Manchester Collective (MC) is a pioneering arts organisation known for its award-winning, highly original approach to classical and contemporary music. With a reputation for brave new work, and electrifying performances that defy the limits of genre or tradition, this ambitious group is well on track to deliver the next phase of its mission – to create art that is accessible, relevant and far-reaching.

Supporting new art stands as a mission of utmost importance for MC. Since its inception in 2016, MC has commissioned more than 35 original works from emerging early-career composers, jazz and electronic musicians, poets, field recordists, dancers, painters, photographers, and filmmakers, striving to empower underrepresented talents. Recently, its commissioned composition by the emerging British-Asian composer Ben Nobuto earned the Royal Philharmonic Society's 2023 Chamber-Scale Composition prize, underscoring MC's steadfast commitment to nurturing emerging artistic brilliance.

Made from their base in the North of England, MC productions draw a diverse and broad audience, transcending classical music stereotypes and preconceptions. Its artistic excellence consistently garners praise from critics and industry colleagues. In the past year, MC secured the esteemed RPS Ensemble Award, received its inaugural nomination for the South Bank Sky Arts Award (Classical Music), and earned multiple four-star reviews in prominent UK newspapers. The Observer lauded its performances as "playing of the highest quality," recognising an ensemble with the vision and skill to peer into the future. Meanwhile, The Telegraph hailed MC as "the UK's most innovative classical ensemble." Its online global following continues to expand, nearing 50,000 strong, a vibrant community of individuals who eagerly await regular updates on MC's ventures and, more significantly, the narratives and individuals behind its artistic initiatives.

In the face of economic turbulence, MC remains audacious, inventive, and pioneering. While it might be tempting to shy away from artistic risks and compromise during times of uncertainty and change, MC recognizes that these moments demand clarity and distinct voices that break through the clamor. With the support of its audience, MC can persist in this mission.

Manchester Collective was created seven years ago by Adam Szabo (outgoing Artistic Director and Chief Executive) and Rakhi Singh (Music Director).  It has made huge progress under their leadership and overall guidance of current Chair, Helen Gilman. This includes confirmation as a National Portfolio Organisation by Arts Council England (ACE). With Helen’s expected retirement early next year, MC is searching for a new Chair to build on this success and oversee the next phase of MC’s development. 

Key responsibilities:

• Provide visionary leadership to the Board of Trustees and to the organisation as a whole, establishing respect with all stakeholders, including musicians, staff, funders, sponsors and other stakeholders
• Provide guidance and support to interim CEO (Linda Begbie, current Deputy CEO) following Adam Szabo's departure in early 2024
• Lead the Board's selection process to appoint a highly qualified and visionary CEO, and work closely with the new CEO to support, challenge and guide them to ensure that the vision and strategy of MC is being fulfilled and the team has the appropriate structure and support to deliver it
• Work with the board and management on the development of MC’s strategy and on monitoring its delivery
• Act as an ambassador for MC, attending concerts, hosting high profile events and developing strong working relationships with key external stakeholders
• Actively support the fundraising ambitions and strategy of MC, which could include making introductions to potential supporters, attending events and meetings with key stakeholders/donors, advocating for philanthropic/commercial support of MC and personal support (donation/individual membership)
• Contribute to the working of the board sub-committees
• Oversee the development of the Board to ensure it comprises the skills and networks necessary to support the MC’s artistic ambition
• Plan and chair board meetings and ensure that decisions are implemented
• Ensure that MC maintains appropriately high governance standards and that risks are effectively identified and mitigated
• Monitor progress against the MC's business plan and budgets.

The successful candidate will bring the following experience to the role:

• Experience as a Non-Executive Director or Trustee, ideally with a track record in chairing or being part of a diverse board
• Track record of building effective stakeholder relationships with an ability to inspire trust and confidence among internal and external stakeholders
• A strong network across the wider community of the public and/or private sector in Manchester and the North West, or more widely across the UK
• Experience of mentoring key executives in developing their careers and businesses at times of change

In addition, the successful candidate will have the following personal qualities:

• Demonstrable enthusiasm for the importance of arts and culture in the UK, ideally with experience of Arts Council Funding and other public and private funders
• Commitment to MC's mission and values
• Able to chair effectively in an open and collegiate way to encourage contributions from all board members and enable the board to reach creative and pragmatic solutions
• The ability to support and challenge management in the development and growth of the organisation
• Excellent interpersonal skills, low ego, suited to a collegiate way of working
• Open and honest with high standards of personal and professional integrity and commitment to best practice governance for a small, publicly funded body
• Able and willing to commit the time required for chairing an active, diverse organisation both internally and as an external ambassador.
• Effective communicator with the time and commitment to act as an influential advocate for MC.

Helen Gilman (outgoing Chair) 
Ruth Gibson 
Jo Holden 
David McKeith 
Punam Ramchurn 
Richard Sheldon KC
Nick Trygstad 
Helen Wallace 

Terms of appointment

As a voluntary position, the role is unremunerated. Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred as a result of carrying out the role will be reimbursed. The appointment is for an initial term of three years, which may be renewed to serve a maximum of six years.

There are four board meetings each year, one is held in London and the other three are held in Manchester. There are also four Sub-Committee meetings a year, held virtually. 

Location

Whilst MC is Manchester based, the incoming Chair could be based elsewhere in the UK. The Chair will be expected to attend events throughout the year, which are held in different venues around the country.

To help realise a fairer, more equal future for the arts in the UK, MC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion across every aspect of their organisation. This focus on positive change permeates their programming, their hiring, and the way they approach their audiences. MC strongly recognises that its team has some way to go to better represent the diversity of modern Britain and therefore are proactively seeking expressions of interest from applicants of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds, and applicants with a lived experience of disability.

MC is a Disability Confident organisation. Any applicant that identifies as disabled and meets the minimum requirements for the job will be offered an interview if they self-disclose their disability status in their application.