Executive Director / Joint Chief Executive

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is one of the UK's most significant producing theatres and the creative heart of West London. With a proud history spanning 130 years, the Lyric combines ambitious, high-quality theatre-making with a deep and longstanding commitment to its local community. From bold new work and distinctive revivals to award-winning creative learning through Young Lyric, the organisation places artists, young people and audiences at the centre of its work. The Lyric's building is a vibrant civic space, alive throughout the day with performances, participation, learning and connection, and makes a vital contribution to the cultural, social and economic life of Hammersmith & Fulham and beyond.

The Lyric is seeking an Executive Director / Joint Chief Executive to co-lead the organisation alongside Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive, Rachel O'Riordan, at an exciting and ambitious moment in its development. Together, the Joint Chief Executives will set and deliver an ambitious strategic vision that balances artistic excellence, financial sustainability and civic purpose. The Executive Director will take lead responsibility for finance, operations, governance, fundraising, commercial activity and organisational development, working in close partnership with the Artistic Director to ensure a collaborative, values-led approach to leadership, decision-making and delivery.

The successful candidate will be an experienced and collaborative senior leader, with a strong track record of delivering ambitious organisational goals within the cultural sector. They will bring substantial experience of financial management, business planning and governance, alongside the ability to work effectively with Boards, funders and external partners. A sound understanding of producing theatre, public funding and mixed-income models will be important, as will the ability to lead and inspire teams in a fast-paced, dynamic organisation, with a strong commitment to equity, inclusion and sustainability. This is an opportunity to provide leadership at a pivotal moment, ensuring The Lyric continues to thrive as an artistically adventurous, socially engaged and financially resilient organisation.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 6 March 2025

The Lyric values and promotes diversity and is committed to equality and opportunity for all. We are working actively to be an anti-racist organisation. Everyone who works with us is required to comply with and actively promote our Equality Policy, and no job applicant or member of our workforce will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, class or socio-economic background, trade union activity or political activity or opinion.

The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has made a commitment that all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for this job will be invited to interview. We may use positive action, in cases where candidates are equally qualified, to increase the employment of under-represented groups at the Lyric.

The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer and supports parents and carers working in theatre.