ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CALL OUT
- ingoodcompanymids
- Feb 24
- 8 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
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The deadline for this application is midday, Monday 30th March
Job Summary
In Good Company (IGC) are looking for a freelance Associate Producer to join our small and mighty team! The role will support the delivery of our programme and develop our strategy by strengthening our networks and raising our profile for disabled artists in the Midlands.
You might be interested in this role if you are somebody who is a connector, a facilitator or community organiser.
Employment Period:
Start May/June – August 31st 2026 (flexibility to begin earlier, latest contract can end is 31st August 2026)
Fee: £7,200 (24 days @ £300 pd)
Contract: Fixed-term, freelance
We have anticipated this role to be hybrid remote working with some presence at our base at Derby Theatre. Our overall fee for the role is £7,200 which we have visualised as 2 days per week for twelve weeks (24 days @ £300 pd). However, we are aware that different people may access work in different ways and are open to discussions about working hours, location and a fair payment plan to suit all parties.
Our funding for this role ends on 31st August 2026.
About In Good Company
The theatre industry is in danger of becoming one that is inaccessible to most of us. IGC is an intervention that enables new artistic voices to be heard, and for the Midlands to be recognised as a place where powerful, resonant and significant performance is made.
We are the Midlands’ flagship artist development programme, connecting partner organisations* from across the region while offering an essential programme of mentoring, funding, training and performance platforms to freelance theatre-makers in our region.
We are actively working to make our activity as inclusive and accessible to as many people as possible, especially those who are marginalised by the industry. Part of this has been to reflect on different aspects of accessibility, and ways in which we can centre justice and anti-oppression at the heart of everything we do.
*Our partner organisations are Arena Theatre (Wolvs), Attenborough Arts Centre (Leics), Brewhouse Arts Centre (Burton), The Core at Corby Cube, Derby Theatre (Lead Partner), Lincoln Arts Centre, Mansfield Palace Theatre, Nonsuch Studios (Notts), Nottingham Playhouse, Royal & Derngate (Northants) and Y Theatre (Leics)
About the Associate Producer Role
Having spent time learning and reflecting, we are seeking an Associate Producer to strengthen the ways in which In Good Company shows up for disabled artists*. We believe true support begins with strong relationships and this role will be key to connecting artists with our offers.
*We know that language is important are currently developing
As a valued member of our team, the Associate Producer will work closely with IGC’s Executive Producer, Producer & Comms Officer, Artist Support Producers and Strategic Consultant, along with colleagues at Derby Theatre and across our partner venues on an ad hoc basis.
This role will focus on increasing our profile with disabled artists, improving access and improving our methods of communicating. They will play an essential part in our understanding of barriers disabled artists* face and the connections we can make with disabled artists and communities.
The Associate Producer will be responsible for increasing engagement from disabled artists and helping us to centre anti-oppressive and inclusive practice as we shape events and future programmes.
*We know that language is important in reference to disability, and we continue to review this as we develop positive and more inclusive practice. For this call out, we are using ‘disabled’ as an umbrella term to include to people who define as disabled, are d/Deaf, neurodivergent and people who have chronic health conditions.
At IGC, we often use the words ‘artist’ and ‘freelancer’ interchangeably. Here, we’re referring to self-employed theatre-makers in the Midlands which includes actors, directors, producers, designers, writers, and the full range of disciplines in the theatre industry.
Who We’re Looking For
Essential Criteria:
A broad understanding of the disabled experience, barriers to career progression for disabled people and how we can meaningfully engage with these communities
Demonstrable experience working in the public or charity sector
Strong organisation and project management skills; ability to plan effectively, collect and analyse data, and manage changing schedules and competing priorities
Ability to build rapport and strong relationships among different communities with the skills to motivate and encourage others to engage with our programme
Experience delivering events and group activities
Strong experience in audience development and communication with ability to maximise impact of social media and online presence
Ability to manage own schedule and share progress as an enthusiastic team player
Experience of supporting organisations to improve inclusivity.
Desirable Criteria
Background working in the arts industry with good working knowledge of industry standards working with freelancers
Knowledge and understanding of the history and current Disability Rights campaigns and activism surrounding this
Experience of self-employment/freelance working
Facilitation skills and experience of focus groups
Role Responsibilities
As an organisation, we’ve dedicated time to training, learning and consultation to improve the culture of IGC for disabled artists. While this work will continue to be a priority for leadership, this role will be pivotal in helping us improve our delivery for and connection with disabled artists.
We have learned that waiting to do things perfectly is slowing us down – this role is about sustaining our progress and building on our momentum. We’ve strengthened our toolkit, now we need to build on existing, and establish new relationships with disabled artists in the Midlands, who deserve the same access to artist development and advocacy.
