Organizer Information
VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and George Bernard Shaw Theatre, located on the grounds of Carlow College in Carlow Town, Ireland, opened on 26 September 2009, following construction that began in September 2007. The €18 million building was designed by London architect Terry Pawson and constructed by BAM, jointly funded by Carlow Local Authorities and the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism under the ACCESS Programme. The building has since won the Civic Trust Award 2010, the Irish Concrete Society Building & Overall Award 2010, an RIBA EU Award 2010, and an RIAI award. It comprises a performing arts theatre and four to five principal gallery spaces (including the Main Gallery, Studio Gallery, Link Gallery and Digital Gallery), alongside theatre bar facilities, a full-service restaurant, and concession areas. Established in 2009, VISUAL is now one of Ireland's leading contemporary arts centres, presenting a year-round theatre programme and up to 15 exhibitions per year in exhibition spaces described as unique in scale within Ireland, alongside a learning and engagement programme developed with local schools and communities. The organization is operated by Carlow Arts Centre Limited, which governs the venue through a Board of Directors.
Title & Description
Chief Executive Officer / Artistic Director
Carlow Arts Centre Limited is recruiting a Chief Executive Officer/Artistic Director to lead the next phase of development for VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and George Bernard Shaw Theatre. The role combines artistic leadership with organisational management: the successful candidate will set artistic direction, oversee organisational strategy, ensure financial sustainability, and manage governance and external relations, while working closely with the Board of Directors of Carlow Arts Centre Limited. The source describes the ideal candidate as someone with exceptional leadership skills, a clear artistic vision, and a steady pathway for VISUAL's future development, combining commercial acumen, artistic vision, personal commitment, and arts management experience across a multidisciplinary programme spanning visual art, theatre, dance, film, comedy, literature, and music.
The Role Overview
- Contract Type: Permanent Position
- Salary: €68,250.00
- Reports To: Board of Directors of Carlow Arts Centre Limited
- Probationary Period: 12-month probationary period
- Holidays: 24 days per annum plus bank holidays
- Additional condition: Post is subject to Garda Vetting for the successful applicant
Position & Tasks
- Leadership
- Provide strong, inspirational, high-profile leadership to enable VISUAL to achieve its artistic and strategic objectives within a demanding cultural and commercial environment
- Oversee all aspects of the management of the Centre — financial, commercial, operational and artistic
- Recruitment and management of staff
- Overseeing all aspects of the operations of the organisation
- Preparation, development and implementation of VISUAL's Strategic Plan
- Continue developing the regional/national/international profile of the Centre, with particular emphasis on developing local, regional and international audiences and increasing engagement
- Programme VISUAL as a centre of excellence in the visual and performing arts in collaboration with the artistic team and to international standards
- Create and deliver an innovative artistic vision and programme with a strong focus on socially engaged arts practice, encompassing contemporary visual art, interdisciplinary arts, digital arts, community participation, music, theatre, and film
- Develop artistic and educational collaborations and creative partnerships supporting VISUAL's artistic and business objectives
- Target and reach new audiences through management of an effective communications/marketing strategy and by identifying and removing barriers to participation
- Financial Management
- Work closely with the Finance Committee to ensure sound and accountable financial management, including preparation and control of annual budgets, financial reporting, and compliance with statutory requirements
- Actively identify and deliver new income streams for revenue growth, potential sponsors, patrons and funding partners
- Lead on development and implementation of a fundraising strategy
- Develop new partnership funding nationally and internationally for touring, co-producers, and potential European funded projects
- Corporate Governance
- Liaise with the Board of Directors and the Corporate Governance Committee to ensure best practice in governance and oversight through effective communication and reporting
- Oversee and report on compliance and adherence to all statutory requirements
- Update and oversee the Corporate Risk Register
- Identification, addressing, and management of risks
- Operational
- Effective and efficient management of all aspects of daily operations of the facility
- Lead on development of appropriate company policies related to exhibitions, projects, theatre programming, staffing, and all aspects of the organisation's operations
- People Management
- Recruit staff and consultants as required to ensure adequate resourcing of the organisation in delivery of strategic objectives
- Demonstrate the ability to lead, inspire, and motivate staff, providing clear direction and support
- Stakeholder Relations
- Build and maintain excellent working relationships with all stakeholders — local, regional, national, and international
- Health and Safety
- Ensure all statutory and Health and Safety requirements are implemented and enforced for the safety of all staff, clients, and visitors
- Fulfil other duties as may be required by the Board of Directors
Categories
- Arts Administration
- Curatorial Practice
- Museum & Gallery Leadership
- Theatre Programming
- Arts Management
- Executive Leadership (Cultural Sector)
Eligibility
- Experience of programming/curation with artistic vision and ambition in an arts context
- Extensive knowledge of Irish and international theatre, including current developments in form and practice
- Extensive knowledge of contemporary Irish and international visual arts practice
- Knowledge of a broad range of artistic disciplines
- Experience in a senior management or leadership role in the arts or a related field
- Experience of reporting to a Board of Directors with knowledge of best practice in corporate governance
- Passion for developing, advocating for, and growing audience engagement
- Experience of managing complex funding models, including public, private, and corporate income streams
- Demonstrable expertise in fundraising and income generation
- A track record in financial management
- A commitment to inclusion and evidence of bringing principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion into practice
- Demonstrable ability to lead and exert positive influence on key stakeholders and policy makers, including proven negotiation skills
- Expertise in the development, implementation, and review of strategic plans
- Proven ability to recruit, inspire, lead, and manage a team
- Proven strong administration skills with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
- Excellent communication and media skills, with confidence in a public-facing role
- Applicant must have legal status to work in the Republic of Ireland (stated first in the source's terms of employment)
Program Benefits
- Salary: €68,250.00
- Holidays: 24 days per annum plus bank holidays
- Contract security: Permanent position (following a 12-month probationary period)
- No other financial or in-kind benefits (health insurance, pension, professional development allowance, etc.) are specified in the source
Application Fee
Non
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 21 August 2026
Location
Carlow Town, Co. Carlow, Republic of Ireland
Additional Details
- Shortlisting is based on information supplied on the Application Form together with answers to assessment questions; the source advises applicants to provide a detailed and accurate account of experience
- Interviews are competency-based, assessed against five named competencies: Strategic Leadership and Artistic Vision; Governance, Financial Management and Risk; People Leadership and Organisational Culture; Stakeholder Engagement, Representation and Delivery; and Knowledge and Experience
- The post is subject to Garda Vetting for the successful applicant, and to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016, given potential contact with children or vulnerable persons
- Applications are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and will be treated in strict confidence; personal data is processed under GDPR solely for the purpose of the recruitment process and shared only with the designated shortlisting/interview panel
- Any attempt to canvass or influence a Board member or interview panel member on the candidate's behalf results in automatic disqualification
- Sharing information about the selection/interview process (including via social media) may result in disqualification
- Candidates found ineligible at any stage, or who provide inaccurate, untrue, or misleading information, will be disqualified, have any employment offer withdrawn, or be dismissed if already hired
- Candidates who fail to attend a required interview or fail to furnish requested evidence have no further claim to compensation
- Carlow Arts Centre Limited is not responsible for candidate expenses incurred during the process
- Applicants are responsible for regularly checking their email, including Junk/Spam folders, as Carlow Arts Centre Limited accepts no responsibility for notifications not received
- Late applications will not be accepted
- Carlow Arts Centre Limited is an equal opportunities employer
- Applicants are advised to retain a copy of their completed application form