Managing director | london craft week

Managing Director | London Craft Week

London Craft Week is seeking a new Managing Director to lead the festival and deliver the new three year strategy. This role offers great scope for an entrepreneurial individual to shape London Craft Week and further grow its reputation as the world’s leading festival for outstanding craftsmanship. The new Managing Director will combine strong commercial instinct with passion for extraordinary creativity and a hands on approach. The role will require you to work with flexibility, energy and commitment, leading sponsorship sales and managing the team to deliver and promote a diverse and engaging festival programme.

Salary: £75k

Hours: Full time

Term: Permanent

Location: London (hybrid)

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

We are seeking an ambitious leader with a proven track record in strategic business development and/or sponsorship in the cultural sector.

Experience & Skills:

• Senior Leadership: Experience in a senior leadership role within the arts, culture, events, or luxury sectors, demonstrating commercial success and inspiring a high performing team.
• Income Generation & Commercial Acumen: Strong history of leading on sales, sponsorships and/or developing commercial partnerships.
• Financial & Governance Oversight: Experience in financial management with P&L responsibility.
• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional skills in building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders (sponsors, strategic partners, public bodies, and VIPs).
• Strategic & Communication Excellence: Outstanding strategic planning and execution capabilities, coupled with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Festival/Event Direction: Ability to lead the strategy, development, and successful delivery of a large-scale cultural event.

Key Attributes:

• Passion for Craft & Culture: A genuine enthusiasm for craftsmanship, art, design, and cultural events
• Entrepreneurial & Visionary: A proactive, forward-thinking individual who identifies new opportunities and drives growth
• Collaborative & Resilient: A natural collaborator who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment within a small team

RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGY:

• Lead on the delivering and developing of the three year plan and annual festival programme.
• Ensure the timely and effective production of all necessary planning and evaluation material, including appropriate financial plans and accounts and monthly progress reporting to the Chairman.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT:

• Provide day-to-day leadership and line management to the team, setting and monitoring KPIs and providing direction and motivation for the team.
• Be an external facing spokesperson for London Craft Week during the festival and at key moments throughout the year.

INCOME GENERATION:

• Secure new sponsors and manage all new and existing sponsor relationships.
• Develop new revenue streams in line with the three year plan.
• Develop new strategic partnerships that strengthen LCW’s financial position and offer new income generating opportunities.
• Set and oversee revenue targets for the programme team, including: programme partners, International Pavilions, advertising and ticket revenue.
• Work with the programme team to develop a sales plan and manage relationships with an international network of partners.

FINANCE:

• Lead the sustainable financial and operational management of the business, including managements of budgets and banking, and oversight of accounting firm.
• Manage the P&L and company cashflow, including raising client invoices, account reconciliation, and executing monthly payroll bank transfers.

OPERATIONS:

• Manage the company hybrid working arrangements.
• Own the company tech stack including working with the external web agency, and developing the in house tech capabilities to support effective and contemporary working practices.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS:

• Oversee the development of marketing and PR plans to support the festival and enhance LCW’s reputation and profile.
• Recruit marketing staff as may be necessary, appoint and manage the relationship with the external Public Relations agency, and oversee media partnerships.
• Appoint and manage the relationship with key suppliers: graphic designers, web development, logistics and research.
• Work with the design agency on identity, print collateral, advertising, posters, web templates, sales packs and on-site signage.
• Manage research and evaluation including designing and promoting visitor and programme partner surveys.
• Develop the VIP strategy in line with the three year plan. Act as a spokesperson with press and stakeholders as required.

GOVERNANCE

• Ensure London Craft Week Limited discharges its legal obligations to include HMRC (VAT and Corporation Tax), Companies House (inc confirmation statements, accounts, registered office address), GDPR, Health & Safety and Employment.

TO APPLY

Please send your CV with a brief cover note and subject line “Managing Director Application” by an email via the button below.

ABOUT LONDON CRAFT WEEK

London Craft Week is a city-wide festival celebrating exceptional craftsmanship, across multiple sectors and disciplines, from around the world. Through our curated programme of events, we shine a light on the creative talent behind some of the world’s most beautiful objects, telling stories of their inspiration, process and materials.

Since its inception in 2015, the festival has grown significantly in scale and prominence with nearly quarter of a million visitors enjoying the work of more than 1000 makers at events put on by over 200 partners from 30 countries in 2026.

The festival encourages those who attend to discover hidden workshops, independent makers, heritage craftsmen and jewel-like shops alongside great luxury houses, famous artists and designers, leading department stores, national museums and contemporary galleries. Visitors can embrace the sheer reach, diversity and serendipity that London offers as the world’s great creative capital.