Executive Director Arts Charity: Impact & Growth

People United; England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

People United is seeking an Executive Director to lead finance, fundraising, governance and business development, ensuring the charity delivers high-quality work that fulfils its mission and strategic objectives. Working with the Creative Director and Board, you will shape the organisation's strategy, culture and partnerships.

This role focuses on sustaining income, robust financial planning and strong funder relationships in East Kent.

Qualifications

• Senior or strategic leadership in a charity, arts organisation, or comparable sector.
• Financial management including budget setting, monitoring, cashflow, and reporting.
• Developing and delivering fundraising strategies, and managing relationships with major funders.
• Working with a Board of Trustees and understanding charity governance
• HR oversight, including recruitment, staff management, and organisational development.
• Developing income generation strategies including grants, earned income, and individual giving.
• Working in partnership with artists, community organisations, and public sector bodies.
• Producing high‑quality written outputs including reports, funding applications, and strategy documents.

Responsibilities

• Co‑lead the development and delivery of monitoring, evaluation and learning activity with the Creative Director.
• Lead fundraising strategy including the development of a trading arm and consultancy work.
• Lead governance reviews and support trustee recruitment, induction and development.
• Oversee organisational financial sustainability and income generation strategy with the Creative Director.
• Cultivate funder relationships and manage reporting and strategic grant applications.
• Support the management of project budgets and monthly budget reviews with the team.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Fundraising strategy

Governance & board oversight

HR oversight

Funders relations

Partnership building

Communication & reporting

Tools

QuickBooks

Notion

Job description

People United is seeking an Executive Director to lead finance, fundraising, governance and business development, ensuring the charity delivers high-quality work that fulfils its mission and strategic objectives. Working with the Creative Director and Board, you will shape the organisation's strategy, culture and partnerships.

This role focuses on sustaining income, robust financial planning and strong funder relationships in East Kent.