Chief Executive Officer ~ Paradaise Today

Chief Executive Officer

The Africa Centre was established in 1964 as a home-away-from-home for the African Diaspora in London. It served as a platform for pan-Africanism and the struggle for independence in the 60s and 70s and went on to become a hub for creativity in African art and culture in the 80s and 90s. Today, The Africa Centre exists to promote Africa's cultural diversity outside of the continent. It serves as a hub to promote creativity and innovation in African art, culture, business and entrepreneurship in London. It does this by offering the African Diaspora and people interested in Africa a platform for experiencing exciting and engaging events, lectures, discussions and debates of cultural and business interests. These events are ideal venues for networking and meeting of other like-minded people and organisations.

The Council of Management (also known as the Board of Trustees) is seeking a CEO to develop and implement a strategy that will deliver on an ambitious new vision for the Africa Centre. With the over-arching objective of making the Centre the preeminent UK destination at which all manner of dialogue & interaction pertaining to the continent's progress takes place, the CEO will be tasked with laying the foundations to make this possible. Near-term goals will include the acquisition of a new home for the Africa Centre, giving direction to the existing team, developing a financial plan to ensure sustained viability and setting up an Endowment Fund. The CEO will also be responsible for overseeing the development of a programme of compelling events throughout 2015 (including the 50^th Anniversary Celebrations scheduled for March).

The CEO will be the key custodian of The Africa Centre's proud heritage, whilst championing it reinvention for the 21^st century. He or she will be a capable ambassador for the Centre's work, making sure that the good name, intellectual property and values of the organisation are safeguarded. He or she will maintain the special relationships the Centre shares with all stakeholders, including The Arts Council of England & Wales, in ensuring the effective implementation of strategies to realise the Centre's vision. The CEO will be the key custodian of the Africa Centre's proud heritage while championing its reinvention for the 21st Century.

Such a transformational role requires a special individual indeed. If you believe you possess most of the following attributes, we would love to speak to you…

15 years' work experience including at least 5 years running a successful business or a significant team within a successful business
Proven business development skills and Experience of developing and/or implementing a business vision and strategy
Senior level project management or operations leadership experience
Experience developing and managing organisational structures, processes and systems (including those relating to governance) to implement business strategy
Solid knowledge of and passion for Africa.
Strong financial management expertise including budgeting, full cost recovery, risk management and mitigation
An independent and objective mind; the ability to see the bigger picture and think creatively.
Strong people management, interpersonal and influencing skills in a multi-cultural context

This position reports to the Chairman and/or Vice Chair and the Trustees of the Africa Centre. In addition, he/she will have key relationships with the external advisors to and suppliers of the Centre.

The following positions will report directly to the CEO: