Achates Recruits and Brings Change
At Achates we support organisations to make change through the adoption of a purpose-led, audience-informed approach to their development. Achates Recruits and Brings Change applies this distinctive approach to recruitment and change management by offering a range of products which support organisations and leaders to bring about change in a sustainable and inclusive way by centring on organisational purpose and ensuring that all key stakeholders are fully engaged and valued in the process. Products offered include Executive Appointment and Recruitment Support, Leadership Support and Development including training and executive coaching, and bespoke change management support.
Recent clients have included the Royal Shakespeare Company, New Art Exchange, National Centre for Writing, Macrobert Arts Centre, English Touring Theatre, East Street Arts, Complicite, PalMusic, RADA, VocalEyes, Shakespeare’s Globe, Worthing Theatres and Museums and the Institute for International Visual Arts.
For a full list of case studies click here.
To discuss your recruitment, training, coaching and/or organisational change needs in more detail and to learn how Achates might support you please contact our Director of Recruitment and Organisational Change, Vicki Grace, at vicki@achates.org.uk for an initial exploratory chat.
Current Recruitment Opportunities
The Poetry School – Artistic Director & Joint CEO (Maternity Cover)
The Poetry School is seeking a proactive, dynamic and strategic Artistic Director & Joint CEO to cover a period of Maternity Leave. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside the Finance and Operations Director & Joint CEO to deliver The Poetry School’s artistic and educational vision and mission, designed to enable and inspire audiences to create and experience poetry.
Artistic Director & Joint CEO (Maternity Cover)
The Artistic Director & Joint CEO (Maternity Cover) will uphold and deliver the current Artistic Director’s artistic and educational vision for The Poetry School and, with the Finance and Operations Director & Joint CEO, hold final decision-making responsibility over all aspects of public programming, creative development, community activity, artistic support, and major projects. They will also take the lead on partnership management, fundraising, and team management, and seek to maximise opportunities to grow the School’s position as the centre for poetry education in the UK, particularly in the North of England where there is a strategic priority to grow impact.
More details can be found in the Recruitment Pack.
To discuss the role in more detail please contact Vicki Grace, Director of Recruitment and Organisational Change at Achates who are supporting us with this process, by emailing vicki@achates.org.uk to set up a confidential conversation.
To apply for the role of Artistic Director & Joint CEO (Maternity Cover) at The Poetry School please send a supporting statement (of no more than 2 pages) outlining why you want to work for The Poetry School and how you meet the requirement of the role along with your CV (of no more than 2 pages) to recruits@achates.org.uk.
If you have any access requirements at this stage of the process please let us know by contacting vicki@achates.org.uk.
Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 22 September 2025
First round interviews: w/c 29 September 2025 (online)
Tall Stories – Chair of the Board of Trustees
Tall Stories is seeking a new Chair with a dynamic, strategic and commercially driven approach to governance to support, redefine and deliver the 5 year strategy. Tall Stories is a leading theatre company touring the UK and the world with our exciting blend of storytelling theatre, catchy music, innovative puppetry and lots of laughs. Based at the Tall Stories Studio, an accessible 80 seat space situated in the Central Library in Islington, London. The space plays host to preview performances. and they run artist development programmes and deliver wider community activities to complement their programme of on-stage work.
Chair of the Board of Trustees
The Chair will oversee the governance and strategic direction of the organisation. They will lead the Board of Trustees and support the executive team to realise our vision to create and share stories that broaden horizons, inspire generations and bring joy to children and families. Crucially, the candidate will be someone who can support them to realise the true potential so Tall Stories’ next stage and work with them to truly maximise the impact of their work both for global audiences and their local community.
More details can be found in the Recruitment Pack.
To discuss the role in more detail please contact Vicki Grace, Director of Recruitment and Organisational Change at Achates who are supporting us with this process, by emailing vicki@achates.org.uk to set up a confidential conversation.
To apply for the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees at Tall Stories please send a supporting statement (of no more than 2 pages) telling us about yourself, your interest in Tall Stories, why you want to lead the organisation at this time and how you meet the person specification, along with your CV (of no more than 2 pages) to recruits@achates.org.uk.
