Relationship Manager Visual Arts

Location: Greater London

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Further Information Number of positions : 1

British Council Pay Band : 7

Employment Type

:
Indefinite Contract Local Salary £32,381 Gross per annum

Location :
London, Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff Deadline to receive applications : 13 th September 2026 7:00pm UK time

Role

Purpose:

We are seeking a highly motivated and knowledgeable individual to provide specialist expertise and leadership in support of the development, partnership building, and high-quality delivery of our Visual Arts programmes. The successful candidate will play a key role in helping programmes achieve strategic objectives, meet global and local requirements, and contribute to the British Council's cultural relations mission.

The Visual Arts team works to foster meaningful international connections and encourage shared purpose among artists, curators, organisations, and practitioners in response to the social, cultural, and environmental challenges of our time.

We support UK visual arts organisations and artists to build international networks and develop collaborative opportunities through exchange programmes, delegations, showcases, grants, and other sector development initiatives. Through partnerships with artists, curators, and arts organisations in the UK and around the world, we create programmes that deliver mutual benefit while sharing the strengths and diversity of the UK's contemporary visual arts sector internationally.

Main Accountabilities:

Sector Expertise Maintain a strong understanding of trends, opportunities and developments across the UK and international visual arts sectors, using this knowledge to inform programme development and strategic decision-making.

Develop and maintain an active network of artists, curators, organisations, funders and sector leaders to support partnership development and programme delivery.

Provide specialist advice and guidance to colleagues across the British Council, ensuring programmes reflect sector best practice, artistic excellence and organisational priorities.

Identify emerging issues, opportunities and areas for innovation that strengthen the British Council's visual arts offer and cultural relations impact.

Partnership and Stakeholder Management Develop and manage strategic relationships with partners and stakeholders to support programme delivery, sector engagement and organisational objectives.

Identify and cultivate new partnership opportunities that extend the reach, sustainability and impact of the Visual Arts portfolio.

Work effectively across internal and external networks to ensure joined-up planning and delivery within a complex matrix environment.

Represent the British Council confidently at sector events, meetings and public-facing engagements.

Programme Development and Delivery Lead or contribute to the development of exhibition partnerships, exchange initiatives and collaborative programmes, ensuring they are strategically relevant, financially viable and culturally impactful.

Oversee the delivery of approved programmes and exhibitions, ensuring effective planning, risk management, evaluation and stakeholder engagement.

Provide quality assurance and specialist advice to programmes delivered by colleagues, partners and external organisations.

Support the development and use of the British Council Collection to strengthen international engagement and showcase the breadth of UK contemporary visual arts practice.

Ensure programme information, learning and resources are accurately captured and shared through relevant systems and communication channels.

Business Development and Income Generation Contribute to fundraising, sponsorship and resource development activities to support programme growth and sustainability.

Identify opportunities for partnership investment, international touring, co-commissioning and income…