Opportunity: Creative Community Space Coordinator (Maternity Cover)

Creative Community Space Coordinator

Maternity Cover 9 months contract April - December 2026

The Old School House, Boscombe

We are looking for the right person to join us at an exciting time in the redevelopment of The Old School House, (TOSH), our non-profit creative community space based in Boscombe. In 2026, we will merge with BEAF Arts, launch our new artists’ studios and continue to develop the building as a thriving community hub and hire space. 

In this maternity cover position, you will work alongside our small, dedicated team to assist in bringing about these changes. The role would suit someone who enjoys being at the heart of a busy, friendly community and helping others feel welcome. The role will include overseeing and developing the hires of our facilities, as well as coordinating the day-to-day tasks of running the building to make it accessible and open to all. 

If you feel you have the skills for nurturing and growing our unique space, and you have a love for connecting and communicating with the community, then this is the job for you.

Salary: Pro Rata £26,500, 10 hours per week, including occasional evenings and weekends. Flexible working hours to be agreed with the successful candidate.

Place of Work: The Old School House, Gladstone Road, Boscombe, BH7 6BG

Post Holder Responsibilities

To support the team in developing TOSH as an accessible and welcoming space for all, growing and administering hires while overseeing the day-to-day running and front-of-house management of the building.

Hires Development:

1. Coordinate the development and administration of our facilities, overseeing and increasing hires for business and community use
2. Handle enquiries, correspondence, and maintaining the booking calendar for all hires
3. Produce  the paperwork required for bookings, including confirmations, payment schedules and documentation for payments
4. Upload event information onto the website, preparing and checking copy
5. Grow our business and community contacts, increasing outreach and facility hire
6. Support the team in the promotion of facilities, providing copy and content for marketing and communications

Front of House Duties:

7. Oversee the day-to-day use of our hire spaces
8. Act as the first point of contact for online and in-person enquiries for hire, providing a warm and informed level of care

Building Administration:

9. Oversee meeting room and hire space use, including furniture and equipment, tech requirements and catering needs
10. Coordinate general administration of the building requirements, ordering office and kitchen supplies
11. Help to ensure the building is clean and tidy, and maintenance issues are addressed with BCP Council or other contractors
12. Assist in fulfilling requirements for the health and safety of the building and its users, undertaking regular equipment checks, fire tests, risk assessments and liaising with BCP Council for inspections and maintenance visits
13. Support the team in the opening and closing of the building, and self check-ins for hirers
14. Comply with all company policies and procedures

Person Specification:

We are looking for someone who brings relatable experience, but we will also provide training where additional skills are required. We don’t need you to meet every requirement listed below - we’re interested in potential as well as experience. In your application, please tell us what experience you bring and where you might need additional support.

Work related experience

• Work in a similar or related creative business/community environment
• Excellent communication skills, experience working with the public
• Understanding of the day-to-day administration of a building for public use
• Copywriting skills with good use of language across a range of media
• Computer literate, comfortable with Word and Excel
• Website editing

• Awareness of relevant data protection and GDPR

Personal experience

• An enthusiasm for and interest in the arts
• Knowledge of the local area and its community

• Comfortable connecting with a wide and diverse audience
• Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines

How to Apply

To apply, please send us:

1. A statement about yourself and how you fit this job role (maximum 1 side of A4)
2. Your CV (maximum 2 sides of A4) 
3. Names and contact details of 2 referees (referees will not be contacted prior to interview)
4. Start date if offered the role - our ideal is week commencing 30th March 2026

We’re committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, and we’re happy to discuss access needs, flexible working, or adjustments at any stage of the process.

Closing Date for Applications: Monday 16th February 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 24th / Friday 27th February 2026

Applications should be sent to: carol.maund@recreatedorset.co.uk

If you would like to discuss the post prior to applying, please send an email to the above contact or phone 07908 065356.

About Us

The Old School House first opened its doors as a creative space in 2014 providing a resource for the growing number of creative businesses looking for a space to work in the local area.  Originally built as the Boscombe British and Foreign School, this beautiful Grade II listed building dates back to 1878 when the foundation stone was laid by Sir Percy Florence Shelley, the son of Mary Shelley, who owned Boscombe Manor.

As both artist studios and community hire spaces, the building is also used for wider cultural activities, including our arts career support workshops, in-house community programmes and partnerships.  This is all part of our longer-term vision to support our growing network of local artists and to support and engage with our wider community.  

The Old School House is managed by a charitable trust, Recreate Dorset, who also manage 11 shared ownership properties on the same site, providing affordable homes for local people. The site also includes our community garden, which was opened in 2024.

The Old School House is run by a small part time team, led by the Director and overseen by the Board of Trustees, operating as a charity and company limited by guarantee.