CEO and Executive Office Manager (Maternity Cover)

Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre

Hours
35 hours per week

Length of contract
12 month

About the Organisation

The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is the Membership Organisation for London Theatre Producers, Managers, Owners and Operators. We work in partnership with our sister organisation, UK Theatre. Our Vision, and the world we want to see, is a dynamic, sustainable, and world-class theatre sector. Our Mission, and what we do as an organisation, is to champion theatre and support our members to thrive.

We have 3 priority focus areas that allow us to deliver on our vision and mission:

• A growing, engaged, and united membership, including a skilled, diverse, and productive workforce for now and the future
• To inspire, attract, retain, and diversify theatre audiences.
• Advocate to support growth across the sector, underpinned by robust evidence.

About the role

In this role, you will be responsible for the smooth running of the CEO and Executive Office, ensuring the Co-Chief Executive Officers (Co-CEOs), Executive team, Presidents, and Boards receive outstanding administrative support. You will work closely with the Co-CEOs to support the implementation of the strategy, managing organisational projects and the annual governance cycle.

Responsibilities

• To provide outstanding and confidential administrative support to the Co-Chief Executives and, through the CEO Office Coordinator, the wider Executive Team, including providing diary management, booking travel and accommodation, administering the CEOs' expenses and appropriate sign off; preparation of any paperwork/ briefing documents/meeting notes; monitoring the CEO's inbox and liaising with stakeholders as required.
• Manage the annual governance cycle, provide administrative support to both Board and committee meetings. This includes leading logistical support to the Executive Team, Presidents and Board members, ensuring Board papers are completed, collated and distributed ina timely fashion, providing concise minutes, ensuring Board action logs are updated, ensuring meeting rooms are booked, and appropriate technology and/or travel plans are in place where needed. Additionally, Theatre Development Trust (TDT) administers the annual grants round and monitors the delivery, reporting and payments. Lead ongoing development ofthe  Board governance portal on SharePoint
• Manage organisational activities such as the Business Planning Cycle and risk management process and lead on collating of the quarterly reports for the Boards, tracking progress against the agreed business plan.
• Support the Co-CEOs with project work and preparation for Board and other governance meetings by conducting desktop research, sourcing quotes from external suppliers, collating information, drafting notes or options papers, proofreading and suggesting content improvements as required.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels, acting as a key representative for the CEOs and ensuring smooth communication on their behalf.
• Monitor the CEO's office and Co-CEOs' inboxes and respond to member and stakeholder queries where appropriate, working with the broader organisation as necessary
• Maintain awareness of organisational development and priorities to enable efficient planning of Executive Team meetings; manage the meeting tracker to ensure cohesion across the organisation; and provide weekly updates to CoCEOs, Executive Team and Presidents.
• Manage internal staff engagement across the organisation, working with the CEO office coordinator to lead team breakfasts, manage industry insights sessions, deliver team newsletters and updates and wider internal communications.
• Lead on promoting and embedding values across the staff team, including a recognition programme for values champions.
• Work with HR Lead to ensurea development plan is in place to support administrative staff across the organisation.
• Line manage and support the development of the CEO's Office Coordinator, ensuring they are given the support needed to be effective in their role.
• Work with the Operations Team to consult on and agreeon  common ways of working across the organisation, including consistent use of project management and communications tools/software packages
• Attend press nights where appropriate and take advantage of trade tickets when offered.
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required.
• This role may include some work on evenings and weekends, as required by your line manager to support Co-CEOs and the wider organisation. This role sits within the CEO Office tea,m whose focus is to support the Co-CEOs and Executive team to deliver the core strategy and ensure that we operate in the most innovative way to deliver the organisation's goal in partnership with our members. Our team plays a key role in ensuring cross-organisational projects are delivered cohesively and that effective administrative support is provided across the organisation.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Technical Knowledge & Skills Required:

