Vacancies
A great organisation in which to share your skills and creativity
Would you like to come and work for the North’s leading literature development agency and play a part in supporting great projects such as the Northern Writers’ Awards, Durham Book Festival and our award-winning work with young people? We’d love to hear from you.
About New Writing North
Recognised as a leader in our field, New Writing North has produced nationally significant work from a base in Newcastle upon Tyne since 1996.
We lead the development of new writing and creative reading in the North of England, working with writers in the North East, Yorkshire and the North West and connecting them to opportunities. We are proud to be a charity and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. We have a turnover of £1m, with 65% of that generated from earned and fundraised income.
We believe that talent is everywhere, but that opportunities are not, and that it is our job to create opportunities. We develop programmes and activities that support individuals and communities to engage with creative reading and writing both professionally and for pleasure. We help good writing find local, regional, national, and international audiences.
Our annual programme includes the management of major international literary prizes and awards; open-access and targeted talent development programmes; the production of festivals and events; international writing and translation projects; our young writers and community-based programmes; writing for wellbeing activities and the commissioning of new writing.
We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities that we serve. We encourage people from all sections of our community to apply for jobs with us. We particularly welcome Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, disabled, and LGBTQI applicants and those from lower socio-economic and working-class backgrounds.
Information for Candidates
Work at New Writing North
At its core, New Writing North’s work has two main goals: to encourage people to develop their own creativity through reading and writing, and to identify talent and support writers to fulfil their creative ambitions.
Please download our Work at NWN pack to learn more about:
- what we do at New Writing North
- our mission, vision and values
- our programme of work
- our organisational culture
Download the Work at NWN document here:
Work at NWN: PDF
Organisational structure
We’re a small organisation with a dedicated, creative team, supported by a great board of trustees.
Our Organisational Chart shows the current structure of New Writing North. Coming soon
Location
New Writing North is based in central Newcastle upon Tyne.
We are currently operating a hybrid working model, with staff generally spending 60% of their working week in the office and 40% working from home.
Holidays and benefits
Staff at New Writing North benefit from the following terms:
• 25 days’ holiday allowance, plus statutory bank holidays (pro
rata’d for part-time posts)
• Flexible working
• Contributory pension scheme
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Access to free, confidential practical and emotional support
via The Printing Charity
• Cycle to work scheme
• Corporate Metro Season Ticket.
Current Vacancies
Senior Projects Manager (A Writing Chance)
Salary: £28,922 – £39,250 pro rata (please note appointments are usually made at the start of the pay band), three days a week until end of December 2025.
This new post within the New Writing North team will lead the management and delivery of the A Writing Chance project and associated initiatives in the field of access, equality, and opportunity within the writing industries. This is a creative and strategic role for an experienced leader in publishing/ the arts/creative industries who is determined to make a difference, both to individual writers and the wider industry.
The postholder will work closely with the Chief Executive to deliver the project and to support the participants, project partners and sponsors and to grow the project into a core ongoing part of New Writing North’s work, identifying new partnerships, resources, and supporters to enable sustainability.
Alongside this project you will work on other related projects as they arise and support the research and communications agendas.
Apply below by 12 noon, Wednesday 3 January 2024
Job description and person spec
How to apply
To apply for the post, you will be asked to upload:
- Your CV (no more than two pages)
- A supporting statement (no more than two pages)\
- Details of two referees.
Your statement should outline why you are a suitable candidate for the post and how your skills and experience align with those detailed in the person specification.
Please note that New Writing North uses a blind shortlisting process, so you will need to make sure your name does not appear on these documents.
Apply here 12 noon, Wednesday 3 January 2024
Please also complete the anonymous Equality Monitoring form here
Key dates
- Meet the Team event (optional): Tuesday 19 December 2023, 11am – 12pm, book here
- Deadline for applications: 12 noon, Wednesday 3 January 2024
- Candidates notified of interview: by EOD Wednesday 10 January 2024
- Interviews: Thursday 18 January 2024Please note that applications received after 12 noon on Wednesday 3 January 2024 will not be considered.
Meet the Team
We have an optional opportunity to meet some of the team before the deadline date. At this informal Zoom event you will also be able to find out more about New Writing North’s work and ask any questions you may have about the role.
Tuesday 19 December 2023, 11am – 12pm, book here
Contact
Contact [email protected] with any questions about the roles and we will direct your query to the relevant staff member.
* Please note that the New Writing North office will close at 4pm on Friday 22 December 2023, reopening at 9am on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
Programme Manager (Talent Development)
Salary: £24,638 – £29,994 pro rata (please note appointments are usually made at the start of the pay band), four days a week, permanent.
New Writing North is recognised nationally for our writer development programmes, and we’re looking for an experienced Manager to join our small but busy team. The ideal candidate will be skilled in developing writers or artists at all stages of their careers, and will be excited about the opportunity to apply their experience to supporting writers across the North. They will have an excellent knowledge of contemporary writing across forms and be adept at managing partnerships and programming activity and events.
The postholder will manage programme and activities and provide support to NWN’s writer development schemes, including the Northern Writers’ Awards and our partnership with Channel 4. They will provide bespoke development support to novelists, poets, screenwriters, and other writers; manage the selection processes for awards programmes; and identify initiatives which engage people from under-represented backgrounds in writing development.
They will plan and deliver events and workshops (online and in-person); support the Senior Programme Manager (Talent Development) on the delivery of existing, and the creation of new initiatives; and offer administrative support across NWN’s wider programme.
Apply below by 12 noon, Wednesday 3 January 2024
Job description and person spec
How to apply
To apply for the post, you will be asked to upload:
- Your CV (no more than two pages)
- A supporting statement (no more than two pages)\
- Details of two referees.
