Chief Executive Officer
Newham Music Closing date: Mon, 08 Jun 2026
- Full time
- £50k+
- Apply now
Wed, 13 May 2026 "> published -
Job Summary
Job Description
This is an exciting opportunity to lead one of the most distinctive and high-performing music, culture and arts organisations in England.
Newham Music is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead the organisation through its next phase of development. The CEO will provide overall strategic, operational and cultural leadership, working closely with the Board of Trustees and senior team to ensure that Newham Music continues to deliver excellent work, strong partnerships, sound governance and long-term organisational resilience.
This is a substantial and visible leadership role. The successful candidate will need to lead confidently across strategy, people, finance, governance, safeguarding, partnerships and external representation. They will also need to combine public and cultural leadership with a clear understanding of organisational performance, financial discipline and delivery.
The incoming CEO will inherit an organisation with strong foundations, a respected reputation and significant reach across schools, communities and the wider cultural sector. They will also take on a live strategic brief. Key priorities will include sustaining trust and quality across the organisation, leading Newham Music's positioning for the next Arts Council England investment cycle, strengthening long-term resilience, and developing a more diversified income base alongside public investment.
A central part of the role will be to lead Newham Music within a multi-income model. The successful candidate will need to show confidence in managing a mixed financial ecology that includes public grant funding, earned income, fundraising, sponsorship and wider partnership investment. They will be expected not only to protect existing income but to grow and diversify it.
This is a role for a leader who can think strategically, act decisively, build strong relationships and lead with credibility across multiple settings.
Job Requirements
Significant senior leadership experience in music, education, the arts, or the cultural, charity or public sector.
A strong track record of leading an organisation, service or department through strategic development or change, with accountability for strategy, people, finance and performance.
Experience of working within a mixed-income environment and leading financial planning across multiple income streams.
Experience of leading or materially contributing to income generation within a mixed-income organisation, including areas such as fundraising, sponsorship, partnership development, trusts and foundations, business development or earned income growth.
Experience of working with or reporting to a Board of Trustees, governing body or equivalent senior oversight structure.
A clear and credible leadership style, with the ability to inspire confidence across staff, trustees, funders, partners and external stakeholders.
Job Responsibilities
Lead the development and delivery of Newham Music's strategic vision in partnership with the Board of Trustees.
Provide clear and confident leadership through a period of sector change, including the continuing development of the Music Hub model and preparation for the next Arts Council England investment cycle.
Ensure that Newham Music remains ambitious, relevant and responsive in its work with children, young people, schools, communities and cultural partners.
Represent Newham Music with authority and credibility at borough, regional and national level, acting as a visible advocate for the organisation and for high-quality music education.
Build and sustain strategic relationships with schools, local authority partners, Arts Council England, local and national cultural organisations, funders, sponsors and regional networks.
Work effectively with the Board of Trustees, providing clear advice, analysis and reporting to support strong governance and sound decision-making.
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Job Overview
- Job Title: Chief Executive Officer
- Salary: £50k+
- Hours: Full time
- Artform: Music
- Role: Creative
- Contract: Permanent
- Closing date: Mon, 08 Jun 2026
-
Location:
London
How to Apply
To apply, please read the Candidate Pack and complete the application form below.
- Contact name: Neethu Carpio
- Contact email: [email protected]
About Newham Music
Newham Music is the nationally renowned and award-winning lead organisation for Newham Music Education Hub, working with children and young people, schools, community groups and cultural partners across the London borough of Newham. Over 21,000 children and young people are actively involved in music-making activities.