Creative Director

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust; Stratford-upon-Avon; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cultural institution in Stratford-upon-Avon is seeking a Creative Director to shape an inclusive vision that inspires audiences and leads innovative programming. Ideal candidates will have experience in museums or cultural heritage, with a strong commitment to equity and diversity. The position offers a competitive salary up to £100,000.

Qualifications

• Visionary leader with a deep appreciation of the power of museums.
• Experience in leading creative programmes and curating collections.
• Ability to unite content, collections, research, and learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead content creation and delivery including exhibitions.
• Shape a strategic, inclusive learning programme.
• Establish and grow a dynamic research function.
• Steward Designated Museum collections.
• Champion innovative programming with communities.

Skills

Leadership in creative programmes

Curation of collections

Engagement of diverse audiences

Commitment to equity and inclusion

Job description

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Creative Director

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon

Salary: Up to £100,000 dependent on experience

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is entering a transformative new chapter - one defined by creative ambition, cultural leadership, and global relevance. As the world’s leading centre dedicated to William Shakespeare, the Trust holds the largest publicly accessible collection of Shakespeare-related material and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to the playwright’s family homes.

We are now seeking our inaugural Creative Director to shape and deliver a bold, inclusive creative vision that inspires audiences of the future. This is an unparalleled opportunity to lead a globally significant cultural institution into its next era: connecting people, ideas, and communities through the life, works, and legacy of Shakespeare.

Set in the heart of stunning Stratford-upon-Avon, the Trust is a place of discovery, dialogue, and imagination. From immersive exhibitions and participatory programming to groundbreaking research and community partnerships, we are redefining what it means to be a museum of Shakespeare - for everyone.

The Role

As Creative Director, you will:

• Lead content creation and delivery - from exhibitions and interpretation to outreach and audience engagement.
• Shape a strategic, inclusive learning programme that fosters critical thinking and creative expression.
• Establish and grow a dynamic research function, translating academic excellence into public impact.
• Steward our Designated Museum collections, including archives, library, and objects of global significance.
• Champion innovative, audience-led programming in collaboration with artists, educators, and communities.
• Act as a visible ambassador for the Trust - locally, nationally, and internationally.

About You

We’re looking for a visionary leader with:

• A deep appreciation of the transformative power of museums and heritage in shaping cultural dialogue.
• Experience in leading creative programmes, curating collections, and engaging diverse audiences.
• The ability to unite content, collections, research, and learning into a cohesive, future-facing vision.
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion - amplifying underrepresented voices.

Whether you come from a museum, heritage, cultural, or academic background, you’ll bring the imagination, leadership, and collaborative spirit to guide the Trust into its next chapter.

Our Values

We are outward-facing, ambitious, innovative, collaborative, excellent, and responsible. We champion equality and strive for diversity in all we do and we especially welcome applications from those underrepresented at senior leadership levels in our sector.

You can find out lots more information about this opportunity by clicking Apply and navigating the details in the microsite using the tabs at the top of the page.

If after reading the information available, you would like a confidential conversation about the opportunity, contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson:

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

Jennie Wood, Research Lead – [e-mail]

Closing date: Monday, 3rd November