Chief Executive Officer

Federation of Scottish Theatre; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead and inspire the Scottish performing arts sector. This role involves strategic leadership, advocacy, and partnership building to enhance the impact and sustainability of the arts in Scotland. The ideal candidate will be an outstanding communicator with a strong strategic mindset, dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within the community. If you're passionate about the transformational power of the arts and eager to shape its future, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant difference.

Qualifications

• Visionary leader with experience in arts and cultural management.
• Strong communicator and advocate for the arts sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic, financial, and operational delivery for FST.
• Raise the profile of Scottish performing arts through advocacy.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders and decision-makers.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Partnership Working

Organisational Development

Stakeholder Engagement

Advocacy

Financial Management

Diversity and Inclusion

Education

Experience in Arts Management

Governance Experience

Job description

• 35 hours a week with flexible working. Permanent.

Role

Scotland’s membership organisation and sector support body for the performing arts is looking for a new Chief Executive Officer. We are seeking a visionary and collaborative individual to lead FST as our new CEO. You will be passionate about the transformational power of the arts and will be keen to play a significant role in future-proofing and promoting Scotland’s performing arts sector with a wide range of stakeholders. You will be an experienced communicator and someone who can make a compelling case for the impact of the arts and its importance to the world today. You will be comfortable engaging with a variety of stakeholders including individual artists and practitioners and organisations both large and small across theatre, dance and opera.

The CEO is responsible for:

• Developing and leading the strategic, financial and operational delivery of FST’s work across advocacy, strategy, and sector support.
• Ensuring the needs and priorities of the Scottish performing arts sector are effectively conveyed to decision-makers, policy developers and legislators in Scotland and across the UK.
• Raising the profile of Scottish performing arts through lobbying, increasing awareness and access.
• Leading the team and overseeing the delivery of our programmes which develop best practice and increase the potential of performing arts in Scotland.
• Developing and managing strategic relationships to support the sector within and beyond FST’s membership and across the wider public realm in Scotland, the UK, and internationally.

The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 28 April 2025.

You will receive a response from FST by 6pm on Friday 2 May 2025.

Interviews will be held online on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 May 2025.

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking an inspiring and entrepreneurial leader with the following attributes:

• A strategic thinker who can demonstrate vision and identify opportunities for - and manage – change.
• Experienced in partnership working, business planning and organisational development.
• Respected and connected in cultural/charity/property networks and understands the opportunities and challenges facing the creative economy and Wasps communities across Scotland.
• Has an understanding of a property-based charity and legislative compliance responsibilities as a landlord.
• Committed to leading Wasps to achieve Net Zero in our properties and organisational practice.
• An outstanding communicator, networker and advocate, with the ability to build strong partnerships and influence key decision-makers.
• Experienced in complex stakeholder engagement and management.
• A strong strategic and financial mindset, capable of leading a complex property-based organisation with a focus on long-term sustainability.
• Committed to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement, ensuring Wasps continues to serve artists, makers and creative people.

Could you help us continue to bring quality live music to the under-served Borders region? Would you like to play a key leadership role in supporting the future of a world-class chamber music festival?

We are currently open to applications for a Chair to lead our Board of Trustees when our current Chair stands down in October. Previous governance experience is less essential than a passion for the Arts. We are especially keen to hear from those with a connection to the Scottish Borders/Northumberland.

Main Purpose

To lead the operation and development of Impact Hub Inverness in such a way as to maintain and increase its influence, impact and sustainability.

Main Tasks

• Lead the overall management and development of the company.
• Secure and maintain assets and revenue to ensure the company’s long-term viability and impact.
• Act as an advocate and raise the company’s profile, ensuring meaningful relationships/partnerships and influencing government policy.
• Promote and represent the company at a senior level, building and maintaining effective partnerships and influencing government policy.
• Support and develop staff in such a way as to bring out their full potential while ensuring their wellbeing.
• Provide support and high-quality advice to the board.
• Direct the effective delivery of all of the company’s work programmes.
• Ensure effective and efficient management of all staff and assets.
• Ensure high diligence in financial management, budgeting and reporting.
• Ensure all statutory and other legal obligations are fully met.
• Maintain high standards in governance procedures.
• Support the business development of the organisation through identifying new revenue streams, partnerships and business opportunities.
• Undertake other tasks which from time to time may be required by the board to ensure the success of the company.