Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement (NM19)
Contract: Permanent, working 35 hours per week. Arts Council also 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 are operating a hybrid way of working and support our staff to make use of remote working options when combined with regular on-site contact days with other members of the team, normally 1‑2 days a week.
About the role
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 play a key role in supporting a thriving cultural sector by working closely with funded organisations, creative practitioners and local partners. You will help guide investment, monitor performance, offer developmental support and champion the value of creativity and culture. The 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.
Standard week example
* Giving funding advice, assessing grant applications, understanding project information, and monitoring the performance of funded organisations and projects including National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) and Creative People and Places (CPP) programmes
* Analysing financial information, identifying investment risks, and providing feedback to applicants
* Sharing your expertise and advocating internally and externally related to Communities and Engagement as well as working outside your specialism on a range of Arts Council initiatives
* Supporting the Arts Council’s place‑based approach by undertaking development activities in designated Priority Places
About Arts Council England
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.
Online Recruitment Drop In Session for Applicants
We will be holding an online drop‑in on Zoom for potential applicants to find out more about the role and what it is like to work as a Relationship Manager for Arts Council England.
When: Wednesday 15 April, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Where: Zoom Meeting – please reserve your spot via Eventbright here
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement
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 applicants of any background.
If there are any adjustments that would support you in your application, please let us know when you apply. If you are disabled, Evenbreak is able to provide support with your application. For further information please visit their website here.
We participate in the ‘Offer an Interview’ scheme which means that we offer an interview to any disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role, subject to the volume of applications received. Disabled candidates, those living with a long‑term condition and/or neurodivergent candidates may be eligible for this scheme.
The scheme uses the definition of disability from the Equality Act 2010 to determine eligibility. More information is included in the application guidance.
About us
Arts Council offers a range of benefits to our employees including hybrid and flexible working, a generous annual leave allowance and the Arts Council Retirement Plan – a final salary scheme.
Job Description
To view the job description please click here.
To view the recruitment pack which outlines more details about working for Arts Council please click here.
Job ref: NM19
Closing date: 09:00 Wednesday 22 April
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 any documentation in an alternative format, please contact recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk.
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