At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Conservatoire, manage operations, and drive strategic goals for community arts education.
- Company: Blackheath Conservatoire, a 140-year-old charity dedicated to music and arts education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, potential for remote work, and a chance to make a real community impact.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion in the arts.
- Why this job: Shape the future of arts education and nurture creativity in your local community.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership, organisational growth, and a passion for the arts.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.
Blackheath Conservatoire Music and Arts delivers music and arts to 2,000 learners of all ages each week.
Responsible to: The Board of Trustees
Hours: 5 days per week
Contract type: Full-time
Location: 19-21 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3, some remote working potential
Salary: £65,000 annual salary
Do you want to help more people get access to music and arts education? Are you a keen supporter of the arts? Do you want to make a difference to a local community? Do you love growing and developing organisations? We aim to nurture creativity and be accessible to all communities, centred around our heritage base in the heart of SE London.
We are looking for an experienced Executive Director to lead the Conservatoire team through updating our listed building and growing the Conservatoire, including expanding our services and audience. This role is full time and will lead the Conservatoire team. We are a learning organisation and hope you will learn and grow in the role too.
About you:
- You are something of an entrepreneur in that you have tried out new ways, even though some of them haven’t worked, you’ve learned from the experience.
- You have grown an organisation and customer base.
- You have worked with creatives and freelancers.
- You have worked with others and set up new systems and improved old ones.
- You believe it is very important to treat everyone with care and respect, doing your best to understand their needs.
- You have managed teams and are skilled at delegation.
- You have turned departments and organisations round and been involved with / have experience of big capital projects.
- You have led a small business (or a larger one!).
- You have experience in the not-for-profit sector.
- You are not just looking to improve things, but also measure the results of what you have done.
- You have experience with risk management and governance within an organisation.
- You have good IT literacy skills, some understanding of current cyber-security issues, experience of Health & Safety.
The organisation is at a strategic turning point, with ambitions to restore and reinvigorate its heritage building as a community hub and to grow sustainable, diversified income to support that.
About this role – Executive Director
As Executive Director, you will lead and run the Conservatoire and work alongside the Board to develop and deliver the organisation’s strategic goals. Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, your main duties will include:
- Work with the Board to provide good visibility of issues and implement the Conservatoire’s short-term and long-term strategic goals including planning for the long-term restoration of the Estate.
- Manage and run all aspects of the charity, leading the Senior Management Team and taking all key operational decisions.
- Ensure the organisation fulfils its charitable objects, its regulatory, legal and compliance obligations and that all policies follow latest legislation or guidance.
- Improve financial resilience, in particular through fundraising, supported by a Fundraising Director.
- Be one of the principal public ambassadors for the organisation, engage with stakeholders in the local and wider community to build strong relationships and partnerships.
- Any other duties required to ensure the smooth running of Conservatoire operations.
About the Blackheath Conservatoire of Music and the Arts
The Blackheath Conservatoire of Music and the Arts is a registered charity, with 140 years’ history of delivering high-quality experiences and learning in music and art. We deliver music and arts education to around 2,000 people each week across all ages, with a strong commitment to access and community participation in Greenwich and Lewisham.
To apply:
Please see instructions via the How to Apply button. We’d love you to apply even if you think you only match 70-80% of the criteria.
Equality Statement
Please apply, even if you are returning to work after a career break. We’re an organisation passionately committed to equality and inclusion in music and arts. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We are committed to becoming more representative of our local community, so we particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups. Currently, we especially encourage global majority people who might be interested to apply.
Executive Director in London employer: The Conservatoire
The Conservatoire is an attractive employer due to its commitment to community engagement and the arts. Employees have the opportunity to make a significant impact while enjoying a supportive work culture that encourages professional development. The organization values creativity and inclusivity, making it a fulfilling place to work.
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 The Conservatoire.
✨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 The Conservatoire.
✨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 The Conservatoire.
✨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 The Conservatoire. Apply directly through us to stand out!
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 The Conservatoire. 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 The Conservatoire
✨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 The Conservatoire. 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!
