Chief Executive Officer

Royal Variety Charity; Twickenham; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Variety Charity in Twickenham seeks a Chief Executive to lead a historic charity that supports entertainment workers. The role combines governance oversight, fundraising leadership and strategic growth across care facilities, grants and major events.

The successful candidate will implement the next chapter with strong operational management, stakeholder engagement and a focus on sustainability and impact.

Qualifications

• Experience reporting to elected voluntary boards and trustees, with governance within the entertainment industry.
• Experience with refurbishment, maintenance and project management of historic properties.
• Understanding of Royal Patronage protocols and related governance requirements.
• Experience working with television broadcasters and production teams.
• Strong marketing and digital communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible, hands-on leadership across a multi-faceted charity.
• Turn ambition into a clear strategy with strong operational and financial performance.
• Diversify income and build influential relationships across entertainment, care, philanthropy and the Royal Household.
• Lead fundraising productions and high-profile events, ensuring safety and success.
• Develop a culture that enables staff and volunteers to perform at their best.

Skills

Governance & Board reporting

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Change management

Job description

Twickenham | Full-time | Salary negotiable with attractive benefits package

Few CEO opportunities combine more than a century of heritage, one of the most famous events in British entertainment, residential and nursing care, charitable support and the opportunity to help shape an organisation's next chapter.

Founded in 1908, the Royal Variety Charity supports people who have worked professionally in the entertainment industry when they need help most. At the heart of our work is Brinsworth House in Twickenham, providing residential and nursing care for up to 32 residents, alongside wider financial and practical support for people across the entertainment profession.

We are also arguably best known by the public as the charity behind the Royal Variety Performance, bringing together some of the world’s leading entertainers while raising vital funds for its charitable work.

Our CEO

A role which has historically always been a position held in the charity; for the past 15 years its responsibilities have been undertaken voluntarily by members of the Board, whose exceptional commitment has helped transform the organisation, strengthen its fundraising and profile, oversee the modernisation of Brinsworth House, and sustain the Royal Variety Performance as its principal annual fundraising event. We are now creating a permanent salaried CEO role, formalising the executive responsibilities.

This appointment also comes at a time of genuine momentum. Income reached £4.88 million in 2025, Brinsworth House remains central to the Charity's work, and the organisation is ambitious to increase its reach, strengthen long-term financial sustainability and respond to changing needs across the entertainment profession.

The Opportunity

Our CEO will provide visible, hands-on leadership across a distinctive organisation that combines a regulated residential and nursing care home, national grants and mental health support, fundraising, partnerships, heritage, brand, and one of the best-known annual events in British entertainment.

Working with the Board, Executive Committee and senior team, the postholder will turn ambition into an achievable strategy; ensure strong operational, financial and regulatory performance; diversify income; develop influential relationships across entertainment, broadcasting, care, philanthropy and the Royal Household; and build a culture in which people can do their best work. The role also carries senior responsibility for the relationships and complex operational planning that enable major fundraising productions and high-profile events to be delivered safely and successfully.

What you will bring:

• Experience of working within organisations with Royal Patronage, including an understanding of the associated protocols, governance requirements and processes.
• Proven experience of reporting to elected voluntary management bodies, including committees and Trustee Boards, with particular experience of governance within the entertainment industry.
• Experience of building refurbishment, maintenance and project management, particularly involving Grade I and Grade II listed properties, with an understanding of the additional regulatory, conservation and operational requirements involved.
• A strong and demonstrable understanding of the issues faced by workers across the UK entertainment industry, including experience of, or a strong appreciation for, financial assistance, mental health support, and the care and support of elderly and vulnerable beneficiaries.
• A proven track record in managing and resolving complex HR issues sensitively, fairly and effectively.
• Extensive experience of working with television broadcasters and production teams at all levels, from Board and senior management through to technical, production and creative crews.
• Extensive marketing experience within the entertainment industry, together with a strong understanding of contemporary communications, social media, digital engagement and the development of creative content.

Above all, this is an opportunity to lead one of the country’s best-loved charities into its next chapter: protecting what makes it special while ensuring that its influence, income and impact grow for the benefit of everyone in the entertainment profession who may need its support.

Closing Date: Friday 2nd October

The Royal Variety Charity is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.