Chief Executive

Creative Kernow is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial Chief Executive to lead its work in championing creativity in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader of people, innovation and change to shape and drive our unique role in supporting and promoting the country’s culture and creative industries locally, nationally and internationally. The role of Chief Executive is an exciting and multi-faceted leadership role offering unique opportunities for professional growth and personal fulfilment and the chance to work with a dedicated professional team whose work is driven by vision, mission and values.

The role is of strategic importance to Creative Kernow and to the wider creative and cultural sector in Cornwall and the South West. The Chief Executive supports the development of sector plans and policy through connections to a rich ecosystem of networks and partnerships. They lead and are at the heart of dynamic and far-reaching conversations about the future of the arts, creativity and culture in our region.

Recognising the challenges for a rural charity operating in the post-Brexit funding environment, the Board of Trustees are committed to a new phase of evolution to ensure a confident future for Creative Kernow. This will include the streamlining of the charity group structure and the development of new strategies to boost earned and commercial income streams. Our new Chief Executive will be someone who can bring energy and resilience to this challenge and embrace the opportunities in shaping and leading an organisation at a point of transition.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead management of the Creative Kernow group. This includes the management of our staff, the implementation and monitoring of company policies and overall responsibility for the Krowji site
• Develop, sustain and communicate the vision and strategy for the group, including the development of business plans and, with the finance director, the creation and oversight of budgets
• Develop and maintain good relationships with our key public funding agencies, in particular with Creative Kernow’s current main revenue funders Cornwall Council and Arts Council England
• Initiate and lead strategic approaches for Creative Kernow to achieve organisational sustainability and enable growth
• Be the recognised ambassador for Creative Kernow and Cornwall’s creative and cultural sector, promoting and maintaining its strategic leadership role in the region and building partnerships which will enhance its work and grow its national reputation
• As the senior accountable officer, report directly to the Board of Trustees, consulting where appropriate, supporting its operation and development, and leading on the recruitment of new trustees
• Bring strategic foresight and landscape analysis to the development of creative projects that may further the aims of Creative Kernow
• Develop relationships with external organisations, communities and individuals, including both our cultural sector partners and the wider regional ecosystem
• Deliver effective and positive people management, building a culture where staff feel valued, receive recognition and are equipped to do their job through appropriate recruitment, supervision and development
• Direct line management of the senior management team, monitor progress and develop future work-plans; support training and development across the organisation
• Health & safety – the Chief Executive is the nominated H&S Responsible Person and Designated Safeguarding Lead for Creative Kernow

Creative Kernow Chief Executive Recruitment Pack

Creative Kernow has engaged independent consultant Gregory Nash as its search partner for the recruitment of its new Chief Executive. If the role is of interest to you, we ask that you contact him in the first instance at [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation prior to considering an application for the role. Gregory will be able to advise on the application process and formats should you decide to proceed to a submission.