The organisation

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Based in the heart of Covent Garden, Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre are the membership bodies for the theatre sector, representing theatre producers, managers, owners, and operators. We have a shared staff team working together to deliver our joint vision and mission for our two organisations.

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As not-for-profit organisations, we champion theatre and support our members to thrive. We support them by offering specialist advice, sharing good practice, collective bargaining, networking, advocacy, audience development and raising the profile of theatre through major events and campaigns.

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The opportunity

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Members are at the heart of what we do. We want to develop and support a growing, engaged and united membership, and ensure that our members have the external conditions to grow. We are now in the second year of our new strategy and are looking to bring together these two key pillars – membership and advocacy - to create a new department. We are looking for an inspirational leader to unite these functions and enable us to seamlessly support our members, work with them, and advocate for them, more effectively.

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As a member of the Executive Team, you will lead Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre’s Member Engagement, Member Services and Employment Relations and HR (member-facing) functions alongside our Policy, Public Affairs, Data and Research and Media team. This role will bring together these functions and lead a cohesive, integrated directorate.

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Main responsibilities include:

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• Develop and lead our overall programme to support, represent and engage Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre members – ensuring their insights and priorities are reflected across all aspects of our advocacy, membership offer and services and enabled by high-quality membership and external communications.
• Harness the expertise of our members, including through the Policy, Research and Advocacy Committee and Membership Committee, working with members of those committees and members more broadly to shape our ongoing strategy in these key areas.
• Provide line management to the team, working with them to set ambitious and achievable objectives aligned to the business plan and support their development to achieve high standards of performance and delivery.
• Be an active member of the Executive Team, appropriately challenging and supporting colleagues at all levels to drive continuous improvement, contribute to the overall success of the organisations and embody the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre values in all that you do.

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Requirements include:

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• A strong and dynamic senior leader, with a track record of successfully shaping and implementing compelling policy and advocacy campaigns over short, medium and long term.
• Experience of leading member engagement programmes, providing support for the challenges and opportunities facing members.
• Expert at building and managing stakeholder networks across membership, government, political parties, sector bodies and the media.
• A thought leader able to write to publication standard and oversee production of member related materials and evidence-based policy reports for a range of audiences.
• Excellent line manager who can flex their approach to support the development of people with different styles and needs.

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This is an exciting opportunity to take up a new and critical role working across two membership organisations which support and represent one of the UK’s most vibrant and creative industries: Theatre.

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How to apply:

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For more information, please see the candidate pack. To apply, please submit the form below and include your CV and supporting statement (please merge these into one document). 

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Ellwood Atfield is the leading headhunters for corporate affairs, communications, policy, and advocacy. An employee-owned boutique search firm, we help you hire the most senior leaders and everyone who reports to them. We promise to connect talented people, smoothly and efficiently.

Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.