The Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) at The Place is part of the Department for Education’s national Music and Dance Scheme (MDS). Established as one of a network of specialist dance centres, CAT was co-founded by The Place to provide high-quality training for talented young dancers aged 11 to 18. Through the MDS grant scheme, the programme supports up to 130 young people each year, giving them access to professional dance training that prepares them for progression into higher education, vocational dance pathways, and related fields of study. CAT serves as a key pathway into London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS) and reports into the LCDS Senior Management Team.

As part of its responsibilities under the Music and Dance Scheme, the CAT programme reports regularly to the Department for Education. The Place also operates a distinctive subcontracting arrangement with the National Centre for Circus Arts, further broadening the opportunities available to students. The programme runs on an annual cycle and includes evening and weekend training, outreach activity, and intensive artistic projects.

JOB OVERVIEW

As part of its contractual agreement with the Department for Education, the CAT programme must meet reporting deadlines and prepare thoroughly for audits of both The Place’s contract and its subcontract with the National Centre for Circus Arts. As a member of a national initiative, the CAT programme at The Place relies on the CAT Officer to deliver a high-quality service to the Department for Education, staff, students, and parents. The post holder plays a central role in ensuring the smooth operation and efficient administration of the programme.

To provide a high-quality service, this post holder will take responsibility for the efficient running of administrative and data systems and procedures on the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) Programme.

The student lifecycle includes:

•  Outreach and recruitment through schools, Open Days and Admissions Workshops.
• Enrolment and induction at start of the academic year.
• Artistic intensives – occurring annually October, Easter and the Summer Show.
• Progression – supporting the student journey relating to progression into Higher Education.

This post holder works closely with the CAT Senior Programme Manager, Assistant Manager and Trainee to ensure that the department operates effectively according to The Place policies, systems and procedures and ensures compliance in the following areas:

1. Operations and Administration including Data Management.

2. Finance including audit.

3. HR - Contracts and Payroll.

Attends:

• CAT Team meetings & Business Partnering meetings

• Space Meeting

• Safeguarding Committee 

• Education and Participation Cross Organisation Meeting (deputising as required)

SALARY & CONTRACT TERMS

SALARY

The salary for this position is £32,823 per annum.

Salaries are reviewed in August each year when any cost-of-living increases are made. No salary changes are made until after successful completion of a probationary period.

CONTRACT TERMS

This is a 12-month, fixed-term contract. This is a full-time position (equivalent to 40 hours per week), including in-person Tuesday evenings and Saturdays during term time. These hours are inclusive of a one-hour paid lunch break each day. Your hours of work will be agreed with the line manager.

Whilst in the six-month probationary period the notice period will be two weeks. Once this period is successfully completed the post holder will be confirmed in the post and the notice period will be six weeks.

Please note, this post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

CLOSING DATE

The application closing date is Thu 09 Oct 2025 at 12:00pm (noon).We reserve the right to close applications early depending on the volume of applications we receive and so we advise it is better to apply early.

For an informal chat about this role to answer any questions you may have before applying, please email Vicky Evans, CAT Senior Manager.

INTERVIEW DATES

We anticipate that interviews will be conducted on Wed 15 Oct 2025 either in person at The Place or remotely via Microsoft Teams (or similar platform as necessary). Interview dates may be subject to change.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
KNOWLEDGE

• Familiarity with GDPR and Data Protection regulations.

SKILLS

• Understanding of financial systems and good numeracy skills. 
• Outstanding organisation skills. 
• Aptitude for building and developing administrative systems. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, databases and online systems.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Dance or Creative Arts Degree. 
• Experience of working in an administrative role.

