Chief Operating Officer / Executive Director

Factory International; Manchester; On-site; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A leading cultural organisation in Manchester is seeking a Chief Operating Officer/Executive Director to join its senior leadership team. This pivotal role involves overseeing finance, people, governance, and operations to ensure sustainability and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess significant leadership experience, strong financial acumen, and a passion for the arts. Diverse applicants are encouraged to apply, reflecting the organisation's commitment to inclusivity.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in a relevant sector.
• Proven record of driving organisational performance.
• Passion for the role of art and creativity in shaping society.

Responsibilities

• Lead across finance, people, governance, and operations.
• Shape the organisation's long-term sustainability and financial performance.
• Ensure operational excellence in a dynamic cultural setting.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial acumen

Operational excellence

Collaborative mindset

Cultural understanding

Job description

Factory International is now seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer / Executive Director to join its senior leadership team. Reporting to the Artistic Director and Chief Executive, the COO/ED will play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation's long-term sustainability, financial performance, cultural ambition, and operational excellence. They will lead across finance, people, governance, and operations, ensuring the organisation continues to thrive as a dynamic cultural and civic powerhouse – both locally and globally.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic, collaborative, and values-driven leader, combining strong commercial and financial acumen with a deep understanding of people and culture. Whether from within or beyond the arts and culture sector, they will bring significant senior leadership experience, a proven record of driving organisational performance, and a passion for the role art and creativity play in shaping society. Calm under pressure and confident in complexity, they will be as comfortable in the boardroom as they are on the factory floor – leading with integrity, creativity, and care. Factory International is proudly grounded in Manchester and engaged with the world, reflecting the diversity, energy, and imagination of the city and the planet we share, and therefore welcomes applicants of all backgrounds to express an interest in this role.

Factory International is the organisation behind the world-renowned Manchester International Festival (MIF) and the landmark new cultural venue Aviva Studios – a home for bold, original work that brings together artists and communities to imagine new possibilities. Rooted in Manchester yet international in outlook, Factory International works with a wide range of local partners to redefine what a cultural institution can be: a place for invention, sustainability, and collaboration. Its mission – to invent tomorrow, together – speaks to a commitment to the future, to creativity without boundaries, and to connection across artforms and communities.