The Petworth Festival
Chief Executive
Job Summary
This is a new, part time, Chief Executive role to lead a long established and well supported multi venue, music, art & literary festival in the heart of the beautiful South Downs.Job Description
The Chief Executive will work with the Artistic Director and the Board of Trustees, steering the festival as it charts a course towards its 50th anniversary in 2029. They will be central to developing the relationships, partnerships and strategies necessary to secure the festival for the future as well as ensuring excellence in delivery of festival events.
As well as working closely with the Artistic Director, they will be supported by an events manager, responsible for the detail of event planning and delivery, a marketing and development manager, a festival administrator, a finance manager & bookkeeper and a team of over 100 volunteers.
Job Requirements
The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate –
- previous experience in arts administration
- team leadership experience
- excellent communication and relationship skills
- experience of evaluating arts programming – in particular music and literary programming
- experience of budget setting
- an understanding of both audience and fundraising development in the arts world
Candidates will need to live within reach of Petworth, and be office based at least part of the working week. They will need to be able to drive.
The successful applicant will need to be in Petworth every day during festival periods (in 2025 these are 16th July to 2nd August and 29th October – 9th November) and will need to attend sponsor and supporter events which are typically during the evening and in Petworth.
This role will average as three days a week but requires full time working during festival periods. Additional time worked during these periods can be offset by shorter weeks at other times of the year
Job Responsibilities
- Working with the Board to develop a 5-year plan (strategic and financial) for the festival leading up to its 50th anniversary in 2029.
- Working with the Board to ensure the delivery of this plan.
- Working with the Hon Treasurer and Finance Manager to set and oversee balanced, annual income and expenditure budgets.
- Delivering the festival’s activities and events within budget and to the highest standard.
- Delivering fundraising, ticket sales and other income in line with annual budget and 5 – year plan.
- Ensuring good evaluation practice so that learning from festival periods is incorporated into refinement of five-year plan and planning of future festivals
- Leading the team and festival operations effectively and on budget, ensuring good management as well as ongoing improvement in the charity’s systems and practices.
- Ensuring compliance with all regulatory and insurance requirements affecting the festival and its operations.
