = little evidence 
2 = some evidence 
3 = strong evidence

We provide expenses to attend interviews
We provide detailed feedback to all interviewed unsuccessful candidates
Page 20 – Back page
Image on page - A group of school children watching a presentation of MELVA in a classroom.
Page includes the following text
Please make sure you read this pack carefully, before completing your application. If you have any questions, please check the FAQs listed on our Work With Us page before getting in touch directly.
Page has Mortal Fools website: www.mortalfools.org.uk and @mortalfoolsuk social media icons