Responsibilities for this role include:
To help IGC programme disabled-led workshops and engage, support and platform more disabled artists and audiences (particularly in our Departure Lounge Festival programming)
To help IGC engage more actively in improving arts industry standards for disabled people
To raise our profile and develop audiences among deaf, disabled, neurodivergent communities
To help shape our programme and broaden our pool of disabled artists to lead workshops and activities while providing a safe and positive environment in which everyone can do their best work
To maximise engagement with disabled communities via social media, digital platforms and in-person engagements (may require some travel)
To support IGC to focus on and understand barriers, build relationships and develop our offers to disabled artists
How to Apply
Apply in writing:
Please apply by sending us your CV (no more than 2 x sides of A4), and a written statement showing how you meet the essential and/or desirable criteria, and what you would bring to the role (1 side of A4)
or
Apply with a video file: Please send us a video file outlining your employment history or portfolio (CV), how you meet the essential and/or desirable criteria, and what you would bring to the role
You are welcome to submit your video in BSL, and this will be interpreted to English for panel members where needed
or
Apply with an audio file: Please send us an audio file outlining your employment history or portfolio (CV), how you meet the essential and/or desirable criteria, and what you would bring to the role
Video and audio files must be no longer than 5 minutes and must be able to be opened on a PC. Where required, we will transcribe video and audio files for the panel.
If you’d like to submit your application in a different way that we haven’t thought about, please feel free to contact us using the info below.
The Application Process
If you have any questions at all about the role and/or access support during the application process or in post, please contact us at any time using the contact details below. We will also hold an online information session about the role, where you can ask us questions before applying. The Q&A in this session will be transcribed and made available on our website up until the deadline.
The info session was on zoom on Thursday 5th March. Below are questions and answers from the session.
Who are the people and groups we already work with and who do you want to work with?
We work with a variety of different groups by the nature of running the network across the midlands. We work with our partners and their networks, and our own cohort of freelance artists who are varied in their experiences and paths. Part of this role is to make sure we are reaching the right people and making sure we have plans and structure for the future to have sustained relationships with them.
We have great working relationships with Quiplash CIC and Graeae, and would like to be connected with other similar organisations across the country for joined up and improved artist development offers.
We are currently working with Quiplash CiC based in Sheffield who is undertaking some access consultation for us to make sure our access during our programme and DLF is robust.
How do you envision the dynamic with this role, work structure and responsibilities.
With all our freelancer roles we understand and expect hours to be completed independently and have faith in the freelancers to undertake the work in their own capacity and time.
We’re a small but mighty team so a lot of the work we do is close quarters and collaborative, so we envision this role to work with us with either regular check ins and consultation, or working together at the office at Derby Theatre, depending on the producer's preferred way of working. We’re flexible to how we work, as a people first organisation we want to make sure that we’re delivering the best work we can for artists in the midlands by creating a working culture that brings out the best in our team.
What are you hoping for this associate producer, what is the ultimate goal of the position? What do you want to accomplish.
Have more disabled artists in our audiences for our events like DLF and scratch nights and attending workshops
Employing and programming more disabled artists for stage and facilitation
Understanding social media and comms practice to make sure our comms and marketing is clear and accessible
Someone who understands the barriers and who can support the team to undertake that learning and help dismantle them
In the 3 month period, finding ways to strengthen our offering to disabled communities with consultancy and advice
Profile building and connecting us to different groups in a meaningful way to avoid parachuting in
Understanding of different campaigns that IGC could support and add our voice to help bolster
Do I have to be based in Derby and in the office for the work?
We envision the role to be hybrid. We have funding to support the role in relation to the individuals access to delivering the role which can include local travel in the region for specific reaching out to groups. We’re a flexible team that supports you working where you work best which can be in the office at Derby Theatre or from your desk.
Is there a framework for what success looks like, or is it the role of the Associate Producer to create and develop the strategy from scratch?
The goals we outlined in a previous question is what we're working towards and we will work with the Producer to develop a strategy for delivery. We accept there's lots we don't know, and would expect the producer to offer advice and guidance towards those goals.
Pillars of our programme that we envision the role focusing around include Departure Lounge Festival (early July), Scratch nights and workshops (year-round).
Timeline
Midday, Monday 30th March - Deadline, giving a 4-week application process
Shortlisting (shortlisting panel will include representation of freelancers and intersectional disabled identities)
w/c 6th April – First round decisions shared with applicants
w/c 20th April - Interviews (interviews can be held in person, online or by phone)
Due to team capacity, we will only be able to offer feedback to second round applicants.
Accessible Working Agreement
Access support is provided for the Associate Producer and will be arranged directly with the successful applicant.
Please contact us any questions along the way using the contact information at the end of this call out.
Contacting IGC
Email (for any questions and/or to arrange a phone or video call): igc@derby.ac.uk Please mention the job title ‘Associate Producer’ in the Subject line.
Instagram (to arrange a phone or video call): @igcmidlands
IGC does not have a phone number but you can reach us via Derby Theatre on 01332 593939.
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