A registered charity, the Stephen Spender Trust was established in 1997 to widen appreciation of the literary legacy of Stephen Spender and his contemporaries and to promote literary translation. The Trust’s activities include the annual Stephen Spender Prize, in association with the Guardian; Translators in Schools, a professional development programme that also offers public-facing translation events; and occasional talks, seminars and readings. The current Director, Suzanne Joinson, is stepping down to take up an academic role.

Essential attributes/experience
• enthusiasm for the aims and objectives of the Trust
• knowledge of UK and international poetry and literary sector
• interest in literary translation
• project and event management
• financial management and budgeting
• fundraising/applying for grants
• excellent written and oral communication skills

Desirable skills/experience
• general knowledge about Spender and his circle
• strategic planning
• project initiation
• compliance with charity law
• marketing and publicity

The new Director will be expected to continue the Trust’s existing activities and initiate any others that meet the charity’s objectives and are approved by the trustees. There is a great deal of flexibility in the job – its remit and the terms of employment – and the trustees are very much open to suggestions from shortlisted candidates, who will be expected to have thought about the future development of the Trust.

The post is part-time. The new Director will be expected to devote an average of eight days a month to the job (projects can be arranged to give busy and less busy times of year), and there is potential to do more if the Trust’s activities grow. A freelancer assists with book-keeping and administration.

The appointment is initially for a probationary period of one year, at a salary of £14,400 for two days per week (pro-rata of a full-time salary of £36,000). Further fundraising for future salary will be required. The Director is expected to provide his or her own workspace – the Trust has no office and no plans to buy or rent one – and although there is no geographical requirement, she or he should be able to get to London for meetings and events. Office expenses will be reimbursed, as will travel expenses up to an agreed amount per annum.

Deadline: Monday 5 February 2018. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place on Tuesday 20 February in central London.

To apply, please email sj@stephenspender.org with an up-to-date CV, the contact details of two referees, and a covering letter that explains why you are interested in the role and demonstrates that you have the necessary attributes and experience.

For an informal and confidential conversation about the role, please email sj@stephenspender.org to arrange a time to speak to the current Director of the Trust, Suzanne Joinson, or to the one of the Trustees, Jonathan Barker