CHIEF EXECUTIVE

CANDIDATE BRIEFING DOCUMENT

BACKGROUND
LEICESTER THEATRE TRUST
Leicester Theatre Trust (LTT) is a company limited by guarantee and is a registered charity, which has over 30
years history of producing exceptional theatre. It is a National Portfolio client of Arts Council England (ACE)
and receives annual funding from Leicester City Council (LCC). LTT is responsible for the operation of Curve.
From 1973 to 2007 the organisation programmed and operated the Haymarket Theatre before de-commissioning
the Haymarket and planning a new concept for making theatre in the 21st Century Curve.
CURVE
Curve theatre is a major UK producing theatre, and
our vision is to have a worldwide reputation for aweinspiring theatre, from the heart of the UK.
Our building is a landmark for the city, designed by
world renowned architect Rafael Violy, and features
two auditoria, one with 900 fixed seats while a 350
seat studio provides a versatile smaller space with
its own power flying system. We also have three
rehearsal rooms, one of which will be transformed
into a third performance space for our associate
companies and young people to create work in. The
world-class technical facilities and unique inside out
design of the venue, ensure Curve is a truly unique
and special place to work. The theatre was officially
opened by Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II on
4th December 2008.
We produce a varied programme of diverse work and
are proud supporters of new and emerging talent,
actively participating in the development of the next
generation of artists, writers and directors through
programmes including Curve Young Company,
annual Community productions, our partnership with
De Montfort University and our associate companies.
Our produced work regularly receives national
critical acclaim and draws audiences from across
Leicestershire, the UK and from further afield. Recent
successes include the world premire of a new
British musical, Sue Townsends The Secret Diary of
Adrian Mole Aged 13 The Musical, Paul Kerrysons

new production of The Sound of Music, the second

annual Inside/Out Festival (showcasing new work by
artists from across our region) and a co-production
with Nottingham Playhouse of Jonathan Harveys
Beautiful Thing. In January 2015 Nikolai Foster joined
the team as Artistic Director.
We continue to further our reputation as the leading
venue outside London to open new productions
and work with many of the UKs leading theatre
producers: from the brand new production of
Barnum, to our co-production with Kneehigh of
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Akram Khans
acclaimed Vertical Road and DESH, which were
created in residence at Curve. Later this year we will
launch the national tour of Cameron Mackintoshs
production of Mary Poppins. Alongside our busy
programme of visiting work, in-house productions
this year include: Williams A Streetcar Named
Desire, Shakespeares Richard III, Barts Oliver! And
Dahls The Witches (which will open in Hong Kong,
before playing at Curve and then touring the UK).
Over the past two years our conferencing and
events offer has also expanded, with Curve regularly
hosting national conferences and playing host to
important events in our city. Recently we played host
to Leicesters inaugural TEDx event. Our business
club offers a range of networking opportunities
and ensures Curve is connected with the business
community.

BACKGROUND continued
Amongst these successes, we have learned that our
values Creativity, Customer Focus, Teamwork,
Pride and Leadership are what make us stand
out: to our audiences and visitors, to our casts,
creative teams and visiting companies, and to
our funders and stakeholders. We have received
national recognition through winning the Visit
Britain Gold Award for Access, reflecting not just
the physical accessibility of our venue but our
access programmes, accessible pricing, community
and youth work that seeks to ensure every local
person is able to engage with Curve. In our six years
since opening, we have twice been awarded the
Leicestershire Promotions award for Large Visitor
Attraction of the Year.

Finally, we are also an active member of our

community, one of the most ethnically diverse in the
UK. We recently played a major part in the Service of
Reveal and Celebration, during the Re-Internment of
King Richard III at Leicester Cathedral, and support
a number of Leicesters cultural and community
festivals, including Indian Summer, Diwali, Daves
Leicester Comedy Festival, The Spark Childrens
Arts Festival, Black History Month and Leicester
Pride. Our mission is to use our unique home at the
heart of Leicesters cultural quarter and the talents
of our team to entertain, inspire and engage with a
modern diverse audience and play a leading role in
the development of our industry, our city and our
global community. We see an opportunity, in Curve,
to create a new model of theatre for a 21st century
European plural city.

THE ROLE
The role of the Chief Executive of Curve is to
provide inspirational leadership and vision for the
organisation, ensuring long term strategic planning,
the maximization of all possible income streams,
financial sustainability and creating an environment
in which Curves artistic remit can flourish. Through
the development and implementation of an
integrated artistic vision and business strategy,
the Chief Executive will further develop Curves
reputation and profile as a leading producing theatre
and visitor attraction.

The Chief Executive reports directly to the Chair

and Board and works closely with the senior
executive team. The Chief Executive holds overall
accountability for the success and financial stability
of the organisation.
The Chief Executive is directly responsible for the
Artistic Director, Commercial Director, Head of
Finance, Head of HR, Technical & Operations Director
and Executive Officer.

