Director of Performing Arts in Surrey

Cranleigh School seeks an exceptional Director of Performing Arts to shape, unite and elevate Music, Drama and Dance across our flourishing 3–18 boarding and day community. This newly created senior leadership position carries a clear and compelling mandate: to draw together an extraordinary range of creative talent into a bold, future-facing vision that will redefine what Performing Arts can be in a leading independent school.

The Opportunity

You will be a specialist practitioner — in Music, Drama, Musical Theatre or Dance — with the artistic credibility to command respect and the imagination to inspire. You will bring infectious enthusiasm, strategic clarity and commercial flair. You will honour our rich traditions while confidently shaping a programme that speaks to contemporary audiences, excites families and nurtures every pupil — from first performance in Pre-Prep to specialist pathways in the Sixth Form. At a pivotal moment in our history, you will also help shape and champion the development of a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre — a transformational facility that will elevate creative provision across the whole age range and further position Cranleigh as a centre of excellence locally, nationally and internationally.

Your Impact

• Articulate and deliver a compelling strategic vision that unites Music, Drama, Musical Theatre and Dance into one collaborative, mutually reinforcing faculty.
• Lead and inspire senior colleagues fostering a culture of ambition, inclusivity and cross-disciplinary innovation.
• Oversee a dynamic co-curricular programme of major productions, concerts, dance showcases, festivals, competitions, tours and professional collaborations.
• Curate high-profile events and visiting artist programmes that energise the cultural life of the School.
• Identify and nurture talent across the full age range, creating clear progression pathways and bespoke development programmes for Award holders.
• Support pupils aspiring to conservatoires, drama schools and elite training institutions with insight, mentorship and specialist preparation.
• Enhance boarding life through creativity, collaboration and community.
• Strengthen partnerships with professional arts organisations, international schools and the local community.
• Work closely with Admissions and Marketing to ensure the arts are a powerful “shop window” for recruitment and reputation.
• Play a leading role in developing and realising the vision for our new Performing Arts facility, working alongside the Head and Development Director to inspire philanthropic support.

Who We Seek

• An outstanding specialist in Music, Drama, Musical Theatre or Dance with recognised artistic credibility.
• A proven leader of high-quality Performing Arts provision.
• A strategic thinker with warmth, authority and vision.
• An inspirational communicator, equally at ease with pupils, parents, staff and governors.
• Energised by young people and passionate about cultural life.
• Imaginative yet pragmatic — capable of balancing excellence with broad participation, tradition with innovation, ambition with sustainability.
• Experience within a boarding/day school, leadership of large-scale productions or involvement in capital development projects will be advantageous.

Why Cranleigh?

This is a rare opportunity to shape something genuinely distinctive: a creative ecosystem where participation flourishes, excellence is nurtured and the arts sit unapologetically at the heart of school life. With exceptional pupils, committed staff, strong heritage and bold ambition, Cranleigh offers the platform and the appetite for transformational leadership. If you are ready to conduct, direct, choreograph and lead on a grand scale, we would be delighted to hear from you. Join us. Shape the future. Take centre stage.

Cranleigh offers a supportive community environment and also a wide range of benefits.

How to Apply:

For further details about the role and to apply, please visit our website: Cranleigh School Careers. Candidates are requested to submit a brief letter of application (no more than one side of A4), together with the online application and supported by a full CV (via the ‘Apply now’ button on the website) as soon as possible and no later than 17:00 2 March 2026. Applications are considered as they are received and therefore the vacancy may close sooner than advertised.

Cranleigh School recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post holder will be subject to a DBS check.