CEO/ Creative Director

CEO/ Creative Director

Emergency Exit Arts are looking to appoint a new Creative Director / CEO who will lead EEA's artistic vision, organisational strategy and culture, guiding us into a new era of creativity, community partnership and organisational resilience.

Founded in 1980, Emergency Exit Arts is a charity and leader in outdoor arts. Our charitable mission drives us to reach people where they are, in streets, neighbourhoods, parks, town squares and unexpected places - creating collective moments of wonder, pride and connection. We work with and for our communities who often have the least access to the arts, empowering people to be creative, confident and connected through radical , collaborative artistic experiences. EEA is a National Portfolio Organisation and receives a grant each year from Arts Council England.

EEA is entering a pivotal moment in our evolution. Following extensive consultation with our team, trustees, artist members and external partners, we are ready to appoint a new Creative Director / CEO who will lead EEA's artistic vision, organisational strategy and culture, guiding us into a new era of creativity, community partnership and organisational resilience.

Creative Director / Chief Executive Officer

Purpose of the role:

• Hold, articulate and drive EEA's artistic vision and organisational direction
• Lead and inspire a creative, collaborative, imaginative culture
• Build strong and lasting relationships with communities and partners
• Position EEA as a national leader in outdoor, participatory and socially engaged art
• Work closely with the Executive Director to deliver a sustainable, strategic charity with financial resilience, strong governance and clear purpose

Salary: £55,000 per annum

Contract: Full-time (open to 4 days per week / 0.8 FTE)

Location: Greenwich (minimum 3 days per week onsite)

Person Specification

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse artistic, creative, community, producing or cultural leadership backgrounds. Outdoor arts experience is not essential. We are looking for a leader who can facilitate an empowered ecology of producers, artists, communities and staff where ideas thrive and collective imagination drives the work.

Essential Attributes

Experience

• Leadership experience in an arts, cultural, community or creative organisation
• Experience developing and delivering creative programmes or productions
• Strong track record of collaborative partnership working
• Demonstrated ability to empower teams and foster collective creativity
• Experience engaging communities in participatory or socially engaged work
• Financial literacy and understanding of charity or cultural sector operating environments
• Fundraising experience

Skills & Qualities

• Inspirational artistic vision and imagination
• Excellent communication, advocacy and relationship-building skills
• Ability to facilitate and empower others' creativity
• Strategic thinking and the ability to turn vision into deliverable plans
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and community empowerment
• Ability to navigate complexity, lead change and hold space for differing perspectives

Desirable Attributes

• Experience working with outdoor, site-specific or large-scale participatory arts
• Experience in working in the Charity Sector
• Experience developing business plans, strategic frameworks or organisational change
• Local knowledge of London communities
• Experience with NPO funded organisations
• A full UK driving licence

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Your CV (max 2 pages)
• A cover letter or video (max 3 pages/ 5 minutes) responding to:
  • Why do you want to lead Emergency Exit Arts at this moment?
  • How does your experience align with the role of Creative Director / CEO?
  • How would you lead on creativity, collaboration and community impact at EEA?
• A completed Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form

Send your application to: with Creative Director/CEO Application in the subject line.

Deadline to apply: 10am Monday 16th March 2026

All information can be found on the job listing on our website, including a link to the Job Pack and the Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form: