Peridot Partners

Arts Council England; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

One Dance UK seeks a visionary Chief Executive to lead the UK's national support organisation for dance from its West Midlands base. The role demands strategic leadership, deep advocacy, and ability to act as the sector's chief spokesperson on national and international stages.

You will steer long-term planning, nurture government and funding relationships, and drive stakeholder engagement while maintaining hands-on involvement in a small, high-impact organisation.

Qualifications

• Visionary advocate who champions the physical and mental health benefits of dance.
• Inclusive leader promoting diversity and inclusion that reflects audiences and communities served.
• Strategic manager experienced with complex stakeholder relationships across the UK nations.
• Adaptable and resilient to lead a hybrid workforce while expanding relevance and reach for the future.

Responsibilities

• Driving new business development and ensuring financial sustainability through grants, sponsorships and membership.
• Leading a dispersed, hybrid team with an emphasis on operational efficiency and a culture of expertise.
• Advancing initiatives that standardise healthcare for dancers via the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS).
• Your leadership will directly impact the resilience of the organisation and the wellbeing of the dance community.

Skills

Visionary Advocate

Inclusive Leader

Strategic Manager

Adaptable & Resilient

Job description

Tue, 08 Sep 2026">published - Tue, 08 Sep 2026

Job Summary

Lead the UK’s national support organisation for dance. One Dance UK seeks a visionary CEO to champion a vibrant, diverse and accessible sector.

Job Description

The Chief Executive provides the strategic vision and leadership needed to champion the UK dance sector on national and international stages. A primary focus of the role is serving as the lead spokesperson for dance and managing key relationships with funding bodies, cultural stakeholders and the government.

You will oversee long-term planning to ensure One Dance UK remains aligned with evolving national policies and educational curricula.

We are seeking an individual who is comfortable leading strategically while remaining excited by the opportunity to be deeply personally involved given the nature of our small, high-impact organisation.

While a dance background is not mandatory, the ideal candidate must demonstrate deep empathy for the work and a sophisticated understanding of the arts and cultural landscape. You should possess a track record in advocacy and cultural leadership, with the ability to build influential relationships across government and the wider performing arts sector.

Job Requirements

Key Qualities and Skills

• Visionary Advocate: A passionate communicator capable of championing the physical and mental health benefits of dance.
• Inclusive Leader: A commitment to diversity and inclusion that reflects the audiences and communities we serve.
• Strategic Manager: Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships across all nations of the UK.
• Adaptable & Resilient: The flexibility to lead a hybrid workforce while expanding our relevance and reach for the future. The successful candidate will bring fresh perspectives to build upon our past achievements, ensuring One Dance UK remains an authoritative and welcoming voice for everyone who moves.

Job Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Driving new business development and ensuring financial sustainability through grants, sponsorships and membership.
• Leading a dispersed, hybrid team with an emphasis on operational efficiency and a culture of expertise.
• Advancing initiatives that standardise healthcare for dancers via the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS).
• Your leadership will directly impact the resilience of the organisation, ensuring we continue to deliver a profound impact on the livelihoods and wellbeing of the dance community

Job Overview

• Job Title: One Dance UK
• Hours: Full time
• Role: Creative
• Contract: Permanent
• Location: West Midlands