WELCOME

Thank you for your interest in the voluntary role of Board Member with imitating the dog productions (ITD). 

The ITD Board are the ‘guardians and conscience of the company’ as well as critical friends and advocates, making sure we perform to our best artistically, legally and financially. It’s an exciting time to join us as we develop our plans for the next 5 years of the company.

We are looking to expand our brilliant Board, by welcoming some new people who are excited by the work we do, and who want to come on a journey with us. 

We want people who can further strengthen our Board and support us by championing our work, helping to steer the company as it develops, sharing their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm. 

At the moment, we are particularly keen to hear from enthusiastic individuals with skills in one or more of the following areas: fundraising, HR, legal expertise, business expertise, artistic practice.

We recognise that our current Board would be strengthened if we had more diverse voices at the table. Our aim is to have a Board which is diverse and representative. We fully recognise that young people are vital to this. To this end, we are reserving two Board Member positions to be filled by young people (aged 18-25).

We want everyone who believes they can contribute to imitating the dog’s development to feel welcome to apply to be a Board Member. It is our responsibility to make the application process accessible, and to give you the information you need to decide whether you might be suitable. If you require the pack or any further information in a different format, or have any questions before you apply, please get in touch.

ABOUT IMITATING THE DOG

“multimedia daredevils” – The Times

imitating the dog (ITD) has been creating and touring memorable, original performance work since 1998. Pete Brooks, Andrew Quick and Simon Wainwright are the Artistic Directors and their work has built a company with a unique reputation in the UK, Europe and internationally.

imitating the dog creates outstanding work that challenges and connects with audiences, bringing high-end video design and thematic ambition to audiences, both in theatre spaces and outdoor spaces.  

For 25 years our work has been seen across the world, at venues, and also at outdoor festivals and events, seen by hundreds of thousands of people.

Recent theatre tours include All Blood Runs Red (2025), Frankenstein (2024), Macbeth (2023) and Dracula: The Untold Story (2021), while projection works include Arrivals and Departures (City of Culture, Hull), Follow Me Into (Bartholomew Fair, London), the ‘Otherham’ Winter Light Festival and All Change, the opening event for S&DR200 Festival.

Engagement is at the heart of the company’s ethos. The company often initiates, tests and shares its creative process and technological expertise with students and early-career practitioners.

imitating the dog is an Arts Council England national portfolio organisation. 

“imitating the dog is still, to me, one of the UK’s most interesting companies”, The Observer 

“multiplatform theatre-makers of rare ambition and invention” The Guardian

“Staggeringly ingenious,” The Times 

The ITD Board

The ITD Board is led by David Dolan Martin (Chair)

What is the Time Commitment?

The full Board meets quarterly. Additional meetings for the full Board are added up to twice per year, as extraordinary meetings or Away Days.

For Board Members who opt to sit on one of the Sub-Groups, an additional attendance of 4 sub-group meetings per year should be expected. 

Meetings

All full Board meeting are held in person, in the northwest, with an option to join in online via zoom. Sub-group meetings are shorter and are held virtually. 

All Board Members should commit to preparing for meetings sufficiently, which will require reading documents in advance, in order to discuss them as a Board. 

Board Member Duties and Responsibilities

By joining the board, you would become a non-executive director of Imitating the Dog Productions, a company limited by guarantee, with charitable purpose. The Board Members have certain legal, financial and fiduciary duties. Even though many of these duties are delegated to staff, the Board must make clear decisions about such delegation. 

Board Members can serve for a maximum of 5 years. 

Skills requirements

The Board of ITD should comprise people who are not only able to fulfil the skills and knowledge requirements of the organisation but will also bring with them appropriate personal attributes to support the work of the company.

ITD acknowledges the need for the following expertise on its Board:

working in arts and culture, legal matters, media and marketing, management, fundraising, advocacy skills, fundraising, HR. Good business networks are also valued, as is lived experience, energy and enthusiasm.

The Board carries out a regular audit of its skills, so that we can recruit additional skills where necessary, and offer appropriate training to Board members.

ITD Board Member Duties and responsibilities include:

Legal and Financial Duties

To ensure the prudent financial management of the Company. 

To exercise financial control; to scrutinise financial statements; to discuss and decide on annual budgets and to review and, if required, approve revised budgets. To decide on and, if needed, assist with grant applications.

To ensure the Company keeps proper accounts and that audited accounts are produced annually and submitted to Companies House and funding bodies.

