Lewisham Music are looking to recruit a Chief Executive.
Lewisham Music, an award-winning youth charity and Principal Partner in the South East London Music Hub, is seeking an ambitious and passionate Chief Executive to lead the organisation into its next chapter. We believe in the transformative power of music to inspire, uplift, and connect communities. The CEO will be a key advocate for this vision, driving the charity’s strategic goals while ensuring its sustainability and impact across Lewisham and beyond.
As Chief Executive, you will…
1. Lead, develop and inspire a dedicated team to deliver diverse, inclusive, and high-quality music programmes for children and young people.
2. Advocate for the power of music to unlock potential and create positive change, ensuring young people’s voices are at the heart of our work.
3. Promote the value of music education locally and nationally, working to raise the charity’s profile and secure support for our mission.
4. Build and maintain key partnerships with schools, local authorities, funders, and community organisations to enhance Lewisham Music’s reach and influence.
5. Collaborate with colleagues as part of the South East London Music Hub to shape the future of music education across the wider area.
6. Lead the development of a culture of innovation and operational efficiency, ensuring continuous improvement across all programmes and activities.
7. Oversee financial strategy and sustainability; manage a diverse funding mix; and lead on income generation and fundraising.
8. Ensure Lewisham Music complies with all relevant legislation, including charity law, employment law, data protection, and health & safety regulations.
9. Work closely with the Board of Trustees to develop and implement long-term strategic goals, ensuring strong governance and accountability.
10. Uphold a vigilant safeguarding culture, ensuring the protection and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults.
The ideal candidate will have experience in a senior leadership role within the charity or public sector, a deep belief in the power of music to change lives, and a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. You will be a strategic, community-focused, and people-centered leader with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and manage the charity’s operations effectively. You will demonstrate resilience in managing a complex and demanding workload, while being reflective and committed to your own personal and professional development.
Work status
This will largely be within office hours, but will require fairly regular evening work (for board meetings, events and building cover); and weekend work (for example visiting Saturday Music Centre).
Pay
Contract type
This is a permanent contract (6-month probation period).
Location
Based at Lewisham Music, The Fellowship, First Floor, Randlesdown Road, London, SE6 3BT.
Lewisham Music operates a flexible working policy. It is anticipated that 3/4 days a week will be working on site (in the office or out at site visits or events), with an option to work from home an average of 1/2 days per week.
The role will also require regular travel to observe programmes in Lewisham schools, at Prendergast Vale school (which hosts our Friday evening Concert Band and Saturday Music Centre); and to venues across South East London and beyond for meetings and events with other hub partners.
Employer’s pension with The People’s Pension with Lewisham Music making employer contributions of 6%, matched by the employee.
25 days annual leave entitlement, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
Safeguarding
This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two satisfactory references. Lewisham Music is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share and demonstrate this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
Application Process
Please ensure that you read the full recruitment pack before applying as it contains all the information you need to know about Lewisham Music, and the Job Description and Person Specification. Please email a CV (maximum 2 pages) and covering letter (also maximum 2 pages) to jobs@lewishammusic.org with ‘CEO application’ in the subject line.
If you would like an informal conversation with the current CEO Charly Richardson before applying, please email to jobs@lewishammusic.org with ‘CEO conversation’ in the subject line.
Equalities statement
Lewisham Music is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and value individual differences. If you have a disability and need assistance, please let us know. We will provide reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the application and interview process. We are committed to ensuring that our workplace is inclusive, accessible and equitable for everyone.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
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