Shakespeare’s Globe is looking for a new Chair of the Board in 2024 with a strong understanding of governance, communication, and innovation as we build the Globe’s future.
The next Chair will succeed Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford after a transformative tenure and will be working with our newly appointed CEO, Stella Kanu. In this new chapter for our organisation, we are looking for a Chair who is keen on innovation, a strong communicator and understands the requirements and principles of good governance.
We are keen to hear from candidates with experience as a main-board executive and/or non-executive director and prior chairing experience, whether in the commercial, public or not-for-profit sectors.
What We Are Looking For
Key skills and qualities the Globe is looking for in candidates for Chair of the Board of Trustees:
- Leadership and Vision:
- Leadership experience as a main-board executive and/or non-executive director.
- Prior chairing experience/capacity, whether in the commercial, public or not-for-profit sectors.
- Exceptional leadership skills, significant experience in leading an organisation and the ability to support the Directorate and CEO in pursuing a clear vision for the Globe’s future.
- Capable of guiding the board and management in making critical decisions that align with the Globe’s mission and goals.
- Adept at balancing commercial and creative interests.
- Governance and Board Management:
- Strong understanding of and ability to enforce governance principles and experience in managing a board of trustees.
- Adept at fostering a collaborative, efficient and constructive board environment, ensuring effective communication and decision-making, and leveraging board members’ diverse skills and perspectives.
- Build an effective working relationship between the board and executive team, based on a clear understanding of their respective roles, to deliver the Globe’s vision and strategic objectives.
- Ability to oversee the effective running of board committees and advisory groups and their relationships with the Directorate.
- Serve as a liaison between the Board of Trustees and the Globe Council.
- Financial Acumen:
- Ability to oversee the organisation’s continuing financial health and sustainability.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial planning, fundraising, and overseeing major capital projects.
- Capable of working closely with the Directorate to ensure prudent financial management and the development of innovative revenue streams.
- Stakeholder Engagement:
- Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including artists, patrons, sponsors, and government bodies.
- Ability to drive the realisation of fundraising strategies by proactively expanding donation and commercial opportunities for the Globe.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to engage and inspire stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration.
- Advocacy and Representation:
- Willingness to serve as a public face of the Globe, promoting its cause, mission and values to a wider audience.
- Be an effective advocate for the creative industries, engage with the media and support marketing and promotional efforts of the Globe.
- Bring an active personal and professional network to the position.
- Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution:
- Ability to navigate complex relationships and resolve conflicts.
- Ability to balance diverse viewpoints, manage potential tensions, and facilitate constructive discussions to maintain a harmonious and productive board environment.
Knowledge of the performing arts, cultural tourism and education is desirable.
Terms of Appointment
You will have the opportunity to undertake an influential and valuable role, directly contributing to the Globe’s work and strategy and the Globe’s impact on the UK’s cultural landscape.
The post of Chair is a part-time, unpaid, non-executive appointment. The Chair will be appointed for an initial three-year term with an option to renew for a second term. Reappointment is subject to the board’s vote.
In addition to the five Board Meetings per year and annual away day, the Chair will be expected to attend performances, development and education events and make themselves available for consultation with the CEO and meetings with other stakeholders.
Total commitment to be around three days per month plus performances and events, although initially, this may be more as the new Chair gets to know the organisation.
We are committed to making all Trustees and colleagues feel welcome and included. We ensure everyone can play an equal part and share our organisational values: being encouraging and collaborative, respectful and open, rigorous and inventive and curious and attentive. We have ‘compassionate accountability’ as our guiding ethos.