Oily Cart Interim Artistic Director (Maternity Cover) Information Pack
Overview:
Oily Cart creates sensory, interactive theatre experiences for disabled children and young people, babies, and their families. We are seeking an Interim Artistic Director to provide maternity cover during a significant period for the company, including the delivery of our major new project, SideWays Play, and the development of future artistic programmes. We are looking for an experienced theatre-maker who is able to step into an established programme, provide artistic leadership, maintain key relationships and deliver work to a high standard.
Working alongside the Executive Director / Co-CEO, the Interim Artistic Director will:
- Provide artistic leadership across the organisation (leading a large-scale sensory playscape project and future sensory shows in development).
- Lead and support creative teams.
- Contribute to strategic planning and organisational development.
- Champion Oily Cart's commitment to inclusion and accessible practice.
Maintain artistic quality and programme coherence.
Build and sustain relationships with artists, partners, commissioners and funders.
We are seeking candidates who meet the essential criteria on the person specification, in particular:
- Significant professional experience directing / leading the creation of sensory theatre shows and immersive playscapes or installations.
- Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering high-quality work for babies, children and / or family audiences at a national or international level.
- Experience of creating work with and for disabled children and young people with complex barriers to access
- A strong understanding of Oily Cart’s approach to sensory theatre.
We actively encourage applications from people currently under-represented in arts leadership.
Key contract terms:
- Contract: Fixed term maternity cover (expected 10 months); PAYE contract.
- Salary: £50,000 pro rata (0.7 full-time equivalent i.e. £35,000 for 3.5 day week)
- Location: Tooting, London, with the ability to travel for work when required.
Expected timeline and key dates:
- Interviews are expected to take place during the week of 19 October 2026.
- Proposed engagement at staff away-day on Thursday 5 November
- Availability for a handover in November
- Start date: during November (by Monday 30 November at the latest)
Availability during January for a busy project period and opening of SideWays: a sensory playscape
Full job description:
Interim Artistic Director (Maternity Cover)
Reports to: Chair of the Board (with day-to-day collaboration alongside the Executive Director / Co-CEO)
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover (approximately 10 months)
Salary: £50,000 pro rata (0.7 FTE)
Purpose of the Role
To provide artistic leadership and continuity during the Artistic Director's maternity leave, ensuring delivery of Oily Cart's artistic programme, maintaining artistic quality across projects, supporting staff and freelancers, and nurturing relationships with key partners, commissioners and stakeholders. The postholder will work closely with the Executive Director & Joint CEO to support the organisation's strategic development and future planning.
NB: Joint CEO status will be maintained by the Executive Director and Artistic Director whilst on maternity leave.
Key Responsibilities
Artistic Leadership
- Lead the artistic delivery of Oily Cart's programme during the maternity cover period.
- Maintain the quality, values and inclusive practice that underpin Oily Cart's work.
Provide artistic oversight and direction for the company projects and shows (in development and in delivery) that have been set for the year ahead.
Support artistic planning and future programme development.
Ensure projects are delivered to a high artistic standard and within agreed plans and budgets.
- Maintain oversight of artistic delivery on tour and support quality control processes.
Team Leadership
- Lead and support creative teams, freelancers and associate artists.
- Line-manage the Production Manager and Communication & Advocacy Officer.
- Lead relevant creative meetings.
Family & Audience Engagement
- Oversee family engagement activity linked to artistic projects, liaising closely with our freelance Families Officer.
- Co-facilitate family sessions alongside our Families Officer.
- Ensure children, young people and families remain at the centre of artistic decision-making.
- Contribute to evaluation, reflection and audience development activity.
Partnerships & Advocacy
- Build and maintain positive relationships with commissioners, venues, artists and sector partners.
- Act as an ambassador for Oily Cart at meetings, events, talks and conferences.
- Contribute to advocacy for sensory and inclusive theatre practice.
Strategic Contribution
Work alongside the Executive Director & Joint CEO to support organisational planning and strategic development.
- Contribute to funding applications, reports and partnership discussions where required.
- Prepare reports and attend Board meetings as required.
General
- Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of the role.
- Support Oily Cart's safeguarding, wellbeing and environmental commitments.
- To provide / undergo an appropriate DBS check and undergo safeguarding training.
- Undertake other duties reasonably related to the post.
Essential:
- Significant professional experience directing / leading the creation of sensory theatre shows and immersive playscapes or installations.
- Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering high-quality work for babies, children and / or family audiences at a national or international level.
- Experience of creating work with and for disabled children and young people with complex barriers to access
- A strong understanding of Oily Cart’s approach to sensory theatre.
- Experience working with high-profile, publicly-funded venues and/or companies.
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills, with experience of contributing to artistic planning and / or programme development.
- Experience managing relationships with large-scale venues, commissioners, major funders (e.g. Arts Council England) and other strategic partners.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with experience leading multidisciplinary creative teams.
- The confidence and ability to represent an organisation publicly.
- An organised, reliable and calm approach.
- An understanding of Safeguarding.
Desirable
- Experience of leading talks and workshops
- Experience of press or other public communications to promote arts projects.
- Experience of co-leadership within an arts organisation.
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