Executive Director

Lead Bell Shakespeare’s strategy, operations, and financial sustainability while championing artistic excellence and audience engagement.

Bell Shakespeare’s Board of Directors is seeking a dynamic and strategic Executive Director to lead the company alongside the Artistic Director, ensuring artistic excellence, financial sustainability, and national impact.

• Guide Australia’s premier Shakespeare company into its next chapter.
• Drive strategic growth, financial sustainability, and artistic excellence.
• Shape the future of theatre and education with a national impact.

Before applying, please contact Andrew Abbott to obtain further information about the role.

About Bell Shakespeare

Bell Shakespeare is Australia’s national theatre company specialising in the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Founded by John Bell in 1990, we have grown into a dynamic and influential company that brings classic theatre to audiences across the country. Through our mainstage productions, education programs, and extensive outreach initiatives, we ensure that the power of Shakespeare’s storytelling remains relevant and accessible to all Australians.

With a commitment to artistic excellence, education, and inclusion, Bell Shakespeare continues to challenge, inspire, and connect audiences of all backgrounds. Our home at Pier 2/3 in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct in Sydney provides a stunning setting for our performances, workshops, and community engagement programs. As we enter our next chapter, we seek a visionary leader to help shape our future.

The Role

Bell Shakespeare is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join the company as its next Executive Director. Working in in a shared leadership model with the Artistic Director, the Executive Director will drive the company’s strategic direction, ensuring financial sustainability, operational excellence, and continued artistic ambition.

Reporting to the Chair and Board of Directors, the Executive Director will oversee Bell Shakespeare’s governance, financial management, including risk management and revenue diversification, and stakeholder engagement. They will lead the senior management team, manage key partnerships, and play a vital role in philanthropy, fundraising, and sponsorship.

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Australia’s most respected performing arts organisations, steering its continued success while fostering a vibrant and inclusive culture.

Who We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished senior leader with deep experience in the performing arts. They will bring strategic acumen, business leadership, and a passion for making theatre accessible to diverse audiences.

Key skills and experience include:

• Executive leadership experience, preferably in an arts or cultural organisation, including working in a collaborative leadership model, particularly alongside an Artistic Director
• Strong financial management and governance expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-level stakeholder relationships, including government, philanthropic, and corporate partners.
• Proven success in fundraising, sponsorship, and revenue generation.
• An inclusive leadership style with the ability to inspire and empower a high-performing team and an ability to foster a collaborative culture and ensure the organisation attracts and retains talented staff

• A deep understanding of the Australian arts landscape and a commitment to artistic excellence.

Bell Shakespeare offers a unique platform for a leader who shares our belief in the transformative power of theatre. If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge, we encourage you to apply.

How to apply

To receive a candidate brief, or to arrange a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Andrew Abbott, Partner at Fish Nankivell, on 0401 712 953 or aabbott@fishnankivell.com

Applications close Tuesday, 15 April 2025. A concurrent search is being conducted.

Applications comprising a CV and cover letter should be emailed to Andrew Abbott.