We are seeking a visionary and hands-on Chief Executive to lead the organisation into its next chapter by providing strategic, financial and operational leadership for Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will ensure the theatre delivers its mission to provide homegrown theatre at the heart of a changing community while remaining financially resilient, championing diversity and inclusion, and continuing to innovate as a producing house.This is a solo leadership role, combining executive, financial, and strategic oversight with a collaborative approach to programming and producing, supported by an established Senior Leadership Team.Job Title:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Contract type:

Full-Time, permanentReporting to:

The Chair and Board of TrusteesResponsible for:

Creative Directors, Director of Communities, Director of Audiences and Development, Director of Finance and Administration, Project Director: Havering Changing, Director of HR and People, Director of Operations, Head of Theatre and Production, Head of Customer Services and Facilities, Producers, Associate ProducerSalary:

£70,000 + discretionary bonusLocation:

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Billet Lane, HaveringHoliday:

20 days holiday pro-rata during each holiday year, plus public holidays (rising to 25 days with length of service). The holiday year runs from 1 April to 31 March.Period of Notice:

6 monthsKey Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

– Develop and oversee the effective delivery of QTH’s vision and strategic aims, ensuring alignment with QTH’s mission and values, in close collaboration with the Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team.Strategic Leadership

– Foster a collaborative and creative leadership culture across the organisation.Strategic Leadership

– Develop partnerships that support QTH’s strategic goals and cultural placemaking.Strategic Leadership

– To grow QTH’s reputation as a midscale producing venue, overseeing the curation of a broad programme of produced, co-produced, partnership and received work, acting as Executive Producer on QTH’s lead produced activity both at the theatre and in partnership/on tour.Strategic Leadership

– Represent the theatre locally, regionally, and nationally, acting as a passionate advocate for its work.Strategic Leadership

– Drive QTH’s ambition to become a zero-carbon organisation by 2030.Artistic Collaboration

Artistic Collaboration

– Lead and develop the work of the Senior Leadership Team and Senior Management Team, to include supporting and developing the shared collaborative creative leadership of the organisation, ensuring excellence and diversity.Artistic Collaboration

– Work with artistic collaborators, production teams, and partners to deliver an ambitious and diverse programme.Artistic Collaboration

– Support commissioning, co-productions, and touring opportunities.Artistic Collaboration

– Champion work for children, young people, and emerging artists.Governance and Compliance

Governance and Compliance

– Act as the main liaison and report regularly to the Board of Trustees and support them in fulfilling their governance responsibilities, facilitating meetings, preparing agendas and papers, and supporting governance processes.Governance and Compliance

– Ensure compliance with legal, financial, employment, health and safety and charitable obligations, delivering best practice charity governance.Governance and Compliance

– Uphold and embed best practice in equity, diversity, and inclusion.Financial and Operations

Financial and Operations

– Lead the financial strategy, including long-term modelling, budgeting, and reporting.Financial and Operations

– Oversee financial controls, audits, and regulatory compliance, including organisation risk management.Financial and Operations

– Work with the Director of Finance and Administration to ensure solvency and effective financial management.Financial and Operations

– Line manage and support Senior Leaders and Senior Managers not reporting to a Director (this may include any other permanent, temporary or freelance roles required), overseeing HR policies and practices.Financial and Operations

– Oversee policy development and implementation.Financial and Operations

– Oversee HR, legal, IT, facilities and other operational functions, ensuring smooth and efficient day-to-day running of the venue.Financial and Operations

– Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive working environment.Fundraising and Income Generation

Fundraising and Income Generation

– Lead on major fundraising initiatives including relationships with Arts Council England, London Borough of Havering, key stakeholders, trusts, foundations, and individual donors, including the preparation of applications, completion and oversight of funding agreements and reporting, and attendance at relevant meetings and briefings.Fundraising and Income Generation

– Develop innovative income streams including commercial ventures and artistic content exploitation.Fundraising and Income Generation

– Maximise earned income through box office, commercial hires, bars, and other revenue streams.Fundraising and Income Generation

– Work with the team to identify and grow new income opportunities.Audience and Community Engagement

Audience and Community Engagement

– Champion audience development strategies that prioritise underserved and underrepresented communities, supporting access, inclusion, and relevance.Audience and Community Engagement

– Develop partnerships that support QTH’s strategic goals and cultural placemaking ambition.Audience and Community Engagement

– Ensure youth and community engagement, education, and outreach programmes are championed, appropriately resourced and at the heart of all decision making.Audience and Community Engagement

– Ensure the theatre is welcoming and inclusive for all audiences and participants.Person Specification

EssentialProven leadership experience at a senior level in a producing theatre or arts organisation.Strategic thinker with a track record of delivering organisational growth and development.Experience working with Boards and charity governance structures.Understanding of the UK theatre funding landscape, including Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and audits.Experience of producing or managing theatre productions.Successful fundraising experience across public and private sectors.Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.Ability to lead and inspire teams and manage complex stakeholder relationships.Self-motivated, well-organised, and able to work independently as well as part of a team.Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).Desirable

Substantial lived experience (and/or a heightened empathy) of working with underrepresented and underserved communities.A strong understanding of Outer East London and South Essex, including local authority and cultural sector networks.Experience leading a venue and managing facilities.Experience in artistic programming or production.Familiarity with environmental sustainability in the arts.

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