REA arts + culture
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Yirra Yaakin is seeking an Executive Director to provide exceptional leadership, focussing on audience, artistic and financial sustainability.
- For over thirty years, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company has been a powerful voice for Aboriginal storytellers, celebrating and sharing First Nations culture through the performing arts
- Based in Subiaco Arts Centre, WA, this is a significant opportunity for an accomplished leader who is excited and energised by building on a legacy and organisational renewal
- First Nations people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Established in 1993 – the Year of Indigenous People – Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company was founded to provide an artistic outlet for positive self-determination within the Aboriginal community. What began as a small initiative with three staff members has since evolved into a nationally respected cultural leader in Aboriginal theatre, presented by major theatre companies in Australia, festivals and venues. Over three decades, four Artistic Directors have contributed to the program, prominence and creative life of the company, including founding Artistic Director David Milroy, Kyle Morrison, Eva Grace Mullaley and Maitland Schnaars, who was appointed in 2023.
The Yirra Yaakin Board is seeking an Executive Director (ED) to provide exceptional leadership, focussing on audience, artistic and financial sustainability, while maintaining robust connections within Aboriginal, government, business and artistic communities, both locally and nationally.
The ED reports directly to the Board and works collaboratively with the Artistic Director. This role is ultimately responsible for organisational reporting, leadership and company performance, and direction of effective day to day management and enabling business functions to ensure Yirra Yaakin delivers on its strategic vision and financial success. This includes the realisation of the Artistic Director’s vision, building brand and profile, developing audiences, increasing financial viability, overseeing the company’s scheduling and operations, developing and supporting the talents of staff and First Nations artists. Supervising business operations including finance, marketing, development, education and producing, the ED actively nurtures and role-models a positive and safe organisational culture, ensuring that planning, governance, risk management and compliance processes are professionally supported.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced manager with a proven track record from an organisation of similar scale and scope to Yirra Yaakin ($2.3m turnover). While experience in the arts or not-for-profit (NFP) sector is preferred, it is not essential. The successful candidate should have a strong background in working within consumer-focused organisations, which will be crucial for Yirra Yaakin’s continued growth and success.
Candidates from diverse career backgrounds, including the arts, education, or not-for-profit sectors, are encouraged to apply.
This process and search is led by REA arts + culture, specialists in executive and c-suite search for creative industry leaders across Australia. Interested applicants are invited to contact Vanessa Duscio to obtain a copy of the key selection criteria and detailed Candidate Pack, and a confidential discussion about the role and their potential candidacy.
Vanessa Duscio
+61 409 977 312
Applications are due by close of business Friday 9 May, 2025.
