The Gate brings people together from across the world to engage with theatre, performance, art and ideas. Founded in 1979 to stage ground-breaking international plays, the Gate has become a platform for radical artists, writers and directors from across the globe, known for its transformative ability to push the boundaries of what theatre is and could be. It is a place where creatives have been gathering to imagine storytelling differently, and where experimental thinking is front and centre.At a time when the world and our own nation grow increasingly insular, we believe it is important to foster communication and understanding across borders, across languages, across cultures. The Gate works with artists in the UK to tell stories from beyond our borders, celebrating the multiplicity of identity within our artists and our audiences through the power of theatre. As a home for new voices and new ideas, we also have a reputation as a training theatre. Gate shows enable artists to take risks and to develop and advance their own talent, and their own professional journey, by making high quality work that moves the artform and the sector forward.The monumental events of the pandemic have drastically changed the theatre landscape and ecology, with its effects being keenly felt through unpredictable audience behaviour, and rising costs. As the nation navigates the cost-of-living crisis, the arts continue to face devastating funding cuts and challenges, including the withdrawal of much local council arts provision and the increasing competition for resources across trusts and foundations. At the Gate, we have used this moment of transition to interrogate both our founding mission and what the needs of the sector are today. The Gate is now operating as a theatre producer as opposed to a venue, and seeks collaborations and partnerships in a variety of places to continue championing international voices through theatre.Job DescriptionLeadership, Strategy and Planning:With the Artistic Lead and incoming Artistic Director, develop and lead the Gate’s vision, mission and valuesOversee the delivery of the company’s Business Plan, ensuring that objectives are met and revising the plan annually to ensure that it remains fit for purpose and in line with the company’s long-term visionLead on income generation for the company, developing strategy for multi-year funder partnerships including future NPO bids, and ensuring the organisation is financially stableCreate a working environment and culture that enables the Gate to realise its creative ambition whilst recognising the limitations of its financial, time and human resources, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organisation and adherence with employment and health and safety legislationBe responsible for all major stakeholder relationships, including The Albany, Arts Council England and Big Issue Invest.Lead on the planning and delivery of the organisation’s venue ambitions; in the short term developing relationships with co-producers and receiving houses.In collaboration with the Communications Manager, lead on the development and implementation of the Gate’s Communications Strategy, seizing opportunities to raise the Gate’s profile in the theatre sector both in London, nationally and internationallySeek exciting and like-minded partner organisations and charities in our local community, and beyond, to create shared activities which strengthen the Gate’s missionLine-management responsibilities for the Artistic Director, Senior Producer, and Development ManagerFunding and income generation:Develop the company’s ACE core funding applications, working with the Artistic Director, and associated reporting and evaluationManage the relationship with Big Issue Invest, ensuring responsible repayment of social investment and timely updates on forward plansCultivate relationships with potential funders, taking a hands-on approach at events and meetings with donors and overseeing all funding applications to Trusts and FoundationsOversee the Development Manager in creating a long-term fundraising strategy and case for support, and support them in meeting the ambitious annual targets for Individual and Trust fundraisingManage freelance fundraising consultants brought on to support ad hoc project targetsFinancial management:Set and monitor the annual budget for the company and productions, working closely with the Senior Producer on programme expenditureWork closely with the Board’s Finance Trustee in annual budget setting and quarterly reporting, and ensure the continued financial viability and strength of the organisationCreate and present quarterly management accounts and cashflows to the Board and funders as requiredWork with the Accountant on the annual audit processEnsure that all staff adhere to the Gate’s Financial Controls Policy and internal finance guidelinesGovernance:Build strong relationships with the Chair and Board membersOversee the preparation and distribution of board papers, ensuring that the Board receives accurate and timely informationArrange and attend Board Meetings and ensure Board members are kept fully informed on artistic, finance, legal and HR issuesAct as Company Secretary, including submitting