Chief Executive

The West End’s largest independent theatre seeks an inspirational leader.  Joining this Autumn the appointee will be expected to foster strong relationships with the Theatre’s current producers and the broader producing and theatre community.  They will spearhead the building’s renaissance programme, Dramatic Transformation, modernising and renovating the building’s exterior, main foyer and auditorium, alongside growing income streams and promoting the Theatre’s overall success and reputation.

Home of many award-winning productions and currently the hit MRS DOUBTFIRE, the successful candidate oversees the entirety of the Theatre’s operation, building on past successes whilst growing the conference, event, hospitality and trading activities.  They should have experience in a senior leadership role in either the Theatre or Entertainment industries, a passion for theatre and an in-depth understanding of musicals.  With proven commercial acumen, they should be a strategic thinker, able to provide collaborative and supportive leadership.

The Chief Executive of the Theatre of Comedy Company t/a The Shaftesbury Theatre must provide inspirational leadership, creative, commercial and strategic vision to create long-term financial stability and growth for the Company.

The Chief Executive is responsible for preserving and maintaining the Theatre to ensure its long-term future, by working collaboratively with its producers, ensuring a quality programme of entertainment that would be fitting for a first-class West End theatre. In addition, they work in partnership with the television companies and agencies that form DLT Entertainment’s UK operation to develop individual and collaborative projects for live and broadcast presentation.

The Chief Executive reports to the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of DLT Entertainment based in the Company’s head office in New York.

The Chief Executive leads the senior management team of Finance Director and Operations Director.

Duties

• Leadership and Management
• Provide exemplary leadership, vision and motivation for Shaftesbury Theatre staff, creating a positive working environment and promoting best practice and equality of opportunity.
• Develop the mission, aims, values and policies of the Company and review performance in accordance with its objectives.
• Develop and oversee implementation of the strategic plan, leading on the organisation’s brand and business development.
• Ensure all opportunities for generating income from commercial activities and financing from other potential sources are maximised, initiating and developing key strategic business relationships where appropriate.
• Ensure financial control and budgetary discipline throughout the organisation at all times.
• Lead, develop and monitor the performance of the senior management team, encouraging training and development as required.
• Securing a varied programme of first-class West End productions, assessed on the basis of quality, financial potential and broad audience appeal.
• Securing a range of one-off productions, events and conferences for daytime, non-performance days and/or dark periods.
• Negotiation and/or close supervision of all financial, marketing and technical arrangements with show producers, promoters and their allied agencies.
• Explore and incorporate new and emerging technologies for the benefit of the Theatre in all its activities.
• Take overall responsibility for all aspects of the management of the Shaftesbury Theatre ensuring it is run in a safe, effective and efficient manner and complies with all legal obligations and requirements.
• Act as the principle in all Legal, Health and Safety and Data matters.
• Work with all staff to ensure that the Shaftesbury Theatre experience is of the highest quality for audiences and other visitors, promoting best practice in customer service delivery.

Strategic Relations and Representation

• Build and develop relationships with both the UK and worldwide theatre industry maximising these networks and partnerships for the financial and creative success of the Theatre.
• Represent the Shaftesbury Theatre in relations with funders and investors.
• Enhance the reputation of both the Theatre of Comedy Company and the Shaftesbury Theatre maintaining positive relationships with external partners including London Borough of Camden, Greater London Assembly, Arts Council England and the Business Improvement District - Central District Alliance.
• Actively seek to develop the Company’s influence as a key strategic partner and leader within the West End, nationally and internationally.
• Develop good, productive relations with the press and other media acting as spokesperson for the Theatre.
•  Lead the development and implementation of an effective and rounded strategy for all aspects of the Theatre’s work.
• Promote, advocate and lobby for the work of the Company, raising the profile with key decision-makers, amongst the public, to continually seek opportunities to further the aims and interests of the organisation.
• Represent the Company at meetings, conferences, public events and other forums when required.

Person Specification

An experienced and effective leader within the arts, entertainment or leisure industries, with a proven track record of running a successful business with a significant turnover and a large team. They will have strategic and financial planning ability, commercial acumen, entrepreneurial and artistic flair and excellent communication skills.

Essential

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent.
• A strong track record of successful leadership at a senior level in an arts, entertainment or leisure organisation.
• Experience of theatre/venue/company management.
• Commercial acumen.
• Experience in growing and developing businesses.
• A proven track record of leading and developing large teams to achieve excellent results.
• A track record in the successful management of significant budgets.
• Experience in initiating, managing and sustaining effective relationships with a diverse range of organisations and individuals.
• An inspirational and motivational leader with empathy and understanding.
• An ambitious, creative and strategic thinker, able to create and instil an aspirational vision and continuous development throughout the organisation.
• Financial capability, including strong planning and analytical skills.
• The drive and ability to secure the best outcome in negotiations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to broker and maintain trust-based relationships with a wide variety of people and organisations.
• Decisive, straightforward, friendly, and approachable across all levels within the organisation and externally.
• First-class communication and presentation skills internally and in the public arena.
• Well-developed networking and advocacy skills, with the ability to represent the organisation externally to a wide range of stakeholders.
• The ability to travel extensively in the UK and, as necessary, internationally.

Desirable

• Understanding of the creative processes to deliver balanced commercial programmes
• Entrepreneurial flair
• Marketing and media skills.

How to apply

Applications should include a cover letter briefly specifying how you meet the criteria set out in the Job Description and should be sent with an up-to-date CV by clicking on the "Apply"

Further information is available on https://www.shaftesburytheatre.com/about-us/careers/

How to apply

Please click on the apply button

Closing date:                    Thursday 28th March

Interview date:                 Tuesday 16th April 2024

Start:                                  October/November 2024