ITMA, The Irish Traditional Music Archive/Taisce Cheol Dúchais Éireann, is the national public reference archive and resource centre for the traditional song, instrumental music and dance of Ireland.

For further details please consult the relevant sections of the ITMA website www.itma.ie

Post of Director of ITMA

A vacancy for the position of Director of the Archive will arise in August/September 2019. The Board of ITMA therefore wishes to appoint a new Director to lead and develop the work of the organisation, building on the success and achievements of the last 31 years. This full-time position will be based at ITMA, 73 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.

This is an important cultural leadership role, reporting to the Board, encompassing responsibility for the overall management of ITMA’s full range of operations and its resources and finances, including premises, collections and staff at Merrion Square and satellite locations; maintaining existing sources of funding and implementing a process which will identify and exploit new opportunities for diversification of funding. The incoming Director will represent ITMA publicly and maintain relationships with principal stakeholders encompassing the Irish traditional music community worldwide, national and international funding agencies including both Arts Councils in Ireland, RTÉ, TG4, archives, libraries, universities and others. The Director therefore will:

• Be a credible and influential voice for ITMA;
• Demonstrate a deep understanding and knowledge of Irish traditional music;
• Show capacity to provide coherent vision, leadership and strategic direction for the organisation’s next phase of development;
• Have experience of being an effective networker, persuader and builder of alliances with public and private sector organisations within Ireland and elsewhere;
• Have an established track record of team management.

Person specification

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• A sound understanding of the purpose, role and work of ITMA or a similar organisation;
• Familiarity with the core materials of Irish traditional music within Ireland and elsewhere;
• Evidence of a significant involvement in, or engagement with, Irish traditional music;  
• Familiarity with the cultural/arts infrastructure within which ITMA operates in Ireland, and/or relevant knowledge of comparable cultural/arts structures elsewhere;
• The ability to lead and manage a professional team;
• Competence in spoken and written Irish;
• An understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from the impact of digital technologies on music and archival repositories;
• Third level qualification in one of the following, or a related/equivalent area: library studies, archive studies, digital technology, music, Irish traditional music, management, organisational development, business studies, Irish studies.

The following skills and experience would be an advantage:

• Demonstrable knowledge of the relevant national and international archive and library landscape
• Performance history in Irish traditional music
• Publications history in Irish traditional music
• Musical literacy
• Editorial experience including web/digital media publication processes
• Significant experience of project management including budget management and team leadership.

Terms etc.: contract of employment; six-month probation period; an initial 3 year term which may be extended; salary will be in the range €69, 278 to 85,990 gross per annum; the post is based at the ITMA offices in Dublin; a modest contribution towards relocation expenses may be offered.

Application

The Board of ITMA has authorised a Succession Committee to manage the selection/interview process on behalf of the Board. Deadline for applications will be 17th April 2019. The application will comprise:

(i) A personal statement that describes a vision for the future of ITMA, identifies priorities, and highlights both opportunities and challenges for the next phase in ITMA’s development;  

(ii) A Curriculum Vitae, and

(iii) Names and contact details of two referees.

Applications, by email only, should be submitted to the Chairman, Mr Brian Montague, [email protected]

Interviews

Shortlisting will apply. Interviews will take place during May 2019. Shortlisted candidates will be required to make a presentation of no more than 10 minutes duration. The presentation should focus on the applicant’s future vision for ITMA, and describe how he/she will lead ITMA towards the realisation of the next stage of its development.

At the Board’s discretion, a candidate may be called for a second or subsequent interview.

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