About the Trustee roles
Trustee and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee
Location: Accessible to Norwich
Remuneration: Trustees do not receive remuneration, but reasonable expenses are paid.
Time Commitment: Approximately half a day per month.
Term of Appointment: Trustees are appointed for a period of 3 years and are expected to serve a maximum of 2 terms of office (totaling 6 years).
Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for the arts and a strong background in finance, audit, or risk management? As a flourishing theatre with national reach, ambitious programming and an exciting new strategy to deliver, Norwich Theatre is seeking a dedicated and insightful individual to join our Board of Trustees and take on the vital role of Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
We are seeking a trustee with a professional background in finance, audit or risk management to join the Board and take on the role of Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
The successful candidate will bring strategic insight, governance experience and a strong understanding of financial oversight within complex organisations. They will work closely with fellow trustees and senior executives to ensure the charity maintains robust financial management, transparency and effective risk oversight.
This role includes providing leadership to the Audit and Risk Committee, acting as a key liaison with external auditors and advisers, and ensuring the Board is well-informed on matters relating to financial integrity, compliance, internal controls and organisational risk.
While based attendance in the East of England is welcomed, we also welcome applications from individuals based elsewhere in the UK.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Senior-level experience in finance, audit or risk management, with a track record of supporting good governance in a complex or regulated environment.
- Recognised financial qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent demonstrable expertise in financial oversight and accountability.
- Proven ability to chair or contribute meaningfully to Audit and Risk Committees
- Working knowledge of charity governance, risk frameworks and regulatory requirements, including the Charity Commission’s guidance and responsibilities under the Charities Act.
- Sound judgement and the ability to scrutinise, challenge and support executive leadership constructively on financial, risk and compliance matters.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative, inclusive leadership style and the time and capacity to engage actively in the role.
Desirable:
- Previous non-executive or trustee experience, preferably with an organisation of scale, scope or public interest.
Theatres should be places which reflect and embrace the diversity of the world we live in, we welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
Trustee 1
Location: Accessible to Norwich
Remuneration: Trustees do not receive remuneration, but reasonable expenses are paid.
Time Commitment: Approximately half a day per month.
Term of Appointment: Trustees are appointed for a period of 3 years and are expected to serve a maximum of 2 terms of office (totaling 6 years).
We are seeking a trustee with a strong personal or professional connection to the arts, who, in partnership with the executive and our established and successful fundraising function, can contribute to our strategic engagement, visibility, and philanthropic ambitions.
This role would suit an individual with a high-level network across the cultural and philanthropic landscape—someone who is either a philanthropist themselves or who is positioned to help open doors to new funding relationships and influence.
The successful candidate may already hold, or have recently held, trustee or ambassadorial roles with other major arts institutions and will bring both profile and credibility to our board. A passion for the arts and culture is essential, as is a commitment to the long-term success of the organisation. While a connection to Norwich or Norfolk is highly valued, we are particularly interested in individuals who split their time between Norfolk and London or other major cities.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Established personal and/or professional networks across the arts, culture, philanthropy or civic sectors, with the ability to champion the organisation at a senior level.
- Demonstrated commitment to philanthropy, either as a donor, fundraiser, or advocate, with the ability to support the organisation’s fundraising efforts credibly and constructively.
- Strong affinity with the mission and artistic work of the organisation, with a genuine enthusiasm for its role in cultural life.
- Either a connection to Norwich/Norfolk, and/or a meaningful willingness to engage with the region and its communities.
- Confidence and credibility in high-profile settings, with the ability to represent the organisation among senior stakeholders and donors.
- Time and willingness to engage actively, including attending board meetings, representing the charity at events, and offering strategic advice and introductions as appropriate.
Desirable:
- Understanding of the role of trustees in contributing to organisational sustainability.
Theatres should be places which reflect and embrace the diversity of the world we live in, we welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
Trustee 2
Location: Accessible to Norwich
Remuneration: Trustees do not receive remuneration, but reasonable expenses are paid.
Time Commitment: Approximately half a day per month.
Term of Appointment: Trustees are appointed for a period of 3 years and are expected to serve a maximum of 2 terms of office (totaling 6 years).
We are looking to appoint a trustee with a strong commercial background, ideally an experienced business leader or entrepreneur with a demonstrable track record of strategic growth and innovation.
This individual will bring insight into commercial development, new income models, and entrepreneurial thinking that can support our long-term resilience and ambition.
The ideal candidate will currently hold non-executive roles with major national or international businesses, and will be adept at contributing commercial expertise within a governance setting. A personal connection to arts and/or culture is desirable, as is a willingness to act as a sounding board and strategic partner to the executive team. While a connection to Norwich or Norfolk is highly valued, we are particularly interested in individuals who split their time between Norfolk and London or other major cities.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Executive-level commercial leadership experience or as a strategist in a high-growth business or entrepreneurial environment.
- Proven ability to identify and support opportunities for income diversification, enterprise, or commercial innovation within a mission-led context.
- Strategic thinker with a growth mindset, bringing creativity, insight and pragmatism to organisational challenges and opportunities.
- Current or recent experience as a Non-Executive Director, understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing arts and culture organisations, and an interest in applying commercial thinking in support of public value.
- Excellent stakeholder skills, with the ability to influence, advise and collaborate effectively with executive teams and fellow trustees.
Desirable:
- A personal or professional connection to Norwich or Norfolk, or a strong interest in engaging meaningfully with the region and its cultural life.
Theatres should be places which reflect and embrace the diversity of the world we live in, we welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage applications from under-represented groups.