Our Access workstream is focused on establishing Factory International as an exemplar of best practice for disability access, both digitally and in person, for everyone who works, visits or collaborates with us. Our Access team work strategically to embed accessibility as a core operational and creative principle across all areas of the organisation.

Get in touch with us at access@factoryinternational.org.

Our Audiences team consists of four areas: marketing and audiences, press and PR, digital content and design. Their main purpose is spreading the word about Factory International and its shows to different audiences across Greater Manchester, the UK and the wider world. This involves speaking to current audiences, but also building new connections with communities that may never have heard of Factory International before, making sure that people know we're here for everyone. They cover everything from raising our profile in the media, storytelling across our website and social media channels to promoting our free courses.

You can contact the team on audiences@factoryinternational.org.

Our Commercial and Development team are responsible for ensuring our work delivers financial sustainability and growth. This is done through a mix of commercial activity and fundraising which is reinvested into the ambitious work we produce here at Factory International. Commercial activity can look like a range of things – from hiring out our venue to partnerships and sponsorships with brands. The Development team are focussed on philanthropy, working with trusts and foundations, corporate support and individual donors – managing relationships with the range of generous stakeholders who support our work.

If you would like to find out more about supporting or working with Factory International, visit our Support Us page.

You can also get in touch with our team on supportus@factoryinternational.org for fundraising, or events@factoryinternational.org for enquiries about hiring our space.

Our Creative Engagement team lead on a whole range of exciting and transformative programmes which grow connections with people and organisations within Greater Manchester and the North. Their work includes community building, participation and co-curation. Participation involves members of the public being part of our projects, as performers, artists or collaborators. Co-curation involves the public in key decisions around the programme. It’s a chance for people to programme their favourite band, make us think differently about the way our shows are created and introduce us to new ways of thinking.

The Creative Engagement team also lead on artist development and education. They programme year-round activity for children, young people and adults – focusing on cultural enrichment and improving health and wellbeing. And they deliver a year-round artist development programme supporting and developing Manchester artists and helping them reach international audiences.

To find out more about the team’s work or what opportunities are available, get in touch at creativeengagement@factoryinternational.org.

Our Curatorial and Producing teams are responsible for developing and delivering our programmes – from coming up with the ideas through to delivering shows. The Curatorial team generate ideas for our public programming, performances, exhibitions and events, taking on board ideas from the wider Factory International staff team and our community forums. The Producing team encompasses Producing, Event Management, Scheduling and Artist Liaison. They're responsible for delivering all programmes of activity at Factory International. The team work closely with colleagues to ensure projects are in line with our values as an organisation, including making sure we uphold our objectives around audiences, equalities, access and sustainability.

You can submit projects to the team by contacting interest@factoryinternational.org.

The Digital team focuses on the use of technology in our current program, our future projects, and our past archives. They have a distributed team who are embedded across different departments in the organisation, from technical, creative engagement to curatorial. Their work considers how artists and technologists integrate pioneering new developments into productions, how we create digitally native projects and how we experiment with new formats which enable us to connect with audiences globally.

You can contact the team on digital@factoryinternational.org.

Our Leadership team are helped by the Executive Support team who assist with everything from diary scheduling, travel arrangements, email management to meeting preparation and administrative tasks. They ensure the smooth running of Factory International – managing the flow of information, communication and decision making across the organisation and with key stakeholders.

The Factory Academy launched in 2018 to deliver training for people looking to start new careers in the cultural and creative industries and forms a key part of our work at Factory International. Our Factory Academy team develop and deliver a wide range of training opportunities – all with the aim of diversifying the workforce in the creative and cultural industries. Factory International’s wider vision of creating the art of the future is deeply connected to the work of the Factory Academy team – ensuring that the hidden and aspiring creatives around us are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background.

To get in touch contact the team on academy@factoryinternational.org.

Our Finance team connect across all areas of the organisation and are responsible for ensuring that income and expenditure is well managed through processing, budgeting and forecasting. Their work covers paying invoices, expenses and salaries, as well as raising invoices for earned income and processing tax relief claims. They put in place and maintain control measures to ensure that the organisation’s records are accurate, and our finances are safe from misuse. They work with budget holders to successfully manage projects, and the management team to develop and report on budgets and forecasts, ensuring that the organisation will be sustainable into the future. They have an important role in communicating our financial position to internal and external stakeholders, such as funders, alongside annual reporting to Companies House and the Charity Commission.

