Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement, Arts Council England

Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement, Arts Council England

Contract: Permanent, 35 hours per week. Arts Council recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and welcomes applications from individuals who require flexibility.

Salary: £38,689 per annum plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.

Location: Manchester. The role will be based in Manchester; however, we operate a hybrid model and support staff to use remote working when combined with regular on-site contact days, normally 1-2 days a week.

Arts Council England is looking for a collaborative and inclusive Relationship Manager, Engagement & Communities, to join our North West team at an exciting time for the region.

You will bring experience of engaging communities from a wide range of backgrounds in culture and creativity, particularly those who may be less likely to take part. You will be confident in advising and supporting creative practitioners and organisations, and passionate about broadening engagement through co‑creation, co‑production and empowering community voice.

As a Relationship Manager, you will play a key role in delivering our strategy, Let’s Create, supporting our ambition for a country transformed by creativity and culture.

Relationship Managers support a thriving cultural sector by working closely with funded organisations, creative practitioners and local partners. You will guide investment, monitor performance, offer developmental support and champion the value of creativity and culture. This role involves building strong, trust‑based relationships, understanding local cultural ecology, and ensuring our strategic ambitions are delivered across communities.

A significant part of this role will involve supporting our Creative People and Places (CPP) programme. CPP focuses on increasing participation in creativity and culture in areas where engagement is below the national average. It empowers communities to shape the cultural activity they want to experience, placing local people at the heart of decision‑making. The programme supports long‑term collaboration between communities, artists and organisations, and is made possible through National Lottery funding.

• Give funding advice, assess grant applications, understand project information, and monitor the performance of funded organisations and projects including National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) and CPP programmes.
• Analyse financial information, identify investment risks, and provide feedback to applicants.
• Share expertise and advocate internally and externally related to Communities and Engagement, and work outside your specialism on a range of Arts Council initiatives.
• Support the Arts Council’s place‑based approach by undertaking development activities in designated Priority Places.

Arts Council England is what is known as an Arm’s Length Body and is the national development agency for creativity and culture.

We champion, develop and invest in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. We support activity across the arts, museums and libraries, helping artists and communities across the country to access high‑quality creative opportunities.

Guided by our strategy, Let’s Create, we work locally, regionally and nationally to ensure that creativity is valued, talent can flourish, and everyone in England can enjoy a rich cultural life.

Arts Council are committed to being an inclusive employer, building an inclusive workplace, and recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We welcome you to apply for a role at Arts Council regardless of your background.

We offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role, subject to the volume of applications received. The definition of disability is based on the Equality Act 2010.

Online Recruitment Drop‑In Session for Applicants:

When:
Wednesday 15 April, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Where:
Zoom Meeting – please reserve your spot via Eventbrite.

Interview schedule:

1st Interview (virtual):
Monday 11 May
2nd Interview (in person, Manchester office):
Thursday 21 May

Please note:

We do
NOT accept CVs or cover letters as part of our recruitment process. If you require documentation in an alternative format, please contact re

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