Chief Executive Officer

Pure Executive is proud to be working in exclusive partnership with The Forum Trust to appoint their next Chief Executive Officer.

The Forum is a unique space in Norwich City centre, built for the benefit of the public across the East of England. It was established with a 125-year purpose as a landmark building for culture, recreation, and learning and to positively contribute to the region economically and socially. This exciting CEO opportunity to lead the organsation’s people and activities will succeed the current CEO due to retirement.

Leading on the delivery of The Forum’s charitable purposes, the organisation works independently and with key partners throughout the city and region. As CEO, you will be responsible for the development and delivery of strategy in collaboration with the Trust's Board and senior management team.

Every day The Forum is full of a hugely diverse group of people socialising, studying, and creating a wide range of events and activities. As Chief Executive, it will be your job to create and build on the partnerships for developing the Trust’s programme of events by leading a creative and collaborative team. Sources of pride for the Trust include the popular Norwich Science Festival and Norfolk Heritage Open Days - the biggest event of its kind outside London - and the many other events that help rebuild economic activity and community life. The iconic Atrium, Gallery and Auditorium host a range of lively and exciting events, bringing together a wide range of communities to create vibrant colourful events as well as offering space to relax and enjoy a coffee or a meal.

Key Characteristics of the Role

Reporting to The Forum Trust Board’s Chair, we are looking for an individual who can demonstrate a successful track record of:

• Senior leadership experience in a customer facing organisation, demonstrating excellent people management and negotiation skills - empowering and developing teams to deliver the Trust’s vision.
• Providing creative leadership, formulating strategy and policy, and being responsible for the management, overall direction, and quality of the Forum Trust’s activities.
• Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the Forum’s activities. As Chief Executive you will ensure that thinking is integrated into every part of the business, across all the staff and reaching out to new and varied audiences.
• Taking a lead in promoting the Forum Trust and utlising your track record of partnership working to nurture and source relationships at a local level with appropriate partners and the public.
• Ensuring the effective recruitment, development, reward, and retention of staff.
• Develop key performance indicators, specifically relating to customer engagement, satisfaction, attendance, and business priorities and overseeing long-term contracts.
• Responsibility for strict budgetary control, ensuring that staff and resources are used effectively and economically.
• Strong governance and best practice, with a continuous improvement mindset.

Remuneration: Attractive base salary, 7.5% employer pension contribution, Death in Service 4X salary, 25 day + bank hols annual leave. Flexibility of hours can be considered.

The Forum Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds. This is an exciting and high-profile opportunity, working as CEO for an iconic and much-loved not-for-profit organisation in Norwich. If your leadership experience and skills are aligned to the brief, then please contact Joseph O’Sullivan for an informal discussion.