Artistic Director & Chief Executive

The King’s Head Theatre is seeking an ambitious Artistic Director and Chief Executive to lead the theatre into its next chapter. This is an opportunity to decide what one of London’s best-known independent theatres becomes next. You will build on a remarkable history, a distinctive artistic identity and a new building. You will have the authority

Role Responsibility

Artistic leadership and programming

• Set and articulate a distinctive artistic vision for King’s Head Theatre.
• Develop and deliver an integrated artistic, organisational and financial plan.
• Lead the curation and development of the theatre’s programme.
• Balance visiting productions and partnerships with a focused number of King’s Head Theatre productions and co-productions.
• Identify and develop work with potential for touring, transfer, further commercial life or international opportunities where appropriate.
• Identify, nurture and champion artists, writers, directors and companies, including work at earlier stages of development.
• Attract high-quality productions, co-productions and creative partnerships to King’s Head Theatre.
• Maintain consistently high quality across the programme, so that audiences trust the King’s Head and keep coming back.

Financial and organisational leadership

• Take overall responsibility for the theatre’s finances, building the financial strength that supports its artistic ambitions.
• Work with the Board and executive team to set and manage the annual budget.
• Ensure that artistic and organisational plans are ambitious and financially realistic.
• Identify opportunities to increase income, including commercial partnerships, fundraising and appropriate use of reliefs such as Theatre Tax Relief.
• Develop a more resilient business model for the building, including its bars, hires and other earned income.
• Provide visible leadership for the theatre’s fundraising, personally building relationships with major donors and partners and working closely with the Board, Development Committee, staff and professional fundraising support.
• Build the team, structures and resources the theatre needs to deliver its plans.
• Lead and inspire the staff team, creating a positive, collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture.

Producing and industry relationships

• Build and sustain strong relationships with producers, artists, companies, writers, directors, creative teams, venues and other industry partners.
• Develop opportunities for King’s Head Theatre to act as producer, co-producer and creative partner, including with commercial and international producers seeking a London home for new work.
• Build lasting partnerships with producers, and support them to make their best work at King’s Head Theatre.
• Ensure that artistic ambitions are supported by strong producing, technical, marketing and audience-development practice.
• Represent the theatre as an active and respected participant in London’s independent theatre ecology.

Capital development and fundraising

• Lead the theatre’s planned capital development and the fundraising campaign that supports it.
• Shape and articulate the vision and case for support, ensuring it serves the theatre’s artistic ambitions and charitable objectives.
• Lead the campaign’s relationships with major donors, trusts, foundations and commercial partners.
• Work with professional advisers and staff to ensure the project is well planned, well governed and delivered within agreed budgets and timescales.

Leadership, governance and representation

• Work constructively with the Chair and Board of Trustees, providing clear reporting and seeking advice where appropriate.
• Ensure that the theatre operates safely, legally and effectively. This includes appropriate oversight of venue operations, HR, safeguarding, risk management and compliance.
• Lead the organisation’s commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, access and environmental responsibility.
• Be a visible and compelling ambassador for King’s Head Theatre. 8 King’s Head Theatre | Artistic Director and Chief Executive
• Communicate the theatre’s ambitions to audiences, artists, funders, partners, press and the wider industry.