Since 2005, Aurora Orchestra has established itself amongst the most creative and distinctive voices in classical music worldwide. As the pioneer of memorised orchestral performance, Aurora is redefining what an orchestra can do through its acclaimed 'Orchestral Theatre' productions. Resident in London at Southbank Centre and Kings Place, Aurora delivers over 100 performances each year, from symphonic projects for the BBC Proms and international festivals to storytelling concerts for young children and immersive performances in schools, shopping centres and nightclubs. Through its free Aurora Classroom programme the orchestra supports high-quality music education in schools throughout the UK, with subscribing teachers in more than two-thirds of local authorities nationally. The orchestra is in a strong position with a unique artistic offering, a robust financial model, and extensive national and international touring planned for 2026/27 and beyond.
As John Harte steps down after 16 years, the board is seeking an inspirational Chief Executive to work alongside co-founders Jane Mitchell (Artistic Director) and Nicholas Collon (Principal Conductor). This is a rare opportunity to lead an orchestra at the cutting edge of classical music, with key challenges including ensuring continuing artistic success, consolidating financial resilience, and managing growth as Aurora matures.
Reporting to the board chaired by Dame Liz Forgan DBE, you will have overall responsibility for strategic planning, financial health and day-to-day operations. Working as creative executive producer with the artistic leadership, you will lead the staff team, develop new partnerships and touring opportunities, provide overall leadership of fundraising including a new Philanthropy Committee, and act as Aurora's ambassador across the arts and education sectors.
You will bring the ability to build strong rapport with artists and act as an effective executive producing partner, with entrepreneurial instincts and appetite for risk. Essential experience includes financial direction and budget management, leading complex projects and teams, and a strong fundraising track record. Outstanding communication skills and a collaborative approach are vital. Orchestral knowledge would be advantageous, but we welcome candidates from non-orchestral backgrounds who demonstrate enthusiasm for Aurora's mission.
Application is by submission of a curriculum vitae and a covering letter of application, addressing the job description and person specification. The closing date for applications is 9am BST on Friday 13th March.
To get in touch confidentially about this opportunity, please contact Daniel Munks on Daniel.Munks@perrettlaver.com.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please contact Esther Elbro on Esther.Elbro@perrettlaver.com.
If you have comments that would support us to improve access to documentation, or our application processes more generally, please do not hesitate to contact us via accessibility@perrettlaver.com
Privacy policy
Protecting your personal data is of the utmost importance to Perrett Laver and we take this responsibility very seriously. Any information obtained by our trading divisions is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation. The data you provide us with is securely stored on our computerised database and transferred to our clients for the purposes of presenting you as a candidate and/or considering your suitability for a role you have registered interest in.
Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, as defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our legal basis for much of our data processing activity is ‘Legitimate Interests’. You have the right to object to us processing your data in this way. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit our website http://www.perrettlaver.com/information/privacy/.
