At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic growth and financial resilience for a unique arts charity.
- Company: Join London Children’s Ballet, inspiring young dancers and communities through dance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth in a creative environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of dance education and outreach while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in arts or cultural charities and strong financial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Core purpose: To lead the strategic business development, financial resilience, and operational governance of London Children’s Ballet, driving the growth of this unique £500k-turnover arts charity.
Working pattern: 4 days / 32 hours per week, with seasonal flexibility around show periods
Location: Battersea, London
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Key partners: Artistic Directors (Co-Leadership model)
Salary: £60,000 per annum, pro rata
Start date: October 2026 ideally, but flexible for the right candidate
About London Children’s Ballet: Founded in 1994, London Children’s Ballet (LCB) is a unique arts charity with a mission to inspire excellence and change lives through dance. For more than 30 years, LCB has provided talented young dancers from all backgrounds with free, professional-level training and performance opportunities, while creating original narrative ballets for audiences of all ages. LCB has strong connections across the professional dance world, with a distinguished group of Patrons including Dame Darcey Bussell DBE and several Principal dancers from The Royal Ballet, alongside a wider network of leading artists and alumni. LCB is much more than its annual West End production. Through its Development Programme, Summer Schools, touring companies, community partnerships and outreach work, LCB uses dance to reach young people and communities who might otherwise have limited access to high-quality arts experiences. Today, LCB reaches more than 11,000 people each year and operates from its own studios in Battersea. LCB is now entering an exciting next chapter and is looking for an exceptional Executive Director to build on this strong foundation, strengthen its financial resilience and help realise its potential to reach more children, young people and audiences.
The role: LCB is seeking an inspiring, commercially-minded Executive Director to lead the strategic, financial and operational development of this unique £500k-turnover arts charity. Working in partnership with our Artistic Directors, the Executive Director will be the senior operational and business leader for LCB, ensuring that the organisation is financially resilient, well governed and positioned for sustainable growth. This is a hands-on senior leadership role in a small and highly committed organisation. The Artistic Directors will retain responsibility for artistic vision, programming and creative leadership, with the Executive Director leading business, financial, operational and organisational matters.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategic & Financial Leadership
- Strategic Leadership: Lead the development and delivery of LCB’s organisational strategy, working closely with the Artistic Directors and Board.
- Strategic Planning: Translate strategic priorities into clear annual plans, budgets and objectives.
- Financial Oversight: Maintain ultimate financial oversight for the £500k annual budget, working with the Finance Manager and Finance Committee to ensure accurate cash flow modelling, controlled production spending and robust financial controls.
- Board Governance & Communication: Maintain clear, proactive and regular communication with the Board of Trustees; prepare comprehensive quarterly reports on business metrics, strategic risks and financial forecasting.
- Co-Leadership: Partner with the Artistic Directors to deliver a unified strategy balancing financial health with high-quality artistic programming.
- Strategic Development: Help shape LCB’s long-term vision and identify opportunities to extend its reach and impact, including through touring and partnerships.
- Local Authority Partnership: Maintain the relationship with Wandsworth and Richmond Borough Council in relation to LCB’s Social Contract and its position as a cultural anchor tenant, including obligations under the 20-year rent-free agreement which commenced in 2021.
- Income Generation & Growth
- Fundraising Strategy: Develop and lead a diversified fundraising and income generation strategy, including major donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partners and sponsors.
- Trustee Engagement: Work closely with the Fundraising and Philanthropy Committee and wider Board to develop fundraising opportunities and activate trustee networks.
- Fundraising Management: Oversee the fundraising pipeline, donor stewardship and reporting.
- Commercial Revenues: Maximise box office targets for the annual West End production, and work with the Artistic Directors to identify commercial opportunities for LCB nationally.
- Production & Operations
- Team & Freelancer Engagement: Lead the permanent team, including direct management of the Finance Manager, and maintain strong relationships with LCB’s wider freelance network.
- Asset Management: Oversee the effective, safe and efficient use of LCB’s office and studio premises in Battersea.
- Governance, Safeguarding & Compliance
- Board Governance & Communication: Maintain clear, proactive communication with the Board and work closely with the Chair and the two Trustee subcommittees, the Finance Committee and the Fundraising and Philanthropy Committee.
- Risk Management: Maintain appropriate oversight of organisational risks and ensure appropriate policies, procedures, insurance and business continuity arrangements are in place.
- Compliance & Governance: Ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements, GDPR and other relevant legislation and good governance practice.
- Safeguarding: Ensure LCB maintains robust safeguarding policies and practices appropriate to an organisation working extensively with children and young people.
What success looks like: Over the first 2 to 3 years, the Executive Director will:
- Strengthen LCB’s financial resilience and fundraising pipeline.
- Support the Artistic Directors to grow LCB’s reach and impact while protecting artistic quality.
- Ensure the annual West End production is delivered successfully and within agreed financial parameters.
- Strengthen organisational systems, governance, risk management and operational infrastructure.
- Develop an effective, motivated and well-supported team.
- Develop strong relationships with trustees, funders, partners and other key stakeholders.
Requirements: We are looking for an entrepreneurial, highly organised and mission-driven senior leader who is passionate about the arts and enjoys working in a small organisation.
Experience & Skills:
- Arts Leadership: Proven senior management or leadership experience within an arts or cultural charity. Strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing small arts organisations.
- Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication skills with a proven track record of managing governance relationships and coordinating freelance expertise with internal skills.
- Financial Acumen: Strong financial oversight capabilities, with experience reviewing management accounts, approving budgets and working collaboratively with financial specialists. Some knowledge of Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) and its requirements would be an advantage.
- Flexible Delivery: Highly organised generalist comfortable switching from high-level Board strategy to hands-on team, freelancer and facility coordination.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. London Children’s Ballet is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members, artists, audiences, and collaborators. We celebrate diversity across race, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, age and socio-economic background, and we actively seek to ensure representation and fairness in all areas of our work including artistic programming, operations and suppliers.
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.
How to apply: Please submit your CV and answer a small number of application questions outlining your relevant experience and motivation for joining London Children’s Ballet via Workable. A cover letter is not required.
Application deadline: 15th September 2026
Please visit www.londonchildrensballet.com to understand more about LCB, our work and our impact.
Executive Director in London employer: London Children's Ballet
London Children’s Ballet is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, dedicated to inspiring excellence through dance. With a focus on employee growth, the organisation offers unique opportunities for professional development in the arts sector, all while operating from its creative hub in Battersea, London. Join a passionate team committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young dancers and communities, as you lead this dynamic charity into its next exciting chapter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director in London
✨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 London Children's Ballet.
✨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 London Children's Ballet.
✨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 London Children's Ballet.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
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We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director in London
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 London Children's Ballet. 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 London Children's Ballet
✨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 London Children's Ballet. 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!
