Find out more about our Operations and Data Assistant role

New Writing North is currently recruiting for an Operations and Data Assistant. This is a busy, varied role within our small, creative team. In this blog post, we look at a few of the common questions we’ve received about the job, so that we can help you decide whether it’s one you’d like to apply for.   

What type of person is New Writing North (NWN) looking for to fill the role?  

We don’t have a type of person in mind, and we expect to get applications from quite a wide range of people. Some will be looking to develop their experience in arts administration, others will be particularly drawn to our work with writing and publishing, and others will be developing their careers within the charitable sector. For some candidates, this will be their first or second job, while others will have worked in administration for longer.  

There are certain qualities it will be helpful to have in this role. As we’re an organisation of only 21 people, you can expect a lot of variety in the tasks you do. There are a few points in the year when it really is ‘all hands-on deck’, and on a more regular basis you might be working with teams helping out with their programmes or supporting events. So, the ability to be adaptable and responsive to the changing needs of the organisation will really help you to thrive in this role.   

This position has a responsibility for data, which is essential in our reporting to funders and developing new fundraising applications. This means you will need to be meticulous with figures and quite happy to spend a few hours at a time immersed in a spreadsheet. As we’re setting up some new systems to collect and report on data, including a new CRM, you will need to be willing to get stuck in and work through potential problems. You will, of course, be supported in this by your line manager and other staff, but it’s likely to be a situation where we are all learning the systems at the same time, so it will help if you are comfortable with uncertainty and unfazed by new software.  

You will also be the first person that many visitors to NWN encounter, so you will have a friendly, open demeanour and, as you settle into the role, you will become confident to talk about NWN’s work and our mission.   

Will I be working with writers and manuscripts? 

At New Writing North, we work with writers in a variety of ways and as the first point of contact for phone calls, emails and visitors to the office, you will communicate with writers on a daily basis. You probably won’t be looking at manuscripts, at least not as a regular part of this role, but as you become more familiar with our work, and with training, you will be able to offer support to writers enquiring about our programmes and more generally looking for advice on aspects of their careers.  

There will also be opportunities to support at some of our events for writers, which often involves travelling to different towns across the north to meet new and aspiring writers and publishing professionals. You don’t need a background in writing to work as our Operations and Data Assistant, but if you are interested in writing, you will probably find this an enjoyable aspect of the job.  

How does this role fit within the wider team?  

This is a new role, which is pretty central to our whole team! You will be within the Finance and Operations team, line managed by the Director of Finance and Operations, but you’ll work very closely (and share an office) with the Communications and Development team. You will regularly deal with the Chief Executive and other Directors, particularly in welcoming their visitors, supporting with their calendars and booking meeting rooms and catering. You will meet and get to know our Board of Trustees. We have four small Programme Teams, and it’s likely you’ll work with them all in some capacity throughout the year – whether that is supporting Programme Managers to analyse the impact of their work, gathering evidence for fundraising applications, handling enquiries about their programmes, or helping out at events. So, you will work with pretty much everyone! 

You can find more information about the role here. The deadline for receiving applications is 9am on Thursday 20 July 2023. Please email [email protected] with any further questions.