The Chief Executive & Creative Director holds the most senior post at Dance City, unites the creative and strategic functions of the organisation, and is accountable to the board of trustees for the good management and impact of the charity. The Chief Executive & Creative Director leads and works collaboratively with the board, senior management team (SMT) and stakeholders and partners to ensure that Dance City creates opportunities for people to create, produce and experience dance at its very best. The Chief Executive & Creative Director drives the business, identifying commercial opportunities, securing financial resilience, and ensuring that Dance City’s programme is at the vanguard of sustainable dance development in the region. The Chief Executive & Creative Director is based in the northeast and plays an active role in the social life and cultural communities of the region.
Role Profile and Person Specification
Key deliverables
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Lead on Dance City’s vision, values and organisational objectives and ensure the relevance and sustainability of its creative programme.
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Ensure there is alignment between Dance City’s creative ambitions and its business needs and that all activity is delivered to the highest possible standards to plan and within budget.
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Grow the organisation’s earned income and shape and set targets for initiatives embracing commercial ventures, corporate partnerships, public funding, trusts and foundations and individual philanthropy.
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Be accountable to the board and to funding bodies, and for the responsible stewardship of Dance City.
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Ensure a strong profile and reputation for the organisation and for dance practice locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
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Initiate, develop and sustain partnerships with existing and potential funders and key stakeholders.
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Lead and enable the senior team; motivate, inspire, and support the development of the wider staff team.
Role profile
Leadership and governance
- Develop and monitor the strategic plan with the SMT and Board.
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Work closely with the Chair and Trustees to ensure the good governance of the charity and that organisational performance is structured and monitored using well articulated, achievable KPIs.
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Support Trustees in being an effective Board, ensuring it comprises the appropriate range of skills and has access to training and development opportunities.
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Deploy Trustees’ skills and networks to identify and activate opportunities for commercial development and business growth.
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Be an inclusive leader, collaborate with and empower the SMT, and motivate, support and develop the wider staff team.
Advocacy, profile and civic engagement
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Promote the profile and reputation of Dance City locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
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Initiate and enable constructive debate about dance and its development by artists, policy-makers and the public, and to promote Dance City’s role in dance leadership.
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Articulate the transformative potential of dance in enabling social cohesion, the centrality of its place in the wider creative industries sector, and its potential, through civic partnerships and collaboration, to make a major contribution to the economy and well being of the city and region.
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Ensure Dance City is part of local, regional, national and international arts discussions and networks, is represented at key events and viewed as crucial to decision-making processes in the dance and wider cultural and social sectors.
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Be the face of Dance City in professional and community networks and at events in the northeast; communicate and advocate for its plans and ambitions to the widest range of people including politicians, the media, funders, artists, audiences and the public.
Creative
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Shape, co-create and communicate the creative vision for Dance City.
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Oversee the development and delivery of a creative programme which appeals to a wide range of audiences, demonstrates excellence, and sets out to grow appetite and demand for diverse dance experiences.
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Build and manage sustainable commercial and funding partnerships which will enhance the profile of the programme and enable the commissioning, programming and presentation of dance within and beyond Dance City.
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Oversee the evaluation of the programme, to ensure quality, to engage in reflection and implement learning with colleagues.
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Maintain an overview of the local and national dance ecology in order to inform advocacy and planning.
Brand, commercial performance and income
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Oversee the design and delivery of effective marketing and communications strategies that are developed and effectively delivered, to retain existing and grow new audiences for dance in the northeast and to promote the Dance City brand.
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Be proactive in the development and delivery of effective fundraising and income generation strategies for Dance City, to ensure that contributed income grows and is diversified, and to develop commercial opportunities enabled by the building and programme.
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Play an active role in identifying and approaching prospective donors, sponsors and funding partners.
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Develop, maintain, and strengthen relationships with existing and potential supporters and to lead on key public funding and donor relationships.
Finance and operations
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Be accountable for the financial operation of the organisation, ensuring budgets are set and monitored, appropriate financial policies and procedures are in place, compliance with appropriate legal and fiscal frameworks is followed, and that there is timely reporting to the relevant funders and authorities.
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Oversee and ensure the smooth and efficient management of Dance City’s facilities and infrastructure.
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Ensure Dance City remains a visible champion of environmental responsibility.
