Location
Battersea, London

Hours
4 days / 32 hours per week, with seasonal flexibility around show periods

Salary
£60,000 per annum, pro rata

About the Role
London Children’s Ballet (LCB) is seeking an inspiring, commercially-minded Executive Director to lead the strategic business development, financial resilience, and operational governance of this unique £500k-turnover arts charity. Founded in 1994, LCB provides talented young dancers from all backgrounds with free, professional-level training and performance opportunities, creating original narrative ballets for audiences of all ages. Operating from its own studios in Battersea, LCB reaches more than 11,000 people annually through its annual West End production, Development Programme, Summer Schools, touring companies, community partnerships, and outreach work.

The Executive Director will work in partnership with the Artistic Directors in a co-leadership model, serving as the senior operational and business leader. This hands-on senior leadership role involves ensuring financial resilience, strong governance, and sustainable growth while supporting the artistic vision led by the Artistic Directors. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director will oversee strategic planning, financial management, income generation, production and operations, governance, safeguarding, and compliance.

Key responsibilities include:
1. Strategic & Financial Leadership: Leading organisational strategy development and delivery, financial oversight of the £500k budget, board governance and communication, co-leadership with Artistic Directors, strategic development, and maintaining local authority partnerships.
2. Income Generation & Growth: Developing and leading a diversified fundraising strategy, engaging trustees in fundraising, managing the fundraising pipeline, and maximising commercial revenues including box office targets.
3. Production & Operations: Leading the permanent team including direct management of the Finance Manager, maintaining relationships with freelancers, and overseeing asset management of LCB’s premises.
4. Governance, Safeguarding & Compliance: Ensuring robust governance, risk management, compliance with Charity Commission and other legislation, and maintaining safeguarding policies appropriate for working with children and young people.

Success in this role will be demonstrated by strengthened financial resilience and fundraising, growth in LCB’s reach and impact, successful delivery of the annual West End production within budget, enhanced organisational systems and governance, and a motivated, well-supported team. The ideal start date is October 2026, with flexibility for the right candidate.

Experience
- Proven senior management or leadership experience within an arts or cultural charity.
- Strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing small arts organisations.
- Exceptional communication skills with a proven track record of managing governance relationships and coordinating freelance expertise.
- Strong financial oversight capabilities, including reviewing management accounts, approving budgets, and collaborating with financial specialists.
- Some knowledge of Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) and its requirements is advantageous.
- Highly organised generalist comfortable switching between high-level Board strategy and hands-on team, freelancer, and facility coordination.

About you
- Entrepreneurial, highly organised, and mission-driven senior leader.
- Passionate about the arts and enjoys working in a small organisation.
- Committed to fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity across race, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, age, and socio-economic background.

Qualifications
- Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

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.