At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic music and arts organisation, shaping its future and driving strategic initiatives.
- Company: Newham Music, a high-performing cultural organisation in England.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and support for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with a focus on innovation and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the arts sector while leading a respected organisation.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in charity, arts, or publicly funded sectors.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead one of the most distinctive and high-performing music, culture and arts organisations in England. Newham Music is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead the organisation through its next phase of development. The CEO will provide overall strategic, operational and cultural leadership, working closely with the Board of Trustees and senior team to ensure that Newham Music continues to deliver excellent work, strong partnerships, sound governance and long-term organisational resilience.
This is a substantial and visible leadership role. The successful candidate will need to lead confidently across strategy, people, finance, governance, safeguarding, partnerships and external representation. They will also need to combine public and cultural leadership with a clear understanding of organisational performance, financial discipline and delivery.
The incoming CEO will inherit an organisation with strong foundations, a respected reputation and significant reach across schools, communities and the wider cultural sector. They will also take on a live strategic brief. Key priorities will include sustaining trust and quality across the organisation, leading Newham Music’s positioning for the next Arts Council England investment cycle, strengthening long-term resilience, and developing a more diversified income base alongside public investment.
A central part of the role will be to lead Newham Music within a multi-income model. The successful candidate will need to show confidence in managing a mixed financial ecology that includes public grant funding, earned income, fundraising, sponsorship and wider partnership investment. They will be expected not only to protect existing income but to grow and diversify it.
This is a role for a leader who can think strategically, act decisively, build strong relationships and lead with credibility across multiple settings. The right candidate will understand how to balance ambition with judgement, public purpose with financial realism, and artistic and educational values with strong organisational performance.
We recognise that relatively few candidates will have direct senior experience of both the Music Hub model and the Arts Council England NPO framework. We do not require it. What we are looking for is the curiosity and capacity to understand both frameworks quickly, the leadership experience to operate confidently within them, and the credibility to represent Newham Music effectively to ACE, DfE, schools, funders and communities.
If you have senior leadership experience in the charity, arts or publicly funded sector, within a mission-led organisation with a mixed income model and strong governance requirements, you have the foundations for this role. We will provide full briefing on both investment frameworks as part of the recruitment process, and transition support is designed to ensure the incoming CEO is fully equipped from day one.
Chief Executive Officer employer: NEWHAM MUSIC
Contact Detail:
NEWHAM MUSIC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the music and arts sector, attend events, and connect with potential collaborators. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for the arts! When you get the chance to chat with someone about your experience, make sure to highlight your love for music and culture. It’s all about making that personal connection.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Newham Music thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in leading the organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We want to see your application and hear your story. It’s the best way to ensure we get your details directly and can consider you for this exciting opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Music and Arts: When writing your application, let your love for music, culture, and the arts shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Newham Music, so don’t hold back on sharing your experiences and insights!
Highlight Your Leadership Experience: Make sure to showcase your senior leadership experience clearly. We’re looking for someone who can lead confidently across various areas, so provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams, finances, and partnerships in the past.
Be Strategic and Visionary: In your application, demonstrate your strategic thinking and vision for the future of Newham Music. We want to know how you plan to sustain trust and quality while diversifying income streams, so share your ideas and approaches!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure everything is in order. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Newham Music!
How to prepare for a job interview at NEWHAM MUSIC
✨Know Your Organisation Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Newham Music's mission, values, and recent projects. Understanding their current initiatives and challenges will help you articulate how your leadership can align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
Prepare to discuss your vision for the organisation's future. Think about how you would approach diversifying income streams and strengthening partnerships. Be ready to share specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your strategic thinking.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since the role involves managing a mixed financial ecology, brush up on your knowledge of public funding, fundraising, and sponsorship. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully navigated financial challenges in previous roles.
✨Build Rapport with the Board
Remember, you'll be working closely with the Board of Trustees. During the interview, engage with them by asking insightful questions about their vision for Newham Music. This shows your interest in collaboration and helps establish a connection.