Royal Academy of Dance

Chief Executive

Job Reference EAMATB
Closing Date Monday 28 Oct 2024

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), one of the world’s most influential dance education and training organisations, is at a pivotal moment of transformation and now seeks a visionary Chief Executive to lead the organisation into an exciting new era.

Granted a Royal Charter in 1926, and with its global headquarters in London, the RAD’s internationally recognised ballet exam syllabus reaches thousands of children and adults globally, and each year, around 250,000 students take RAD exams. Her Majesty Queen Camilla is the RAD’s Patron, while its President is the renowned Dame Darcey Bussell DBE. With over 12,000 members worldwide, the RAD has become an international leader in dance education and training and plays a key part in influencing both the art form and the dance profession.

As the world of dance evolves, this role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of dance education on a global scale, ensuring that the RAD remains at the forefront of artistic and educational innovation. With a bold vision to become a more global, accessible, and dynamic organisation, the RAD is expanding its reach and reimagining how dance is taught, learned, and experienced. This is your chance to lead an iconic institution through a time of significant growth and change, inspiring the next generation of dancers and teachers worldwide.

As Chief Executive, you will have the opportunity to:

Drive Strategic Growth: Implement the RAD’s bold new vision for its future, ensuring its continued artistic excellence, relevance and impact.

Foster Innovation: Nurture an organisational culture to drive creativity and innovation to enhance the RAD’s educational offerings and reach new audiences.

Strengthen Global Partnerships: Build and cultivate strategic alliances worldwide to expand the RAD’s influence and impact.

Inspire the Next Generation: Lead a team of dedicated professional staff committed to supporting passionate educators and artists to inspire the next generation of dancers and dance teachers.

Champion Diversity and Inclusion: Promote a culture of inclusivity and equity, ensuring that dance is accessible to all.

The successful candidate will ideally bring high-level strategic leadership experience gained in a corporate, arts, educational, cultural or charitable organisation of similar scale and complexity. They will be a compelling communicator, bring a strong understanding of budgetary oversight and control and will understand the complexity and diversity of the cultural sector, and the economic challenges the sector faces. They will have significant experience of leading an organisation towards the achievement of its strategic vision.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Royal Academy of Dance on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference EAMATB. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Monday 28th October 2024.

I know first-hand the remarkable contribution the Royal Academy of dance makes to the art of classical ballet worldwide and to so many forms of dance. It is very important that the RAD continues to provide the very best quality of training, but also that it instils the enjoyment and love of dance in as many people as possible by offering a wide range of opportunities to get involved.” Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, President, Royal Academy of Dance