Job Description

The Chief Executive will work with the Artistic Director and the Board of Trustees, steering the festival as it charts a course towards its 50th anniversary in 2029. They will be central to developing the relationships, partnerships and strategies necessary to secure the festival for the future as well as ensuring excellence in delivery of festival events.

As well as working closely with the Artistic Director, they will be supported by an events manager, responsible for the detail of event planning and delivery, a marketing and development manager, a festival administrator, a finance manager & bookkeeper and a team of over 100 volunteers.

Job Requirements

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate –

previous experience in arts administration

team leadership experience

excellent communication and relationship skills

experience of evaluating arts programming – in particular music and literary programming

experience of budget setting

an understanding of both audience and fundraising development in the arts world

Candidates will need to live within reach of Petworth, and be office based at least part of the working week. They will need to be able to drive.

The successful applicant will need to be in Petworth every day during festival periods (in 2025 these are 16th July to 2nd August and 29th October – 9th November) and will need to attend sponsor and supporter events which are typically during the evening and in Petworth.

This role will average as three days a week but requires full time working during festival periods. Additional time worked during these periods can be offset by shorter weeks at other times of the year

Job Responsibilities

Working with the Board to develop a 5-year plan (strategic and financial) for the festival leading up to its 50th anniversary in 2029.

Working with the Board to ensure the delivery of this plan.

Working with the Hon Treasurer and Finance Manager to set and oversee balanced, annual income and expenditure budgets.

Delivering the festival’s activities and events within budget and to the highest standard.

Delivering fundraising, ticket sales and other income in line with annual budget and 5 – year plan.

Ensuring good evaluation practice so that learning from festival periods is incorporated into refinement of five-year plan and planning of future festivals

Leading the team and festival operations effectively and on budget, ensuring good management as well as ongoing improvement in the charity’s systems and practices.

Ensuring compliance with all regulatory and insurance requirements affecting the festival and its operations.

Apply at info@petworthfestival.org.uk

About Us 

2024 has proved to be a special year for the festival: two highly successful firsts, the Petworth Proms in association with the The National Trust, and The Big Sing involving every pupil at Petworth Primary School – both remarkable successes first time out. And then a second successive Literary Festival (featuring Judi Dench, Robert Harris, Pam Ayers, David Baddiel, Clare Balding….) to break all previous records, and a summer festival with multiple memorable highlights: Rhapsody in Light Blue, Simon Keenlyside, Alim Besimbayev, Rumours, Mark Watson anyone…?

This was also the year in which we benefitted from matched sponsorship funding from the national Big Give campaign, and welcomed Sofas and Stuff as our first ever Principal Corporate Sponsors. Together with our host of individual givers and supporters and a new and refreshed board of management, the Festival approaches 2025 with a definite spring in its step.