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Ensure the organisation is fully compliant with all legal requirements, including health and safety, and that all staff are trained appropriately.
People and culture
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Set the tone for and model the organisational culture, be an inclusive and consultative leader, championing employee wellbeing and engagement.
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Ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place for recruitment, induction, appraisals and the professional development of staff.
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Ensure the organisation upholds its principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, valuing the wellbeing of all colleagues.
Person specification
Essential
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Has held a senior role in a cultural venue or within an organisation with a substantial arts programme or partnerships; is well networked in and beyond the cultural and creative industries.
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Understanding of the current landscape and eco-system in the cultural sector and awareness of local/national political initiatives that will impact on - and create opportunities for - Dance City and its partner organisations.
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Understanding of the legal, fiscal, social and political context within which the arts operate, and the contribution they make to health, education, social cohesion and civic pride.
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Understanding of the needs of dance as an art form and a commitment to best practice and to promoting inclusion and equality of opportunity.
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An inclusive leader with experience of overseeing organisational transformation and managing change.
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A track record in relationship building, working in partnership with a range of funders, agencies and organisations, and of successful fundraising and income generation from a range of sources.
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A strong advocate and compelling storyteller, able to network, represent the organisation, communicate its vision and inspire confidence among existing and potential peers and stakeholders.
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Strong financial literacy and skills, knowledge of charity governance and relevant financial policies and procedures; experience of senior financial accountability.
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Experience of working effectively with a Board of Directors, understanding of best practice in governance and organisational development.
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A commitment to living in the region, able to travel nationally and internationally, and to work some evenings and weekends where there is reasonable expectation to attend events.
Desirable
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Experience of running a building with a diverse and impactful arts programme.
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An extensive network in the cultural sector.
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Experience of significant national/international cultural partnership projects.
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Experience of managing significant public investment programmes such as ACE NPO, Creative Scotland RFO or equivalent.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
At Dance City we believe that voices and perspectives from a range of backgrounds and lived experiences make our understanding of the world and the arts more relevant.
We believe that difference is our strength.
Therefore we actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and those that are under-represented in our city and region and in dance leadership.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Our mission is to ensure the northeast of England is the best place to dance and to experience dance.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We’re looking for passionate individuals with personal experience of homelessness, bad housing, which may include other related disadvantages such as substance misuse and mental ill-health; to come and join us and make a difference to the way we do things. If you believe that people should have a say in their own support and that they should be at the front of making meaningful change then this could be the traineeship for you.
About the role
The GROW trainee will be working with our specialist Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Recovery Service which supports people with current or previous substance misuse to maintain their home and live independently and with our Home at Last Team that supports people with current substance issues who are not in structured drug or alcohol treatment/have difficulties engaging with treatment, who are currently or at significant risk of rough sleeping to access temporary accommodation and resettle longer term.
This vacancy is an opportunity for you to gain experience working with a leading provider of homelessness and housing advice and support. You will be part of a thriving Hub of advice and support services in Sheffield, supporting vulnerable people. The traineeship is open to anyone who has previously experienced any form of substance misuse and can bring their insight of how substance misuse affects housing need. The GROW trainee programme is an opportunity for us as an organisation to learn from your expertise. You will help us to develop our services in Sheffield and across Shelter at a national level, ensuring that they follow the principles of co-production and being trauma informed. You will use your experiences to bring knowledge and insight to influence this work. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in other projects within the Hub.
You'll support local campaigns and strengthen connections between the lived experience involvement group and the Hub, making sure lived experiences are valued and included.
Role specifics
We are looking for people who are passionate about the opportunity to use their own life experiences to help make positive change for others.
You’ll also need a commitment to equality and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and exclusion.
Good communication skills and the ability to make people feel heard will also be essential.
Basic computer skills, e.g. word processing, the internet and email would be useful, but support can be provided.
Above all, we need people with a real desire to develop personally and learn new skills.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
Shelter Sheffield has been providing housing advice and support to the city’s residents for over 20 years, specialising in emergency homelessness work, intensive support to children and families, people experiencing domestic abuse, and people experiencing multiple disadvantage. We offer a range of help to people in the community – including high intensity support, legal representation, housing advice, practical DIY assistance, and employment, training, and welfare benefits advice. This model, while focusing on housing and homelessness, ensures that we can help an individual or family to address a range of inter-connected issues that may be impacting on their ability to sustain accommodation and thrive within the community. These issues include physical and mental health conditions, drug and alcohol use, income and money management, and domestic abuse.
