BIRNAM ARTS

Head of Organisation & Commercial Activity

Location: Birnam, Perthshire | Hours: 16–32 hours per week (2–4 days), to be agreed | Salary: £42,000–£47,000 per annum FTE, depending on experience (pro rata)

About Birnam Arts

Birnam Arts is a vibrant, community-owned arts centre in the heart of Highland Perthshire. With a rich history stretching back to 1880, we are an important cultural and community hub, bringing people together through the arts, creativity and shared experiences.

Our busy centre is home to a diverse programme of live music, theatre, exhibitions, workshops and community activities, alongside a café, gift shop, venue hire facilities and The Beatrix Potter™ Perthshire Experience.

As a registered charity, our commercial activities help support our wider arts and community programmes. We're now looking ahead to an exciting new chapter, strengthening our organisation, developing new opportunities and ensuring Birnam Arts continues to thrive for the communities we serve.

Birnam Arts is seeking an experienced, commercially minded leader to guide the next stage of our development as a cultural and community Arts Centre in Birnam, Perthshire. You will lead organisational strategy and commercial development, identifying opportunities to grow income, strengthen partnerships and build long-term financial sustainability while protecting our charitable purpose. Working with the Board and the Head of Operations, you will bring together our people, programmes and commercial activities. We welcome candidates from commercial, arts, charitable and community backgrounds who can demonstrate strong leadership and a track record of developing opportunities and delivering results. We operate 7 days a week so some flexibility is required.

How to apply: Please email your CV and covering letter to chair@birnamarts.com. Closing date: Tuesday 8 December 2026. Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 14 December 2026; applicants should be available that week where possible, unless otherwise specified.

Birnam Arts is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. If there are any barriers to applying or participating in the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to provide appropriate support and adjustments.

 Job description

Role purpose

Provide overall organisational and commercial leadership for Birnam Arts, translating the Board’s agreed priorities into effective plans and actions that support income growth, financial sustainability and delivery of our charitable purpose.

Reporting arrangements: The Head of Organisation & Commercial Activity reports to the Board and its relevant subcommittees.

Strategy and organisational leadership

• Lead delivery and review of the Board-approved strategy, operational plan and organisational priorities.

• Bring together charitable, artistic, community and commercial objectives, ensuring commercial opportunities support the organisation’s mission.
• Establish clear accountability, delegated responsibilities, performance measures and continuity arrangements.
• Lead the development of an organisation-wide commercial strategy, identifying opportunities for income growth, new business and stronger financial sustainability.

Finance, governance and risk

• Lead organisation-wide financial and commercial planning, budgets, cash flow and reporting with finance colleagues and the Head of Operations.
• Report regularly to the Board on performance, risks, opportunities and delivery against agreed objectives.
• Ensure appropriate governance, compliance, policies, safeguarding and risk-management arrangements.

People and culture

• Lead and develop colleagues and foster effective cross-team working.
• Oversee consistent recruitment, HR, staff development, performance management and Fair Work practices.
• Support staff and volunteers through change, promoting inclusion and a healthy organisational culture.

Programme, commercial development and external relationships

• Support specialist programme colleagues to deliver artistic quality, community benefit, audience development and funding commitments.
• Build strategic relationships with funders, commercial partners and the local community, identifying opportunities for earned income, sponsorship and other appropriate support.
• Work with the Head of Operations to set commercial priorities and targets for trading activities, while retaining operational delivery within that role.
• Lead the overall approach to marketing, audience development and commercial positioning, working with colleagues to strengthen reach, reputation and income.

Person specification

Essential

• Senior leadership experience in a complex or multidisciplinary organisation, with strong commercial judgement.
• Evidence of strategic planning, developing income opportunities, organisational change and delivery.
• Evidence of commercial development, income generation or business growth, with the ability to balance financial and community outcomes.
• Strong financial literacy, commercial planning, budget oversight and risk management.
• Ability to lead people, delegate effectively and build an inclusive culture.
• Strong Board-level reporting, communication and partnership skills.

Desirable

• Experience in arts, culture, charities or community-facing organisations.
• Experience of charity governance, grants and funding compliance.
• Experience of leading and growing mixed charitable and commercial activities.

How To Apply

Everyone is welcome to apply and we wholly encourage you to do so, regardless of background, culture, gender, ethnicity, age or ability. We hope to hear from you soon!

Applicants for all posts should submit a CV and covering letter to chair@birnamarts.com

• Location: Birnam Arts
• Closing Date: 8 December 2026
• Hours: 16–32 hours per week (2–4 days), to be agreed
• Salary: £42,000–£47,000 per annum FTE, depending on experience (pro rata)