relevant paperwork to Companies House and the Charities CommissionProactively manage the Risk Register for the GateEnsure implementation of and compliance with all policies, procedures and legal requirements, including employment law and GDPREnsure that the Gate’s work in anti-racism, equality, diversity and inclusion, and environmental sustainability is placed at the centre of the Gate’s decision making. Ensure that effective policies and plans are in place to promote these, with regular monitoring and reviews to reflect best practiceProductions, Operations and HR:Work with the Communications Manager to ensure the effective delivery of sales campaigns and a sustained programme of audience developmentExplore opportunities for the Gate to take its work elsewhere including on tour and within its local communityOversee the Senior Producer in their delivery of the day to day activities of the theatre and their budgetsNegotiate with co-producing and partner companiesWork with the Senior Producer to negotiate authors’ rights and commissioning contractsNegotiate terms for premises agreements and maintain stakeholder relationships regarding all property related issuesLead on all HR matters to include: recruitment; employment contracts; day to day positive people management, and ensuring all HR policies and procedures are maintained and implementedNurture a culture of organisational and personal wellbeing and support the team in their professional developmentShared responsibilities with all staff members:Uphold and promote the Gate’s values in everything we doPromote the work of the Gate both within the industry and to all potential audience members.Adhere and actively contribute to all policies and procedures including health and safety, anti- racism, safeguarding and Green GateSkillsEssential:Demonstrable affinity with and commitment to the Gate’s mission and valuesStrategic leadership experience at SMT level in an arts organisationSignificant fundraising experience, securing gifts of over £50,000 and a comprehensive understanding of the fundraising climateUnderstanding of the business planning processAbility to collaborate with creative practitioners to translate an artistic vision into an annual programme within defined parameters of time and budgetExperience in managing relationships with funders and other key partnersUnderstanding of the London and national theatre ecologyExperience of financial responsibility for multiple projects/productions, including setting and managing annual budgetsA personal drive to create an inclusive, diverse and accessible worldExperience of HR and positive people managementExperience of a range of contract negotiationsA confident leader and collaborative team memberA clear decision maker with strong communication and presentation skillsAbility to lead on the creation and implementation of a fundraising strategyDesirable:Experience of leading an organisationExperience of co-production and creative team contractingExperience of developing and implementing business plansKnowledge of audience development and marketingKnowledge of a range of theatre practices from live art to new writingUnderstanding of the role of a BoardExperience in reporting to ACE or other major fundersAn understanding of how a theatre company operates day to day and the production processKnowledge of capital project planning and implementationExperience in premises management and lease negotiationsJob title: Executive Director & CEO.Responsible to: Chair of Board of Trustees.Working closely with: Chair of Board of Trustees, Artistic Lead, Senior Producer, Development Manager, Communications Manager and additional staff as relevant.Contract: PermanentSalary: £45,000 per annumHours of work: Full time, 40 hours per week. Core hours 10am–6pm. We operate Time Off in Lieu for additional hours required, which may include evenings and weekends.Place of work: The Albany, Douglas Way, London SE8 4AG. This role will include a combination of in-person and remote working.Annual Leave: 22 days plus bank holidays, and additional gifted days around our winter breakThe Gate Theatre is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating a workforce which is representative of our society and to bringing together those with a variety of skills and experience, to help shape what we do and how we work.We are particularly keen to hear from candidates from Global Majority or Migrant backgrounds, candidates with disabilities those from socio-economic backgrounds or those who identify as Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Queer.To apply please email a covering letter (no longer than 2 sides of A4) and your CV/Portfolio explaining why you would be suited to the role by an email via the button below.The link to our anonymous Equal Opportunities monitoring form is available through our Job Pack.If you would like an informal chat with the outgoing Executive Director & CEO before applying, please contact the same email to arrange.Deadline for applications: 6th April 2026, 6pm.Round 1 Interviews will take place online on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th April.Round 2 Interviews will take place in person at The Albany on Friday 24th April. #J-18808-Ljbffr