About Kneehigh

We are a Cornish theatre company (with charitable status) who have a local, national and international profile. The Asylum’s launch in 2010 means we now have a venue to call home as well as being one of – if not the – leading touring theatre companies in the UK. We have roots and experience, are innovative and entrepreneurial. We have a sustained track record of critical acclaim and popular success.

Currently we have three main strands of activity:

On Tour: Local, national and international touring of a wide range of style and scale.

Asylum: Producing and presenting work in our nomadic venue.

Rambles: Work that deepens and broadens our relationship with current audiences, and reaches new and hard to reach communities.

Job Description: Executive Producer

Aim: To lead, manage, influence, inspire and take responsibility for the overall strategy of the programme, staffing and budgets of the company;to also build on Kneehigh’s reputation as a key international player.

Responsible to: the Board of Trustees

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • To be, alongside the Artistic Director, a public face of the company. To host, welcome and build relationships in all areas of the business.
  • Working in partnership with the Artistic Director to lead the organisation and define the future artistic programme.
  • Agreeing and developing the company’s vision and mission statement.
  • Agreeing and developing strategy and policy for all areas of the company’s activity.
  • Advocating on behalf of the company, in local, national and international arenas.
  • Liaising with the Chair of Trustees on the on-going development of the Governance model.
  • Programming Kneehigh’s work in partnership with the Artistic Director.
  • Responsible for overall financial direction, setting budgets & reporting to board on finances
  • Liaising with the Board on all strategic and business matters.
  • Liaising with the General Manager on public and private funding.
  • Management of the General Manager and overseeing the Administrative team (working alongside the Artistic Director)
  • Producing all national and international work including:
  • Programming Research & Development (R&D) with the Artistic Director
  • Commissioning Artists
  • Negotiating co-production agreements
  • Booking and negotiating touring dates
  • Setting budgets
  • Contracting and management of project team
  • Evaluation and further development

Job Specification: Executive Producer

The role requires the individual:

  • To be flexible and adaptable to the demands of the role which will require extensive travel in the UK and internationally
  • To have previous financial responsibility for running a theatre company.
  • To have insight and a track record of understanding the Theatre landscape of the UK
  • To have a proven record and knowledge of international touring
  • To have extensive and relevant experience of strategic planning and the ability to set direction
  • To have working knowledge of business planning and strong financial acumen
  • To have a proven record of effectively working with the Arts Council England
  • To have a thorough understanding of Board Governance and development
  • To have excellent experience and proven track record of producing/making theatre
  • To have a proven record of ‘making things happen’
  • To have strong experience of managing both Creative and Producing teams.
  • To have a creative, energetic and maverick approach to life
  • To have well-developed communication skills, able to build strong working relationships within the team and externally
  • To be an effective influencer, confident to initiate and develop opportunities spontaneously
  • To have proven leadership experience

Kneehigh has a creative space in Cornwall, at Gorran Haven. The administrative offices are in Truro. The Asylum Season takes place at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, near St Austell. However the team is based all over the UK.

The post of Executive Director is permanent. The successful candidate will not be required to live in Cornwall. Any successful applicant must be able to spend time in London and in cities where partnerships are strong, namely Leeds, Bristol, Liverpool, New York and LA.

Above all else, this new key player in the Kneehigh story must embrace our tradition and commitment to generosity, joy, bravery, irreverence and ambition!