We’re Hiring! Executive Director
This role is a great opportunity to lead and develop a socially engaged arts charity — working collaboratively with our local communities, artists, and wide range of partners.
About the Role
This role is for someone who has a dynamic, forward-looking, collaborative, and considered leadership and working style, and who would enjoy the opportunity to help shape the future of PU.
This role is for an individual who thinks strategically, is comfortable working with partners and myriad stakeholders both inside and outside of the organisation, and who has a passion for PU’s work. You will be someone who can build trust, lead, and inspire others through your communication style, and work collaboratively with the Creative Director to ensure the future sustainability of the organisation.
You will have an understanding derived from your own experience of the local, regional, national and international ecologies within which PU is operating. The most important things in this role will be your understanding of PU’s work and values, your capacity to lead and inspire, and your ability to work with the Creative Director, Board and PU team to deliver a clear and sustainable strategy.
Working closely with the Creative Director, you will co-lead the development and delivery of People United’s overall strategy, culture and partnerships.
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.
People United is committed to equality of opportunity and encourages applications from individuals underrepresented both in the arts sector and within our team and board.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!
Overview
Job Title: Executive Director
Salary: ÂŁ50,000 per annum pro rata
Hours: 4 days per week/0.8 FTEÂ
Contract: Permanent with a 4-month probationary period
Location: You will be required to work in Canterbury, Herne Bay and other parts of East Kent.Â
Flexible working practices are supported. All staff are office-based (or site-based) for at least 50% of their time, with the whole team required to be in the office on Tuesdays.
Read the full Job Description and Person Specifications in our Executive Director Information Pack:
To find out more about People United:
How to Apply
Application deadline: 12:00pm Monday 21 September 2026
1st Interview: w/c Monday 28 September 2026
2nd Interview: w/c Monday 5 October 2026
Please send us:
1. a simple CV
2. a completed application form
3. a short cover letter that sets out how your skills and experience match the requirements of the post
Please send these by email to: [email protected]. Alternatively, you can send your application as a video (3 minutes maximum). We suggest sending this to us via the free online platform “We Transfer“.
4. Please also fill in the our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Form
Interviews
If you are successful, we will arrange an interview with you, our Creative Director, Clare Callan, and members of our Board. We will be arranging the first round of interviews week commencing Monday 28 September 2026. The second round will be week commencing Monday 5th October 2026.
Accessibility
We will send formal interview questions to anyone accepting an interview invitation
People United is committed to equality of opportunity and we encourage you to apply if you are an individual underrepresented both in the arts sector and within our team and board. We will also pay for any costs relating to attending an interview if you are an Access Support Worker or P.A.
If you are in any doubt about how closely you match the essential requirements shown in the Person Specification, please do consider applying anyway and allow us to assess your application against the others we receive.
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like a short, informal chat about the role with Creative Director, Clare Callan — email [email protected].
We look forward to hearing from you!
