The Abbey Theatre | Job Description

JOB TITLE: HR Manager

RESPONSIBLE TO: Director Finance & Administration

Closing Date 31st March 2008
For Application:

An opportunity exists in the Abbey Theatre for a full time (permanent) person to provide specialist HR support to the business. The position would suit a person with solid experience in a generalist HR role at senior specialist/manager level. The role reports to the Director of Finance & Administration.

The Abbey Theatre is Ireland’s National Theatre and occupies a unique position in the hearts and minds of Irish people. It comprises two theatres: the Abbey, with a seating capacity of 492 seats, and the Peacock, with a seating capacity of 157 seats. The Abbey is committed to producing a year round programme of work both on and off stage, with the priority to create work of excellence, which not only showcases Irish and international drama but also engages with the artistic and civic life of contemporary Ireland.

The Abbey Theatre is a national cultural institution. It is funded by the Arts Council and receives financial assistance from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. In September 2006 the Irish Government announced that an international design competition will be held to create a new home for the Abbey, to be located at George’s Dock in Dublin. Details of that competition are due to be announced later this year. We anticipate the Abbey Theatre will open at George’s Dock within 5 years.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

This is a new position which provides the opportunity for the right candidate to join an established HR Department offering room for change and improvement. The HR Manager reporting into the Director of Finance and Administration will drive, manage and direct the HR function to ensure effectiveness and consistency delivering best people management practices across the Business. This will involve developing existing practices and putting in place support structures to assist management in achieving the Company’s growth figures, while providing ongoing operational Human Resource support to the Business.
The Abbey Theatre is committed to ensuring it attracts and retains high calibre people, with the skills and competencies to meet its strategic objectives

Duties will include, but will not be limited to, the responsibilities below:

HR Strategy/Procedures

•Develop a comprehensive understanding of the businesses strategy and key goals, through relationship building with managers and employees; ensuring that the HR function is clearly aligned to the key success factors for the business.

•Ensure HR policies and procedures are executed consistently across the Company.

•Communicate relevant HR and people information to the business on a regular basis, e.g. new initiatives, employee profile, HR statistics etc.

Selection & Recruitment

•Responsible for end to end recruitment including the ongoing design and development of recruitment tools, managing the offer process, issuing of contracts, induction and monitoring new employees’ adjustment.
•Source all media advertising, advert design and monitor response levels across recruitment media
•Support the Business in reviewing the probationary period of all new employees
•Support the Management with Resource Planning in conjunction with the Agreed Resourcing budget.

Performance Appraisal

•Assist all management and employees in the Performance Appraisal system providing guidance to ensure the effective implementation of the programme while ensuring all standards are maintained.

•Provide advice to the Management Team on employee performance issues and support them in the management of the Performance Improvement Plan.
•Assist The Abbey Theatre in tracking and recognizing the high performers within the organization and develop training/career plans to support progression and succession planning.

Training & Development

•Manage the provision of and the implementation of the Training and Development policy.
•Work in partnership with the Management Team to ensure training needs are identified at all levels and comprehensive training and development plans are in place.

•Ensure that the Training & Development procedures and the Performance Appraisal Procedures are fully compliant and effective in delivering the standards of performance required by the Company.
HR Systems & Administration
•Generate initiatives, which will streamline HR Systems and minimise admin processes while maintaining the necessary controls and records.
•Plan all budgets and expenditure relating to HR Practices within the Business.
•Provide HR information to Finance for all Payroll processes.

Legal Compliance & Employee Relations
•Provide guidance to Management on employment law matters.
•Develop and implement agreed HR Policies & Procedures.
•Ensure legal compliance is fully in line with Employment Law, in respect of Policies, Procedures and Management & Employee practice.
•Dealing with all aspects of employee relations including Disciplinary Issues, Performance and behavioral issues and advice on Company Policies and procedure.

Health & Safety
•Ensure compliance with current Health & Safety Legislation in conjunction with The Director of Technical Operations
Information & Communication
•Manage the provision of employee communication emails, procedure manuals and employee handbooks.
•Initiate employee initiatives that support a ‘Friendly and Respectful’ working environment.
Project Work
•Leading and participating in Business & HR Projects as required by the Director of Finance & Administration.
The HR Department
•Manage and coach the HR Administer while ensuring their professional development and creating a HR Team Spirit’.
The Person:

The successful candidate will:

•Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

•Have gained solid experience in the areas of Recruitment and Selection, Performance Appraisal, Training & Development and Employee Relations.

•Have shown an ability to contribute efficiently in an open and team based environment.

•Have the ability to build and maintain relations across the business.

•Be highly motivated with an ability to work in a challenging and demanding environment.

•Have a Degree Level Qualification in Human Resources with a minimum of four years experience either as a HR Manager or Senior HR Generalist. Be CIPD qualified.

•Previous experience in a Unionised environment would be an advantage though not essential.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Post: This is a full time permanent position.

Hours: Standard hours are 09.30 to 17.30 with an hour for lunch.

Annual Salary:

Probationary period: 6 months

Holidays: 24 days per annum (including Good Friday & Christmas Eve)

Public Holidays: 9 Public Holidays per annum

Pension: The Abbey Theatre provides employees with access to a Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) and will match contributions up to 5.5% of salary.

Employees must contribute a min. of 3% to avail of employer contributions. Contributions are made through payroll.

Life Assurance: The Abbey Theatre Group Life Assurance plan provides a benefit to all employees of 4 times annual salary in the event of death while in service.

Health Insurance: Employees are provided with the option to join The Abbey Theatre – VHI Group Scheme. Participant employees receive a 10% discount on any VHI plan and the subscription is deducted through payroll.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should include:
1. A comprehensive curriculum vitae giving details of relevant achievements in recent positions as well as your education and professional qualifications;
2. A covering letter that summarises your interest in this position, providing evidence of your ability to match the criteria outlined in the Person Specification;
3. Details of your latest salary, notice period and names of 2 referees, together with a brief statement of the capacity in which they have known you and an indication of when in the process they can be contacted (please note we will not contact your referees without your express permission), and
4. Telephone contact numbers (preferably daytime and evening/mobile) which will be used with discretion.

Please send the above information to:
Ann Dinnigan
The Abbey Theatre
26/27 Lower Abbey Street,
Dublin 1

Or email applications to:

Ann.dinnigan@abbeytheatre.ie

Closing date for receipt of applications is 31st. March 2008 at COB.

The Abbey Theatre is an Equal Opportunities Employer.