CEO/Director

ArtsJobs; London; On-site; GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic CEO to lead Chelsea Theatre, balancing operational management with community engagement. This hands-on role emphasizes strategic vision, financial sustainability, and income generation. The successful candidate will motivate a small team and engage with diverse stakeholders while ensuring the theatre remains a welcoming community hub. If you have a passion for the arts and a track record in leadership, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in the cultural landscape of London.

Benefits

28 days holidays

Community engagement opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in commercial or operational roles.
• Strong business acumen and financial sustainability skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and responsibility for the charity's purpose and financial management.
• Generate significant earned income from community organisations and commercial contracts.

Skills

Leadership experience

Business acumen

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Communication skills

Job description

Thu, 24 Apr 2025">published - Thu, 24 Apr 2025

Job Summary

Reporting to the Trustees, CEO is responsible for overall strategic, financial, and operational leadership of Chelsea Theatre. Hands-on role with a focus on balancing the day-to-day running of the operational activities of the venue, together with community engagement and income generation.

Job Description

• Work with Board to develop and implement a clear vision and business strategy to ensure long-term sustainability and growth of the Chelsea Theatre.
• Generate significant earned income from one-off and repeat hirers, including local community organisations, commercial contracts, arts organisations and private hires, with a focus on high quality customer care.
• Increase income from grants, corporates and funds from individuals, with support from Trustees.
• Lead on business development and marketing initiatives to increase revenues while maintaining venue's community-focused ethos.
• Run the building as a community centre, making a positive impact in the local community and beyond.
• Motivate and engage small team of staff and volunteers, and broad range of stakeholders and prospective supporters.
• Act as ambassador for the charity, building relationships with partners and stakeholders in the community, local government and with businesses.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, local authorities, businesses, and community groups.
• Develop and manage budgets effectively, ensuring quality financial reporting, financial stability, and responsible stewardship of resources.
• Oversee all aspects of venue operations, ensuring highest standards of efficiency, customer experience, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Where necessary, with team, be capable of delivering a range of operational tasks, such as updating website and managing box office systems.
• Develop and nurture partnerships with the local community, ensuring the theatre remains a welcoming and accessible space for all.
• Further develop a balanced and funded community programme, which currently include flagship youth theatre scheme, to reflect community needs and interests.

Salary: c £60k p.a., competitive, based on background. 28 days holidays. 40-hour week. Expected to work on-site majority time, with some evening / weekend work.

Job Requirements

Essential skills:

• Proven leadership experience of small, mixed skills teams, in a commercial or operational role, ideally within a venue, hospitality, leisure, or cultural environment.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to drive revenue generation and financial sustainability. Able to balance commercial objectives with community impact.
• Open-ness to being 'hand-on', when needed, with good attention to detail and drive for commercial excellence.
• Experience in managing budgets, sponsorships, and commercial partnerships.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the cultural sensitivity to engage and collaborate with diverse groups.
• Experience working with a Board of Trustees or within a charity/non-profit structure and of charity governance principles.

Optional:

• Experience in the arts, cultural, or entertainment sectors.
• Knowledge of public funding opportunities and grant applications.

Job Responsibilities

The postholder will:

• Provide leadership and responsibility for the charity's purpose, administration and financial management plus ensure compliance with the law and regulations.
• Generate significant earned income from one-off and repeat hirers, including local community organisations, commercial contracts, arts organisations and private hires, with a focus on high quality customer care.
• Increase income from grants, corporates and funds from individuals, with support from Trustees.
• Run the building as a community centre, making an ever-increasing positive impact in the local community and beyond.
• Motivate and engage a small team of staff and volunteers, and broad range of stakeholders and prospective supporters.
• Where necessary, with the team, be capable of delivering a range of operational tasks, such as updating the website and managing the box office systems.
• Act as ambassador for the charity, building relationships with partners and stakeholde

- Send your resume, together with a supporting statement (less than 500 words), outlining your suitability for the role to [e-mail] – clearly marked ‘Application - Chelsea Theatre CEO’.
- Chelsea Theatre is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. The charity particularly welcomes applications from people with disabilities, LGBT+, and People of the Global Majority backgrounds.
- The Council of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is the charity’s main grant funder and are assisting with this recruitment process. Candidates should be aware that their application details may be shared with representatives of the Council, as well as Chelsea Theatre Trusteesas well as Chelsea Theatre Trustees – with appropriate data privacy protection.
- Deadline for applications is 16 May 2025; interviews will take place in May / June, with the goal goal to having the candidate in post by mid July 2025.