Associate Director Opportunities at Bristol Community Darkrooms 

 

Volunteer role 

(with paid opportunities through funded workshops and taught courses) 

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Location: Bristol 

 

About Bristol Community Darkrooms 

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Bristol Community Darkrooms is managed by the Real Photography Community Interest Company, established in 2017 to manage photography facilities for the benefit of the community. We are based at St Pauls Learning Centre, Bristol, with spacious well-equipped darkrooms open 7 days a week with black & white and colour printing facilities.

 

Bristol Community Darkrooms is growing quickly. Since relaunching in October 2025, we’ve seen a significant increase in membership, darkroom activity and community engagement through externally funded photography projects and workshops.

 

To support our programmes and raise our public profile, we are expanding our leadership team by welcoming one or more Associate Directors to help shape the next stage of development, with a particular focus on promoting courses and workshops through effective publicity, social media and digital marketing. 

 

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a thriving, volunteer-run organisation dedicated to analogue photography, creative learning and accessible community spaces. We aim to increase the diversity of our board of Directors with regard to age, sex and background so that we can better represent our diverse community.

 

About the Role 

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Associate Directors are voluntary, unpaid directors of the organisation. However, there are paid opportunities available for Associate Directors who wish to deliver: 

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• Funded workshops 

• Taught courses 

• Community or outreach projects 

 

This role requires a regular time commitment for team meeting; however, hours are flexible and can fit around work, study, or other responsibilities. 

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This role could suit someone at an early stage in their career — for example, a student or recent graduate with strengths in social media or digital marketing — as well as more experienced creatives or professionals who want to apply their skills within a community-focused arts organisation. We actively welcome people at different stages of their careers and value both fresh perspectives and established experience. 

 

Following a trial period there will be an opportunity to step up and become a full Director of the organisation, at which point we would expect a commitment to the role of at least 2 years.

 

What You’ll Do 

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As an Associate Director, you will: 

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• Contribute to the strategic development of Bristol Community Darkrooms to support long-term financial sustainability and growth,

• Raise awareness of our work and build the public profile of the organisation locally, regionally and nationally,

• Help build strong links through networking with organisations and individuals in the local community,

• Work collaboratively with a friendly, engaged team of volunteers, artists, and photographers, 

• Share duties such as managing and maintaining the darkroom and coordinating volunteers.

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We also aim to enable Associate Directors in helping to guide operations, partnerships, courses and community programmes, teaching and leading groups where appropriate.

 

Skills & Experience 

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You don’t need to tick every box — enthusiasm, reliability, and care for the community matter most. Currently, we’re particularly keen to hear from people with experience and expertise in the following:

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• Digital marketing and publicity

• Social media management (eg. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) 

• Fundraising and bid writing 

• Developing partnerships and stakeholder relationships 

• Creative or cultural business development 

 

Experience and expertise in the following areas is also of interest:

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• Community engagement and outreach 

• Photography education and/or workshop facilitation 

• Volunteer recruitment and coordination

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If you have other skills you think could benefit the darkrooms, we’d love to hear about those too. 

 

What We Offer 

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• A meaningful leadership role in a growing creative organisation 

• The chance to shape an expanding community resource 

• Opportunities to deliver paid workshops or courses 

• A supportive, collaborative team environment 

• Free access to an active community darkroom 

• A space where your ideas can directly influence how we grow 

 

Who This Role Is For 

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This opportunity is ideal for someone who: 

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• Cares deeply about analogue photography and creative community spaces 

• Wants hands-on involvement in a grassroots arts organisation 

• Enjoys collaborative working and shared decision-making 

• Can contribute time on a regular basis 

• Is excited about helping shape a long-term vision 

• Comes from any stage of life or career, whether emerging, mid-career, or highly experienced 

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No prior directorship experience is required. 
 

How to Apply 

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Please complete the application form (with equal opportunity monitoring form) available below send it back to us at: info@bristol-community-darkrooms.co.uk

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Download the Application Form.

Download our Vision Aims and Objectives.

Download our Code of Conduct. 
 

 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and levels of experience.

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