• Applicants must have demonstrable experience of working within and managing a CEO or Director-level office.
• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft 365, particularly Outlook
• Exceptional project management and organisational skills with demonstrable experience of managing a diverse and busy workload
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build constructive relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Diplomatic and able to be trusted with highly sensitive and confidential information
• Understanding and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Interest and broad understanding of the theatre industry

Impact:

• As a manager in the organisation, you are responsible for the management and delivery of a specific function(s) within SOLT/ UKT to the highest possible standard, ensuring that activities and projects meet goals and KPIs.
• Support the development of and deliver on business goals and strategic plans.
• Evaluate your function's performance and make recommendations for improvement. 
• Feed into the development of business and strategic plans. 
• Project manage a range of cross-organisational projects and projects with members.

Communication:

• A good communicator, you manage relationships with stakeholders and members within your function to achieve positive outcomes. When required, you will be an effective advocate for the organisation at meetings with members, and other stakeholders

Innovation:

• Set direction and champion innovation within your function.
• Promote a culture, seek best practices from our sector and others to ensure innovation and improvement.
• Problem solve and make business decisions within your function, and feed into strategic and business decisions at an organisational and sector level.

Knowledge:

• Significant expertise and qualifications that contribute to your function.
• Invest in your own development, implementing
• learnings and making suggestions.

Culture:

• Support the culture of transparency, equality, diversity and inclusion, fairness and personal development for all staff.
• Ensuring that personal development programmes are in place for those you line manage and demonstrate the best possible management experience to them.
• A team player, willing to grab hold of opportunities and support the priorities of others when needed.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual leave is 25 days, rising to 27 days after five years.
• Non-contractual time off: your Birthday off or a day off within two weeks of your birthday. Company Closure Day is normally on a day next to a Christmas bank holiday.
• Digital Wellbeing. A complete solution across Physical &
• Mental Health, Finance and Legal support. Advice from qualified professionals tailored to the individual.
• My Strength: One-to-one support with a qualified Wellbeing guide, a person there to help and support on your wellbeing journey. Support built around the individual.
• Toothfairy, Smart dental App, Your personal dentist.
• Paid annual eye test
• Paid annual flu vaccine
• Finances & protection
• Contributory pension scheme
• Employer Contribution: 5% of gross pay
• Employee Contribution: Minimum 3% of gross pay
• Personal circumstances
• Death-in-Service Insurance Cover – 3 x annual salary.
• Personal development
• We invest and believe in continuous professional development and training opportunities for all.
• Where appropriate, we suggest and arrange professional mentors to offer additional external guidance.
• Work travel: Many of our staff walk, use public transport or cycle to work or a combination of the above.
• Interest-free Travel Season Ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• All staff can buy Theatre Tokens with a 10% discount.
• Local retail discounts through Heart of London Club and Love Covent Garden.
• 20% off at Trevor Sorbie hair salon in Covent Garden.

Conditions of employment

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Please note that SOLT & UK Theatre is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Please send your Application by email, including in the email subject line "(Your first name & surname), CEO & Executive Office Manager" to [email protected].
• We welcome applications from all and are open to discussing access requirements. If you would like to discuss any access needs during your application or, if you are selected for an interview, at the interview stage, please email us at [email protected], and the HR team will get in touch with you.
• To apply for this role, please send your CV and a covering letter answering questions 1-3 below. These questions are designed to help us understand your experience, judgement and motivation for the role, beyond what is captured in your CV.
• We recommend a total word count of no more than 750 words, but you are welcome to write less.
  • Please describe your experience of working within or managing a CEO or Director-level office. What have you found most challenging about this type of role, and how have you approached it?
  • Trust, judgement and relationships are central to this role. Please give an example of a situation where your judgement or approach helped build confidence, manage sensitivity or resolve a complex issue.
  • What attracts you to this role at the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, and how do our values and purpose resonate with you?
• Please feel free to add any information that will further support your application.

Interviews

• Interviews will take place early to mid February, with a view to making an offer of employment to the successful candidate by the end of February.
• The successful applicant will be required to commence work on or before 1st April 2026. Please do not apply unless this is feasible.

Return to listing