Executive Director, Cultural Programme

Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities at the University of Oxford invites applications for an Executive Director of the Cultural Programme. The role leads strategic planning, financial management, marketing and income generation to build a sustainable cultural offer within the Centre's new venue.

Working with senior colleagues, you will oversee partnerships, fundraising, operations, and evaluation, driving innovative public engagement and collaborations with local, national and global arts

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, financial management, marketing and fundraising for the Cultural Programme.
• Oversee business development and income generation to build a sustainable model by 2030.
• Coordinate marketing, communications and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

Job description

Executive Director, Cultural Programme, Schwarzman Centre of the Humanities

Part of the University of Oxford, the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities is a unique space for arts, humanities, exhibitions and public events, uniting academia and public engagement under one roof. Opened in 2025, the Centre houses world-class performance, exhibition and public engagement spaces in a setting designed to foster new thinking, experimentation and collaboration. At the heart of this vision is the Centre’s Cultural Programme, which draws on the University’s academic excellence to produce bold and innovative cultural work and bring together local, university and global cultural communities.

As the Cultural Programme continues to progress, following its successful launch in April 2026, we are now seeking an exceptional Executive Director to play a central role in its next phase of development. Co‑leading the programme alongside the Director of the Cultural Programme and working closely with the Chief Executive of the Schwarzman Centre, the new Executive Director will have responsibility for: business planning, financial management, marketing, fundraising, commercial activity and operations, evaluation and organisational development. The postholder will be responsible for building a sustainable business model for the programme by 2030. They will oversee marketing and communications, work in partnership with colleagues in fundraising across the University and Humanities Division, and bring an innovative approach towards income generation for the programme.

We are looking for candidates with experience in a comparable role in the cultural or not-for-profit sector, as well as a track record of helping to generate income through fundraising, partnerships and other sources of revenue. Ideal candidates will have excellent financial planning and management skills, as well as the ability to build and strengthen relationships across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. They will be naturally collaborative and bring a genuine enthusiasm for art and the artists with which the programme engages. This is a great opportunity for a leader to help establish and grow a high-quality cultural programme in one of the most exciting new venues in the sector.

This appointment will be on a three-year fixed term.

The closing date for this role is the 7th September.