Belfast City Centre Night Czar
Part Time Office Holder of the Belfast Business Improvement Districts
Honorarium up to £12k per year
Location: Belfast City Centre
Closing Date for Applications: Monday 20 May at 5pm
Belfast’s three Business Improvement Districts - Belfast One, Destination Cathedral Quarter, and Linen Quarter – have joined forces to support the City Centre’s Night-Time Economy (NTE).
The NTE is an important driver for Belfast. It makes the City Centre a vibrant destination, creating jobs and economic value, and supporting tourism and residents alike. To improve advocacy for this diverse area, the three BIDs seek to appoint a ‘Night Czar’.
The ‘Night Czar’ will provide a stronger voice for Belfast City Centre’s NTE. They will provide a focal point for both stakeholders and the media to interact with, and a recognised expert who can inform how we develop, support, and enhance this important sector.
Key Responsibilities
1. To act as a point of contact for people delivering NTE services within Belfast City Centre and signposting to support as appropriate.
2. To proactively ‘take soundings’ from a range of different NTE sectors, such as hospitality, major venues, transport providers, policing, and voluntary groups. This could involve both one to one conversations and sector specific focus groups.
3. To attend bi-monthly meetings of the (multi-agency) Purple Flag Steering Group, highlighting current and emerging issues, debating solutions, and influencing action required from relevant agencies.
4. To support and enhance Belfast Purple Flag initiatives, within the five key themes of Wellbeing, Movement, Appeal, Place and Policy.
5. To play a full role in the media to stimulate conversation around Belfast’s NTE, shining a light on problems and highlighting action required.
6. To produce a written annual report, which will act as a ‘health check’ on the state of Belfast’s NTE.
Geography
Belfast City Centre is defined as the accredited Purple Flag area, covering the boundaries of the three Business Improvement Districts. The Night Czar will not generally engage with stakeholders outside these boundaries, including areas such as Botanic, Titanic, or West or East Belfast.
Status of the Role
The Night Czar is defined as an office holder of the three Belfast Business Improvement Districts. The office holder does not report to a line manager but is accountable to the three BID Boards – specifically a sub-group of the three Chairs and MD’s.
As an office holder there is no contract of employment and normal employee benefits, such as sickness or holidays, do not necessarily apply. However, an honorarium of up to £12,000 can be paid. Payments are taxed at source (PAYE) in the normal way.
Additional payments for personal expenses may also be made, including electronic devices relevant to the post, training courses, business trips, and relevant travel costs outside Belfast.
Appointment
The appointment of the Belfast Night Czar will follow a competitive process, with a public advertisement, application, and panel-based interview.
The post will be appointed for the duration of the current Belfast Purple Flag mandate (until Jan 2026). It can be reappointed for further two-year Purple Flag mandate subject to unanimous approval by the three Belfast BIDs.
Application Process
Applicants for the position of ‘Night Czar’ should send a CV and covering letter via clicking APPLY NOW on or before Monday 20 May at 5pm. Late applications will not be accepted.
The CV and covering letter should highlight why the applicant is the best fit for the role, specifically evidencing how their skills and experience will help them fulfil the key responsibilities of the post.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an assessment panel with representatives from the three BIDs on w/c 27 May. The assessment will include delivery of a presentation overviewing Belfast City Centre’s Night-Time Economy and outlining priorities for action. This will be followed by an interview with the panel.
FAQ’s
What is Belfast City Centre’s Night-Time Economy?
Belfast City Centre’s NTE includes all public facing activities taking place between 5pm and 5am, including restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, cultural venues, & evening retail.
The NTE is supported by a wide range of functions including transport, policing, cleansing, lighting, and charitable groups / volunteers.
What is Purple Flag?
Purple Flag is an international accreditation programme, run by the Association of Town and City Management, that recognises locations who create safe and thriving locations at night for all users. The Purple Flag application involves a structured process that assesses the location across five key themes: Wellbeing, Movement, Appeal, Place and Policy https://www.atcm.org/purple-flag
What are Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)?
BIDs are democratically elected, not-for-profit, organisations with a statutory remit to enhance specific geographic locations for everyone who works in, lives in, or visits the area. They are primarily funded through an annual levy paid by occupiers of commercial property within their districts.
Belfast City Centre is covered by three BIDs, Belfast One, Destination Cathedral Quarter and Linen Quarter.