DanceWest is looking for an inspiring and purpose-driven Chief Executive to lead them into their next exciting chapter of growth, bringing a fresh perspective and entrepreneurial spirit to the role.
Who we are
DanceWest is a registered charity that has been pioneering high-quality dance programmes since 2014. We offer a creative response to local challenges including poor health, socioeconomic disadvantage and limited access to physical activity. Our work has been recognised with awards from One Dance UK, and our founder was nominated for a Spotlight Award.
We deliver free and low-cost dance, health and wellbeing activities, co-designed with participants and partners. Each year, we engage over 30,000 people of all ages and abilities through more than 76 weekly classes, supporting vulnerable and diverse communities across seven London boroughs: Brent, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow, Richmond, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston and Westminster.
Founded by Rosie Whitney-Fish, DanceWest is driven by a clear mission: to make dance accessible to everyone. In 2021, we opened a dedicated community studio at the Sands End Arts & Community Centre in Fulham, establishing a permanent space to grow and connect with our community.
The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith played a pivotal role in DanceWest’s early success and remains a valued strategic partner. As we look to the future, we are keen to deepen this partnership as part of our wider commitment to collaboration and growth.
In 2024, we were honoured to become the Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham’s nominated charity and expanded our constitution to enable national collaboration with like-minded partners.
We are proud members of London Youth, Sported, One Dance UK and People Dancing, and our work has been featured in The Guardian, Evening Standard, Marie Claire and London Live.
About the role
In this role, you will lead DanceWest’s strategic direction, working closely with the Board to deliver the organisation’s vision in line with its mission and charitable objectives. You will model inclusive, values-driven leadership and foster a culture of collaboration, creativity and excellence.
With responsibility for financial sustainability, overseeing planning, budgeting and risk management, while driving income generation through fundraising, partnerships, and earned revenue from the studio and events, the CEO will ensure an innovative approach is taken to guarantee sustainability.
You will lead our small, skilled team, working with our extensive freelance community, maintaining effective operations across HR, safeguarding and compliance, and supporting a high-performing, supportive workplace culture.
You will act as DanceWest’s principal ambassador, representing the organisation to funders, partners, media and stakeholders, and advocating for the role of dance in community wellbeing. Finally, working with the onsite team, you will oversee the delivery of inclusive, high-quality programmes and the smooth operation of the Sands End Arts & Community Centre studio, making sure that all activities are impactful, well-evaluated and fully compliant.
Who we are looking for
With a strong track record of senior leadership, ideally within the charity, arts or social-impact sectors, you will bring strategic vision and the ability to turn plans into action, with experience leading high-performing teams and fostering an inclusive, values-led culture.
You will also have a track record of successful income generation, including fundraising from trusts, foundations, individuals and partners, alongside commercial acumen to support sustainable growth.
You will bring an entrepreneurial approach, innovating with regard to both commercial-income generation and fundraising-income generation. Your financial-management skills will be robust, with confidence in budgeting, reporting and risk oversight.
As an excellent communicator and relationship builder, you will be able to engage with funders, partners, communities and boards with credibility and warmth. Finally, you will hold a deep commitment to equity and social impact, leading with integrity and innovation, to ensure programmes are inclusive, impactful and compliant with safeguarding and legal standards.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
David Hingley | david@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07534 244249
Welcome from the Chair of the Board of Trustees
Thank you for your interest in the role of Chief Executive at DanceWest.
This is a pivotal moment for the organisation as we look to appoint a new Chief Executive to lead DanceWest into its next phase of growth and development. As we look ahead, the Board is focused on building greater resilience, deepening our community impact, and securing long-term sustainability for DanceWest’s inclusive and empowering dance programmes across West London. A key part of this next chapter is scaling the charity’s reach beyond West London, taking DanceWest to a national level and creating a greater impact across the UK.
We are now seeking an exceptional individual to take forward this important work. As our newly appointed Chief Executive, you will be a strategic and hands-on leader, driven by a passion for the transformative power of dance. You will bring entrepreneurial flair, be an astute fundraiser, offer operational rigour, and have a deep understanding of how creative programmes can positively impact individuals and communities.
DanceWest delivers more than 200 classes a year, reaching thousands of people through schools, hospitals, care homes, holiday clubs, and community programmes. We are particularly proud of our work with young people, older adults, those living with long-term health conditions and disabilities, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. You will be committed to continuing this inclusive and empowering work while also strengthening our financial sustainability, partnerships and long-term vision.
This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to lead a respected and ambitious charity with a clear social mission. Whether you come from a background in dance, the arts, health or charity, what matters most is your ability to inspire, create impact and drive DanceWest to new heights.
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.
Maria Polydorou
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Accessibility information
We understand that different members of the community have different access needs and have made some modifications to the way we do business to accommodate people from diverse communities and abilities.
Our accessibility provisions include:
- Step-free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation.
- Accessibility dogs are welcome.
- Interviews can be held in meeting rooms that support hearing loops.
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats.
Applicants with a disability are invited to contact us in confidence at any point during the recruitment process to discuss steps that could be taken to overcome operational difficulties presented by the role, or if any adjustments or support are required regarding the recruitment process.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dominic Moon | dominic@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07539 386991
David Hingley | david@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07534 244249
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Job Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: DanceWest – Chief Executive” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
David Hingley | david@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07534 244249
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive, and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010 and can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification, please let us know.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact Dominic Moon. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Wednesday 20th August 2025
Candidates informed of outcome: Wednesday 27th August 2025
First stage interviews (virtual): Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Final stage interviews (in-person): Wednesday 10th September and/or Thursday 11th September 2025
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and DanceWest are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
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