Chief Executive Officer

Legends Global (Europe); Manchester; On-site; GBP 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, seeks a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead artistic and commercial strategy, strengthening its status as a world-class concert venue. You will work closely with Manchester stakeholders, orchestras and funders to ensure sustainability and broad community impact.

We are looking for an inspirational, inclusive leader with a track record in governance, income generation and transformational change within the cultural sector.

Qualifications

• Significant executive leadership experience in classical music, fine arts, culture, entertainment, events, or public sector environments.
• Proven track record of developing and delivering organisational strategy.
• Experience managing complex budgets and delivering sustainable financial performance.
• Demonstrated success in income generation, fundraising, sponsorship, or partnerships.
• Experience engaging with Boards and external partners.
• Track record of leading organisational change and transformation.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen; drive for excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a long-term artistic vision and economic strategy for The Bridgewater Hall.
• Lead the organisation in achieving artistic, cultural, commercial and charitable objectives.
• Identify opportunities for growth, partnerships and audience expansion.
• Elevate the Hall’s global reputation as a destination for classical and contemporary programming.
• Oversee governance, risk management and board relations.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Budgeting & finance

Fundraising & sponsorship

Board engagement

People leadership

Change management

Communication

Education

Leadership, business or governance qualifications desirable

Job description

About Legends Global

Legends Global is redefining excellence in sport, entertainment and live events. With unrivalled expertise and international reach, we provide end-to-end solutions – from venue development and event programming to revenue strategy and hospitality. We take a 360-degree, data-driven approach across Partnerships, Hospitality, Merchandise and Attractions, working with leading clients to deliver outstanding experiences that resonate worldwide. Our organisation is committed to fostering an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where diversity drives innovation and collaboration. Guided by our values of Align, Scale, Connect, Team and Win... we create a culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

About The Bridgewater Hall

The Bridgewater Hall stands as one of the UK's premier international concert venues, celebrated for its world-class acoustics and exceptional audience experiences. As an iconic civic institution, the Hall plays a vital role in the cultural landscape of Manchester and the North West, welcoming diverse audiences and partners across the arts, education, business, and community sectors. Each year, the venue hosts over 290 main-stage performances, alongside more than 250 events, functions, and community programmes across its secondary spaces. While 60% of the programming is dedicated to symphonic repertoire, the Hall is also the venue of choice for a wide range of contemporary artists and genres. It serves as the permanent home of The Hallé. Driven by a highly active community engagement initiative and a programming team that delivers a bespoke International Concert Series, the venue under the direction and control of Legends Global operates in many aspects as a self-contained business. Its internal capabilities include dedicated marketing, bespoke ticketing services, and award-winning conference and events and in-house food and beverage services.

The Role

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will provide visionary strategic leadership for The Bridgewater Hall, ensuring the organisation delivers on its artistic, commercial, charitable, and civic ambitions. Working closely with the city of Manchester, resident orchestras, funding bodies, commercial partners, and the wider cultural sector, the CEO will lead the organisation through its next phase of growth, strengthening its position as a world-class venue while ensuring long-term financial sustainability and community impact. They must be experienced working within the classical music sector and the daily interactions between performing ensembles and cultural institutions of international standing. The CEO will champion innovation, audience development, inclusion, and organisational excellence, ensuring The Bridgewater Hall remains at the heart of Manchester's cultural identity.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement an ambitious long-term artistic vision and economic strategy for The Bridgewater Hall.
• Lead the organisation in achieving its artistic, cultural, commercial, and charitable objectives.
• Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, partnership, and audience expansion.
• Elevate the Hall’s global reputation as a world-class destination for classical music, contemporary programming, and cultural events.
• Provide leadership in programming the artistic direction of the Hall and its place within the local and national cultural landscape.

Commercial & Financial Leadership

• Deliver sustainable financial performance and long-term organisational resilience.
• Lead income generation across ticketing, venue hire, sponsorship, partnerships, philanthropy, grants, and commercial activities.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Ensure effective management of resources and prudent financial stewardship.

Cultural & Stakeholder Leadership

• Develop strong relationships with resident orchestras, artists, promoters, community organisations, and cultural partners.
• Act as a leading ambassador for The Bridgewater Hall across local, regional, national, and international networks.
• Build productive relationships with Manchester City Council, Arts Council England, funders, donors, and corporate partners.
• Represent the organisation at key civic, cultural, and industry forums.

People & Organisational Leadership

• Lead and inspire a high-performing and inclusive organisational culture.
• Develop leadership capability and succession planning across the organisation.
• Foster an environment of collaboration, creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across all aspects of the organisation.

Audience & Community Engagement

• Ensure outstanding audience experiences and high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Broaden engagement with diverse communities and underrepresented audiences.
• Support the development of learning, participation, and outreach initiatives.
• Strengthen The Bridgewater Hall's civic impact and contribution to Manchester's communities.

Governance & Compliance

• Work closely with established boards to ensure effective governance and strategic oversight.
• Ensure compliance with charity, employment, health and safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead risk management and business continuity planning.
• Maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Candidate Profile

• Significant executive leadership experience, within the classical music, fine arts, culture, entertainment, events, visitor attraction, charity, or public sector environments.
• Proven track record of developing and delivering organisational strategy.
• Experience managing complex budgets and delivering sustainable financial performance.
• Demonstrable success in income generation, fundraising, sponsorship, or partnership development.
• Experience engaging with Boards, public sector stakeholders, and external partners.
• Track record of leading organisational change and transformation.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Demonstrated passion for arts, culture, music, and public engagement.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Highly developed communication and influencing abilities.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational delivery capability.
• Experience navigating complex governance environments.
• Inspirational and inclusive leader.
• Authentic, collaborative, and values-driven.
• Commercially astute while maintaining artistic and charitable integrity.
• Relevant leadership, business, cultural sector, or governance qualifications desirable.

Inclusive Workplace

At Legends Global, we are committed to leading the entertainment industry towards a greener, faster, and more innovative digital future. There’s never been a better time to join our team. We aim to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our employees, customers, and suppliers. Join us and make a significant impact from day one. We are committed to active inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities. This commitment begins with our recruitment and selection process. We welcome discussions about flexible working arrangements.