The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) is a cultural powerhouse bringing together two world-class performing companies. Every day, the world’s top singers, dancers, musicians, administrators, creatives, designers, technicians and countless others come together to create truly inspirational experiences for the public.
The resulting reach and impact is extraordinary. Every year, millions of people enjoy performances on our stages, in cinemas and through broadcast media. 150,000 young people are given access to creativity by our Learning and Participation programmes across the country. We generate £240million for the economy annually. 3,000 people – 2,000 of them freelancers – are in work because of us. We boost British soft power and promote artistic excellence around the globe. We are part of this country’s cultural and economic fabric. However you measure it, each and every day RBO has a transformative and long-lasting impact on countless lives across the country, and on the cultural landscape of the UK. As the home of the world’s best opera and ballet, we are committed to making the extraordinary for everyone.
Learning and Participation at RBO has undergone a strategic transformation. Rather than delivering a large number of discrete projects, the Department has developed a focused, high-impact framework that leverages what only RBO can offer: world-class ballet, opera and design as catalysts for creativity.
This shift has driven extraordinary growth. In the past five years, reach has expanded from 20,000 to 150,000 children, and with recent significant funding from the Mohn Westlake Foundation, we have a target to grow reach further to engage 5,000 schools – representing one-third of primary schools in the UK.
The RBO are now looking for a new Director of Learning & Participation to lead this work, sitting on the Executive Steering Group and contributing to the strategic direction of one of the world's most prestigious cultural institutions.
This role leads a department of 45 staff and over 100 freelance artists, with responsibility for a £5 million budget and programmes that reach 120,000 young people annually across the UK. Following Board approval for the Learning and Participation Strategy 2024: Catalyst for Creativity, the Director will drive ambitious change across schools programmes, talent diversification, public engagement and research advocacy.
The role operates at the intersection of artistic excellence and social impact. The Director must work collaboratively across RBO to deliver the strategic fundamental of "Extending Opportunities" whilst contributing significantly to fundraising, partnership development and the organisation's national and international reputation. This is both a strategic leadership position and a creative programme leadership role - requiring someone who can operate at board and major donor level whilst maintaining deep connection to artistic practice and pedagogy.
This role demands a rare combination of strategic leadership capability, creative vision, and operational excellence. The successful candidate will be an experienced arts leader who can operate at executive level whilst maintaining deep connection to artistic practice and pedagogy - equally comfortable in the boardroom and on the studio floor.
Above all, we seek someone who believes profoundly in the transformative power of the arts and is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental principles underpinning all our work.
The Royal Ballet and Opera has engaged the services of Perrett Laver to assist with the appointment process for this role. The closing date for applications is 9am GMT on Monday 9th February 2026.
To confidentially get in touch about this role, or for advice on your application please email, George Hourmouzios, George.Hourmouzios@perrettlaver.com
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