We deliver housing and homelessness awareness raising and targeted advice sessions in a range of community settings. We aim to build the understanding and capacity of communities to take action on housing issues for themselves. We work in partnership and collaboration with many organisations to address the broken housing system.
This role is ring-fenced for those with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Join our Marketing & Communications team and help churches reveal Jesus to the next generation. We’re growing, and looking to build on the progress already under way and take our impact up a gear. This role sits right at the heart of how Scripture Union communicates: creating connection and helping more people engage, pray and take their next step with us. If you enjoy producing great work and making it matter, you’ll love the mix – strengthening the relationships we already have, while helping us connect with new audiences across England and Wales.
About Scripture Union
Scripture Union is a national mission-movement, helping churches reveal Jesus to the next generation. We equip churches to reach children and young people – especially those outside the church – wherever they are, and in ways that truly connect. Because every young person should have the opportunity to discover Jesus, and too many never will. Through Bible-based resources, practical training and our Revealing Jesus mission framework, we help churches build relationships that lead to faith. Our team of Mission Enablers supports a growing network of Faith Guides – local people, rooted in their communities, revealing Jesus in everyday life.
About the role
This role is all about helping Scripture Union communicate with clarity, creativity and purpose. It focuses on shaping our digital content and website experience (a big opportunity as we seek to overhaul our web presence); If you like work that’s practical, people-focused and makes a real difference, you’ll feel right at home.
Web and Digital Content Officer
(Salary £31,100 - £32,900 - Full Time)
- What you’ll do:
· Shape and deliver clear, coherent, on-brand digital content aligned with our mission.
· Lead on website content production and day-to-day publishing, improving user journeys, information architecture, accessibility and discoverability.
· Create and publish high-quality visual and written content across website, email and social, including self-produced digital assets.
· Embed strong content governance (tone, style, approvals, naming conventions and asset management) and support colleagues to contribute well.
· Use insight and analytics to continually improve digital content and user experience — especially as we overhaul our web presence.
Why Scripture Union
· Hybrid working (minimum 1 day/week in Milton Keynes HQ)
· Flexible hours
· Generous benefits: 23 days holiday + bank holidays + 5 volunteering days, up to 12% pension contribution, life insurance, and enhanced family leave
· Free Bible Reading Guides
· A supportive, faith-filled environment where your work has eternal impact
Important things to note before you apply
- We are committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and welcome applications from people, regardless of their background.
- The Movement takes Safeguarding seriously. This role will require a Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service and has an occupational requirement to be filled by a committed Christian, active in church life. Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9 applies.
- Please note we do not provide visa sponsorship; applicants will need the right to live and work in the UK.
Who We're Looking For: Our Ideal Candidate
We’re looking for strong a candidate who can blend creativity with strategy – a confident specialist who brings experience, initiative and craft. But just as importantly, we want a team-player: the sort who will happily roll up their sleeves, jump in where needed, and strengthen others, so we move further, faster, together – across the Marketing & Communications team and the wider SU movement. If you love using your skills to build something that matters, you’ll thrive here: helping us sharpen our story, widen our reach with churches across England and Wales, and ultimately create more opportunities for children and young people to discover Jesus.
Web and Digital Content Officer
· Significant experience planning, creating and publishing digital content across website, email and social media.
· Strong visual communication and design capability, able to self-produce on-brand digital assets.
· Excellent writing and editing skills, with confidence adapting tone and structure for different audiences.
· Experience managing website content via a CMS, with a commitment to accessibility and inclusive communication.
· Comfortable using analytics/insight to evaluate performance and improve content.
· A committed Christian in sympathy with Scripture Union’s aims and ethos, actively involved in the mission of a local church.
To apply, please download a copy of the relevant job profile and apply via CharityJob. You will need to upload your CV (2 A4 pages max) and a covering letter (2 A4 pages max) detailing how your skills and experience reflect the person specification. All screening questions provided as part of your application must be answered.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Scripture Union is a Christian charity that exists to see a new generation with a vibrant faith in Jesus.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.