Office Manager Position Description

 

WAGGA WAGGA WRITERS WRITERS Inc.
Booranga Writers’ Centre
Locked Bag 588
Charles Sturt University
Wagga Wagga  NSW  2678
Phone/Fax: 02 6933 2688
E-mail: booranga@csu.edu.au

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
TITLE:  Office Manager

REPORTS TO:       
Director, Booranga Writers’ Centre. 

Both the Director and the Office Manager report to the Executive Committee of Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc.

LOCAL BACKGROUND/ENVIRONMENT:

Wagga Wagga Writers Writers (WWWW) has been in operation for more than thirty years, becoming incorporated in 1993.  During that time, WWWW has coordinated an annual series of workshops and readings by visiting writers from a diverse range of writing styles and genres, including poetry, prose, non-fiction, journalism and performance.
Booranga Writers’ Centre is a century-old weatherboard cottage backing into a boulder-strewn hill and overlooking Charles Sturt University’s olive grove and winery, and farm land near Wagga Wagga.  Situated on the campus of CSU, ten kilometres north of the city, Booranga is the result of collaboration between Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc., Charles Sturt University and Create NSW.  The cottage has been renovated and divided into two self-contained, fully serviced residential units, plus office and workshop space for the activities of WWWW.

Booranga, a name coined to invoke local historic significance, was the first Writers’ Centre in regional NSW to be supported by Create NSW.
As well as being the administrative centre for WWWW and its imprint fourW press, Booranga provides a permanent focus for writing and writers throughout the Riverina, linking them with writers around Australia.  It is an information centre and meeting place for local writers.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deal with incoming & outgoing correspondence.
• Prepare reports, press releases, promotional material, newsletters and other documentation as directed.
• Maintain a current database of members and other interested persons/contacts.
• Monitor the Writers’ Centre answering machine, record messages and forward as necessary, or use initiative to respond to enquiries, where appropriate.
• Use book-keeping skills and computerised accounting to record monies received, maintain petty cash records, monthly financial statements, prepare invoices as directed and handle the banking and wages.
• Co-ordinate the bookings for Booranga’s workshop space and arrange catering as required.
• Maintain supplies of stationery, refreshment supplies and other equipment required for the efficient operation of the Writers’ Centre and its activities.
• Prepare agendas and present financial reports for monthly meetings of the executive of Wagga Wagga Writers Writers. These meetings are held in the evening and the time spent at the meetings is counted in the number of hours worked. 
  
•  Maintain filing system.
  
• Receive, record and respond to submissions for fourW, Wagga Wagga Writers Writers’ annual anthology of new writing and assist with the preparation and distribution of the manuscript of this anthology.
•  Liaise with members of WWWW Executive and support visiting writers at Booranga.
  

 
 
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
 
Essential:

• Office management skills
• Computing skills - competent in the use of Microsoft Office suite.
• Excellent spelling and grammar.
• Current driver’s licence and use of own transport.
• Ability to work unsupervised and to prioritise own workload.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines as required.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Well developed communication skills - both written and oral.

 
Desirable:

• Knowledge of or interest in writing and the arts.
• Ability to liaise with local media outlets and visiting writers.
• Ability to use database applications.
• Familiarity & connections with not-for-profit organisations.
• Experience in writing grant applications, including budgeting.
• A sense of humour.

 
KEY INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
The position holder has contact with the following people and groups:

• The Director, Executive Committee and members of Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc.
• CSU Finance.
• Create NSW.
• Officers and members of local and national writers’ groups and arts organisations.
• Media outlets
• CSU academic and administrative support staff.
• Members of the community and community-based organisations.
• Visiting writers and writers-in-residence.
• Suppliers of goods and services to the Writers’ Centre.

 
HOURS REQUIRED:
1 day per week - time and day to be negotiated with the Director
 
REMUNERATION:
Dependent upon relevant skills and experience. The position is funded by Create NSW.
 
Email APPLICATIONS, with cover letter, appropriate resumé and names and contact details of two referees TO:
David Gilbey
President, Booranga Writers’ Centre
president@booranga.com

Applications must be received by 5pm on: Wednesday 6 January, 2021