Chief Executive Officer

Creative UK; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in the creative sector is seeking a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead their mission across the UK. In this pivotal role, you will direct strategic growth and advocate for the creative industries while collaborating with the Board to achieve ambitious goals. Ideal candidates will possess proven leadership skills, financial acumen, and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. This is a remote/hybrid opportunity with competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Proven strategic leadership experience in complex, mission-driven organizations.
• Deep understanding of the UK’s creative industries and policy landscape.
• Successful track record of entrepreneurial fundraising and income diversification.
• Strong financial acumen and experience overseeing complex budgets.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Collaborative leadership style with commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Political awareness and confidence in high-profile, multi-stakeholder environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction, growth and sustainability of Creative UK.
• Champion the UK’s creative industries to government, media and the public.
• Drive the mission for a fairer, more prosperous society through creativity.
• Work closely with the Board and Executive Team to deliver the ten-year strategy.
• Drive innovation, inclusivity and commercial success across programmes and partnerships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Financial acumen

Entrepreneurial fundraising

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

Creative UK

Chief Executive Officer

Salary: Up to £130,000 + benefits

Location: UK-wide / Hybrid – workspaces available in London, Greater Manchester and Bristol

Closing Date: Monday 20th October

Creative UK is the independent network for the UK’s Creative Industries, championing the power of creativity to drive positive change. We are seeking a visionary and values-led Chief Executive Officer to lead our mission to support creative talent, influence policy, and unlock opportunities for growth and impact across the UK.

This is a defining opportunity for a strategic, entrepreneurial leader who can connect the dots across our investment, advocacy and business support programmes, and drive our commercial and cultural ambitions forward. You will be a changemaker, a convener, and a communicator – someone who can inspire, influence and deliver impact across a dynamic and diverse sector.

As CEO, you will

• Lead the strategic direction, growth and sustainability of Creative UK.
• Be a champion for the UK’s world-leading creative industries to government, media and the public.
• Drive our mission to build a fairer, more prosperous society through creativity.
• Work closely with the Board and Executive Team to deliver our ten-year strategy.
• Drive innovation, inclusivity and commercial success across our programmes and partnerships.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from individuals with:

• Proven strategic leadership experience in complex, mission-driven organisations.
• Deep understanding of the UK’s creative industries and policy landscape.
• A successful track record of entrepreneurial fundraising and income diversification.
• Strong financial acumen and experience overseeing complex budgets.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Political awareness and confidence in high-profile, multi-stakeholder environments.

Creative UK is committed to building a more inclusive and representative workforce. We value difference and celebrate the creativity it brings. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage candidates from under-represented groups to apply.

To find out more about this exciting role, please click on ‘Apply’.

To apply or discuss the role confidentially, contact our recruitment advisers at GatenbySanderson:

Oliver Startup: [e-mail]

Rebekah Herz-Bauman, Partner: [e-mail]