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Location: East Kent
Hours: 4 days per week/0.8 FTE
About us
People United is an arts charity based in East Kent. We work with coastal communities to co-design creative projects powered by care. We work closely with social care organisations, socially-engaged artists and coastal communities, holding space for communities to get creative, keep going and do things differently in the context of austerity, economic disparity, and increasingly polarised views. We recognise the abundance of imagination that exists within our communities, often in response to increasing pressures and lack of resources.
About you
This role is for you if you are someone who has a dynamic, forward-looking, collaborative, and considered leadership and working style, and you would enjoy the opportunity to help shape the future of People United. You will lead on finance, fundraising, governance and business development of the organisation, whilst ensuring the charity delivers high-quality work that fulfils the organisation’s mission and strategic objectives. Working closely with the Creative Director, you will co-lead the development and delivery of People United’s overall strategy, culture and partnerships.
The most important things in this role will be your understanding of People United’s work and values, your capacity to lead and inspire, and your ability to work with the Creative Director, Board and People United team to deliver a clear and sustainable strategy.
Your responsibilities will be:
Strategic
- With the Creative Director, to co-lead the development and delivery of People United’s monitoring, evaluation and learning activity, ensuring delivery of compelling impact reports and other materials.
- Lead on Fundraising Strategy including the development of a People United trading arm and consultancy work.
- Lead on business development strategy including governance development.
- Nurture good relationships with funders and potential funders.
- Support the development and implementation of the overall communications strategy.
Supporting the Creative Programme
- Operationally enable and support the Creative Director in delivering PU’s creative strategy and programme — providing the organisational infrastructure, budget management, and partnership support needed for the programme to flourish.
Governance
- Lead responsibility for regulatory compliance and governance systems.
- Lead governance reviews and work with the Co-Chairs to support the effective functioning of the Board, including contributing to trustee recruitment, induction and development where appropriate.
- Take primary responsibility for ensuring the organisation meets its legal, regulatory and charitable obligations as a registered charity.
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Partnerships & Advocacy
- To act as an advocate for People United, cultivating cultural and cross-sector partnerships and relationships with the aim of extending the charity’s reach and impact, expanding its networks, developing its practice, and supporting organisational sustainability and growth.
Financial
- The Executive Director holds primary responsibility for organisational financial sustainability and income generation strategy, developed collaboratively with the Creative Director.
- Lead and monitor annual budgets, cashflow, and funds and deliverables analysis relating to the overall finances and keep the Creative Director and Operation & Programmes Manager updated monthly.
- Support the management of project budgets, meeting monthly with the Creative Director and Operation & Programmes Manager.
Fundraising & Income Development
- Oversee the development of a fundraising strategy and case for support, setting ambitious but achievable targets and monitoring delivery.
- Cultivate funder relationships, contribute towards core and strategic grant applications, and ensure robust reporting.
- Identify new funding and income opportunities for the organisation.
HR
- Co-shape organisational culture and team development through creative leadership practice and values-led management with support from Operations & Programmes Manager.
- Ensure that PU’s values of care, equity, and professional growth are embedded in how the organisation treats its staff.
- Lead annual pay review processes in consultation with the Creative Director and Board.
- Ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are kept current, and that the organisation fulfils its safeguarding responsibilities.
Leadership
- Hold, articulate, and drive the organisation’s strategic and operational vision, ensuring delivery against Arts Council England’s (ACE) leading strategy.
- Work with the Creative Director and wider team to develop and implement the National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) Business Plan, ensuring alignment with ACE Investment Principles.
- Maintain awareness of risks and changes in the external environment that affect the organisation; plan for and implement changes to mitigate risks.
- Act as ambassador and advocate for PU at the most senior level with partners, funders, and other key stakeholders including Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn, local councils etc.
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Person Specifications
Essential
Experience of:
- Senior or strategic leadership in a charity, arts organisation, or comparable sector.
- Financial management including budget setting, monitoring, cashflow, and reporting.
- Developing and delivering fundraising strategies, and managing relationships with major funders.
- Working with a Board of Trustees and understanding charity governance
- HR oversight, including recruitment, staff management, and organisational development.
- Developing income generation strategies including grants, earned income, and individual giving.
- Working in partnership with artists, community organisations, and public sector bodies.
- Producing high-quality written outputs including reports, funding applications, and strategy documents.
Skilled in:
- Strategic thinking and translating vision into deliverable plans.
- Financial analysis and the ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-specialists.
- Communication and relationship-building across diverse stakeholders.
- Leading and developing staff and organisational culture.
- Managing competing priorities in a fast-paced, small-team environment.
- Advocacy with funders, decision-makers, and peer organisations.
Up-to-date knowledge and understanding of:
- The arts, cultural, and/or community sector in the UK.
- Arts Council England funding frameworks.
- Human-centred and trauma-informed approaches to organisational culture and practice.
- Charity law, governance obligations, and regulatory requirements.
Desirable
- Experience of working in or alongside community-based arts or participatory practice.
- Local knowledge of Kent and its communities.
- Experience of co-leadership or shared leadership structures.
- Working knowledge of financial systems such as Quickbooks and project management tools such as Notion.
Please read out full Job Description, Roles & Responsibilities and Person Specification on our Job Info Pack on our website: peopleunited.org.uk/join-our-team
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