Join the Board of James Wilton Dance

James Wilton Dance is recruiting 5–7 new Board Members to help shape the next chapter of one of the UK’s leading contemporary dance companies.

James Wilton Dance is an award-winning contemporary dance company led by Artistic Directors James Wilton and Sarah Jane Taylor. Over the past 12 years, the company has developed an international reputation for its distinctive blend of contemporary dance, acrobatics, martial arts and highly physical performance.

We are now entering an exciting new phase of development. We are looking to establish a new Board of 5–7 non-executive Board Members who can bring a broad range of expertise, experience and perspectives to help us grow the organisation, strengthen our governance and take the company to the next level.

This is an unpaid, voluntary role, but an opportunity to have a meaningful influence on the future direction of an ambitious and internationally active arts organisation.

Why join us?

James Wilton Dance has built a strong reputation for ambitious, physically powerful contemporary dance and has toured extensively across the UK and internationally.

Our next ambition is to build the organisational infrastructure and strategic capacity to match the scale of our artistic ambitions.

Over the coming years, we aim to:

• expand our UK and international touring activity;
• strengthen our organisational and financial sustainability;
• develop new partnerships and sources of income;
• build our audiences and engagement work;
• develop our international presence;
• strengthen our governance and organisational structures;
• and work towards applying for Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status.

We are therefore looking for Board Members who are excited by the opportunity to help shape this development from an early stage.

Who are we looking for?

We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience or expertise in areas including:

Business & Finance
People with experience of business development, financial management, fundraising, investment, commercial strategy or organisational growth.

Legal & Governance
People with legal, governance, company law, intellectual property or contractual expertise.

Arts & Culture
People with experience of the performing arts, dance, theatre, producing, programming, touring, commissioning, cultural policy or arts leadership.

Education & Participation
People with experience in education, schools, learning and participation, community engagement or developing meaningful relationships between arts organisations and communities.

Safeguarding & People
People with expertise in safeguarding, HR, organisational culture, equality, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing or working with children and vulnerable adults.

Marketing, Communications & Audience Development
People with experience of developing audiences, digital communications, marketing, PR, brand development or building an organisation’s public profile.

International Development
People with experience of international touring, cultural exchange, international partnerships or working across different cultural contexts.

You do not need to have experience in all of these areas. We are deliberately seeking a Board with a complementary mix of skills, backgrounds and perspectives.

Most importantly, we are looking for people who are enthusiastic about contemporary dance and the wider role that ambitious arts organisations can play in society.

What would you do?

Board Members will work collectively with the Artistic Directors and senior team to provide strategic oversight, advice and constructive challenge.

This could include:

• helping to shape the company’s long-term strategy;
• advising on organisational development and growth;
• providing expertise in your particular area of experience;
• supporting the company’s ambitions around Arts Council England NPO status;
• helping to develop sustainable financial and business models;
• contributing to discussions around governance, safeguarding and organisational responsibility;
• opening doors to new partnerships, networks and opportunities;
• acting as an ambassador for the company;
• and providing constructive challenge and support to the Artistic Directors.

We are not looking for people simply to attend meetings. We want Board Members who are willing to engage with the organisation, ask difficult questions when necessary, share their expertise and actively contribute to its development.

Commitment

This is an unpaid voluntary position.

There will be 4 Board meetings per year, alongside occasional additional conversations or opportunities to support the company. Meetings will generally be held online / in person / a combination of both, with reasonable flexibility around location.

We recognise that Board Members are giving their time voluntarily and will aim to make the commitment proportionate, purposeful and rewarding.

Diversity and representation

We believe that the strongest organisations are built by bringing together people with different experiences, perspectives and ways of thinking.

We particularly welcome applications from people who are currently underrepresented on arts organisation Boards, and from people from a wide range of backgrounds, communities, ages and lived experiences.

You do not need to have previously served on an arts Board. We are interested in what you can bring, not simply the positions you have held previously.

How to apply

Please send us:

1. A short CV outlining your relevant experience; and
2. A short statement (maximum [300] words) explaining why you are interested in joining the Board of James Wilton Dance and what you feel you could bring to the organisation.

Applications should be sent to info@jameswiltondance.com by 30/09/2026

We are happy to have an informal conversation with prospective applicants before they apply.

James Wilton Dance is committed to creating an inclusive organisation and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds.

We are looking for people who believe in ambitious contemporary dance, who want to help build something, and who are excited by the possibility of contributing to the next stage of James Wilton Dance’s development.

Could you help us take James Wilton Dance to the next level?