At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative growth and enhance customer experiences at a world-renowned arts centre.
- Company: The Barbican Centre, a vibrant multidisciplinary arts hub in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, discounts, and a creative workplace.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to making a real impact in the arts.
- Why this job: Shape the future of culture and inspire millions through innovative leadership.
- Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience and a passion for inclusion and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 103190 - 118330 £ per year.
The Barbican is a multidisciplinary international arts centre in the City of London. Across its theatres, concert halls, cinemas, galleries, business venues, public and community spaces, the Barbican showcases the most exciting artists and performers from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries and helping us understand our lives in new and unexpected ways. Each year, the Centre presents hundreds of different performances, events and exhibitions that entertain and inspire millions of people, create connections, provoke debate, and reflect the world we live in. Firmly rooted in its neighbourhood, the Barbican collaborates on projects with local communities, and supports young people and emerging talent to develop their artistic practice and access jobs in the creative industry. As we approach our 50th anniversary, the Barbican stands at a pivotal moment. We are transforming into a 21st century organisation celebrating our people, place and programme, throwing open our doors and welcoming the world to join us. Our physical transformation takes a step forward in 2027 as we commence the first phase of restoration and renewal works. Through all of this combined, we are building the foundations for the next generation of experiences and cultural leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Champion the growth and evolution of the Barbican’s impact, through fundraising, brand, advocacy, partnerships and communications.
- Develop innovative customer experiences that increase engagement, revenue, satisfaction and lifetime value.
- Strengthen stakeholder and partner relationships locally, nationally and internationally.
- Drive growth in commercial income across visitor services, memberships, events, hospitality and future revenue streams.
- Act as a visible ambassador for the Barbican and the wider cultural sector.
About You
We are looking for an inspiring and visionary leader with a proven track record of delivering transformational growth within complex organisations.
You Will Bring
- Significant senior leadership experience in a comparable executive role.
- Demonstrable success delivering customer growth and organisational transformation.
- Experience leading large, diverse and multi‑functional teams through change.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including responsibility for substantial operational and capital budgets.
- Expertise in customer experience, marketing, fundraising, partnerships, brand development or commercial operations.
- Outstanding relationship‑building and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent communication and influencing abilities, with experience representing organisations at a senior level.
- A passion for inclusion, innovation and excellence.
What We Offer
- Barbican Membership
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service
- Access to Barbican Centre discounts including offers at the Barbican Shop and hospitality outlets
- City Corporation staff benefits and discounts throughout the City of London, including at Tower Bridge, Guildhall Art Gallery and others
- Reciprocal entry to a number of galleries and museums across London
- Employee volunteering scheme (up to 2 days per year)
- A vibrant, creative, inclusive workplace at one of the world’s leading arts centres
Equalities and Diversity
The City of London Corporation wants to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the work that we do. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme to ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable across the whole organisation – and is committed to regularly benchmarking and reviewing pay against external sectors. As part of our commitment to increasing the diversity of staff within the Barbican we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from groups that are currently underrepresented, including people from the Global Majority and D/deaf and disabled people. We want to better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We are members of the Disability Confident Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who would like to be considered under this scheme and who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. Please contact us if you require reasonable adjustments as part of the application process.
Global Majority is a collective term that refers to people who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual‑heritage, indigenous to the global south, and/or have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’.
Chief Experience Officer in London employer: Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is an outstanding employer, offering a vibrant work culture that celebrates creativity and innovation in the heart of London. Employees benefit from unique opportunities for professional growth and development, alongside a commitment to operational excellence that ensures a fulfilling and impactful career in the arts and culture sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Experience Officer in London
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
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✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Barbican Centre.
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We think you need these skills to ace Chief Experience Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Barbican Centre.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Barbican Centre. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barbican Centre
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Barbican Centre, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Barbican Centre, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Barbican Centre could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Barbican Centre as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
