Night-Time Economy Advisor Sligo Town

Fixed 16 month Contract

Role Background

The Night-Time Economy NTE is a hugely important sector as a contributor to the economic, cultural and creative sectors. Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media established the Night-Time Economy Taskforce on 30 July 2020, with a related report published in September 2021. It contains 36 actions across a broad range of issues associated with the Night-Time Economy, with the aim of increasing the diversity of events, increasing cultural opportunities and encouraging innovation and creativity in the NTE. Action 19 calls for a pilot initiative to establish new “Night-Time Advisors” in the successful towns and cities in developing NTE opportunities. Sligo was selected as one of the pilot towns and cities and first achieved Purple Flag status in 2015.

The full Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce can be accessed here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c1ba7-report-of-the-night-time-economy-taskforce/

Sligo BID invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which temporary vacancies for a Night-Time Economy Advisor may be filled throughout the lifetime of the panel.

The aim of this initiative is to stimulate NTE activity in Sligo and the development of a sustainable structure funded and driven by Sligo County Council through a Service Level Agreement with Sligo Business Improvement District CLG (Sligo BID) for longer-term/ongoing work in the area of the NTE.

Role and Responsibilities

The selected candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

  • Liaise and build a close working relationship with NTE businesses in the town;
  • Assess, build upon and update the existing research and knowledge available on the needs for Sligo’s night-time economy;
  • Generate a cohesive NTE action plan specifically for Sligo – including a range of interventions geared towards activities for different cohorts and time of day/night;
  • Build greater awareness and drive interest and footfall to the activities currently available/coming as it relates to non-alcohol dependant activities, such as cultural spaces, physical activities and places of historic interest;
  • Evaluate the existing issues and related to the NTE through consultation with the 150+ businesses in Sligo that operate in the night-time economy, existing and prospective clients and the many related local community groups and stakeholders;
  • Establish and build on relationships and work done by key stakeholders for the further development of the night-time economy and explore innovative ideas and proposals. Example stakeholders include local authority officers, the Purple Flag Working Group, Sligo Welcome Street Ambassadors, Festivals and Events Coordinator and Tourism Officer, along with relevant organisations such as Fáilte Ireland;
  • Work in partnership with the Council and other stakeholders to contribute to a programme of appropriate performances and cultural events through such projects as Queen Maeve Square, Hazelwood House and the Cleveragh Outdoor Performance Space;
  • Work closely with the Council’s Creative Team to promote and drive footfall to events such as the Library Services’ “The Word” events (involving readings), art exhibitions, plays, concerts, meanwhile use events, etc;
  • Work to capitalise on opportunities with groups such as Sligo Tidy Towns, Sligo St Patrick’s Day Committee, Yeats Society, the Model Niland Gallery, the Hawks Well Theatre, Cinema, Vintners’ representatives, live music venues, sporting venues, traditional and other music genres, etc;
  • Establish a Night-Time Economy Committee that is diverse, inclusive and dynamic. Efforts should also be made to establish links with the Town Regeneration Officer as part of the Town Centre First Policy within the local authority structure. Representation for artists, cultural facilities, event promoters, festival organisers, hospitality interests, local champions, public bodies, retailers and other businesses, residents, venue owners/operators, etc. is recommended.
  • Work with owners of vacant commercial properties, the Council, Sligo BID, Chamber of Commerce, etc. to identify suitable uses for such properties;
  • Pursue relevant funding streams for appropriate projects;
  • Work with representatives of disability and minority communities;
  • Provide feedback to the Joint Policing Committee on public safety;
  • Work with the Students Union and staff in the Atlantic Technological University on identifying/adding new activities for students or signposting them to existing ones;
  • Consult with town centre users and business owners to develop ideas for the NTE. This can be done through workshops, town hall style meetings, surveys or a mixture of different methods.
  • Identify methods and projects to increase footfall to town centre and local historic attractions;
  • Monitor footfall data for developing and reporting on NTE strategy and activities, with a focus on developing KPIs that benchmark NTE performance;
  • Continually work to identify potential opportunities to further develop the night-time economy and formulate proposals to capitalise on same;
  • Responsibility for the annual renewal of the Purple Flag Award;
  • Delivering (in consultation with the Council and Sligo BID) on the programme as set out in the application for funding;
  • Such other duties as may be assigned from time to time;

Core Skills  

Candidate should have:

  • A relevant Third Level Qualification or substantial work experience in an area relevant to the Night-Time economy
  • Knowledge of proposed area in relation to the Night-Time Economy, including assets, gaps and opportunities;
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work across local structures and with diverse communities and different sectors operating in the NTE (including An Garda Síochána, Purple Flag NTE Team, Culture and Creativity Teams, Residents Associations, new Town Regeneration Officers; local Town Teams, );
  • Negotiation skills to liaise and manage competing interests in the NTE;
  • Knowledge of local and national structures and resources which NTE can access (i.e., local and national funding streams, local committees, etc.);
  • Report writing, strategic, organisational, funding application processes
  • Excellent IT and administration skills, including MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint;
  • Willingness to work outside of typical office hours as required to support full engagement with night-time industries.

Proven track record of experience at a senior level in at least one of the following:

  • Proven leadership and experience of working with and co-ordinating the activity of key stakeholders in the Night-Time Economy (this can include cultural and creative sectors – commercial and non-commercial, retailers, residents and local and national government where applicable);
  • Communications, public relations or marketing;
  • NTE/cultural/creative event or project management;
  • Digital Media: including demonstrable knowledge of the value and use of social media and emerging technologies in making the NTE accessible to wider audiences.

It would be preferable if candidates had:

  • Knowledge of the current licensing laws and planning and development system and key national policies and strategies affecting the Night-Time Economy.
  • Ability to demonstrate knowledge and/or experience of equalities and diversity issues.

Sligo BID is an equal opportunities employer.

Interview:

Candidates will be assessed at interview under the competencies provided.

Duration:

Fixed Term 16 months – Wholetime Post

Probation:

There shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation for six months, with assessments during the probationary period. Sligo BID, at their discretion, can extend such a period.

Renumeration:

Salary scale: €55,847 – €71,529 per annum, inclusive of LSIs. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point (currently €55,847).

Hours of Duty

Due to the nature of the role, the holder is expected to be flexible about evening and weekend work for which overtime will not be paid but time-off-in-lieu will be available.

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty five hours working week, hours may vary from time to time.

Annual Leave

30 days per annum.

Outside Employment

The position is whole-time, and the employee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Location

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. The position will be based out of Sligo BID office, located on O’Connell Street in Sligo Town.

 

Application Process

Completed application forms can be emailed directly to gail@sligobid.ie. An official application form must be completed in full by the closing date for the competition. Please note that amendments to the application form will not be accepted after the closing date. CVs will not be accepted in lieu of an application form. Please send your application from an e-mail address that you will review regularly as communication during the assessment/selection period will only be through that e-mail address. Please also ensure that you regularly review your spam/junk email folder as occasionally your email service provider may direct emails to that folder.

Closing Date

5pm Friday, 12th April 2024.

Download Job Application Form
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