RESPONSIBILITIES
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Provide consistent, clear leadership to the organisation, creating a best practice, positive working
environment that encourages a cohesive team approach to fulfilling the vision and mission of Curve
Lead the development, implementation, monitoring and review of Curves Strategic Business plan and
ensure performance against all key performance indicators
Support the Artistic Director and artistic team in developing and delivering an artistic strategy,
producing and programming world-class theatre that actively seeks to broaden its audiences
Maintain the financial integrity and efficiency of Curve, and oversee the development and implementation
of the Commercial Strategy, ensuring income from all possible sources is maximised and costs controlled
Play an active role in Curves fundraising efforts, regularly representing Curve to the wider business community,
philanthropic donors, funding bodies, trusts and foundations
Ensure an imaginative and effective approach to audience development in a multi-cultural demographic, and
the promotion of all artistic and commercial activities, Curves brand and corporate identity
Actively promote Curves core values of Pride, Leadership, Teamwork, Customer Focus and Creativity, ensuring
that these are reflected in Curves relationship with our audience, stakeholders, and internally
Ensure long term financial and operational plans are in place for the maintenance and development of
Curves capital assets, and lead the development of plans for capital improvements
Take overall responsibility for all aspects of the management of Curve, ensuring it is run in a safe, effective
and efficient manner and complies with all legal obligations and requirements
Report to, and work effectively with the LTT Chair, Board and its sub-committees, attending Board
meetings and ensuring members are kept fully informed of all business relating to Curve.
STRATEGIC RELATIONS & REPRESENTATION
Maintain positive and productive relationships with Arts Council England and Leicester City Council and
ensure that relationships with other business partners, stakeholders, sponsors and customers are
successfully developed and managed
Develop creative and strategic partnerships and networks to ensure that Curve continues to be seen as a
cultural leader and recognised for its contribution to the cultural, social and economic development of the
city, county and region
Build positive and productive relations with the press and other media acting as the chief spokesperson
for Curve
Continue to develop and promote Curves reputation as a leading producing theatre and regional visitor
attraction, actively working to develop Curves profile nationally and locally, with the media,
decision makers, opinion leaders, the cultural sector and the public
Regularly represent Curve at meetings, conferences, public events and
other forums as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
The Chief Executive will be a senior executive in the performing arts with a proven track record of working
successfully with creative people and leading a large team in the production and delivery of high quality
performances or events. He or she will have experience in strategic and financial planning, fundraising,
growing commercial revenue streams, and audience development. The successful candidate will have
exceptional interpersonal skills, be strongly results oriented and driven to succeed, and have a track record
in building effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders. A strong interest in theatre and a
commitment to the development of diverse audiences in essential.
The following experience, skills, knowledge and personal qualities are sought:
EXPERIENCE
Essential
A proven track record as a leader, managing
significant budgets and teams in a high profile
performing arts organisation
A demonstrable track record in the production
and delivery of high quality performances or
events
Experience in strategic thinking, business
planning, policy setting and implementation
Demonstrable experience of growing an
organisation through commercial activity
A track record in fundraising across sponsorship,
trusts & foundations, and philanthropic giving
Experience of working or collaborating with
creative people, ideally in a relationship with an
Artistic or Creative Director
Experience in initiating, managing and sustaining
effective partnerships with a diverse range of
organisations and individuals
Demonstrable experience at growing new
audiences and markets

SKILLS AND QUALITIES

The ability to lead, inspire and motivate a team
and win the confidence and respect of colleagues
and external contacts
Ability to manage risk intelligently within an
entrepreneurial and creative environment
Financial and commercial acumen, with strong
financial planning and analytical skills
The ability to balance artistic risk taking with
commercial imperatives
Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to broker
and maintain trust-based relationships with a
wide variety of people and organisations
Collaborative skills, with proven ability to work
effectively with creative individuals and enable
artistic excellence to flourish
Good negotiating and advocacy skills
Exceptional communication and presentation
skills, and the ability to represent the organization
to a broad range of stakeholders nationally.
KNOWLEDGE

Experience in networking at the highest political

levels.

Wide range of contacts and networks in the arts

and cultural sectors nationally

Desirable
Experience of working with a Local Authority and
public funding bodies

Knowledge of the international arts and cultural

scene

Experience of working in some capacity in a

producing theatre

Some knowledge of theatre or venue

management is desirable.

Knowledge and experience of arts funding systems

Experience of working with, and reporting to a

voluntary Board of Trustees.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
CONTRACT
Permanent.

PROBATION
Six months with one months notice.

SALARY
Negotiable (depending on experience).

NOTICE PERIOD
Six months.

PENSION
Company contributory pension scheme.

HOLIDAYS
25 days plus Bank Holidays.

LIFE ASSURANCE
Company life assurance scheme after 6 months
continuous service. Two times annual salary.

LOCATION
The Chief Executive will be expected to live within
reasonable distance of the theatre and costs towards
relocation are negotiable.

HOW TO APPLY
If you would like to apply, please send a CV and a letter of
application stating why you think you are suitable for the
job to Heather Newill, Director AEM International, by email to
hnewill@aeminternational.co.uk
Applications must be received by 5pm on Monday, 29th June.
If you would like an informal conversation about the job,
please contact Heather Newill on 07866 546117.
Further information on Curve can be found on the website
WWW.CURVEONLINE.CO.UK
Curves current programme can be found at
http://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows