Executive Director (Maternity Cover)
hace 10 días
Liverpool
Executive Director (Maternity Cover) WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS Unity Theatre is a values-led venue with a busy programme and a complex funding mix. This maternity cover Executive Director role is central to keeping Unity stable, compliant and financially resilient whilst also strengthening the systems and income pipelines that help the organisation thrive. You’ll be the organisation’s senior lead for governance, finance controls and trusts/grants fundraising, ensuring the Board has clear information for decisions, the team is well-supported, and Unity’s public work can happen safely and sustainably. This is a hands-on leadership role where good judgement, strong relationships and clear process can make a visible difference within 9 months. PURPOSES OF THE ROLE To provide operational and strategic leadership for Unity Theatre during a 9-month maternity cover period, ensuring strong governance, financial oversight, HR good practice, safeguarding policy oversight, and delivery of an effective trusts and grants fundraising programme. A key focus of this role is not only continuity, but improvement - strengthening income pipelines, decision-making information, and internal systems so Unity is consistently in a better position. YOUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Governance and Company Secretary • Act as Company Secretary for Unity Theatre, ensuring strong governance practice and compliance with legal/regulatory requirements., • Plan the annual board cycle; prepare agendas and board papers; ensure decisions and actions are accurately recorded and followed through., • Maintain governance records (minutes, registers, filings as applicable, conflicts/declared interests, key policies) and ensure Trustee communications are timely and clear., • Lead Unity’s organisational planning and delivery of the business elements of the Strategic Plan and annual business plan, reporting progress to Trustees., • Provide day-to-day leadership to the staff team (line management as applicable), ensuring clarity of responsibility, good internal communication and steady delivery., • Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and cashflow oversight; prepare management reports for Trustees., • Work closely with the Bookkeeper to maintain robust finance processes and ensure accurate records in the finance system (e.g. Xero)., • Approve invoices and authorise payment runs, ensuring appropriate controls, documentation and audit trail., • Collate payroll inputs (hours, changes, starters/leavers as applicable) from managers/admin roles and submit to the payroll provider (Adding Value)., • Lead Unity’s fundraising programme focused on trusts and grant applications, including pipeline development, writing/submissions, relationship management, and reporting. Maintain a clear funding calendar and ensure timely delivery of applications and funder reports, coordinating input from colleagues as needed., • Ensure applications are evidence-led, aligned with Unity’s strategy, and build a strong case for support (including budgets, outcomes, evaluation planning)., • Lead HR processes and people management across the organisation, including recruitment, contracts, performance support, wellbeing and professional development., • Act as Safeguarding Lead, with responsibility for ensuring safeguarding policies and procedures are current, robust and embedded., • Maintain oversight of organisational risk management: risk register, mitigations, incident learning and reporting to Trustees., • Ensure appropriate organisational oversight of health & safety and operational compliance through competent leads (e.g. Technical & Building Manager; Operations & FOH Manager)., • Act as a senior organisational representative with funders, partners, civic stakeholders and professional networks, strengthening Unity’s reputation and opportunities. Essential • Senior leadership experience in a charity/arts/mission-led environment (or demonstrably transferable leadership experience)., • Strong governance competence: working with Trustees/boards, producing papers, supporting effective decision-making, and managing sensitive/confidential matters., • Proven ability to lead trusts and grants fundraising (pipeline, writing, budgets, reporting, relationship management)., • Strong finance capability: budgets, cashflow awareness, controls, approvals, and working confidently with a Bookkeeper and auditors/accountants., • HR leadership experience, including recruitment and handling people matters fairly and consistently., • Excellent judgement, prioritisation and discretion; confident managing risk and deadlines in a fast-moving environment., • Experience in a venue-based organisation (theatre/arts centre/events) and understanding of operational realities., • Familiarity with Arts Council/local authority funding and reporting expectations. Unity operates an agile working policy. For this role, we expect a minimum of 60% (3 days per week) of working time to be based on-site at Unity Theatre. You are, of course, welcome to work on-site more than this if you prefer. Please note: due to the nature of a venue-based organisation, you will be expected to work outside of core hours from time to time (including occasional evenings and weekends) to meet the needs of the organisation. Annual leave Annual leave for a full-time role is 25 days per year, plus UK bank holidays (pro-rated for part-time working). Non-contractual time off Unity normally closes on the working days between Christmas and New Year (excluding bank holidays). This closure period is provided as non-contractual additional time off and may vary slightly each year depending on operational need. Theatregoing and sector engagement Unity staff champion theatre and the work of our artists and partners. Where appropriate, this includes attending theatre productions at Unity and in the wider sector to stay connected to current work, strengthen relationships, and build insight into audiences and practice. • Staff are offered complimentary tickets for performances at Unity (subject to availability). HOW TO APPLY To apply, please send: • Your CV, and We recommend a total word count of no more than 750 words across your answers (but you are welcome to write less). Questions • Please describe your experience of working within or managing a senior leadership office (e.g. Executive Director/CEO or Board-facing role). Include your experience of supporting governance or board processes (papers, minutes/actions, decision-making). What have you found most challenging about this kind of role, and how have you approached it?, • Trust, judgement and relationships are central to this role. Please give an example of a situation where your judgement or approach helped build confidence, manage sensitivity, or resolve a complex issue. (For example: governance risk, finance controls, HR, safeguarding, funder relationships, or a high-stakes operational problem. Recruitment timeline and important information Closing date for applications: 22 March 2026 Interviews: mid-April 2026, with a view to making an offer of employment to the successful candidate by the end of April. Start date: The successful applicant will be required to commence work on or before 20 July 2026. The Executive Director will begin maternity leave from 1 August 2026. Please do not apply unless this is feasible. Access requirements We welcome applications from all and are happy to discuss access requirements. If you would like to discuss any access needs during your application, or if you are selected for interview, at the interview stage, please get in touch. Right to work in the UK Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unity Theatre is not able to provide visa sponsorship.