WE’RE RECRUITING: Co-Directors
It’s transition time! 🔥
Rising’s current Co-Directors are coming to the end of their 5 year term and we’re looking to carry on our radical model of co-leadership by recruiting (openly for the first time!) the next Co-Directors to lead the agency from 2026.
Rising Arts Agency is by and for young people in and around Bristol. We have committed to transitioning our leadership at least every 5 years so that we can create opportunities for new people to lead.
Jess and Euella (the current Co-Directors) were invited to be Rising’s leaders by our founder Kamina Walton whilst already part of the Rising team. This time we have designed an open recruitment process, guided by a steering group of experts, so that this opportunity to lead is open to whoever feels like they are ready to step up.
We’re looking for people with a vision for what the next five years of Rising could look like, guided by the needs and aspirations of our community of young creatives. This is a chance to have an impact on the creative sector and beyond, to champion young people and create a more equitable future for everyone.
Due to the nature of this role and the recruitment process we would encourage you to read the process section of the Recruitment Pack carefully.
A leadership we ran back in February, in some ways the start of this recruitment process
INFO
Salary: £36,000 pro-rata (approximately £28,800 for 4 days)
Hours: 32 hours a week (4 days a week)
Contract: 5 years
Deadline: 11:59pm Sunday 22 February 2026
We expect the whole process to take 8 to 12 weeks from applications closing to making a final decision, please see the job pack for the full process.
WHO YOU ARE
Where you come from is less important than what you bring to the table.
You could be an experienced leader, producer, creative or be looking for work after a period of focusing on caring responsibilities – or something completely different.
You might have experience bringing people together to do something amazing and making real change happen or you might be the one in your friend group who takes the trip out of the group chat or organises sign-making before the protest.
What matters is that you are excited by the endless potential for real world change through mobilising young creatives, getting them PAID and using creativity to challenge the status quo and start building radical new futures for everyone.
Co-Director Explainer Video
About this role
The role of Co-Director is shaped by the people doing it, but it’s important to understand that co-leadership is different from a job share. There are different ways to share full responsibilities for all the aspects needed to lead the agency from completely integrated to duel where you each have specialisms in the work.
Due to the nature of this role and Rising’s ethos we are not looking for someone with X years of experience or who has done these specific things before, just someone who is confident they would work most of this out and isn’t scared to get stuck into any of it.
We anticipate that the role will focus on three strands:
driving the vision for the agency forward and advocating for why we do the work the way we do
caring for the people involved in the work, whether that’s the team, board, our community or partners
developing the business that ensures the work of the agency can continue to put money directly into the hands of young creatives
For a full list of the responsibilities in detail, what we’ll be looking for, what we’re like to work for and some history of the agency please watch the explainer video above or watch/read through the full job pack below.
How to Apply: CO-DIRECTOR
You can apply by EITHER:
Submit your answers in written, audio or video format via our online typeform.
Please ensure your audio or video file is 15-20 minutes long in total and uploaded to a host (eg Soundcloud, Youtube, GDrive etc) that enables you to provide a url that will not expire.
Download a copy of the application form, complete and email to hello@rising.org.uk with the subject ‘Co-Director Application’
Any other way that provides all the information in the application form
Whichever way works best for you, all applications will be considered with equal merit.
Deadline
11:59 PM Sunday 22 February
MORE INFORMATION
We are hosting several events and have other opportunities for you to see what our community does during the application window.
Monday 9 January 1pm - online open house /webinar to receive this information in a different format and meet some of the team (register here)
Tuesday 3 February 5pm - a second online open house / webinar with the same information as the first (register here)
Wednesday 11 February 5.30pm - in person collage and chill session with Rising’s community at our studio in 9 Bath Buildings (register here)
Or email hello@rising.org.uk with any other questions
Got another question?
We’ve created an anonymous question form where you can submit any questions you have about being a Co-Director or this recruitment process and they’ll be added to a FAQ below
FAQ’S
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We welcome applications from anyone, and hope that we have designed an inclusive recruitment process that enables anyone to apply regardless of age or previous experience.
In line with the values and ethos of the agency, we encourage those who are currently underrepresented in leadership to apply. -
The two successful candidates would be working 4 days a week each and both paid the full salary to do so.
See pages 11 and 12 in the job pack for examples of Co-Director models and how this differs from a job share.
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Rising has a 4 day work week to support a healthy work/life balance and give the team time for things like other freelance work, creative pursuits or caring responsibilities.
However, if you become one of the Co-Directors of Rising if you decide that you want to be full time and work 5 days a week and that works for both of you, you would then need to make a business case for doing so (eg check there is budget for it, justify why to the non-exec directors) but it would be up to you to set your hours and compensation within what’s sustainable for the agency.
The outgoing Co-Directors will have budgeted the rest of the financial year until March 2027 based on the advertised salary and hours.
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Absolutely. We used to use detailed timesheets to curb overworking but you could use a similar system to track your hours week to week and work flexibly to your capacity as it fluctuates.
For example using things like TOIL (time off in lieu) when working more hours to adjust for times when you may need to work less.
The main thing is you communicate well with your Co-Director and team about your hours and capacity at any given time.
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You can find the full policy here for maternity, paternity adoption and shared parental leave allowances.
In summary the birthing parent or lead adopter is entitled to:
6 weeks full pay
1.5 SMP for the next 27 weeks
£20 a week care fee for the next 19 weeks
And the other parent or adopter would receive 4 weeks full pay.
As long as you meet the minimum requirements.
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First stage interviews - Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 March between 10am and 5pm
TBC Planning Session - 11am to 1pm Thursday 23 April
Second stage interviews - Wednesday 6 May between 10am and 5pm
Rising’s 9th birthday party shot by Mitul Shah
READ MORE ABOUT OUR LEADERSHIP TRANSITION:
