APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR BELFAST CITY CENTRE NIGHT CZAR
Cathedral Quarter BID has joined forces with Linen Quarter BID and Belfast One BID to support a major development in the city’s night-time economy by appointing a ‘Belfast Night Czar’
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
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
- To act as a point of contact for people delivering NTE services within Belfast
City Centre and signposting to support as appropriate. - 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. - 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. - To support and enhance Belfast Purple Flag initiatives, within the five key
themes of Wellbeing, Movement, Appeal, Place and Policy. - To play a full role in the media to stimulate conversation around Belfast’s NTE,
shining a light on problems and highlighting action required. - 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 APPLY HERE by sending a CV and covering letter 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.