To ensure the payment of taxes due to the Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise.

To appoint bankers and signatories and to make clear decisions about staff spending powers.

To ensure that the Company’s assets are safeguarded and are well managed and maintained.

To ensure that the Company is properly insured.

Employment and Personnel Duties

To appoint the Executive Director and Artistic Director(s).

To define the Company’s employment policies, including equal opportunities, recruitment, pay, grievance & disciplinary, appraisal, sickness, expenses, holidays and training. 

Ensure child/vulnerable adults protection policy/procedure are in place.

To approve the staffing structure and to take part in recruitment panels if required.

To agree the job descriptions, person specifications and terms of employment of Board appointments and the outline terms and conditions for other staff and to review levels of pay annually.

Policy and Planning

The Board defines Company policies, sets policy priorities and determines strategies for the implementation of the policies. In particular, the Board should discuss and decide on the Company’s annual business plan. All Directors should be familiar with all Company policy documents.

The Board should monitor all aspects of service delivery and policy implementation on a regular basis.

The Board should regularly review all areas of policy and policy implementation documents and make appropriate revisions. 

Advocacy

To promote ITD and its activities so as to enhance the company’s profile and assist with business development for the company.

To act as a listening post in order to provide any information which may be of assistance to the Company.

To act as an enthusiastic ambassador for the company at all times.

Management

To appoint additional Board Members with specialist knowledge and skills as required.

To create and maintain, when necessary, an adequate system of Sub-Groups, as required.

To establish fixed term working parties on specific issues if required.

Artistic

To approve ITD’s programme of activities, being satisfied that policy and other agreed priorities, as well as financial projections, will be met.

Attendance and Availability

Attend quarterly Board meetings plus any extraordinary meetings, and AGMs.

Attend performances where possible, and other key events run by ITD, such as promotional events.

Attend Sub-group or working party meetings if a member.

To provide advice and support to the senior staff, either by email, telephone or in person, if required.

ITD Young Board Members 

Young Board Members will be meaningfully engaged, inputting into and influencing the decision-making process on an equal footing. Young Board Members will be asked to commit a minimum of 1 year as a Board Member. However, they may stand for re-election at the end of that term. Young Board Members will be offered additional mentoring and support during their time with ITD, through a bespoke package of support which will be tailored to the needs and interests of the Young Board Member.

What are the Benefits of being a Board Member?

Being a Board Member should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. 

We hope that you will benefit through:

• Being part of a lively, dynamic team, making considered decisions collaboratively and contributing to the development of the imitating the dog
• Gaining experience and learning new skills
• Gaining insight into how others work, as individuals and in different sectors
• Making good contacts, growing your professional network
• Being able to use your skills and experience to support imitating the dog and its work
• Opportunities to participate in training sessions
• Opportunities to see imitating the dog productions

What Support Is Available? 

As a Board Member, you will be offered training and support to ensure you feel equipped in carrying out the role. 

All Board Members are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses such as travel costs.

Additional Support for Young Board Members

We recognise that, as a Young Board Member, this might be the first time you have sat on a Board. We will discuss with you how best to support you in your role and create a package of support. This may include, for example:  

• Training in any areas where we recognise that training would be helpful. 
• Mentoring and shadowing opportunities. 
• Additional meeting time / preparation time ahead of Board meetings.

Applying

If you are curious, and want to find out more, set up an informal chat with the Chair or another Board Member, by contacting Julie Brown, our Executive Director julie@imitatingthedog.co.uk

If you already know this is right for you, and are ready to make an application, send your CV and a letter outlining your interest to  julie@imitatingthedog.co.uk

ITD is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We positively encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. We welcome applications from anyone regardless of their disability status, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality and socio-economic background. Adjustments will be made to meet any access requirements you have. 

Should you choose to apply, as part of our ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, we ask that you complete a Diversity Monitoring Form. This survey is not linked to you and in no way affects your application to join the Board of ITD. We carry out this survey to check that we are reaching a diverse range of applicants. You can complete this form at this LINK

Next Steps & Key Dates

Applications should be received no later than 10am on Wednesday 30 April 2025.

All applicants will be contacted by 6 May 2025 whether they have been shortlisted or not.

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an informal zoom or phone meeting during May. 

Successful candidates will be invited as observers to an ITD board meeting in June. 

www.imitatingthedog.co.uk 

thedog@imitatingthedog.co.uk