Head of Cultural Services

Job Details

• Hours:
  
  37 per week
• Salary: £63,303 - £70,596
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Location:
  
  Hereford
• Closing date:
  Thursday 11th June 2026
• Interview date:
  To be confirmed – July onwards

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for culture, heritage and public service? Do you have the vision and drive to lead major cultural services and programmes that make a real difference to people’s lives? This is a pivotal moment for Herefordshire. We are reshaping how cultural services are delivered, alongside investing in major infrastructure such as the redevelopment of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery and the new Hereford Library and Learning Centre.

This role sits at the heart of our Community Wellbeing directorate and plays a key part in delivering the Council Plan and Herefordshire’s Cultural Strategy.

• Lead the transformation and modernisation of cultural services to ensure they are sustainable, efficient and responsive to community needs
• Provide strategic leadership for all cultural services including museums, libraries and archives
• Lead or support the delivery of major capital projects from development through to completion
• Shape and deliver cultural programming that supports health, wellbeing and economic growth
• Manage significant funding programmes and secure external investment
• Develop and implement cultural strategies, policies and service plans
• Build strong partnerships with local, regional and national organisations and funders
• Represent the council on the Herefordshire Cultural Partnership Board
• Champion culture across the council, ensuring it is embedded in wider services and priorities
• Lead and develop high performing teams, setting clear expectations and driving improvement
• Act as the council’s lead advisor on cultural, heritage and library services

• Salary range of £63,303 - £70,596
• Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress
• Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
• Flexible working: including the potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
• Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

• Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, offering support and community. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.