CEO

CEO Job Advert

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with Wells Maltings to recruit for their new
position of CEO.

Location: Wells-next-the-Sea / Hybrid
Salary: c.£50,000
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time (37 hours) or part-time (minimum 4 days/week). Some evening and
weekend work required.

Wells Maltings a vibrant arts, heritage and community venue, opened in 2018, and set in
beautiful Wells-next-the-Sea at the heart of the North Norfolk AONB. We are a year-round
hub of excellence for the arts providing a diverse and extensive programme, plus heritage
preservation, community cohesion and tourism for our coastal town and the surrounding
environs.

Find out more about Wells Maltings here https://www.wellsmaltings.org.uk/.

About the Role

This is a brand-new role for an experienced senior leader and income generation specialist
to join the team at Wells Maltings and lead on developing and delivering our fundraising,
commercial and operations strategies. You will have the space to make a real impact,
supported by both an experienced team and an engaged Board of Trustees.

About you

We are looking for a leader with a strong understanding of income generation in the arts and
culture sector, preferably with experience of running a venue.

You will bring your leadership experience, financial acumen and fundraising skills. You will
lead the organisation, shape how we generate income and increase our commercial and
individual sponsorship, all with the aim of securing a sustainable future for the charity and
the communities we support.

How to Apply
Formal application is via CV and supporting statement addressing three specific questions
outlined in the recruitment pack.

Closing: 9am, Monday 20th April 2026
Interviews: Friday 1st May 2026

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential.
Please inform us if you require any assistance or adjustment to help ensure the application
process works for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately
promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at
the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and

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experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden
disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership,
pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because
we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

CEO Candidate Application Pack – Spring 2026

Welcome to our candidate application pack.

About Wells Maltings

We are a vibrant arts, heritage and community venue, opened in 2018, and set in
beautiful Wells-next-the-Sea at the heart of the North Norfolk AONB. We are a year-
round hub of excellence for the arts, heritage preservation, community cohesion and
tourism for our small coastal town and surrounding environs. We provide essential,
versatile space for the arts, education and social gatherings, reducing the
community's reliance on seasonality, and fostering community connection.

We offer:

Cultural engagement: hosting a vibrant, high quality and diverse year-round
programme including theatre, film, music, comedy, talks, exhibitions and festivals.
Heritage preservation: our Heritage Centre highlights the history of the town,
including its maritime past, through interactive displays, acting as an educational
resource
Art promotion: The Handa Gallery showcases sculpture, art, and crafts, supporting
artists and enhancing the cultural life of the area
A community hub & social venue: offering space for local clubs, meetings, and
fitness classes. We support the week long Wells Carnival in the summer plus
Christmas Tide Festival in November/December (dependent on the tide) amongst
other community events.
Tourism & economy:  we provide indoor, high-quality events, attracting visitors
outside of peak beach season and supporting local businesses. These visitors
quadruple the town population in numbers each year, bringing energy and income for
a variety of local independent businesses in the area.

As a charity and events space, our income comes from a combination of commercial
activity, centred around our events (c250 per annum), our café and venue hire and
sponsorship/ fundraising. We are looking for a CEO with strong experience in
income generation to help ensure our future financial stability and operational
excellence for the years to come.

The role:

This is a brand-new role for an experienced senior leader and income generation
specialist to join the team at Wells Maltings and lead on developing and delivering
our fundraising, commercial and operations strategies. You will lead on ensuring our
financial future and increasing our supporter base, especially through the
development of major giving partnerships and individual giving. You will also expand

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support from corporates and trusts and foundations and continue to grow our
commercial offering.

Key Contacts

You will work closely with the Artistic Director, the General Manger, and the engaged
and supportive Board of Trustees. You will lead the strategic development of Wells
Maltings and play a vital role in fundraising and managing relationships with funders.

About you

We are looking for a leader with a strong understanding of income generation in the
arts and culture sector, preferably with experience of running a venue.

You will bring your leadership experience, financial acumen and fundraising skills.
You will lead the organisation, shape how we generate income and increase our
commercial and individual sponsorship, all with the aim of securing a sustainable
future for the charity and the communities we support. Alongside this you will design
better processes, track our progress, support strategic planning and help develop
our teams with your empowering management style.

This role needs someone comfortable juggling detail and big-picture thinking. You’ll
enjoy working both independently and as part of a team, with strong communication
skills and a willingness to ask questions and make things happen. This role is a
hugely exciting opportunity to make a tangible difference – shaping not just what we
do, but how we do it.

Job Description

Job title: CEO
Salary: c£50,000
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) or part-time (minimum 4 days/ week) week).
Some evening and weekend work will be needed.
Location: Wells-next-the-Sea/ hybrid
Reports to: Chair of Trustees
Direct reports: Management Team; Artistic Director, General Manager, Youth and
Community Lead, TIC and Shop Manager, Audio/Visual Tech, Finance Officer and
Administrator. Reporting to them are our café and bar, facilities and volunteer teams.

