Executive Director & Joint CEO

Job Description

The choice of our next Executive Director is one of the most important we will make during our time at the OT.

As the Executive Director, you will lead the organisation collaboratively with Artistic Director (AD) Tom Littler. The ED has overall responsibility for supporting the OT’s artistic programme by providing organisational, financial and managerial leadership for the company. Working in tandem with the AD, the ED will promote and maintain an organisational culture which values the highest standards in performance, both in executing the artistic vision and in management practice.

The AD and ED will form the executive team and will report individually and jointly to the Board. Together they will be responsible for the creative and managerial success of the Company although each will have responsibility for discrete areas of the Company’s operation.

Currently, the AD and ED are Joint CEOs. This will be reviewed during the recruitment process; we are open to candidates with and without prior CEO experience.

Individual Responsibilities

• To be responsible for all financial matters including the preparation and presentation of management accounts, long- and short-term financial plans, cashflow forecasts and production budgets.
• To oversee internal financial regulations to ensure effective financial control, taxation, VAT and effective utilisation of TTR.
• To oversee HR including pastoral, holiday, TOIL, contractual and policy matters.
• To ensure that the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and access is strengthened and enhanced wherever possible.
• To act as Company Secretary, ensuring that the Board is provided with appropriate information to enable strategic decisions and oversight.
• To ensure compliance with all relevant legislation as employer, limited company and registered charity.
• To oversee all contracts including co-productions and commissions.

Job Requirements

• Experience of leadership/co-leadership of a theatre organisation
• Experience of managing large, complex budgets and financial systems
• A track-record demonstrating an entrepreneurial mindset and approach
• Experience of producing high quality, ambitious work for theatre
• Strong people management skills and detailed knowledge of HR practice
• Excellent understanding of marketing and sales
• Strong track-record of fundraising major gifts and engaging with major donors and funding bodies
• Excellent skills as an advocate, negotiator and builder of partnerships
• Understanding and appreciation of working effectively with a Board
• Productive and wide-ranging contacts in the theatre sector
• An affinity for the mission, vision and work of the Orange Tree Theatre
• The ambition, experience and ability to build on the reputation of the OT, with a commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement
• Resilience, positivity and humour when working under pressure

Job Responsibilities

• To deliver the OT’s business plan 2023-2028 and to create the next business plan for presentation to the Board.
• To develop the company’s policies in line with the OT’s mission statement and values.
• To ensure the efficient, effective and solvent financial management of the OT and to identify appropriate opportunities for income generation.
• To create an energised environment conducive to the production of high-quality and healthy working practice from staff and freelancers; to lead staff to maintain effective management and employment policies; to encourage and enable professional development.
• To seek and create partnerships with organisations, charities and businesses.
• To represent the OT to stakeholders, sponsors and funding bodies; in public and industry forums; and in the media.
• To executive produce the OT’s productions, working with the producing team to deliver the highest possible quality.