Executive Director

Overview

Core purpose:
To lead the strategic business development, financial resilience, and operational governance of London Children s Ballet, driving the growth of this unique £500k-turnover arts charity.

Working pattern: 4 days / 32 hours per week, with seasonal flexibility around show periods

Location:

Battersea, London

Reports to:

Board of Trustees

Key partners:
Artistic Directors (Co-Leadership model)

Salary: £60,000 per annum, pro rata

Start date:

October 2026 ideally, but flexible for the right candidate

Final date to receive applications: 15th September 2026

Founded in 1994, London Children s Ballet (LCB) is a unique arts charity with a mission to inspire excellence and change lives through dance.

For more than 30 years, LCB has provided talented young dancers from all backgrounds with free, professional-level training and performance opportunities, while creating original narrative ballets for audiences of all ages.

LCB has strong connections across the professional dance world, with a distinguished group of Patrons including Dame Darcey Bussell DBE and several Principal dancers from The Royal Ballet, alongside a wider network of leading artists and alumni.

LCB is much more than its annual West End production. Through its Development Programme, Summer Schools, touring companies, community partnerships and outreach work, LCB uses dance to reach young people and communities who might otherwise have limited access to high-quality arts experiences.

Today, LCB reaches more than 11,000 people each year and operates from its own studios in Battersea. LCB is now entering an exciting next chapter and is looking for an exceptional Executive Director to build on this strong foundation, strengthen its financial resilience and help realise its potential to reach more children, young people and audiences.

LCB is seeking an inspiring, commercially-minded Executive Director to lead the strategic, financial and operational development of this unique £500k-turnover arts charity.

Working in partnership with our Artistic Directors, the Executive Director will be the senior operational and business leader for LCB, ensuring that the organisation is financially resilient, well governed and positioned for sustainable growth.

This is a hands-on senior leadership role in a small and highly committed organisation. The Artistic Directors will retain responsibility for artistic vision, programming and creative leadership, with the Executive Director leading business, financial, operational and organisational matters.

• Strategic Leadership:
  Lead the development and delivery of LCB's organisational strategy, working closely with the Artistic Directors and Board.
• Strategic Planning:
  Translate strategic priorities into clear annual plans, budgets and objectives.
• Financial Oversight:
  Maintain ultimate financial oversight for the £500k annual budget, working with the Finance Manager and Finance Committee to ensure accurate cash flow modelling, controlled production spending and robust financial controls.
• Board Governance & Communication:
  Maintain clear, proactive and regular communication with the Board of Trustees; prepare comprehensive quarterly reports on business metrics, strategic risks and financial forecasting.
• Co-Leadership:
  Partner with the Artistic Directors to deliver a unified strategy balancing financial health with high-quality artistic programming.
• Strategic Development:
  Help shape LCB's long-term vision and identify opportunities to extend its reach and impact, including through touring and partnerships.
• Local Authority Partnership:
  Maintain the relationship with Wandsworth and Richmond Borough Council in relation to LCB's Social Contract and its position as a cultural anchor tenant, including obligations under the 20-year rent-free agreement which commenced in 2021.

• Fundraising Strategy:
  Develop and lead a diversified fundraising and income generation strategy, including major donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partners and sponsors.
• Trustee Engagement:
  Work closely with the Fundraising and Philanthropy Committee and wider Board to develop fundraising opportunities and activate trustee networks.
• Fundraising Management:
  Oversee the fundraising pipeline, donor stewardship and reporting.
• Commercial Revenues:
  Maximise box office targets for the annual West End production, and work with the Artistic Directors to identify…