The Person
In the new Chair, Kiln Theatre is looking for candidates with a keen interest in the theatre and specifically of the genre of challenging and inclusive theatre that Kiln espouses. They will be great advocates for the work Kiln Theatre is doing to grow and diversify audiences through their original artistic programme, through their Creative Learning Programme and through their broad offer, including the cinema. They will be appreciative of the key objectives of Kiln Theatre and will be good advocates for its work among stakeholders, including ACE and Brent Council and with potential supporters. Ideally, they will have a good understanding of the funding landscape for arts organisations and will know the financial challenges facing the sector generally. They will be strong on relationship management and demonstrate the skills required in the Chair of a small charity with big ambitions. They will be good communicators and comfortable both with giving themselves and with inviting others to give to the organisation. They will ideally, have some experience in fundraising or in supporting a fundraising function. They will have an appetite for risk recognising that Kiln Theatre is in a risky business where they need to be bold and innovative to be sustainable. A good people person, they will be able to build a strong relationship with the Artistic and Executive Directors and other members of the team and be able to provide the degree of support and challenge which the Chair role requires. They will also have the time and commitment that the role will need as the organisation moves forward.
In addition, candidates will be expected to have
- A track record of chairing meetings with skill and authority, ideally with prior experience of serving on an Arts Board.
- Demonstrable ability to provide robust leadership and strategic direction to the Board.
- Good political antennae with an understanding of broader social, economic and political issues.
- Financial and commercial acumen ideally with international experience and with a goodunderstanding of opportunity and risk.
- A willingness to work with Trustees to ensure they are effective individually and collectively.
- Networks to be able to open doors, with strong ambassadorial skills, comfortable with representing Kiln Theatre, as required.
- Good inter-personal skills to build relationships with supporters, patrons, stakeholders, the Executive.
- Knowledge of corporate and charity governance.
- Highest standards of probity and integrity.