National Arts Council: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

5 YEARS FIXED TERM POSITION AVAILABLE

 (Salary package: DPSA level 15)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The National Arts Council is a grant distribution agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, established through the National Council Act, No 56 of 1997.  The NAC is responsible for the funding and development of the cultural and creative sector, particularly music, craft, dance, theatre, literature, visual arts, multi-disciplinary and the granting of bursaries.  The NAC aims is to be an accessible and a responsive funding agency, delivering public value, a catalyst in the arts and in support of free and diverse artistic expressions. Given the tight economic climate , the CEO will need to ensure efficient and economic use of resources as per Chapter 10 of the Constitution.

REQUIREMENTS (full job specification is available upon request)

The National Arts Council is looking for a Chief Executive Officer to be responsible for the execution and implementation of the strategy of the organisation as delegated by Council.  In the effective execution of the strategy, the CEO will be responsible for the development of the business and operational plan necessary for the delivery of key objectives that will transform, develop, and grow the industry.

The CEO reports directly to Council and is responsible for the overall management of NAC operations, and provides leadership to staff in developing, articulating, and achieving the vision for the entity’s legislative mandate through:

• Implementing the strategic goals and objectives of the NAC,
• Enabling the Board to fulfill its governance function,
• Giving direction and leadership toward the achievement of NAC’s philosophy, mission, strategy and annual goals and objectives,
• Assertively advocating for the arts on behalf of the cultural and creative sector,
• Working with internal and external stakeholders to promote the arts,
• Increasing the pool of arts practitioners receiving funding from the NAC,
• Creating markets access for practitioners to showcase their art locally and abroad,
• Experience in securing alternative sources of funding and the management of an approved fundraising strategy,
• Develop innovative blended finance mechanisms that mobilise private sector and donor contributions alongside National Treasury Allocations,
• Ensuring adherence to strict governance in the administration of NAC grant funding,
• Provide thought leadership in the development and administration of the arts.

Minimum education requirement

• Honours degree or equivalent NQF level 8 qualifications in the areas of; arts management / administration, business management, financial management, public administration, social sciences or relevant discipline.
• Master’s Degree or equivalent NQF level 9 qualification relating to the above fields is preferred.

Required experience

• Minimum of 10 years’ demonstrable experience of senior management role,
• Experience in heading a public organisation in related sectors or units of a public organisation is preferred,
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience with background in the Arts and Culture field is preferred, 
• Knowledge of Corporate Governance of public sector entities,
• Knowledge of Public Finance Management and its regulations and but not limited to the PFMA,
• Experience in Development Finance, Financial Structuring, PPP and large scale project implementation.

Skills and attributes

• Strategic vision with the ability to drive execution
• Leadership skills
• Negotiations skills
• Assertiveness
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Business acumen
• Efficient and accurate with attention to detail
• Integrity, sound judgment and strong business ethics
• Problem solving and decision making
• Knowledge of corporate governance of public entities and applicable legislation.

A market related package will be negotiated with the successful candidate(s). If you have not heard from the NAC within 6 (six) months, please note that your application has been unsuccessful. The NAC applies the Employment Equity Act in its recruitment process and strives for a staff complement that is representative of South Africa. The NAC reserves the right not to appoint.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications, work experience and vision for the role, the application should be accompanied by certified copies (certified within the last 3 months) of qualifications and identification.

Applications must be addressed to email: recruitmentceo@nac.org.za with subject line: Chief Executive Officer application.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Previous applicants need to re-apply.

Legal and Equity Compliance Statement for Inclusion in Adverts:

The National Arts Council (NAC) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to complying with the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No. 55 of 1998), the Public Service Act, 1994 (Act No. 103 of 1994), and Section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.

The NAC is a designated employer in terms of the Employment Equity Act. The appointment will follow the entity’s EEA targets.

Only South African citizens and permanent residents will be considered for appointment, in compliance with Section 10 of the Public Service Act, 1994. Foreign nationals may only be considered in exceptional circumstances, subject to approval by the relevant authority and where critical skills are demonstrably scarce within the local labour market.

 

Closing date:  23:59 on Friday, 27 March 2026

FOR ENQUIRIES

Contact person: Ms. Florence Mohale

Contact details: 066 472 6216/087 700 0683

Email: florence@nac.org.za