If you have any access requirements at this stage of the process please let us know by contacting vicki@achates.org.uk.
Closing date for applications: 10am Monday 22 September 2025
First round interviews: 30 September/1 October 2025 (online)
Second round interviews: 13 October 2025 (in person)
Tall Stories – Trustee
Tall Stories is seeking a new Trustee with experience as a creative or artistic leader to help guide the company’s strategic growth and artistic future. Tall Stories is a leading theatre company touring the UK and the world with our exciting blend of storytelling theatre, catchy music, innovative puppetry and lots of laughs. Based at the Tall Stories Studio, an accessible 80 seat space situated in the Central Library in Islington, London. The space plays host to preview performances. and they run artist development programmes and deliver wider community activities to complement their programme of on-stage work.
Trustee
The Trustee will advise and support Tall Stories’ Executive team as they undergo a strategic review that will inform Tall Stories’ 5-year strategy and explores the artistic programme, touring model and partnerships. They are looking for someone with a creative and strategic approach to governance who would enjoy the opportunity to contribute to the cultural sector by helping to lead Tall Stories into its next phase. You will be empathetic and will be passionate about the role theatre can play in people’s lives and will have an understanding of the landscape within which Tall Stories is making and programming artistic work including its opportunities and challenges.
More details can be found in the Recruitment Pack.
To discuss the role in more detail please contact Vicki Grace, Director of Recruitment and Organisational Change at Achates who are supporting us with this process, by emailing vicki@achates.org.uk to set up a confidential conversation.
To apply for the position of Trustee of Tall Stories, please submit a CV (of no more than 2 pages) along with a Cover Letter (of no more than 2 pages) telling us about yourself, your interest in Tall Stories, why you want to help lead the organisation at this time and how you meet the person specification to recruits@achates.org.uk.
If you have any access requirements at this stage of the process please let us know by contacting vicki@achates.org.uk.
Closing date for applications: Monday 20 October at 9am.
Round 1 Interview – w/c 3 November
Round 2 Interviews – w/c 10 or w/c 14 November
Theatre Royal Stratford East – Development Director
Theatre Royal Stratford East is seeking an entrepreneurial and creative new Development Director to lead on the fundraising strategy in close collaboration with the newly appointed Co-CEOs and Chair, as they embark on a new growth-oriented business plan.
Development Director
The successful candidate will bring energy, enthusiasm and imagination, working to maximise Stratford East’s fundraising potential with a particular focus on growing membership and major giving as well as ensuring stable relationships with Trusts and Foundations. You will work closely with the new Chair of the Board and will work with the Co-CEOs to steer the Development Board to maximise opportunities for new fundraising opportunities. The Development Director is an integral member of the Senior Leadership Team and will participate in the strategic leadership of the organisation and act as an ambassador of the company. The postholder will manage the organisation’s strategic relationships with a range of stakeholders.
More details can be found in the Recruitment Pack.
To discuss the role in more detail please contact Vicki Grace, Director of Recruitment and Organisational Change at Achates who are supporting us with this process, by emailing vicki@achates.org.uk to set up a confidential conversation.
To apply for the role of Development Director at Theatre Royal Stratford East please send a supporting statement (of no more than 2 pages) outlining why you want to work for Theatre Royal Stratford East and how you meet the requirement of the role along with your CV (of no more than 2 pages) to recruits@achates.org.uk.
If you have any access requirements at this stage of the process please let us know by contacting vicki@achates.org.uk.
Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 29 September 2025
First round interviews will take place during the week commencing 6 October with second round interviews week commencing 13 October.
Privacy Statement: If Achates acts as the party in receipt of all applications Achates will control, process and share your data with the commissioned party for the purposes of recruitment, in line with Achates’ Data protection processes which can be provided on request. Data will only be processed in the candidate’s best interest and stored for as long as necessary. You have the right to access the data we hold about you and revoke your consent at any time.
