Managing Director

Brighton Fringe Ltd.; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A vibrant open-access arts festival organization is seeking an enthusiastic Managing Director to lead its next chapter. The role involves strategic leadership, fostering collaboration, and supporting a diverse community of artists and audiences. While experience in festivals may be beneficial, applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged. The position is full-time, with potential for flexible working arrangements, and includes generous benefits like professional development days. Deadline for applications is 10am, Wednesday 14th January 2026.

Benefits

Platinum Friends of Fringe Membership

Free Brighton Fringe registration

Staff ticket subsidy

Christmas & NY office closure

Professional development leave days

Flexibility & hybrid working opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in leading teams ideally in creative contexts or festivals.
• Strong commitment to values of diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead Brighton Fringe, supporting artists and audiences.
• Develop and implement strategic plans.
• Foster collaboration within the team and community.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Creative thinking

Job description

C'est Magnifique performed at WundaBarn at SpiegelGardens during Brighton Fringe Festival 2025Photography by Danny Fitzpatrick / DFphotographyContact Danny Fitzpatrick on 07779 606901[emailprotected]

Managing Director

Job Title: Managing Director
Job Type: Permanent – Full Time (While the role is full-time, we are open to flexible working arrangements outside the peak festival period (February–June), including the possibility of a four-day week for part of the year.)
Location: Central Brighton Office, home-working part-time option
Reports to: The Chair and Brighton Fringe’s Board of Trustees
Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week), including some evening and weekend work
Salary: £42,000 per annum
Annual leave: 28 days, including bank holidays – additional day for every two years of service, up to 5 additional days.
Benefits:

• Platinum Friends of Fringe Membership (worth £200)
• Free Brighton Fringe registration
• Staff ticket subsidy of up to £30
• Christmas & NY office closure (no annual leave usage)
• 3 additional professional development leave days
• Flexibility & hybrid working days
• Training and Professional development opportunities

What we are looking for
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and collaborative Managing Director to lead Brighton Fringe into its next chapter. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a creative, fast-paced environment and is passionate about supporting artists, venues, and audiences. While experience in festivals or the charity sector would be a real advantage, we warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds who can bring fresh perspectives, strong leadership and a commitment to our values.

Although this role is full-time, we are open to discussing a more flexible working pattern outside the busy festival period - February to June. For the right candidate, a four-day week for part of the year could be possible. If you feel excited and enthused by the idea of shaping one of the UK’s most vibrant open-access arts festivals, we’d love to hear from you.

We encourage applicants from different backgrounds with different experiences and skills to join us and help develop our working practice. We actively welcome candidates with protected characteristics and those who are currently underrepresented in the arts including; people experiencing barriers due to socio economic background, people who self-identify as LGBTQIA+, people who self-identify as D/deaf, people who self-identify as Disabled or Neurodivergent and those returning to work who have caring responsibilities. Ethnically diverse people who have experienced racism including people who are from African and Caribbean diaspora, Latinx, the East Asian Diaspora, the South East Asian Diaspora, from the South Asian Diaspora, West Asian Diaspora (including Middle East), Indigenous people, bi-racial / mixed heritage or who also self-identify as a person from the Global Majority.

To find out more about the role, please download the Job Description below.

Please email your CV and a short covering letter (no more than 1 page) outlining your interest in the role, suitability and availability to [emailprotected]

Deadline for applications is 10am, Wednesday 14th January 2026

If you would like an informal chat about the role, prior to the deadline, please contact our Operations Manager, Hannah Turk, on [emailprotected]

Recruitment Timeline

Deadline for applications: 10am, Wednesday 14th January 2026

Interviews: w/c 19th January 2026

Shortlisted Candidates meet Senior Management Team: w/c 26th January 2026

Ideal Start Date: Monday 23rd March 2026

Brighton Fringe is a company limited by guarantee and registered with the charity commission. We are an equal opportunities employer.