Your statement should outline why you are a suitable candidate for the post and how your skills and experience align with those detailed in the person specification.
Please note that New Writing North uses a blind shortlisting process, so you will need to make sure your name does not appear on these documents.
Apply here 12 noon, Wednesday 3 January 2024
Please also complete the anonymous Equality Monitoring form here
Key dates
- Meet the Team event (optional): Wednesday 20 December 2023, 11am – 12pm, book here
- Deadline for applications: 12 noon, Wednesday 3 January 2024
- Candidates notified of interview: by EOD Wednesday 17 January 2024
- Interviews: Late January 2024Please note that applications received after 12 noon on Wednesday 3 January 2024 will not be considered.
Meet the Team
We have an optional opportunity to meet some of the team before the deadline date. At this informal Zoom event you will also be able to find out more about New Writing North’s work and ask any questions you may have about the role.
Wednesday 20 December 2023, 11am – 12pm, book here
Contact
Contact [email protected] with any questions about the roles and we will direct your query to the relevant staff member.
* Please note that the New Writing North office will close at 4pm on Friday 22 December 2023, reopening at 9am on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
Manager (Events and Programme)
Salary: £24,638 – £29,994, (please note appointments are usually made at the start of the pay band), full time, permanent
Are you passionate about reading, with an excellent knowledge of contemporary literature and publishing, meticulous organisational skills, and a great sense of what makes a brilliant literary event? Would you love to be part of the team that brings high profile authors and exciting new talent to audiences in the North East?
We are looking for a Manager to work on our programme of in-person and digital events, from generating ideas to booking authors and venues, as well as managing projects and commissions involving writers, communities and other partners which support NWN’s Festivals and Events Strategy.
The Manager (Events and Programme) will develop and manage specific projects and events within this strategy and also support the Senior Manager (Festival and Events) with running Durham Book Festival and other large-scale events and programmes.
They will also support income generation via fundraising and partnership development and audience development for the programmes in line with the Festivals and Events Strategy.
Apply below by 12 noon, Wednesday 3 January 2024
Job description and person spec
How to apply
To apply for the post, you will be asked to upload:
- Your CV (no more than two pages)
- A supporting statement (no more than two pages)\
- Details of two referees.
Your statement should outline why you are a suitable candidate for the post and how your skills and experience align with those detailed in the person specification.
Please note that New Writing North uses a blind shortlisting process, so you will need to make sure your name does not appear on these documents.
Apply here by 12 noon, Wednesday 3 January 2024
Please also complete the anonymous Equality Monitoring form here
Key dates
- Meet the Team event (optional): Friday 15 December 2023, 11am – 12pm, book here
- Deadline for applications: 12 noon, Wednesday 3 January 2024
- Candidates notified of interview: by EOD Wednesday 17 January 2024
- Interviews: Late January 2024Please note that applications received after 12 noon on Wednesday 3 January 2024 will not be considered.
Meet the Team
We have an optional opportunity to meet some of the team before the deadline date. At this informal Zoom event you will also be able to find out more about New Writing North’s work and ask any questions you may have about the role.
Friday 15 December 2023, 11am – 12pm, book here
Contact
Contact [email protected] with any questions about the roles and we will direct your query to the relevant staff member.
* Please note that the New Writing North office will close at 4pm on Friday 22 December 2023, reopening at 9am on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
Call out for Newbiggin Hall Estate Artist in Residence (freelance role)
Fee £7500 (based on 30 days @ £250 per day over six months from January – June 2024)
New Writing North have been working in Newbiggin Hall Estate in the Outer West of Newcastle since 2022. We are working alongside community partners and organisations in the area to deliver creative activity for adults and young people. We have spent time listening, starting conversations, exploring what community means and discussing themes of place and belonging. Residents have been sharing memories, stories and experiences of life in the area. We have been hearing about the changing landscape and meaning of ‘community’ for residents.
Based on our work so far, we would like to commission an Artist in Residence for Newbiggin Hall Estate. We are looking for someone who can spend time developing these conversations, getting to know more people and incorporate these stories in an artwork that will be presented at a one-day community event in Summer 2024.
Apply below by 12 noon, Monday 8 January 2024
Read the brief
How to apply
To apply for the post, you will be asked to upload:
- A covering letter of no more than 2 sides of A4 which tell us about your practice, your experience working with communities, and how you will approach this residency project
- A CV of no more than 2 sides of A4 detailing your professional skills and experience
- Two references who can speak to your ability to perform the role (we will take up references if we offer you the role).If you would prefer, as an alternative to the written covering letter, you may record a voice note or video version that is no longer than 5 minutes. Please upload this to a platform where you can share it (eg Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube) and then include the link in the application form.Please note that New Writing North uses a blind shortlisting process, so you will need to make sure your name does not appear on these documents and audio or video submissions are anonymised.Apply here by 12 noon, Monday 8th January 2024.Please also complete the anonymous Equality Monitoring form here
Key dates
Apply by 12 noon, Monday 8th January 2024.
Interviews to be held in Newbiggin Hall Estate in the week commencing January 22nd, the interview panel will include a member of the community as well as NWN staff.
Contact
If you have any questions or would like to talk further before applying, please contact Tess Denman-Cleaver, Senior Programme Manager at [email protected].
* Please note that the New Writing North Young People & Communities office will close at 4pm on Wednesday 20 December 2023, reopening at 9am on Thursday 4 January 2024.
Call for Expressions of interest – freelance writer facilitators of colour
New Writing North’s Young Writers and Communities programme includes in-depth schools’ work, open access creative writing groups, summer sessions and short-term projects, including community-based work. As our work has expanded, we are putting out a call for creative writing facilitators of colour to add to our list of contacts in the North East. If you are interested, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