Benefits:
Include: hybrid working, free on-site parking, free access to events, free lunch and
beverages, mental health and wellbeing support, plus access to NEST pension
scheme

Key Responsibilities

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  Strategic Leadership and Planning: work with the Board of Trustees to

develop the Maltings vision, values, strategy and business plans that continue
to position the organisation as a leading arts and cultural venue. Act as an
ambassador for the organisation.

  Financial Management: Setting and monitoring annual budgets, managing
cash flow, overseeing audits, and ensuring long-term financial stability and
sustainability
Income Generation and Fundraising: lead fundraising strategies, including
cultivating and managing relationships with donors, foundations, corporate
partners and public funding bodies



  People and Team Culture: Lead, manage and develop the management
team, foster a positive and best practice working culture, enhance our
volunteer base and their contribution

  Marketing: Develop and deliver marketing and communication strategies with
a focus on audience development and brand profile to position Maltings as a
leading arts and culture venue

  Artistic Programming: Ensure our extensive artistic programme meets

financial targets and contributes financially as much as possible. Support the
Artistic Director to further develop the Maltings presence and reputation
across the arts and culture sector including through new partnerships and
income generation

  Venue and Operational Management

-  Work with the General Manager to develop longer-term revenue

generation strategies which maintain adequate community access to the
building

-  Support the General Manager to the day-to-day operations, including
people management, health and safety, licensing, maintenance, and
facility developments

  Governance and Board Reporting:

-  Report a monthly dashboard to the Board of Trustees, support the bi-

monthly Board meetings and Sub Committees. Manage the risk register

-  Ensure all external reporting for Charity Commission and Companies
House is undertaken and documentation is submitted by the required
dates

-  Ensure adherence to charity law, regulatory requirements and in house

policies across all organisational operations

-  Review all key policies and procedures ensuring they are updated

regularly and reflect changing governmental policy, statutory regulations
and best practice.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

You do not need to have experience in every aspect of the areas below, but if you
believe your career and lived experience has prepared you well for this role, we
encourage you to apply and demonstrate your transferable skills.

  Strategic Leadership: Proven experience in leading an arts, culture, or

similar organisation with the ability to motivate and develop cross-disciplinary
teams

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  Financial Acumen: Strong experience in budget management and income

generation

  Fundraising Expertise: A track record of securing funding from diverse

sources

  Relationship Management: Excellent communication skills to engage with

stakeholders, donors, partners and the public.

  Operational Knowledge: Understanding of venue management, health and

safety regulations, and compliance

  Passion for the Arts: A deep commitment to community engagement and

developing partnerships

  Marketing: A good working knowledge of developing marketing campaigns,

including the use of social media, to ensure our programme and hire
opportunities reach the widest possible audience

  DEIB: A demonstrable commitment to diversity, equality, inclusion and

belonging

  Charitable purpose: Evidence of commitment to the aims of Wells Maltings,
along with an Understanding of Charity law and regulations, governance
requirements, and reporting standards

 What will success look like?

  Overall strategic planning & target setting

-  Development of short, medium and long-term strategies to be approved by
the board that deliver against overall objectives (financial stability and
increased audience engagement)

-  Work with the Board to set and measure annual KPIs across finance,
delivery, organisational development, stakeholder engagement and
governance

-  Work with board to continually monitor strategic direction, adjusting or

refining as necessary to meet overall objectives

  Financial stability and growth: meeting income targets from venue hire,

tickets, fundraising and sponsorship

  Developing partnerships: to network and forge new partnerships across

North Norfolk to enhance our position and offer

  Audience development: Increasing visitor numbers and improving

engagement metrics.

  Leadership & Organisational Development:

-  People engagement levels (e.g., satisfaction scores, retention rates)
-
Implementation of organisational improvements (e.g., new policies,
efficiency gains)
 Strengthening the organisation’s culture and values

-

  Funding Success: Securing multi-year funding and/or high-value donations
  Operational Efficiency: Maintaining high standards of safety and compliance

To Apply:

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Charity People are managing the recruitment process on our behalf. Please email
Philippa – philippa@charitypeople.co.uk – with any questions.

To apply, please send a CV and supporting statement answering the questions
below to philippa@charitypeople.co.uk by 9am on Monday 20th April 2026
We are committed to making the application process inclusive.

1. Strategic Leadership, Vision and Community Impact Describe how your
experience and skills make you a suitable candidate for this leadership role in our
arts and community venue (up to 500 words)
2. Income Generation and Financial Sustainability Describe a successful income
generation or fundraising strategy you have developed or led (up to 500 words)
3. Operational Leadership, Culture and Partnership Working Explain how you
have previously created positive organisational culture, improved operational
effectiveness, or built strategic partnerships in a similar organisation. How did your
leadership contribute to long-term resilience and engagement?  (Up to 500 words)

Each candidate will be shortlisted based on merit, and interview and appointment
selection will be strictly based on the agreed selection criteria. The Equality Act 2010
permits reasonable adjustments that may give preferential treatment to an individual
with a disability.

To monitor how effective this will be, we request that all candidates complete an EDI
monitoring form (insert link) which will give us a detailed breakdown of the
candidates who apply.

Timeline
Closing date for application: 9am on Monday 20th April 2026
Interviews: Friday 1st May 2026

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