Hijinx - Associate Director; Part time

Are you an experienced director and creative practitioner who believes in the power of theatre to connect people, challenge perceptions and create opportunities? Do you bring imagination, care and collaboration to your work? Are you excited by making ambitious, inclusive theatre with artists and communities?

We're looking for an experienced Associate Director to join the Hijinx team, developing and delivering projects across our Creative Engagement programme and wider artistic work.

This is a role for someone who loves bringing people together to make ambitious work happen. You'll work with artists, participants, freelancers and partners across Wales to create theatre that is playful, ambitious and inclusive, supporting people to explore their creativity and share their stories.

You'll be part of a collaborative creative team, working closely with the Artistic Director/Co-CEO, Executive Producer, Producer and Artist Development Director to shape Hijinx's artistic programme and create the conditions for brilliant work to happen.

In this role, you'll:

• Support Hijinx's Creative Engagement programme; directing, co-creating and facilitating participatory projects with communities across Wales.
• Oversee and act as Director on Odyssey Theatre, Hijinx's community company, supporting the group's artistic development and creating an annual production with its members.
• Direct and develop new work across Hijinx's programme, including research and development with Hijinx Ensemble and the creation of new street theatre work.
• Support and nurture freelance artists and creative teams, building collaborative environments where people feel welcomed, supported and able to do their best work.
• Work alongside the Artistic Director and wider creative team to develop new ideas, partnerships and opportunities for Hijinx's artistic programme.
• Contribute to the delivery of Hijinx Unity Festival, supporting the sharing of creative work by Hijinx artists, participants and communities.
• Champion inclusive practice, accessibility and safeguarding across all areas of creative delivery.

You'll collaborate with a brilliant network of artists, freelancers, participants, venues, audiences and partners who help make our work possible.

We welcome applications from directors and creative practitioners with different career journeys and backgrounds. However, this is an experienced role, and you will need a strong track record of directing and developing creative work, alongside experience of leading collaborative processes with artists and communities. You'll be:

• A creative practitioner who believes everyone has the potential to make and experience brilliant theatre.
• A collaborative director who enjoys co-creating, listening and finding creative possibilities with others.
• Someone who brings curiosity, generosity and a playful approach to making work.
• Passionate about inclusive theatre and committed to creating accessible, welcoming spaces for artists and participants.
• A confident relationship-builder who enjoys working with communities, artists, partners and stakeholders.
• Organised, adaptable and able to balance creative ambition with practical delivery.

You will need demonstrable experience of directing theatre and developing creative work with artists and communities. Experience of participatory arts, community-led work, street theatre or inclusive practice would be particularly valuable. We welcome applications from people with different career journeys and recognise that expertise can come from a range of professional contexts.

This is an annualised, project-based role totalling 104 working days per year. The role is Cardiff-based, with occasional travel across Wales, the UK, and international travel. Working patterns will be agreed annually around Hijinx's creative programme and the Associate Director's availability.

Hijinx recognises, respects and values individual difference. We are committed to the wellbeing of our staff, to being an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and to attracting diverse talent from communities currently underrepresented in the cultural sector.
As part of our commitment to increase the diversity of our workforce at Hijinx, we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to applicants who are underrepresented on our team. You can be considered under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme if you experience racism, are Deaf, disabled, a person with a learning disability, neurodivergent, have a long-term physical or mental health condition, are LGBTQ+ or identify as working class.

Provided you meet the essential criteria for the role, which is stated in the person specification, you will be invited for interview. Your guaranteed interview request will only be shared with Hijinx's HR team and the recruiting manager.
If you would like to be considered under the scheme, please indicate this clearly in your application.

Important: in certain recruitment situations such as high-peak times, we may need…