To get in touch contact the team on finance@factoryinternational.org.

Our HR team design, support and deliver policies, processes and procedures for people management and equalities. This work supports the values and culture of Factory International while making sure that everything we do is legally compliant. Their day-to-day work covers all aspects of working at Factory International – from attracting potential candidates, delivering induction and onboarding, arranging appraisal, culture and benefits and training and development. They also deliver and report against our Equalities Action Plan – supporting other teams, Factory International’s Equalities Working Groups and the organisation more widely to deliver our ambitions towards better working practices.

To get in touch about career opportunities contact the team on HR@factoryinternational.org.

Our International team has two central responsibilities – showing the work of Factory International on the world stage and generating investment so we can continue to programme groundbreaking work. There are lots of strands to their work: through partnerships, the International team work with organisations around the world who are interested in supporting and presenting the work we create. Through touring and licensing, they help to present that work globally. The team also provide training and management services – working with organisations around the world to share their expertise on bringing international projects to life.

Get in touch with us on international@factoryinternational.org to find out more about working together

Our IT, Systems and Technology team is responsible for the growing Technology and Systems function at Factory International.  This encompasses our operational IT support team, who support Factory International staff day-to-day with technology in the office and for remote working. They also oversee projects relating to systems, data and reporting – including a number of IT projects for our new venue. The IT, Systems and Technology team also investigate how we can work smarter, more efficiently and use data to report back and inform our decision making, while our Procurement team work on buying services for Factory International as a whole, making sure our needs as a business are met.

Contact us at info@factoryinternational.org.

Our Sustainability team empowers everyone working at or with Factory International to embed environmental sustainability principles across our work. Their work revolves around three key objectives; 1) making Factory International an extraordinary building for sustainability and communicating that to our audiences in an accessible and inspiring way; 2) ensuring that sustainability is embedded in all our projects and is tracked, monitored, reported on and shared across the sector; and 3) providing training on sustainability skills through the Factory Academy.

Contact us on sustainability@factoryinternational.org.

Our Technical, Production and Facilities team is tasked with delivering the physical elements of all shows and events – working closely with the Curatorial and Producing teams to realise creative ideas and make sure they are created in a safe, sustainable and exciting way. They oversee security and health and safety, working with suppliers to equip all events with the latest technology and technical equipment. They bring together a large and diverse group of freelancers to help deliver the projects – from stage managers to chefs. Dealing with complex logistics, they also make sure that all of our spaces, events and shows are accessible to everyone.

Contact us on technicalenquiries@factoryinternational.org.

The Transition Project was set up to plan and prepare for the opening and operation of Factory International. This involves a huge amount of work and coordination – at the centre of this is a 'T-minus' plan providing a full work breakdown, key project milestones and a countdown to opening the building. Their main areas of focus are FF&E (Furniture Fixings and Equipment), operational readiness, and relocating the Factory International team once the building opens. They also work closely with different teams from both within and outside our organisation, such as our visitor and venue teams and Manchester City Council's Capital Project team.

Get in touch with us on neighbours@factoryinternational.org for more about our building.

Our Visitor Experience team work on the operational delivery of Factory International and our festival programmes. At each touchpoint within the venue, their team and the partners they work with interact with the public. This encompasses a large variety of departments including ticketing, security, volunteering and food and beverage. Their focus is ensuring that our amazing artistic programme at Factory International is reflected in the exceptional customer experience we create – providing a welcoming front line team that ensure accessibility and safety for all our visitors.

Contact us on tickets@factoryinternational.org.

Around 500 people join us as volunteers each time we stage Manchester International Festival – and we’re currently developing new, year round opportunities to volunteer at Factory International. Our amazing team of volunteers get involved in everything from helping out with preparations, to greeting the public at our events, to supporting us behind the scenes. The dedication, energy and enthusiasm they bring to our projects is invaluable.

You can find out more about joining our team of volunteers here, or by emailing volunteering@factoryinternational.org.