ATTRIBUTES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals at all levels. 
• Ability to manage and prioritise workloads effectively to ensure deadlines are met.
• An understanding and interest in dance education, specifically with young people.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA
KNOWLEDGE

• Training in data handling/ GDPR.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience of working in an education setting.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION (INCLUDING DATA MANAGEMENT)

• Responsible for developing administrative systems which help improve efficiencies in relation to student experience – from recruitment, induction, expenses, project activity and evaluation.
• Lead on the creation of the CAT termly schedules liaising with internal stakeholders (via Space meetings) to book studios in line with the organisation booking cycles and ensure these are issued in a timely manner to all team members, CAT parents and students.
• Coordinate with the team to produce risk assessments in relation to key projects and activities.
• Regularly liaise and brief the Visitor Services team to ensure all activities operate efficiently and effectively with the opening hours and catering services in support of the CAT student experience.
• Lead on environmental reporting for the CAT team to the Resources Environment and Projects team.
• Act as minute taker for team, student and cross organisation meetings
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of student records to support the smooth running of the programme.
• Be responsible for the gathering, collation and monitoring of data in support of the MDS grant e.g., socio-economic background of CAT students (IMD, attendance, grant status, progression and impact e.g., alumni.
• Work with the CAT team, Development Team, and Comms to collate data in support of profiling the impact of CAT, building the case for support for funding and to improve outreach, access, and progression for all students.
• Ensure all data is stored and, where required, deleted in line with GDPR and other data protection regulations.
• Ensue appropriate archiving of documentation and maintaining efficient filing systems and processes.
• Prepare evaluation surveys for the CAT Programme as required in conjunction with the CAT Senior Programme Manager.
• Support any data-led projects to help improve organisation-wide efficiency whilst ensuring full compliance with policies, procedures and legislation.

BUSINESS PARTNERING: FINANCE(INCLUDING AUDIT)

• Support the CAT Senior Programme Manager and Finance team to support the production and review financial reports to facilitate accurate budget forecasting.
• Support the CAT Senior Programme Manager and Finance team to complete data entry in support of means testing of all CAT students, liaising with families to ensure all records are accurate.
• Support the CAT Senior Programme Manager and Finance team to prepare documents for the MDS audit and to build and develop processes in reconciling and adjusting parental income as appropriate.
• Prepare and submit annual reconciliations and reporting to the MDS to ensure correct remittance of grants.
• In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager and Student Finance calculate, administer and record student expenses reimbursements in line with budget forecasts. (travel, external and internal classes, dancewear, theatre trips, accommodation, other income, petty cash, and midweek associates).

BUSINESS PARTNERING: HR (INCLUDING CONTRACTS AND PAYROLL)

• In partnership with HR, draft and issue relevant casual staff contracts in line with The Place’s policies and procedures.
• Ensure full adherence to The Place’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Safeguarding Policies.
• With the HR Officer, ensure all the correct onboarding of new staff and the continuing professional development training of existing staff.
• Compile the monthly payroll submission ensuring that payroll is informed of staff resignations and leavers from the CAT team in a timely manner.
• In conjunction with the CAT team, source cover for teachers, musicians and TA’s.

SAFEGUARDING AND COMPLIANCE

• Act as DSO (Designated Safeguarding Officer) where appropriate following the safeguarding policy on reporting procedures.
• Organise accommodation and chaperones for intensives.
• Oversee departmental Risk Assessments are correctly held and up to date, ensuring timely reviews in line with Safeguarding policy updates.
• Ensure relevant training is up to date for chaperones and casual staff.
• Responsible for assisting with the evacuation procedure.
• Attend Place wide meetings adhering to policy, health and safety, security as when required.
• Ensuring that the health and safety legislation is adhered to, including the completion of the accident book, the correct reporting procedure of accidents and incidents via the Cloud App and any other health and safety requirements to be carried out in line with The Place’s policies.

OTHER

• Evening, weekend and intensive activities in support of the programme as required.
• Any other duties as may be reasonably required by the CAT Senior Programme Manager.

HEADER PHOTO CREDIT

Peggy Hawkins Gala | 2025 | Photo by Henry Curtis