Strategic Board Chair for Growth & Impact in Theatre

Playing ON is a theatre charity creating ambitious, trauma informed work with care‑experienced and marginalised communities.

We are seeking an experienced and inspiring Chair to lead our Board and support the organisation's next phase of growth, impact and sustainability.

What difference will you make?

The difference you will make

As Chair, you will help guide Playing ON through its next phase of development, ensuring the charity remains resilient, impactful and true to its values.

Your strategic leadership will support organisational growth, strengthen governance and help secure the resources and partnerships needed to expand our work.

Ultimately, your contribution will help more care‑experienced and marginalised young people build confidence, connection and a sense of belonging through participation in theatre.

What are we looking for?

• We are looking for someone with
• Board leadership & facilitation – Able to chair meetings confidently, manage different personalities, guide discussion constructively and help trustees reach decisions.
• Strategic leadership – Someone who can think long‑term, help shape organisational direction, spot risks/opportunities and support growth from a project‑based charity into a more sustainable organisation.
• Governance knowledge – Understanding how charities and boards operate – accountability, trustee responsibilities, compliance, decision‑making and good governance practice.
• Executive support & challenge – Comfortable acting as a critical friend to the CEO/Executive supportive, but also able to challenge appropriately and hold strategic oversight.
• Relationship management – Strong interpersonal skills; able to build trust across trustees, staff, funders, partners and stakeholders.
• Fundraising / financial confidence – Likely needs experience with funding strategy, financial oversight, income diversification or introducing useful networks and opportunities.
• Change management – Experience helping organisations through transition, scaling, consolidation or periods of development.
• Sector credibility & advocacy – Someone able to represent the organisation externally, raise its profile and champion its mission credible within arts, social justice or public‑sector spaces.
• Values‑led leadership – Emotionally intelligent, collaborative and aligned with socially engaged practice and inclusion‑focused work.
• Hybrid

What will you be doing?

The Chair will work closely with the CEO / Artistic Director and Executive Director to support the organisation through its next phase of growth, helping to strengthen governance, sharpen strategic focus and champion our mission at a senior level.

This is a pivotal leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape the direction of an artistically ambitious charity working at the intersection of theatre, social justice and public services.

• We are looking for a Chair who brings
• Senior level leadership experience, with the confidence to chair meetings effectively and foster inclusive, productive discussion.
• A strong understanding of good charity governance, or the ability to develop this quickly.
• Strategic thinking skills, with experience of organisational growth, change or consolidation.
• The ability to build trusting relationships with executive staff and fellow trustees.
• A commitment to Playing ON’s mission and values, and a belief in the power of theatre and creativity to effect social change.
• Experience of fundraising, income diversification or financial oversight within the charity or cultural sector.
• Knowledge of one or more of Playing ON’s key areas or work (e. g. care‑experienced young people, education, probation, mental health or youth justice).
• Networks that could support Playing ON’s development, partnerships or profile.
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