At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a vibrant dance organisation, driving strategic growth and community engagement.
- Company: East London Dance, a key player in the local arts scene, fostering creativity and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and the chance to shape the future of dance.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team committed to inclusivity and cultural representation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the arts while supporting diverse communities and creative leaders.
- Qualifications: Extensive senior leadership experience with a passion for arts and community development.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 50000 £ per year.
East London Dance champions and grows east London’s vibrant dance scene through a wide range of artistic and community-focused activity. From its state-of-the-art home, the Talent House—a converted historic warehouse at the edge of the Olympic Park—the organisation supports artists, producers, and participants to become creative leaders in their communities. East London Dance is committed to co-creation, inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and representing the diverse communities it serves. The Talent House is also a key creative hub, offering flexible spaces and facilities that can be hired for dance, performance, and events, making it a central part of east London’s cultural landscape.
The Executive Director will provide strategic, operational and financial leadership for East London Dance, working in close partnership with the Creative Director & CEO to deliver the organisation’s vision and business plan, strengthening its position as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. The role leads people, culture, finance, governance, risk, operations, fundraising and stakeholder engagement, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable, well-governed and equipped to deliver high-quality artistic and community programmes. As a senior ambassador, the Executive Director builds strong relationships with funders, partners, trustees and stakeholders, while fostering an inclusive, collaborative and values-led culture. The role creates the conditions for a thriving team, turning creative ambition into organisational reality and supporting East London Dance’s long-term success.
We’re looking for someone who can help turn our ambition into a sustainable, thriving future – building the relationships and the funding that will carry us forward, and doing it alongside a team that already cares deeply about the organisation.
Salary: £48-50k (Full Time)
Job requirements:
- Must bring substantial senior leadership experience, ideally Director, Deputy CEO or equivalent level, with evidence of strategic planning, organisational growth and performance management.
- Must have a proven track record in fundraising, business development and income generation, including securing funding, managing funder relationships and identifying new commercial or partnership opportunities.
- Experience leading high-performing teams, managing change and strengthening organisational culture.
- Strong financial acumen, including understanding budgets, balance sheets and financial decision-making.
- Knowledge of charity governance, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and risk management frameworks.
- Experience working with Boards of Trustees.
- Must demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Be confident using Microsoft Suite.
- Have knowledge of ACE funding and reporting requirements.
Job Responsibilities:
- Provides strategic, operational and financial leadership with Creative Director & CEO.
- The role translates the Business Plan into action, leads staff, freelancers and consultants, and develops an inclusive, high-performing culture.
- Key responsibilities include workforce planning, recruitment, HR compliance, performance management and staff wellbeing.
- The role oversees organisational systems, administration, IT and the operation of Talent House, including health and safety, compliance, venue hire and stakeholder relationships.
- They co-lead budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow monitoring and audit processes, while driving fundraising and income generation across grants, trusts, partnerships, sponsorship and earned income.
- The role also leads governance, risk management and business continuity planning, supports the Board of Trustees, develops strategic partnerships, represents the organisation externally and strengthens its profile, impact and long-term sustainability.
Application Deadline: Apply by 12noon, Thursday 8 October, 2026
Executive Director employer: East London Dance
East London Dance is an exceptional employer, dedicated to nurturing a vibrant dance community while fostering an inclusive and collaborative work culture. Located in the heart of east London at the innovative Talent House, employees benefit from a creative hub that supports professional growth and artistic ambition, alongside opportunities for strategic leadership in a well-governed organisation committed to equity and accessibility. With a focus on employee wellbeing and strong partnerships, East London Dance empowers its team to make a meaningful impact in the arts sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by East London Dance.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like East London Dance.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at East London Dance.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at East London Dance. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of East London Dance. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Executive Director, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at East London Dance
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of East London Dance. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
