Executive Director

London Children's Ballet; City Of London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

London Children's Ballet is seeking an inspiring Executive Director to lead strategic, financial and operational development for a £500k turnover arts charity. Working with the Artistic Directors, you will ensure financial resilience, strong governance and sustainable growth in Battersea, London.

The role requires hands-on leadership of a small team, with a clear focus on fundraising, partnerships and innovative revenue strategies to broaden reach and impact for children and communities.

Qualifications

• Proven senior management or leadership experience within an arts or cultural charity.
• Strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing small arts organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic, financial and operational development of the charity.
• Maintain robust governance, safeguarding and compliance with Charity Commission requirements.
• Oversee fundraising, income generation and commercial activity for the West End production and national opportunities.
• Manage the Finance Manager and wider freelance network, ensuring effective stewardship and risk management.

Skills

Arts Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Financial Oversight

Flexible Delivery

Job description

Overview

Core purpose: To lead the strategic business development, financial resilience, and operational governance of London Children\'s Ballet, driving the growth of this unique £500k-turnover arts charity.

Working pattern: 4 days / 32 hours per week, with seasonal flexibility around show periods

Location: Battersea, London

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Key partners: Artistic Directors (Co-Leadership model)

Salary: £60,000 per annum, pro rata

Start date: October 2026 ideally, but flexible for the right candidate

Application deadline: 15th September 2026

About London Children\'s Ballet

Founded in 1994, London Children\'s Ballet (LCB) is a unique arts charity with a mission to inspire excellence and change lives through dance.

For more than 30 years, LCB has provided talented young dancers from all backgrounds with free, professional-level training and performance opportunities, while creating original narrative ballets for audiences of all ages.

LCB has strong connections across the professional dance world, with a distinguished group of Patrons including Dame Darcey Bussell DBE and several Principal dancers from The Royal Ballet, alongside a wider network of leading artists and alumni.

LCB is much more than its annual West End production. Through its Development Programme, Summer Schools, touring companies, community partnerships and outreach work, LCB uses dance to reach young people and communities who might otherwise have limited access to high-quality arts experiences.

Today, LCB reaches more than 11,000 people each year and operates from its own studios in Battersea. LCB is now entering an exciting next chapter and is looking for an exceptional Executive Director to build on this strong foundation, strengthen its financial resilience and help realise its potential to reach more children, young people and audiences.

The role

LCB is seeking an inspiring, commercially-minded Executive Director to lead the strategic, financial and operational development of this unique £500k-turnover arts charity.

Working in partnership with our Artistic Directors, the Executive Director will be the senior operational and business leader for LCB, ensuring that the organisation is financially resilient, well governed and positioned for sustainable growth.

This is a hands-on senior leadership role in a small and highly committed organisation. The Artistic Directors will retain responsibility for artistic vision, programming and creative leadership, with the Executive Director leading business, financial, operational and organisational matters.

Key responsibilities

1. Strategic & Financial Leadership

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the development and delivery of LCB's organisational strategy, working closely with the Artistic Directors and Board.
• Strategic Planning: Translate strategic priorities into clear annual plans, budgets and objectives.
• Financial Oversight: Maintain ultimate financial oversight for the £500k annual budget, working with the Finance Manager and Finance Committee to ensure accurate cash flow modelling, controlled production spending and robust financial controls.
• Board Governance & Communication: Maintain clear, proactive and regular communication with the Board of Trustees; prepare comprehensive quarterly reports on business metrics, strategic risks and financial forecasting.
• Co-Leadership: Partner with the Artistic Directors to deliver a unified strategy balancing financial health with high-quality artistic programming.
• Strategic Development: Help shape LCB's long-term vision and identify opportunities to extend its reach and impact, including through touring and partnerships.
• Local Authority Partnership: Maintain the relationship with Wandsworth and Richmond Borough Council in relation to LCB's Social Contract and its position as a cultural anchor tenant, including obligations under the 20-year rent-free agreement which commenced in 2021.

2. Income Generation & Growth

• Fundraising Strategy: Develop and lead a diversified fundraising and income generation strategy, including major donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partners and sponsors.
• Trustee Engagement: Work closely with the Fundraising and Philanthropy Committee and wider Board to develop fundraising opportunities and activate trustee networks.
• Fundraising Management: Oversee the fundraising pipeline, donor stewardship and reporting.
• Commercial Revenues: Maximise box office targets for the annual West End production, and work with the Artistic Directors to identify commercial opportunities for LCB nationally.

3. Production & Operations

• Team & Freelancer Engagement: Lead the permanent team, including direct management of the Finance Manager, and maintain strong relationships with LCB's wider freelance network.
• Asset Management: Oversee the effective, safe and efficient use of LCB's office and studio premises in Battersea.

4. Governance, Safeguarding & Compliance

• Board Governance & Communication: Maintain clear, proactive communication with the Board and work closely with the Chair and the two Trustee subcommittees, the Finance Committee and the Fundraising and Philanthropy Committee.
• Risk Management: Maintain appropriate oversight of organisational risks and ensure appropriate policies, procedures, insurance and business continuity arrangements are in place.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements, GDPR and other relevant legislation and good governance practice.
• Safeguarding: Ensure LCB maintains robust safeguarding policies and practices appropriate to an organisation working extensively with children and young people.

What success looks like

• Strengthen LCB's financial resilience and fundraising pipeline.
• Support the Artistic Directors to grow LCB's reach and impact while protecting artistic quality.
• Ensure the annual West End production is delivered successfully and within agreed financial parameters.
• Strengthen organisational systems, governance, risk management and operational infrastructure.
• Develop an effective, motivated and well-supported team.
• Develop strong relationships with trustees, funders, partners and other key stakeholders.

Requirements

We are looking for an entrepreneurial, highly organised and mission-driven senior leader who is passionate about the arts and enjoys working in a small organisation.

Experience & Skills

Arts Leadership

• Proven senior management or leadership experience within an arts or cultural charity.
• Strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing small arts organisations.

Stakeholder Management

• Exceptional communication skills with a proven track record of managing governance relationships and coordinating freelance expertise with internal skills.

Financial Acumen

• Strong financial oversight capabilities, with experience reviewing management accounts, approving budgets and working collaboratively with financial specialists.
• Some knowledge of Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) and its requirements would be an advantage.

Flexible Delivery

• Highly organised generalist comfortable switching from high-level Board strategy to hands-on team, freelancer and facility coordination.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

London Children's Ballet is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members, artists, audiences, and collaborators. We celebrate diversity across race, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, age and socio-economic background, and we actively seek to ensure representation and fairness in all areas of our work including artistic programming, operations and suppliers.

Recruitment process

Successful candidates will be invited to a first-round interview with the recruitment panel appointed by the Board, followed by a second-round interview for those progressing. Any offer will be subject to satisfactory review of the candidate's right to work and two professional references.